Rolling Ridge Ranch

Monday marked the first day of Spencer's 3 week break from school, so we made plans to start it off with some fun! We went to this Amish zoo about an hour and a half away where you can ride in a wagon and feed the wildlife. Justin and Stacey had gone over the 4th of July weekend and said it was awesome, so they were up for going again. This place did not disappoint! Hence the massive number of pictures and videos...

Gearing up for our ride.

Here we go!

Our first stop was right inside the gate, and tons of animals just came right over to our wagon. They certainly know the drill: wagon = food. Can you tell animals make me kind of nervous?

These mammoth donkeys were a cross between their giant plowing horses and a regular donkey.

After a few other stops of feeding deer and antelope, we got to see some gigantic elk. Most of the males were content to watch us from the water where they were keeping cool.

But a few did venture out to get some grub.

We had no idea their antlers have a really soft covering of fur over them.

The guide told us they lose their antlers every year, and this new set had been growing in since March. They were huge!

When we went up the next hill, there were tons of male deer sitting near some tree stumps in the grass. We started shaking our buckets of feed, and most of them came down to check us out.

This one must have been especially hungry. There were stairs on the back of the wagon, and he wasn't shy about walking up them to get to our food.

His antlers were so cool that even Sydney wanted to touch them.

It was crazy to be so close to these animals! I told our friends that it reminded me of Snow White when she gets lost in the forest and all of those deer and rabbits come out and befriend her.

Further up the hill we stopped to see some more deer and a few water buffalo. It made me laugh that all of a sudden Stacey turned around and there was a huge ostrich right behind her.

On the last stretch we got to see alpacas, llamas, and more antelope.

Spencer started feeding this llama when the wagon was stopped, and it kept walking and eating when we started driving away.

Sydney was clapping for the antelope- she always claps with her right hand normal and her left hand in a fist.

The final stop was near the Texas longhorns. Looks like those horns are contagious... you touch one, and grow a pair of your own! Ha ha.

Our guide had warned us to hold on to our buckets tightly because some of the animals are really good at stealing them. I had a good grip when I was feeding this longhorn, but then it turned its head and I was pretty sure its horn was going to crush my arm against the side of the wagon. I dropped my bucket when I hurried to get my hand out of the way. Luckily there wasn't much food left in it.

This camel walked with us to the gate at the end of the tour.

Seriously, we had so much fun! The whole wagon ride took about an hour, and there was also a free petting zoo with some baby cows, goats, and sheep. We also got to see some cool birds, monkeys, and alligators, plus a few turkeys and peacocks that were walking around freely. Spencer even got to hold a baby chick.

If you're interested in going, their website is http://www.visitrollingridge.com and there's a printable coupon for a wagon ride.