Adorable Babies at the Lincoln Park Zoo

1513 N. MacGregor Dr., Houston, Tex., 713/533-6500, houstonzoo.org, $10, seniors $5.75, ages 2-11 $5, children under 2 free. 2008 MONKEY: Born Mar. 16, 2008 Zookeepers were thrilled at the arrival of Matani, whose name means "strength" in Swahili; he's the first Schmidt's red-tailed guenon monkey to be born at the zoo in 29 years. Matani and his parents, Malaika and Kabili, use their tails for balance as they scamper around the Wortham World of Primates. Who Knew? Among various guenon species, Schmidt's have a reputation for being friendly and charming. They can live in groups of up to 50. Aww... See the photo Last Year's Babies: Where Are They Now? GOAT: Jasper, a brown-and-white Nigerian dwarf goat, turned 1 on April 1 and has really come into his own—no longer the shy mama's boy we wrote about last year. Handsome and popular, he enjoys being brushed and petted. ELAND: Already 71 pounds at birth, eland Stella has grown into a big healthy 547 pounds as of late April. She still stays close to mom Dorothy and loves the attention of her keepers and fans. ELEPHANT: Like most youngsters, Mac eagerly ripped open his presents and gobbled cake at his first birthday party back in October. Now 1½, Mac has reached the 1,700-pound mark. "His favorite toy right now is a very large tree trunk," reports Brian Hill, director of public affairs. "It's bigger than he is, but he has no trouble pushing it around." 2007 GOAT: Born April 1, 2007 The brown-and-white newborn named Jasper has been keeping close to his mother, a Nigerian dwarf goat. These herd animals are known for being gentle and small; fully-grown does are only about 16-21 inches tall. Who Knew? Both male and female goats have horns as well as beard-like tufts of hair, called wattles, under their chins. TOADS: Born March 17, 2007 A Texas native, the small Houston toad has been dying out rapidly over the past 30 years. Dr. Michael Forstner and students at Texas State University in San Marcos—near the toads' single remaining habitat—recovered some toad-egg strands and brought them to the Houston Zoo. The eggs hatched, and the zoo hopes to breed the toads in capitivity and then release them back into the wild. Who Knew? Houston toads live primarily on land, burrowing into the sand to protect themselves against cold winter weather. ANTELOPE: Born March 8, 2007 The 71-pound female calf, who was able to stand up just 15 minutes after birth, is the first giant eland delivered at the Houston Zoo. Elands are one of Africa's most endangered mammals and the largest type of antelope. This baby's mother, Dorothy, weighs 737 pounds at the ripe old age of four. Who Knew? Male antelopes have beautiful twisted horns measuring up to 50 inches and permanently attached (unlike deers antlers, which are shed annually). ELEPHANT: Born October 1, 2006 Baby Asian elephant Mac loves splashing around in his pool. He lives with his mother, 15-year-old Shanti, in the elephant exhibit, which the zoo plans to expand to more than three acres over the next few years. Who Knew? Mac's first set of four inside teeth came in at the end of January. In a lifetime, elephants typically go through six sets of teeth.

Bronx River Pkwy. at Fordham Rd., Bronx, N.Y., 718/367-1010, bronxzoo.org, $14, ages 2-12 $10, kids under 2 free, admission by donation on Wed. 2008 MONKEY: Born Jan. 23, 2008 Bolivian gray titi monkey Rachel has been keeping a close eye on baby Judas, her 10th offspring. Along with dad Jefe, they hang out in the branches of the Monkey House and snack on fruits and leafy veggies. Who Knew? The titi population of South America is on the rise, and in 2005 a Wildlife Conservation researcher identified this new species of monkey in the jungles of Bolivia's Madidi National Park. Aww... See the photo PIG: Born Aug. 16, 2007 Cathy, a babirusa piglet, is one of the newcomers visible during the 25-minute Wild Asia Monorail ride, which reopens this month for the 2008 season (May-October). The zoo used an ultrasound exam to determine that mom Kelsey was pregnant, and Kelsey gave birth after a 163-day gestation period. Who Knew? Babirusas, also known as pig-deer, hail mainly from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Males have enlarged canine teeth and even larger tusks that both curve back toward their foreheads. Despite their intimidating aspect, they've fallen prey to hunters who participate in the illegal bush-meat trade. You can learn more about efforts to protect babirusa at wcs.org. Aww... See the photo Last Year's Babies: Where Are They Now? RHINO: Since we first reported on this Indian rhino baby, she's been named Nickel to pair up with her mother, Penny. Linda Corcoran, assistant director of communications, says that Nickel's personality is like that of every little rhino: "She's playful and curious but runs to mom any time there is something new or unfamiliar." GIRAFFE: As the weather improves, Margaret, 1½, has been spending more and more time outdoors on the African Trail. She has a gentle spirit and, as an only child, gets her mom's full attention, at least for now. 2007 EBONY LANGUR: Born November 25, 2006 Langurs are arboreal primates typically spotted in Indonesia. Luckily, this baby is easier to find. She lives in the zoo's JungleWorld—an Asian rain-forest habitat—with her mother, Dashini, and her father, Indra. Who Knew? Female langurs share the infant-rearing duties within their troop, a practice known as allomothering, and forcibly take infants from their mother. RHINO: Born November 16, 2006 When the Indian rhino mother, Penny, gave birth, she weighed a whopping 5,020 pounds and delivered this 95-pound female. The baby can be seen from the zoo's Wild Asia Monorail, which is open May through October, weather permitting. Who Knew? The word rhinoceros is rooted in Greek: rhino (nose) and ceros (horn). While the herbivores have excellent hearing, they have weak eyesight and often charge when startled. GIRAFFE: Born October 30, 2006 A female baby Rothschild's giraffe named Margaret can be found with her mom at the African Plains amid lions, cheetahs, zebras and African wild dogs. The baby's namesake, Margaret Carter, and her husband, James Walter Carter, were generous supporters of the zoo. Giraffe babies born since the Carter Giraffe House opened in 1982 are named in their memory. Who Knew? Giraffes have a gestation period of 14-15 months and give birth while standing; the calf falls to the ground and, according to the zoo, the drop helps get the newborn's heart going and clear its breathing tubes. LEOPARD CUBS: Born June 7, 2006. Snow leopard Mei Mei's two female cubs, who love jumping and spinning in circles, live in the Himalayan Highlands Habitat. The area mimics the rugged, mountainous territory that these large cats inhabit in their native Central Asia. Who Knew? To help survive among the rocks and snow, the cubs have wide, plush tails for balance and padded foot soles for insulation.

1. FARMSTAYS What it is: A B&B on a working farm, where you get to help out as much as you like or just explore the area. This trend first took off in Italy, where they're called agriturismi. Why it's a great affordable family travel idea: At a farmstay, a room that sleeps four usually goes for around $100 per night—and that includes farm-related activities and breakfast. You can help gather eggs or feed sheep at Leaping Lamb Farm Stay in Alsea, Ore. The daily cost for a family of four starts at $125—and the seventh night is free (877/820-6132, leapinglambfarm.com). A week at the Herds Inn at Hedgebrook Farm in Virginia is $750 (866/783-2681, theherdsinn.com). Working Cows Dairy is a farm near Dothan, Ala., that rents a cottage that sleeps six for $300 per week (334/886-3839, workingcowsdairy.com). How to find one: Some states have farm associations—including Pennsylvania (888/856-6622, pafarmstay.com) and Vermont (866/348-3276, vtfarms.org)—which make it easy to locate farmstays. Other states—such as California (805/238-3799, agadventures.org)—maintain agritourism sites where you can find farms that rent rooms, as well as ones that only welcome day visitors. And you can always just Google your state's name and "farmstay." Bear in mind: Not all farmstays are centered around kids, so be sure to inquire. 2. STATE-PARK LODGES What it is: Our national parks are astounding, but most people don't realize that many state parks have lodges and cabins that you can rent. In South Dakota, you can rent a rustic cabin—there's A/C but no bathroom—that sleeps four for $35 a night or a lodge that sleeps eight for $150 (800/710-2267, sdparks.info). In West Virginia, you can rent a modern cabin that sleeps four for under $100 a night (304/558-2764, wvstateparks.com). Why it's a great affordable family travel idea: State-park land has been set aside for a reason—it's beautiful. So besides relatively cheap lodging, you get easy-on-the-wallet activities like hiking, fishing, kayaking, biking, and so on. Some even have golf courses! Plus, the rangers usually lead programs and activities designed for children. How to find one: Go to your state's state-park website (just Google your state name and "state park") and look for "lodging," "accommodations," or "planning your visit." Bear in mind: The lodging options vary in rusticity: Some include things like linens, and others don't. 3. FAMILY CAMPS What it is: This is the classic summer-camp experience—you stay in a cabin and eat meals in the dining hall—but for the whole family. A week in a basic cabin for a family of four, including meals, at the YMCA Camp Hi-Rock in Mount Washington, Mass., costs $870 (413/528-1227, camphirock.org). A week at YMCA Camp Sea Gull/Camp Seafarer in North Carolina costs $2,100; a weekend stay is $820 (seagull-seafarer.org). A fancier option is Medomak Camp in Maine, where the average family of four spends $2,700 per week—and that includes all food and activities (866/633-6625, medomakcamp.com). Why it's a great affordable family travel idea: It's the best way for families to experience the great outdoors without having to worry that the kids will fall off a cliff or get fatally bored. Plus, your kids will get to spend a lot of time with other kids. Too often, families think they need to spend every minute together, when we all need a break sometimes. How to find one: The only real roundup I know is one we did (search "family camps" at BudgetTravel.com). Of course, you might also Google your state and "family camp." Bear in mind: This isn't for parents who don't want to be surrounded by kids. Also, some camps have religious affiliations; find out in advance how religious the experience is. 4. SKI RESORTS IN SUMMER What it is: Ski resorts have learned how to make the most of what used to be the off-season. Besides outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, and swimming, the resorts host festivals and concerts, as well as arrange kid-centric activities like Frisbee golf, outdoor movies, and arts-and-crafts sessions. Why it's a great affordable family travel idea: You don't have to stay at the main lodge; condos are a great value—and perfect for families (because they often have more than one bedroom, plus a kitchen). Smuggler's Notch in Vermont is running a special right now for 25 percent off a summer-vacation package—meaning you can get a one-bedroom suite that sleeps four for about $200 a night (800/419-4615, smuggs.com). But the best deals are often at condos and other vacation rentals: On HomeAway.com, a vacation-rental site, I found condos in Vail, Colo., that sleep four for $150 per night—with access to a swimming pool and tennis courts. Steamboat, Colo., has three great options: Storm Meadows Club Condominiums ($175 per night, with access to a pool, tennis courts, and a fitness center), Rabbit Ears Motel (a room with two queens is $159 per night, with A/C, a fridge, and a microwave), and Rockies Condominiums (a two-bedroom, two-bath condo is $158 per night). They can all be booked via Steamboat (800/922-2722, steamboat.com). How to find one: The ski resorts near your home probably have a slate of summer deals and activities. Bear in mind: Some resorts also have kids' clubs, so your kids can spend a chunk of the day hanging out with other kids while the adults do their own thing. 5. GO WHERE IT'S HOT What it is: Just like ski resorts, hot-weather destinations such as southern Arizona and the Palm Springs area of California run deals in the summer. And kids don't really mind the extreme heat, as long as there's a pool. Why it's a great affordable family travel idea: There are two main options. The first one is full-service resorts: Two summers ago, I got a big room at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona for $100 a night. The resort was packed with families, because that's a great rate for a AAA five-diamond resort. On the plus side, you get all sorts of activities (slip 'n slides, fireside s'mores, and nightly movies by the pool); on the minus side, you have to pay for some of them (and all meals, and parking, and more). The best place to find these deals is on the resorts' own websites; look for resorts' Web-only rates. Also, it's worth searching kayak.com and travelzoo.com. The other option is to rent a condo or time-share at a condo resort: You'll have to plan your own activities, but the savings are substantial (and you get more space, including a kitchen). Also, there's usually a pool and perhaps other amenities, such as tennis courts and a fitness room. How to find one: In Palm Springs, McLean Company Rentals has condos that sleep four starting at $150 per night (800/777-4606, ps4rent.com). There are even deals in nondesert hot spots. Vacation rental site zonder.com has town homes in Orlando that sleep four for $161 per night. And you get access to the pool, fitness center, movie theater, kids' play area, and game room. Bear in mind: Drink lots of water! When it's hot and dry, you don't even notice yourself sweating, so you have to drink, drink, drink!

People in Birkenstocks shouldn't throw stones "'I think that's Selarón,' said my brother-in-law about a man we saw at the Selarón Staircase in Rio de Janeiro. I scoffed because he hadn't previously even heard of the Chilean artist. We said hello to the man—it was Selarón! We talked for an hour and bought paintings, which he signed. 'I'm so embarrassed,' said our friend Jane as we left. 'I framed the first photo I took so the scruffy guy wouldn't be in it!'" Mary Sienko, Minneapolis, Minn. D'oh! "My husband and I were strolling along Las Ramblas in Barcelona when we spotted a metal sculpture of Bart Simpson on his skateboard, flanked by two metallic cyclists. My husband snapped a picture of me beside a cyclist. As I stepped away, I noticed a copper coin next to an empty can on the pavement. Having never seen a euro, I picked it up. Suddenly, onlookers were shouting in Spanish and the "metal" cyclists erupted from their bikes. It was our first experience with living sculptures." Lois Newlove, Bellevue, Wash. Look what happened to the last trespassers "My sister and I were at the sculpture museum in Middelheim Park, in Antwerp, Belgium, when I commented that all the sculptures had the same title and artist—after all, the text was identical from statue to statue. My sister kindly translated it for me: Do not walk on the grass." Phyllis Walker, Pinecrest, Fla. First they suck your dignity "Traversing the Irish countryside, my friends and I came across many great photo ops, including a large mosquito sculpture on the front lawn of a quaint cottage. I was posing with the menacing insect when I looked over to find several people peering out the window, photographing what they must've thought was a very strange American." Casey O'Connell, Pensacola, Fla. We can hear it now: "Draw at ten paces" "I was standing by the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, trying to stay warm, when I noticed a man with a sketch pad staring in my direction. He was drawing me, so I took out my sketchbook and started to draw him. People gathered around him, and it soon became apparent that he was the true artist. We shared a few laughs and our drawings, and I left and went on my way." Adam Tennen, Scottsdale, Ariz. Prince Eric is in for a shock "We went to visit Copenhagen's Little Mermaid sculpture, but she wasn't anywhere to be found—she had been blown up the night before we arrived. I bought a souvenir sculpture from a kiosk and shot a picture of it on the rock. The replica was terribly unsatisfying, so I scrambled onto the rock and posed for a photo—everyone, including people on tour boats passing by, laughed and applauded." Scott Ashkenaz, Palo Alto, Calif. His left hand, however... "My girlfriend and I got lost while hiking on Mexico's Baja California peninsula. 'Christ!' I said to myself. 'Where's the car?' Reaching the top of the hill, we were amazed to behold a sight that made my earlier exclamation eerily prophetic—a giant statue of Jesus. And his right hand was pointing directly to our car." Gene Pembroke, Lester, Pa. Caught between a rock and a hard place "At a B&B in Killinick, Ireland, my father decided to take a short walk around the gardens. I followed and could see him standing in front of a statue. As I approached, he bent over to have a look, and, without laughing, I grabbed my camera just as he reached out for further inspection. The caption in my photo album now reads, 'Touch that again, old man, and you'll find out why I'm frowning.'" Linda Coates, Colorado Springs, Colo.