Lehigh Valley Zoo - How do you get OUT?! (Iola: camp, safe)

[KristyLiz]

I took my son to a camp at the Lehigh Valley Zoo today and although I found it OK, getting to the actual zoo was impossible, and then once I finally got up the mountain (my kids were petrified we were going to go over the edge) I COUL NOT find my way out of that place!

It was freakin' horrible!

I actually called the zoo from the parking lot TWICE to ask for help getting out of their lot. No signs, NO SIGNS!

At one point, I turned down this street that took me to what looked like a washed out bridge -under water - only to find out later from a friend that I was supposed to drive over the submerged bridge Hello! How was I to know such a thing?

OK, vent over!

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by KristyLiz

At one point, I turned down this street that took me to what looked like a washed out bridge -under water - only to find out later from a friend that I was supposed to drive over the submerged bridge Hello! How was I to know such a thing?

I'll warn you now, there's one of those at Hickory Run State Park too. I must admit, I was a little freaked. The other people in the car assured me that was indeed the road.

[toobusytoday]

Boy, do I hear you Kristy. I had the very same experience the first time I went. I couldn't believe that was the official exit. I remember backing up and turning around because I thought I must have missed it and then feeling very stressed going out that way over what looked like lots of water. Visions of being swept downstream certainly went through my head.

[SteelCityRising]

Aren't you generally advised NOT to drive through water? What if you don't have an SUV/mini-van/pick-up? Would a low-clearance vehicle stall out while trying to drive over a SUBMERGED bridge?

[toobusytoday]

It's not really a submerged bridge, it's more like a small creek crossing the road. Just kind of disconcerting. I think I did it the first time with our station wagon. It's been awhile! If I remember correctly it's grated so the water doesn't pool and in periods of drought, it's dry.

[mczabe]

It's a ford - they're many of them throughout the suburbs of the Main Line. I always thought they were a pretty common eastern PA occurrence.

They are perfectly safe for all cars unless you're in the middle of a flood-inducing rainstorm - in which case many regular roads are likely to flood as well.

I agree, it's quite the winding road out of the zoo. But I liked it. Gave the kids a chance to wind down a bit, and I thought the scenery was lovely. I kind of like "getting lost" though, so I love unexpected travels like that.

But now you know - and next time will be a breeze!

[amybeeee]

We LOVE the Lehigh Valley Zoo...what a gem in the Valley!
Actually, there is another exit. When leaving, instead of heading towards the river road, turn around and go out the other way. You'll come to a closed gate...but once you crawl your vehicle over a white line, the gate will rise and VIOLA! you are back out on the main road that either takes you to rt 309 or rt 100. This is particularly nice if you are dropping off/picking up from camp and you want to make a quick exit. You don't have to wind through the rolling hills of the Game Preserve. Hope this helps!

[YankeeCajun]

After we moved here, we went to the zoo, but missed the turnoff to go into the zoo. We followed the road until we were at a dead end, with a sort of cliff thing on one side and the mountain on the other. THe boys in the back kept saying "we're gonna die"! What an experience! Once we found the zoo, we thought it was a nice little piece of nature.

[Dawne]

This is so funny to me. I remember as a young child absolutely loving to drive in the water. I haven't been back here for many, many years, but I hope to take my own kids one day. I know my youngest will also love driving through the water.

[Juggernaut1547]

Originally Posted by KristyLiz

At one point, I turned down this street that took me to what looked like a washed out bridge -under water - only to find out later from a friend that I was supposed to drive over the submerged bridge Hello! How was I to know such a thing?

Originally Posted by Gerania

I'll warn you now, there's one of those at Hickory Run State Park too. I must admit, I was a little freaked. The other people in the car assured me that was indeed the road.

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

remember backing up and turning around because I thought I must have missed it and then feeling very stressed going out that way over what looked like lots of water.

Can you all please explain what you're talking about? I'm moving to PA soon. The pictures I have in my head are pretty hilarious.