• Fun Around Town: Safari Bus Ride & Beautiful Peacocks at Hollywild Animal Park (Wellford, SC)

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    Heading out on the Safari Ride at Hollywild

    The kids loved the Safari Bus Ride at Hollywild Animal Park.  They had a grand time feeding and petting the animals that walked up to the bus.  It was neat to see a variety of animals on the trip.

    We have come to Hollywild for their Holiday Lights Safari Benefit as well as a couple times when they were younger.  Once we were there for a party with friends which was a lot of fun.  It was neat watching the kids and animals interact on the Safari.

    In previous visits I don’t remember seeing so many peacocks.  They seemed to be everywhere (or maybe we just had the same ones following us around).  They were beautiful!  The males had their feathers all spiked up and shaking to get the attention of the pretty female peacocks or to shoo away any person or animal that got too close.  I have never seen peacocks up their feathers so much.  It was fascinating to watch them.  The male peacock is the one that has all the bold beautiful colors with a long tail feathers.  The female peacock has a lot of similar colors, but not as vibrant and shorter tail.

    For more information about our adventure at Hollywild you can check out our post:

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    These were the only guys you couldn’t feed by hand from the Safari Bus because they have sharp beaks, but you could toss them some treats.  They were the first ones to great us on the tour.

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    Animals on the hill grazing peacefully.

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    Someone’s not afraid to get right up close to the Safari Bus!

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    Karlie getting her treat ready for the animals.

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    She enjoyed feeding the animals.

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    Hand feeding deer, so much fun!

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    Brina tried to feed as many as she could.

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    Look at that tongue!

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    Brina wanted to pet every one that came by our side of the Safari Bus.

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    So soft…Brina loved the hair of this one.

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    Petting the buffalo now

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    We couldn’t take a picture of our Safari Bus on the ride, but here’s the other bus that went at the same time we did.

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    The deer was alert and looking for more treats!

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    “Tank” enjoying the shade

    Tank the Rhinoceros was featured in the following:

    • Commercials – Blue Cross / Blue Shield
    • National Ad Campaign – Land Rover
    • National TV Commercial – ZICAM
    • Tank is the only working rhinoceros in the United States

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    Is that a unicorn!?

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    Not a unicorn just missing one of his antlers.

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    Cooling off in the pond!

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    Love this picture of the peacock perched on the fence. So beautiful!

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    I don’t know if this one was guarding a nest or what because I didn’t see any other peacock around, but he was intent on making sure everyone knew he was there.

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    Putting down his long feathers.  I was surprised how much noise the peacock made with its feathers.  It was noisy when he put them up or down as well as when he was shaking them.  Very interesting to watch and hear it.

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    Brina taking a walk with the peacock.

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    I have a peacock friend nearby.  He is curious, yet cautious.

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    Showing off his big beautiful feathers!

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    Trying to get the attention of the female peacock in front of him.  It was neat to see what his feathers looked like from the side angle.

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    Still attempting to get the lady peacock to notice him.

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    Spinning around, it was interesting seeing what the backside of a peacock looks like when it’s feathers are up.

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    Female peacock walking around us.

    Hollywild Animal Park Coupon Discount (Free Child’s Admission):

    • Print off the coupon for Free Child’s Admission with purchase of an Adult Admission and bring it to the park with youLimit one per family. $8 Value. This coupon is valid during our Park Season which is open Weekends in March, Daily April through Labor Day, and Weekends from Labor Day through the end of October. Please visit our website for seasonal hours prior to your visit. Coupon not valid during our Holiday Lights Safari Benefit.  Expires: 10/24/2015.

    A special thanks to U.S. Family Guide and Hollywild Animal Park for offering a special discount to our readers.  Any specific product information was provided by Hollywild Animal Park and U.S. Family Guide, however, the opinions expressed in this post are our own.  We did receive tickets so our family could visit and share our experience.

  • Fun Around Town: Hollywild Animal Park (Wellford, SC)

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     Our family visiting Hollywild Animal Park

    Recently our family made a trip across town to visit Hollywild Animal Park in Wellford, South Carolina.  We already had a couple events earlier that day on that side of town so we just drove a little further and spent the afternoon having fun at Hollywild Animal Park.  It was a beautiful day and it was great seeing as well as interacting with the animals.

    Even though our girls are twins they have very different interests, however, they both share a interest in anything pertaining to animals.  They love animals so this trip was a lot of fun for them.  All the animals seemed very active which was fascinating to watch that day too.  You could tell they were enjoying the Spring sunshine.  The newborn baby animals were very adorable!

    The only problem we had is between my husband and I we took a lot of pictures so it was hard to narrow down some of our favorites.  We consolidated, but will probably highlight Hollywild in a couple posts in order to give you a full view our trip to this fun place.

    If you live in the Greenville area you should check out this Hollywild Animal Park if you haven’t already especially if you have kids who enjoy being around animals.  There a good variety of animals and you have opportunities for more interaction with the animals as well.  It’s a great family event to do together.  Not to mention it is educational for the kids.

    After spending an afternoon at Hollywild the girls first comments were – “Wow, that was a lot of fun!”  and  “I wished we lived closer so we could go more often!”  The kids give it a big thumbs up!

    Here are some of the pictures from the animals we met while at Hollywild Animal Park:

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     The Canadian Geese were very friendly.  This one decided to pose for me.

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     Brina talking with the bird.  She loves all creatures!

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     Karlie found a rock to perch upon.

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     On the run….Karlie doesn’t want to get left behind!

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    Jake and his girls by the pond.  Right behind them in the water you could see all kinds of turtles (including Red Eared Sliders like we have at home) and fish swimming around.

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     Beautiful cluster of ducks, the girls tried to get them to say AFLAC (guess that’s one commercial they remember, ha).

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    Karlie had to stop and pet the pony!

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    Having fun with my girls!

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    This little donkey was hoping we had some yummy treats still to share.

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    Brina soaking it all in.  She wanted to make sure we didn’t miss any of the animals!

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    This Baboon was talking up a storm.

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     He really wanted something on the outside of the cage.  We watched as he grabbed a stick to try and bring the item closer to him so he could grab it with his hand.  He was very determined to get it!

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     Brina petting the pigs.

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     Beautiful iris flowers that caught my attention when I turned to walk to the next animal exhibit.  Makes me think of my Grandma and Jake’s Grandpa.

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    Someone’s got a tasty treat and digging in!  It was fascinating to watch him eat.

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    Looks like a sharp set of teeth in its mouth!

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    Intently watching the other one eat.

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     Pretty bear!

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     This one is getting a little closer!

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     Brina loved petting this super soft dog named Andorra!

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    Andorra was enjoying a good petting and laid down so Brina could continue!

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    Up on his rock jungle gym.  The girls think we need to build a climbing rock structure for our goats too.  I have a feeling the goats wouldn’t be the only ones climbing around on it though.

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    A little one….so cute watching him run after his Mom on long wobbly legs.

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    The camel watching us approach!

    The camels were featured in the following:

    • Christmas Play – Evangel Cathedral
    • Myrle Beach Christmas Production – Dixie Stampede
    • Living Christmas Tree – Jerry Fallwell Ministries

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    More content watching the kids.

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    This picture makes me smile…

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    Beautiful  Leopard Appaloosa was featured in the following:

    • Movie – The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
    • Many live appearances and promotional events

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    So pretty! I think it is hoping for a treat!

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    We had a great time at Hollywild Animal Park!

    Hollywild Animal Park Coupon Discount (Free Child’s Admission):

    • Print off the coupon for Free Child’s Admission with purchase of an Adult Admission and bring it to the park with youLimit one per family. $8 Value. This coupon is valid during our Park Season which is open Weekends in March, Daily April through Labor Day, and Weekends from Labor Day through the end of October. Please visit our website for seasonal hours prior to your visit. Coupon not valid during our Holiday Lights Safari Benefit.  Expires: 10/24/2015.

    A special thanks to U.S. Family Guide and Hollywild Animal Park for offering a special discount to our readers.  Any specific product information was provided by Hollywild Animal Park and U.S. Family Guide, however, the opinions expressed in this post are our own.  We did receive tickets so our family could visit and share our experience.

  • Travel & Vacation: Colorado Wildlife

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    Yes, there are bears near Estes Park!  We were driving and saw this guy across the river from us.

    We went on a road trip through the Rocky Mountains.  On our adventures we saw several animals.  The girls were thrilled to see so many neat animals that we don’t see everyday in South Carolina.  We went up through Estes Park, Colorado and made several stops throughout the day.  Thankful for some fun with family.

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    Caught a quick picture of these critters as we were driving past.  Love that they are munching right off the road and hanging out near a patch of beautiful wild sunflowers.

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    We drove past a field full of goats.  The girls were fascinated and excited!  They thought it was so cool that someone had so many goats.

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    The brown speckled goat in the picture is not eating, she is checking out her newly born twin baby goats.  We could see glimpses of the baby goats, but I couldn’t get a close picture of the twin baby goats because their was an electric fence and the grass was too high.  They were tiny and adorable trying to stand up on their own.   The really cool part is that while we were there with our twin girls there was another set of twins watching twin goats being born on National Twin Day.  What is the likelihood that would happen, ha!

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    Brina really wanted to take this little chipmunk home with her.  It may look cute….

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    Ducks swimming around on the lake!

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    The girls thought the ducks with the blue feathers were super cute!

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    This little guy can up to say “hi” to me.  I think he was hoping for a treat!

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    Hummingbirds are always fascinating to watch!

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    This one about landed on my Dad’s finger.  So cool seeing their wings fluttering so quickly.

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    Our wild bear!  The girls were super excited to see the bear!

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          Munching on berries and relaxing on the rock.

  • Fun at the Zoo!

    Greenville Zoo and Window Art

    Watching “Joy” the elephant play

    We were able to squeeze in a fun trip to the Greenville Zoo with our cousins during summer vacation!  A big thanks to our sweet cousin who shared zoo passes with us!  Joy the elephant was playing with her tire while we were there.  It was the last week Joy was at Greenville Zoo.  A couple days later they were transporting her to a new zoo in Colorado.

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     Sweet girls!

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     Hanging out in the shade at the Giraffe exhibit.  There were 3 giraffes in the pen and the Momma is expecting another one any day now!  Great times with the cousins!

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     The turtles were very fascinating to watch!

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     A quick picture of the girls on the bear as we worked our way through the zoo!

    We spent the morning at the zoo then headed to Cleveland Park to eat a picnic lunch and play on the playgrounds.  It is always fun going on special trips with cousins.  Thankful for a fun time together with family!

  • Book: “Never Sniff A Gift Fish” by Patrick McManus

    I was thinking about the books I have read over the past few years and decided to chose one that is a little more “unique” from some of my other recommendations but nevertheless I have really enjoyed reading Patrick McManus books.  Never Sniff A Gift Fish by Patrick McManus is one that we have at our house.  The author has a way of making you laugh sometimes until your sides hurt.  He is funny and his short stories are great to read.  We have had his books in our magazine racks for years and I cannot count the number of times people have borrowed or taken the books for a short period of time to read them.  I am looking forward to reading them to the girls soon too.  A lot of his stories have to do with outdoor adventures, kid mischief, and fun.  Each chapter is another short story.  Some are more hilarious then others but there have been times I have had tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard.  Life is short so why not have fun.  If you haven’t read one of his books you really should, you’ll enjoy some extra chuckles reading the adventures in his books.   As the warmer season comes upon us it makes me think of camping and reading his books around a camp fire, great memories!   Patrick McManus actually has several books if you prefer one of the other ones instead: