Deer Forest

Growing up Ty and I both used to go to Deer Forest in Coloma. When our playgroup suggested we take our kids there too for an outing we jumped at the chance. I used to have so much fun and can still remember the commercials for the place “Feed the dear, ride the pony, feed the dear and ride again…”. When we got there I noticed that they literally hadn’t changed the place since I’d been there last, which was probably a good 15-20 years. It was pretty run down, but even though I noticed they kids didn’t and they didn’t care either. Both Riley and Lincoln had a lot of fun feeding the animals and looking at all the different animals! We packed a lunch and ate under the pavilion they had reserved for our group.

Most of our playgroup…missing 4 kiddos (I think).
Riley feeding the dear.

Petting the bunnies.

Riley swinging and Lincoln hanging out in the stroller.

The kids checking out the cougar in his cage.

This was when Riley kept telling me she wanted to hold the fox!

Riding the dragon.

Remember when I say that Riley runs off? She does a great job at holding my hand, but the second I let go of her hand she’s long gone. Well, I knew I’d have to push the stroller, therefore I couldn’t hold her hand. Yes, she could have sat in the double but I wanted her to be able to get out and explore. So, Mandy let me borrow her “Monkey backpack” for Riley so I could keep her close. I’ve always thought the “leash” was cruel, but it’s so dangerous that Riley runs and I can’t just leave Lincoln by himself to run after Riley. She actually didn’t mind wearing it and did a great job staying by me. Here Riley was leaning to touch the water and Christy caught her by the monkey tail so she wouldn’t fall in.

The kids really enjoyed feeding the horse! I was surprised Riley did it, but she really liked it. She kept saying “The horsey licked me”!