Next stop - Bear Country USA 10.10.09

What adventure would be complete without a stop to see some wild animals up close?  Well certainly not ours so we made a trip to see Bear Country U.S.A.

The sign looks like this would be a really cool place to visit, right?  Well at the entrance we were handed some papers but one stood out.

That's right this 1/2 sheet printed on bright yellow paper.  Did you notice the all capital header?  USE EXTREME CAUTION PLEASE!!!  Long story short it was apparently breeding (rutting) season and as the paper indicates the males are very aggressive and protective of their herd of females.  And then again in all caps - THEY ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMALS IN OUR PARK AT THE PRESENT TIME.  Wow, sounds like we're going to have a fun time!

Here are some pictures of the aggressive and protective elk, reindeer and buffalo that we saw. 

I bet this guy's antler broke when he was being too aggressive and protective.

This is ~M~ stopping by the aggressive and protective elk AND rolling down the window which was clearly against the rules as outlined on the other sheet we received.  Please take note of #3.

Yes, #3 clearly states, "Windows must be closed at all times."  ~M~ was in clear violation of that rule but I didn't tell on him.  I hope y'all won't either. 

This is the male reindeer that I am positive was sizing up our van for an attack.  I think he looks pretty aggressive and protective, don't you?

Now this otter or beaver, I can't remember which one it is, is carrying a piece of ice.  Where did he get the ice you might ask?  It was so cold the day we visited (how cold was it??) that there was a quarter inch layer of ice forming on the pond.

Now of course we were at Bear Country U.S.A. so we would expect to see bears, right?  Well we weren't disappointed. 

They were a lot of fun to look at and didn't look quite so aggressive or protective. 

We also had a chance to sit and visit with one of the locals. 

Again I feel the need to mention that it was VERY cold that day.  Here's a picture of the waterfall near the entrance. 

Yes that is ice in the middle of that waterfall.  Ice.  Kind of like how my hands and face felt after walking around the baby animal area. 

And so our adventure at Bear Country U.S.A. was complete.  A good time was had by all.

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