This year Groundhog Day falls on a Saturday. Hubby was working this morning, so Eli and I were looking about for something to do. Sounded like a good excuse for some goofy holiday fun! Thus we ventured bright and early to the Yellow River Game Ranch near Stone Mountain, Georgia to see a real groundhog.
We prepared last night. Eli asked me to make a sign he could color. We also laid out our clothes and packed a breakfast we could eat in the car. By 6 A.M we were on our way. The gates opened to journalists at 6AM and the public an hour later. Those arriving between 7AM and 7:30AM got into the Ranch free.
By 7:30 A.M. we were at the pen of General Beauregard Lee, Georgia's official groundhog. The sun started to peek over the horizon and the crowd gathered in front of Beau's Southern mansion-themed habitat...
Overhead, the stars faded and the sky began to turn a clear blue...
Sure enough, Beau saw his shadow! Six more weeks of winter. The crowd (which had thinned by about two-thirds by the time I took this photo) cheered.
There's Beau! (If you look on the left side, you'll see he has his own satellite dish. What do groundhogs like to watch on television?)
Eli's sign was a hit. (He diligently colored in the 'U' and red 'A' himself.) Several people asked to take pictures of him.
A reporter even asked for our names.
It was a very cold morning -- below freezing -- but we had to stay a bit longer even if we were dreaming of a search for hot cocoa. The parking lot was jammed and the latecomers blocked many cars in. Thus we wandered around to see some of the Yellow River Game Ranch. It was wonderful to see all the animals, even the noisy rooster who loved reminding us that it was early morning.
One lady was trying to feed a goat some peanuts but he grabbed the paper bag, eating it instead!
From the Ranch gift shop, we took home a plush groundhog that we can use to decorate our house each February -- if he doesn't end up in Eli's bed along with the rest of the menagerie. What did Eli name him? Beau, of course!
A cheeky (and funny!) press blurb
from the Yellow River Game Ranch website:
"Every year, General Beau Lee, Ph.D. awakens to the ringing of the antique bell outside his “Weathering Heights” mansion, where he lives in touch with the elements year ’round– unlike his punky counterpart in Pennsylvania who lives in a climate-controlled environment in the town library where he is fed dog food and ice cream. That’s why Beau can claim a 94% accuracy rating while the pampered impostor is rumored to manage a lousy 39%."
What else are we doing to celebrate today?
Eli has been reading Gail Gibbons' Groundhog Day! (NY: Holiday House, 2007). If I can get a nap to rejunvinate, we may make gingerbread groundhog cookies this afternoon. (I have a squirrel cookie cutter and we can 'cut off their tails with a carving knife'!) After Eli goes to bed, Brian and I will pull out our Groundhog Day DVD starring Bill Murray and Andie McDowell (1993).
One Mama's Two Cents:
We had a great time but were very glad we bundled up. Brrrrr! It was quite crowded, so I had to put Eli on my shoulders. Regardless, I don't think he saw much of the shadow-viewing ceremony because we couldn't get up very close. As soon as the prediction was settled, however, the crowd began to thin. We were then able to move up and get a good look at Beau. The caretakers closed the door to Beau's house for a little while so he would stay outside where folks could get a look at him. If you decide to go next year, the one thing I would say is go early! The website said the prediction ceremony would be "before eight," but it actually happened at 7:30. A steady stream of folks were still coming in and upset that they missed it. As for creature comforts, restrooms were available. The Ranch has a gift shop, which was open and sold both food for the animals and their visitors. Folks from Waffle House were there selling hot breakfast items. One final note is that the Ranch paths are quite rough in places, so it would be hard to make it through with a regular stroller. If you need one, a sport stroller would work best.
Happy Groundhog Day and enjoy your six extra weeks of winter!
(Does that mean we can have some snow?!)
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