Lazy 5 Ranch

On October 26, I was invited (through Parkgroups) to go to Lazy 5 Ranch. Apparently, if you get a group to go, then you get a discount ($10/person ages 1 and up compared to $16/person). I invited Rachel McClung (and her two adorable little boys) and we ventured out to find out about all the hype behind this Ranch. 

I came with no expectations. And left completely BLOWN AWAY! It was one of the coolest things I have done in a long time. I felt like I was on a safari/adventure/traveling/exploration/entertaining hay-ride. And I'm sorry to ruin the surprise for you, but if you ever come out and visit me - we are definitely going to Lazy 5 Ranch (even if we have to pay $16/person), it is so worth it! I hope that over the next few years I am able to post more pictures of this cool place on my blog and really give you a feeling like you're there on this wild wagon ride with me!

Word of advice (mostly to myself). Next time, I'm going to come better prepared...

~ I'm going to dress more appropriately (it was extremely cold and I only had on light jackets for the kids - we all got colds as a result of my carelessness). 

~ I'm going to make sure that I bring lots, and lots, and lots of hand sanitizer.

~ I'm going to bring another adult with me so that I'm not trying to manhandle two children, a camera, a phone, a purse, and a bumpy wagon ride (where any of the above could have easily fallen off).

~ I'm going to learn to take better pictures of this place.

~ I'm going to take advantage of feeding the animals, or having my children feed them.

~ I'm going to make sure that as Lily get's older that she gets to relieve this experience so that she can remember it and talk about it when she gets older.

Whew.

So... Lazy 5 Ranch is essential a great big area of land, where you can drive your own car through - or take a wagon ride (which I highly suggest) and you get to see all sorts of interesting and intriguing animals that you've probably never seen before, of never gotten that close to before. On top of that - you can pet them, feed them, be slobbered on by them, and have your picture taken with them. It is so incredible. 

Here's a list of some of the animals that we saw: 

Zebras

Ostriches

(Every sort of interesting) Cow

- Scotch Cow

- Watusi

- Texas Longhorn

Buffalo

Water Buffalo

Deer

Scotch Cow

Lemurs 

Pigs

Giraffes

Apparently on the 185 acre tour we went on, there are over 750 different exotic animals from all over the world. And in addition to all the animals we saw, we were able to see some animals on the ranch that were born the day before we came (as well as many mothers who were in active labor).

While on the wagon ride we were able to feed the majority of the animals. Even though it was a little intimidating to feed some and have them get so up-close, in your face - it was still a thrill!

Feeding the animals

Besides being cold, Lily loved seeing all the animals. Notice how at the end of the ride, her bucket is still almost full. She was a little timid and didn't want to feed the animals, but she sure loved looking at them and waving to them.

I was so proud of her for being brave and feeding the giraffe. I think that she would have fed more animals, had I not had my hands so full.

Here are some of my favorite group shots of everyone who came!

10 stars out of a possible 10 stars. 

This place is one of those hidden gems I never knew existed! It makes me want to continue exploring North Carolina to see what else is out there that I can discover!