We hadn't been up there since Austin was really little. Surprisingly enough Austin could remember going up the last time.
There were A LOT of elk up there today. However, they said since it was a little warmer last week and the snow melted a bit, a few left and went higher up. Our tour guy said last week they had around 650 elk, today a little less. He said that Hardware Ranch has been an elk refuge since the 40's! They started it to keep the elk away from the farmers land and crops. It was in the path of the elk's normal migration pattern so they learned fast that it was a safe place and a place with food. The tour guy also said that 85% of the females there are pregnant!
I am always amazed with these large, beautiful animals. They were looking a little shaggy today. The tour guy said it was because they are starting to shed their winter fur.
We all enjoyed the sleigh ride, except Dave and Oakland. They never made it on! Oakland got really fussy right before we left so Dave ended up taking him back to the car. We decided after Oakland spit up all over Dave that he must have gotten car sick from the ride! Who knows with babies..... It could have also been that he hated being bundled up so much because it was COLD!
After the sleigh ride we drove back down into Hyrum and went to the only place to eat.... McDonald's! YUM! The kids were happy to have a warm place to run around and play!
Austin on the sleigh ride sitting next to Grandma and Aunt Nicki.
Elk.....
Elk....
and more Elk!
Erin loved the ride but HATED the smell. I can't say that I blame her, they are pretty stinky animals. I was almost glad that I had a stuffy nose and couldn't smell them that well!
5 comments:
I remember that smell it was not fun. Remember the night before your wedding' Mindi, that was kind of what it smelled like. JK
We love Hardware Ranch!!! Usually, our G-ma and G-pa take the kids without us. That's when we REALLY like Hardware Ranch!! he-he gotta love the G-parents!!!! Glad you have fun!
I have never heard of this ranch...where si it? It looks like you had a great time, even though it does look super cold!
You guys are always doing the coolest things with your kids. That is fantastic.
That sounds like so much fun. I'm not sure if I can handle the smells though. I still remember sitting on the bus on a 1st grade field trip to a sheep farm since I was throwing up because of the smell!
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