Yes, Bearizona is a thing.  It was a surprise to us as we happened across the signage, and instantly jumped to the top of our, “let’s check that out!” list.  On name cache alone it rates a second look.

For us, anything involving caged animals comes with a bit (or, a lot) of trepidation.  Like a trip to the pound for dog and cat people.  Sometimes the space and treatment is fine, and seeing the animals is worth it, but many times it just isn’t, and the sadness of inadequate habitat and lackluster or worse treatment kills the cool and fun factor.  Thankfully, Bearizona’s website, literature (and tour guides) make it clear that they are hosting rescue animals that have been saved from prior bad situations, and one’s that can’t be re-introduced into the wild for various reasons.  The inside grounds habitats seem well crafted and spacious, and the self drive-thru park grounds are, for the most part, fairly wide open and big.  (The Arctic Wolf habitat is really the only one that felt somewhat smallish)  At over 3 miles, it’s not the wild, but it’s also not a 30×40 pen at some rinky-dink zoo, either.

One thing you can say, is that Bearizona did not bury the lead.  They got bears, and lots of them.  Featuring Rocky Mountain Goats, elk, tundra and arctic wolves, brown and white bison, mule deer, Alaskan Dall Sheep, and black bears.  Many, many black bears.  The inside sanctuary grounds also host porcupines, beavers, otters, bobcats, bear cubs, javelinas, foxes, a jaguar and a menagerie of other animals, from awe inspiring to awe… soooo cute.

The highlight though, was the Birds of Prey exhibition, a free-flight raptor show.  With a nice variety of owls, falcons, hawks and other predators, the free flight portion of the show was pretty impressive, with large birds of prey flying just inches from the audience.  As the handlers explained, many predators cruise just inches off the “ground” as they glide in to pick up lunch.  For the birds, the audience’s heads are indistinguishable from the “ground,” and they did skim just inches above our heads, flying multiple times from the front to the back of the audience seating area.  At 6′ 1, I’m on the tall side, and having the great horned owl directly skim the top of my head, so close that my hair moved, was really something.  It’s a big bird and an inch or two from your head moves a lot of air.  It was cool, and I’m kicking myself for not thinking of having my phone out to catch it.  I just didn’t think it was going to be me he flew over.

The Williams leg overall has been great.  Our boondocking digs were much cooler than the Arizona hell (120 degrees) we passed through to get here,  pleasant, quiet and uncrowded. Forest service land and a nice find. Most of the time we couldn’t even see our closest neighbor, and yet easy driving distance to Williams.  We hit a restaurant in Williams with onion rings so good they may have ruined the inferior pretender “onion rings” at other places permanently.  (Rod’s Steak House)  And, of course, Bearizona.

Next stop, Albuquerque.

Also, beets are awful, and 2005 Battlestar Galactica is 3 1/s seasons of awesome.