Bearizona
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The day after the snowstorm, the forecast finally looked promising. Highs in the 50s. By the time we were up and ready to move, the snow was already starting to melt, sliding off branches and dropping slushy clumps without warning. We made it back to the interstate, and thankfully the roads were in good shape for traveling. Our first priority was figuring out where we were sleeping that night. We’d originally planned to boondock around Flagstaff, but melting snow brings its own problems. Forest roads turn to mud fast, and getting stuck with a camper wasn’t high on our list of adventures. Complicating things further, all public campgrounds are closed this time of year.
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So we did something we prefer not to do and booked a private site at Woody Mountain Campground. It cost $72 for a dirt patch with no hookups. Electric and water would’ve been another $20. At that point, we both said we might as well stay in a hotel. Given the conditions, we played it safe and took the hit. After dropping the camper at the campground, we kept the day low key and headed to Bearizona Wildlife Park.
Bearizona is part drive-through, part walk-through. You can stay in the car and see bears, wolves, and other animals up close, but I much preferred the walk-through section. The animals there had real personality. Badgers were busy digging, otters were playing, and foxes strutted around like they knew exactly how photogenic they were. The bobcats and jaguars, on the other hand, were fully committed to their naps.
We also caught an animal show that featured birds from Africa I’d never even seen on the Discovery Channel. The Crested Seriema stole the spotlight by demonstrating how it would kill a lizard in the wild by repeatedly slamming a toy alligator onto a rock. We also met a Trumpeter Hornbill, which might be the weirdest-looking bird I’ve ever seen. Let’s just say it wouldn’t win a beauty pageant. Surprisingly, I found the porcupine to be quite charming, casually strolling the stage with its quills puffed out.
Bearizona is part drive-through, part walk-through. You can stay in the car and see bears, wolves, and other animals up close, but I much preferred the walk-through section. The animals there had real personality. Badgers were busy digging, otters were playing, and foxes strutted around like they knew exactly how photogenic they were. The bobcats and jaguars, on the other hand, were fully committed to their naps.
We also caught an animal show that featured birds from Africa I’d never even seen on the Discovery Channel. The Crested Seriema stole the spotlight by demonstrating how it would kill a lizard in the wild by repeatedly slamming a toy alligator onto a rock. We also met a Trumpeter Hornbill, which might be the weirdest-looking bird I’ve ever seen. Let’s just say it wouldn’t win a beauty pageant. Surprisingly, I found the porcupine to be quite charming, casually strolling the stage with its quills puffed out.