Yellow River Game Ranch

Last month, when Mom was here, we went to Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn. I knew Mom--being the animal lover that she is--would really enjoy this place. And I was right. She **loved** it. She wants to go back when she is in Atlanta again.

You may remember that Yellow River Game Ranch is home to General Beauregard Lee, Georgia's resident groundhog. It also is home to all kinds of other animals--including deer, chickens (and all sorts of other fowl), pigs, bears, donkeys, buffalo, sheep, goats, and a bunch more I can't remember right now. The fun thing is ... you can feed the animals right out of your hand (with the exception of the bears, buffalo and maybe a few others). In fact, many are so tame that they walk freely with you throughout the ranch's paved trail, and you can feed them along the way.

I will be honest with you. If you get the willies about touching or feeding various animals or letting your kids be around them, then this place is not for you. But if you love to experience these creatures up close and personal, then you will love it!

You can purchase food in the little shop that you go through to enter the ranch--or you can bring your own. The Web site has some suggested items as well as what NOT to bring for animal food. (We took Cheerios, crackers and carrots--and we bought a few things there as well.) Also, I would suggest that you wear grubby clothes--especially if you are going on a day when it has been raining and the ground is all wet and soggy. Have fun!

Here are some pics:


This way to the ranch!


Mom grew up on a farm in Tennessee, so I knew this would be right up her alley. Not only does she love the animals, but also the animals love her. For as long as I can remember, animals have been drawn to her. She has the magic touch!


Bok! Bok!


I am multi-tasking here--feeding a squirrel out of one hand and snapping a picture with the other. ha!


My grandparents had a similar corn-shucking machine on their farm.


Don't leave the trail, yo.


Kate loved being able to walk freely. It wasn't crowded AT ALL when we were there, so she got to run around a lot.


The deer are not shy!


Feeding the chickens


These guys cracked me up!


What an ass!


Whoa! Turkeys!


Mom and two of her new friends.


Kate was wearing Pointer-Brand overalls--the kind my Granddaddy used to wear every day. She loved splashing in the puddles. (I don't want to even think about how dirty that water was!) She was a mess by the time we left. I stripped her down before putting her in her carseat, and I had to use her backup outfit from the diaper bag--which was size 12 months. LOL! Fortunately, we were heading home, so it wasn't a big deal.


Here we are in front of the groundhog's house. We didn't see him out and about that day. Maybe next time!


Group shot--not too bad for the self-timer!


"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." --John 10:14-15


Like a zoo, only better!