Eureka!

We headed to Eureka Springs, AR last weekend for my mom's 60th Birthday.  It was an amazing time and we enjoyed EVERY bit of it.  We stayed at a place called Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge  (side note, the pictures of the lodging does not do it justice- they have done updates).  It's a place where they rescue large cats, bears and other mammals (they had bears, a monkey, coyote, etc).  Most of them come from idiots who think a cute bobcat, lion or tiger cub is a pet,  not a wild animal.  Some might come from a closed zoo or animal "farm" that can't care for them anymore.  Some of these animals would not have lived without the help from Turpentine.  I was sad for them in cages but they are working their way to a larger habitat... apparently you can't just throw a bunch of large cats together.  Ha!

We stayed in the Safari Lodge.  It is compromised of 5 Huts with a pavilion that has a fire pit and hot tub.  No kids are allowed at this part of the compound because there is high end artwork and the hot tub which the refuge doesn't want the liability of small children around those things- completely understandable.  My brother, SIL and niece and nephew stayed closer to the animals.  We fell asleep to the roar (caroling) from the lions and woke up to the sound as well.  We could look out our  balcony and there were deer at dusk and dawn.  I even say my first LIVE armadillo.  I never thought that would happen. 

We stayed most of our time on the refuge.  We got a tour from the owner and even got to see feeding time.  It was a pretty intense time for the animals- with all the roars and attitudes.  This is a non profit and Tyson donates all the food.  It's crazy seeing these animals eat a whole chicken leg and thigh whole.  One of the littler cats actually got a chicken wing stuck in his throat and they thought they would have to sedate him to remove it.... luckily he was able to get it unstuck! 

I will leave you with some pictures and videos.  If you are ever in the Eureka Springs area, be sure to stop by Turpentine.  Arkansas seems to get such a "bad reputation" but it is some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen and I have been to a lot of places. I think my mom's 60th birthday was a success!!!

This was so funny, I had to get a picture!  Seriously? 

 

This is our room view from the balcony looking in.

View from our patio

 The black leopard... played red light/green light with the owner.

 Beautiful Rainbow outside the pavilion

 

 View at the refuge

 Some of the tigers

 A lazy bobcat

And I leave you with Brody the Lion getting a little excited for feeding time... if you know what I mean:)