Weekend: Adventure is out there

Skimm’d while setting our future selves up for success — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today September 2, 2023 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm WEEKEND [Together with]( [New York Life]( Skimm’d while [setting our future selves up for success]( “Subway in the Sky” — The chain’s [new dining experience](, in which lucky guests can enjoy sandwiches aboard a flying footlong. Bready for takeoff. theSkimm With The Spotless Giraffe’s Human, David Bright Nope, you’re not seeing things — that really is [a spotless giraffe](. ICYMI, on July 31, [Brights Zoo]( in Limestone, TN, welcomed the 6-foot-tall, all-brown [giraffe](, who is believed to be extremely rare. So rare that only three have ever been spotted, apparently. Wild, right? To learn more, we spoke with the zoo’s director, David Bright… Q: How quickly after the giraffe’s arrival did you realize she was spotless? Was there a chance spots might develop later on? It was immediate ... Spots develop in the [womb], so it’s permanent ... What we didn’t know immediately was how rare it was. We started calling zoo professionals all over the world, asking them, ‘Hey, have you ever seen this? Have you ever heard of this?’ When we learned that nobody had, we knew we needed to research it closely. That’s when we found out that 1972 was the last time it ever happened … [My] first thought was total shock, but in a good way. Q: What does an average day look like for the giraffe? If the weather is good, she typically comes outside with her mom and sibling around 8 am. We watch the temperatures closely, and once it gets pretty warm, she comes back in. [Recently] that’s been anywhere between 1 pm and 4 pm … Otherwise, she’s mostly napping and nursing. Giraffes have odd sleep schedules: Adults only sleep for about 15 minutes at a time, and they do that standing up. Young giraffes, though, sleep more and will lay down to do so. Between naps and nursing, she is up and down throughout the night. Q: If you had to create a dating profile for the giraffe, what would it say? Unique is the first word to describe her — since no one really knows why she has this color and no pattern … She’s [also] very laid back. She’s not overly excited about things … [Though] one of the gates has some movement to it, and we’ve noticed she likes to rub and push on it, so she can hear the gate and chains clanking. She plays in that area quite a bit. And now she’s interacting with her sibling more ... They’ll run around each other, lick each other, and nudge each other. Q: Have there been any signs that her sibling — or the other giraffes — know she’s different? Does she realize she’s different? Not at all ... She was immediately accepted by the entire giraffe tower ... They treat her just as any other giraffe. Q: The zoo recently asked the public [to vote]( for one of four shortlisted names: Kipekee, Firyali, Shakiri, and Jamella. Is there one you’re secretly rooting for? I don’t have a favorite. From the day she arrived, we started researching Swahili names, which is what we use for all the giraffes born here … [In total] we probably looked at thousands of names across multiple sites, and from that, we [picked] the final four. Q: Both the media and the public have been taken by the newborn. Were you at all surprised by that? We’ve been surprised by how many new faces we’re seeing. [Earlier this week] we had a family visit from Gatlinburg, TN, which is an hour or two from here. But we’ve also had people come from as far as England. Psst, this interview has been edited for length and clarity. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Brights Zoo director David Bright puts the spotlight on its spotless giraffe #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening 🎤 In culture… People are pouring one out for “Margaritaville” singer [Jimmy Buffett](, who died at 76. And meet the [22 golden girls](, err, women who will be vying for the new, well, older bachelor’s heart. Speaking of romance, the undisputed queen of rom-coms (aka, Meg Ryan) [has returned](. Plus, Fran Drescher, Alyssa Milano, and [more big names]( are putting in overtime on Cameo. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🙃 In adulting… Is “[gymtimidation](” making you sweat? A “[shy girl](” workout or some “[cozy cardio](” could be a good first step. Or, maybe “[silent walking](” is more your speed. Meanwhile, more women are embarking on [solo honeymoons](. And if it feels like your friendships are coming at [a high cost]( (literally), consider [going old school]( with playtime and [relaxed hangs]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🍴 In food… Turns out, “[swicy](” is one of the hottest things right now. (Case in point: Chick-fil-A’s new [chicken sandwich](.) Because, in the words of TikTok sensation [Tanara Mallory](, “everybody’s so creative.” Meanwhile, Trader Joe’s issued another [recall](. Oh and who’s afraid of striped straws and highball glasses? [Some men](, apparently. Forward this to a friend. [Click here](mailto:?&subject=Check out this Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter&body=Check it out . Skimm Reads “[The Breakaway](” by Jennifer Weiner...Abby Stern is 33 and has a good-on-paper boyfriend. Mark is her childhood sweetheart — they first met at the fat camp her mother made her attend — and he adores her…but something is missing. When she takes a last-minute opportunity to lead a bicycling trip, she figures it’ll be a good chance to think. But some unexpected fellow cyclers (like her mother and a former one-night stand) make the ride a whooole lot more interesting. This is fun, smart, and a powerful reminder to follow your own path. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. Up to 50% off at Etsy. Pick up a [delicate initial necklace]( or get a head start on your [Halloween decorations]( (no, it’s not too early). More sale treasures, [right this way](. [Take a look]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Up to 35% off at Apt2B. If you’re itching for a furniture refresh, this is a great time to shop. [The more you buy, the more you save](. [Start saving]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Up to 50% off at Petco. Now’s the time to browse [all things pet](, from everyday essentials (hello, poop bags and kitty litter) to some special treats they absolutely deserve. [Shop the sale]( Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes [here](. Weekend Escape *Slams laptop shut until Monday.* We know the feeling. And we’ve got some tips for escape. Thanks to Insta and TikTok, you’ve probably seen [Cappadocia, Turkey]( — and its picture-perfect hot air balloon rides. Now, here’s the good news: You don’t have to travel across the globe to get carried away. That’s because September, with its relatively cool temps and clear skies, is prime time for hot air balloon festivals and rides. Here’s what you need to know to take your next adventure to new heights… - Find a [nearby festival](. If you’re looking to get up, up, and away this weekend, check out the [Hudson Valley]( and [Colorado Springs]( balloon fests. Or, catch a ride later this month in [Reno, NV](, [Paris, TX](, [Ravenna, OH](, [St. Louis, MO](, and more. You might also want to mark your cal for next month, when the country’s largest and longest-running festival — the [International Balloon Fiesta]( — lifts off in Albuquerque, NM. - Prepare for takeoff. Temperatures can vary throughout the flight, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring a light jacket. It’s also a good idea to wear pants and comfortable, closed-toed shoes since you’ll have to climb in and out of the basket. And make sure to apply (and reapply) SPF. Keep in mind: If you’re prone to motion sickness, some people recommend eating a light meal beforehand. - Check your watch. On the day of your flight, prepare for an early wake-up call. Many rides get going right around sunrise since winds tend to be calmest in the morning. But if you’re really not a morning person, you may also be able to find a ride around sunset, which is another favorable weather time. Also, speaking of weather, don’t be surprised if strong winds or other weather conditions delay or postpone your trip. ...Oh and if heights aren’t your thing, no worries. Many festivals offer all sorts of ways to join the fun and festivities from the ground. For example, some include live music, games, and fair food, so make sure to bring a picnic blanket and lawn chairs. News Quiz Let’s see how well you kept up with the Daily Skimm this week. The podcast “Strike Force Five” debuted on Wednesday. It features five... A. Former presidents B. Soccer players C. Late-night hosts D. TikTok stars Check back tomorrow for the answer. But if you just need to know, you’ll find what you’re looking for [here](. Skimm’d by: Macy Alcido, Rasheeda Campbell, Melissa Goldberg, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos courtesy of David Bright, Atria Books, sjlayne via Getty Images Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to the Daily Skimm](. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? [help@theSkimm.com](mailto:help@theskimm.com) [Advertise with us]( | [Careers]( [See our full sponsor agreement]( | [Update Your Preferences](esource=ds&date=20230902) | [Unsubscribe]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2023 theSkimm, All rights reserved. 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