Bear World 2013

Yesterday we went on our annual trip to Bear World. We arrived right when the gates opened, which ended up being a good choice. The morning was still cool and the bears had just been fed so they were really active and out walking all over. One was even climbing a tree:

We passed a bear that was scratching his backside on a pole, and Cooper dubbed him "Agent Scratchbum". (He's on a spy kick). After we drove through the park we stopped in at the gift shop.

We visited the baby bear cubs and watched them wrestle and fight with each other. I would've watched them all day, but the kids got "bored" so we headed to the petting zoo.

After shelling out quarters for animal feed, the kids fed the very friendly deer and goats. The animals would nip and chew at our clothing until we got some feed to give to them (very difficult with two deer nudging your hand our of the way so they can eat right from the dispenser). Cooper fed the deer and then chased the peacock, who would have surely pecked him if I hadn't distracted him with some chickens.

After "a long time" (12 minutes) in the petting zoo, the rides were open, so we headed over there. Bear World has five rides--very tame--but you would've thought the kids were in Disneyland. They rode each ride, a few of them twice, before the crowds got so big it wasn't worth the wait anymore.

After two more drives through the park we left Bear World. We had a lovely lunch at Wendy's (thanks for the coupons, Mom), then took a 45 minute bike ride. Everyone had fun, got sunburned, and very tired.

 The rest of the day we ran errands, visited the library, read outside, and lazed around to "rest our pooped legs", as Cooper said. It was a good day!

Please visit Amelia's blog for more of her experiences in Bear World.