Highwire Deer and Animal Farm

This past weekend, Dan and I had some unexpected family time together with the boys.  This left him taking Pierce fishing on Saturday (and Pierce caught another fish!), and me having one on one time with Carter at the playground pretending to be airplanes.  Overall, it was an awesome day, and a productive day, going through 3 massive totes of clothes.

Sunday was a completely random idea to check out Highwire Deer and Animal Farm in Woodbury, CT.  Our friend had gone on Saturday (bad coordination on our behalf), and Pierce had actually requested seeing animals.  I also figured that at $6 a head, even if the boys did not like it, or if it was not exactly what we were thinking it would be, it wasn't that much to spend.  (Note:  to feed the animals is $1 a cup.  Not bad at all).  It turns out, that the location of the farm is right next to Orenaug Park (which has an awesome hiking trail to a tower), and it does not look like much until you pull in.  It is a very simple set up, with very few rules; stay inside the yellow ropes, and no running.

The place was awesome!  Even Dan and I learned about various animals while we were there.  The boys were more than ecstatic with the goats and domesticated deer running around.  And the delight on their faces when they fed a deer was even better!  The other animals that are featured at the farm include the largest camel we have ever seen, a zebra, a Z Donk (a cross between a Donkey and Zebra), donkeys, alpacas, various fowl, sheep, tortoise, coati, and a red kangaroo.  It was such a mixture of animals that made it so interesting.  We learned about how to spin alpaca fiber into thread, and we also learned about what goes into caring for a Zebra.  The owners were fantastic as well; they even called us once we got home to see if it was us that had dropped money on the ground.

I love that the owners were so accepting of children, and even spent time with Pierce teaching him how to line up the grass on the outside of the chicken coop so they could eat.  Any question that was asked was met by an honest answer, and never once were we made to feel silly for asking.  It is truly a home business, and it is obvious that the owners care about their animals.  All of them were happy and extremely well cared for.  I tried to take home an adorable pygmy goat, but yet again my attempts were thwarted by Dan.  (I will win once day).  But honestly, if you are looking for something to do on this side of the state for a few hours, check the farm out.  We cannot wait to go back again.