Category Archives: Animals

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooTucked away in the beautiful Texas Hill Country lies the state’s own wild safari. A place where you can take a guided tour or a self guided drive along nine and a half miles over thousands of acres and become lost in an exotic world watching animals interact. This is a great weekend day trip to take with your kids or even just adults. Food is available to purchase as you enter the park so you and your passengers can feed these animals right from the palm of your hand. You’ll soon reconnect with your childhood self. I know I did!

Over the weekend, a college friend of Heather and I was in town and we got together for some fun. It turned into a great weekend girls day! Here’s a little glimpse of our time at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center!

Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooTexas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, Zoo Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooIt’s no joke when these friendly creatures come up to your car looking for food. It’s absolutely adorable though, except for the birds. I’m not a fan of birds. Plus, there were so many babies animals on the property, how could you not fall in love?! (Keep in mind, you are never allowed to leave your car during the drive.)

Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, Zoo Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooOthers however were kept within gated areas. This included the rhino’s and cheetah’s but we were still able to catch a glimpse. These rhino’s are spectacular and absolutely beautiful. Their size is astounding. It’s a modern day dinosaur that we need to help protect from extinction!

Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooDuring our drive, I caught a glimpse of what was up ahead and could barely contain my excitement but first we had to get to that part of the tour. Oh, my patience! In the meantime, even when we were going through a few areas where we didn’t see any animals, the views were so beautiful. I think we forgot we were in Texas!

Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooAbove is a picture of the view from the “rest” area aka pit stop half way through the tour. There’s a small cafe, a petting zoo and rest rooms. Keep in mind, the entire drive is 9.5 miles however give yourself 3 hours minimum to make your way through the area. This stop area is quite convenient, especially if you have children. Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, Zoo

Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, Zoo

Photo taken by Heather, Terrell Family Fun

My absolute FAVORITE part of the day were the giraffe’s. Oh – how can you not love them?! They’re amazingly tall (I know nothing about that), they’re awkward when trying to lay down (I’m awkward all the time) and they’re gorgeous (which, I mean come on now)! haha

Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, Zoo Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooSadly, all good things must come to an end and we made our way out of the park. Not without seeing a few more visitors. This little fella was the cutuest thing ever, so kind when eating from our hands I just wanted to snuggle with him. The zebra on the other hand, don’t feed with your hands. Their teeth are amazingly powerful and if they get ahold of it, you’ll turn into Captain Hook!

Texas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooTexas, Family, Day Trip, Animals, ZooFor more information and details on the range of activities and experiences Fossil Rim has to offer, please check out their website.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
2299 County Road 2008
Glen Rose, TX 76043

“The Shire” – Vermont

I grew up in the tiny, tiny Northern Vermont town of Berkshire, VT. When I say tiny, I mean I’m pretty sure there’s more cows than people, even now. I thought, what better way to introduce Vermont than to first introduce the town where I was raised! Here’s a glimpse into my childhood. The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same.

View from our Field

View from my parents land.

A few facts:

  • 2000 Census Population: 1,300 people
  • One store / gas station.
  • Elementary school is Kindergarten thru 8th grade.

Berkshire Elementary School

  • High school? We can pick which high school we would like to attend from one of the neighboring towns.
  • Two restaurants (one is only open in the summer, the other just opened up), one bar.

The Pine Cone Snack Bar

  • MANY, many family owned dairy farms.

136

  • It’s a place where “Everyone knows your name”.
  • Canada is in our backyard. Literally.
  • ‘West Berkshire’, ‘Berkshire Center’ and ‘East Berkshire’ constitute as ‘The Town of Berkshire’.
  • Closest grocery store – about 15 minutes away.
  • Traffic? It’s either a car going slower than 50 on the main road or a tractor, probably a tractor.
  • Not one stop light in town. Not one.

A few more important buildings (considering we have them)…

The Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church in East Berkshire.

East Berkshire Lady of the Lourdes Catholic Church

We have a fire department, volunteer only.  My dad was a volunteer fire fighter when I was growing up. The big fires were the barn fires from wet hay.

Berkshire Vol. Fire Dept.

This is the Berkshire Town Hall. I will say this is “new” to me. This building has obviously always sat here but it was recently renovated and it looks pretty nice. The previous town clerks office was about the size of my bedroom… ok probably a little bigger than my bedroom but not that much. This is nice, I’d be interested to go inside.

Berkshire Town HallFinally, coming into East Berkshire from Berkshire Center…. we love those Green Mountains in the background. It makes a sight for sore eyes. I can never get sick of looking at those peaks. The point part of the mountains in the background is Jay Peak (ski resort).

View coming into East Berkshire, VTHere’s a little glimpse into my homeland. This town holds a really special place in my heart. If you have any questions about the town or what it was like to grow up here, I’d love to hear them!