On day 4 we were back to looking at animals, both the domesticated and the wild.
In the morning, while Jon waited to see if the guys were picking up their tuxes, Matt and I went to Old MacDonald's Farm, a petting zoo with the usual barnyard assortment (goats, sheep, cows, horses, donkeys and mules, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys) and a few unusual additions (yaks and llamas). Matt enjoyed it, although he wasn't all that interested in petting the animals and liked the idea of feeding the animals more than he actually liked them eating out of his hand. Overall he was not as impressed with the experience as he was with Bear Country and Reptile Gardens two days before, perhaps because we go to so many places with goats, sheep, etc. However, the trip was worth it because Matt went on his first pony ride and got to ride another "train."
Watching the calves get bottle fed
Feeding the pigs
Watching the horses eat hay
First horse ride - looks like it was a hit!
Feeding the fish (his favorite animals to feed)
Feeding the sheep
Watching the pig race
Saying hello to the bunnies (who weren't all that interested in saying hello back)
Train ride all by himself!
The super serious passenger helping to steer the train (I told him to focus on driving so he wouldn't notice I wasn't with him.)
Whee! Pulling back into the station
Watching the many birds - ducks, geese, chickens, and turkeys
When we finished, Jon joined us and we attempted to head out to Custer State Park one more time. After a few hiccups we made it, and it was worth the wait. We saw pronghorn antelope, lots and lots of buffalo (or bison), donkeys, prairie dogs, and wild turkeys.
Checking out the touch & feel table at the visitor center - Matt would remember that we looked at the buffalo jawbone with teeth later
First glimpse of buffalo
Playing peek-a-boo with my hat while we watched the buffalo amble across the road
We followed the rest of the herd for a while.
Traffic jams look a little different out here!
Matt got to watch the buffalo once they turned back
We figured out they were moving back and forth between shade by a creek and a pool perfect for a dip on a hot summer's day.
Some of the buffalo came very, very close to the car - needless to say we stayed inside our vehicle!
Donkeys looking for a treat
Matt and Jon saying hi to the donkeys
Looking at the pronghorn antelope in the tall grass
A worn out kid
Jon and Matt dropped me off for a manicure and pedicure with the bridal party. They stopped to have a little fun in the mall.
A little bull riding
Then they headed home to play games with the boys (Jon) and play tug-of-war with the dogs (Matt). Matt was in a great mood, despite a short nap, and impressed everyone with his ability to name the little dog and big dog.
At last, some peace and quiet for Batman with a little reading before bed
