Friday, August 2, 2013

Roller Skating Macaws and Bud

August 2, 2013 – We’re headed to Grant’s Farm with our cousins, Brianne and Eli.
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After entering the park, we hopped on a tram and took a tour of the deer park.
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We drove by “White Haven” a log cabin once lived in by General Grant.
The “farm” used to be owned by Ulysses S. Grant, but eventually came into the hands of the Busch family (of Anheuser-Busch.)
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The fence is partially made up of the barrels of rifles from the civil war.
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These civil war cannonballs line the path of the trams.
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The tram enters the Grant’s Farm deer park…
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It’s an albino deer
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If you think about it, bison are some really odd-looking creatures.  Seeing herds of buffalo must’ve been quite a shock to the early explorers of North America.
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Check out those horns.
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The bison certainly weren’t shy!
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They almost got within touching distance
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Can you help but think about an oreo?
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Covered bridges would extend the life of the bridge and were designed to look like a barn, so the horses would be more comfortable going through it.  There are only 4 original covered bridges still in existence in Missouri.

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It’s time to get off of the tram
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Our first stop was the “Animal Encounters” show
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This macaw can roller skate around the cones.

He’s also a bit of a television star…you can see him in this commercial at 0:23.
Macaws can also talk (and maybe do some dancing too!)
“Video: Talking Macaw
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Barn Owl
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Owls are so silent when they fly
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Grant’s Farm rescues bald eagles that are injured or sick and rehabilitates them.
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I think he’s look at me…THOSE are some piercing eyes!
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The Anheuser logo – Grant’s Farm style!
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After the “Animal Encounters” show, we visited our good friend…
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…”Bud” – the African Elephant bull.
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Bud showed us some of his tricks:
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Getting a treat
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Spraying water over everyone in the front row with his trunk!
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This girl volunteers to give Bud a cantaloupe
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Posing for a picture - on command.
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Time to check out the camels
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Heading to the Grant’s Farm Bauernhof
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Wouldn’t this be an amazing place to hold a dance?
Hmm…maybe someday Stately Steps will have to host a ball here.
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Time to head home!
It was great to spend some time with our cousins and to see enjoy the beauty, creativity, and maybe even a little humor found in God’s creation!

1 comment:

Zoë said...

Excellent photos, especially of the deer, bison, etc. We often see that albino deer from our front yard, though we prefer to call it The White Stag. :)