Hangin' with the elk

I bought a couple of Groupon deals, even though I temporarily swore off them some time ago. I am just more careful about what I buy. One was for a tour of an elk farm that is about an hour away, and the other for miniature golf in Tualatin. I bought enough for a small crowd, so off we went on Tuesday.

Annie was at the tail end of a week here with her baby, Victoria, so be prepared for unending sweetness.

The elk farm is called Rosse Posse Acres. The tours are only $5 a person, and half that with the Groupon. The owner seemed very happy with the business that Groupon has brought their farm, so yay for that!

First up was a fun and educational lecture in the barn. We got to handle some elk antlers and other body bits, and read about the individual bulls.

I noticed, after a while, that Daniel was acting a little pouty  sad, and Bethany informed me that he was missing the water polo day of his swimming classes. Which explained it.

I could only con two of the darlings to pose for me.

Extra points for Kenz and Thomy.

The antlers of the bulls are proudly displayed on the wall. They are sawed off each year as soon as the velvet falls off, to forestall any murderous inclinations. Which are likely to happen, apparently.

Mamas and babies are kept in their own field.

Funnily enough, the girls of the family had been discussing community breastfeeding a couple of days earlier, and here is an example of it. Whenever a baby starts to nurse, another one or two will sneak up and have a nibble. This means that babies that are born later in the season tend to be runts, as they lose some of their milk to their friends.

The yearlings, who will face the butcher next year.

The bulls, who are named and measured for genetic characteristics and generally treasured.

The velvet on their antlers is full of nutrition and is eaten by the elk or other critters. When antlers fall off in the wild, they are also eaten by critters as a source of calcium.

There is a petting zoo on the farm and the kids (and a few parental types) enjoyed the animals.

Popcorn (gender unremembered) the baby goat was a big hit.

Popcorn's mama was probably too old to bear another baby and isn't doing well.

Kind of like how I felt after my last baby.

The wallaby was very friendly.

Daniel, still looking sad and not enjoying the animals.

The owners also breed miniature Schnauzers. 

They were more of a hit than the elk.

I made the mistake of handing over the camera when I held Victoria.

Daniel still looking ambivalent.

Next on the agenda was golfing at Tualatin Island Greens. 

I like this little course much better than those at amusement parks. It has trees and real green grass and a little stream running through it. And, while there were people in front of us and behind, we didn't feel crowded or hurried. And there is a nice clubhouse where you can take a load off and enjoy the air-conditioning.

Sweet little curls, cheeks, ears, dimply arms. Gets me every time!

Daniel was much happier playing a sport.

So, if you're local, I highly recommend both activities for an end-of-summer fling. 

And I also recommend that you take along something adorable like this.

Feel free to be jealous.