Oddball Farms
Washington’s countryside is a natural place for kids to get close to animals. You'll find your share of traditional farms, familiar places where you’ll pet barnyard denizens such as horses, chickens, pigs, cows, and sheep. But the country also offers another dimension in animal encounters. How would your youngsters like to feed a buffalo or llama? Learn about emu and ostriches? Or hold a lovable Cashmere kid goat in their arms? Washington's new crop of oddball animal farms offers discoveries for kids, and parents, too. All over the state, from Vashon Island to the Skagit and Nooksack valleys, wine country to Whidbey and the San Juan islands, Olympic Peninsula to eastern Washington, unusual animal farms are inviting the public in for visits (check with local visitor bureaus or chambers of commerce for a list).

Oh, Give Me a Home, Where
In the Skagit Valley (about one hour north of Seattle on I-5), a must-see is the Woolley Prairie Buffalo Company outside Sedro Woolley off Hwy 9. Arrange to join a safe group tour on a flatbed truck to feed buffalo in their pasture and learn about history and lore, 360-856-0310. Elsewhere in the valley you can meet Cashmere goats, feed llamas, see emu and ostrich. Farmer/entrepreneurs are raising these unusual animals for a variety of commercial purposes on as little as two acres of land.

Mutton Busting Contest
Ever hog-tied a sheep? The Children’s Rodeo in Ellensburg holds an annual “mutton busting” contest for younger bucaroos. The rodeo features calf, steer and cow riding contests and a “calf money scramble.” Five and ten dollar bills are tied to calves, and kids are turned loose with the animals to race around the corral to try to capture their fortune! (www.ellensburgrodeo.com)

Got Milk?
Spend a day in the dairy town of Carnation only 45 minutes from Seattle, just off of I-90. In the morning take a self-guided tour of the old Carnation Dairy Farm. See milkers in action and learn how milk comes from the cow to the grocery shelf. Next, travel across town to Remlinger Farms. Summer through fall, the farm offers a family activity park. For only $5 per child, kids get unlimited hayrides, train rides, pony rides, a moonwalk and a puppet show. They pet animals and go on amusement rides. There is also a toddler area full of touchy-feelies for the little ones.

Medieval Feasts
If you’re visiting Carnation on a weekend between mid-July and late August, finish up the day with a trip to medieval times at Camlann Faire. Armored knights showcase their war skills, while other characters demonstrate minstreling, spinning, period dancing, juggling, blacksmithing and more. For dinner, head across the property to enjoy a 14th century meal at The Bores Hede restaurant, where eating with your hands won’t get you in trouble. (425-788-8624 or www.camlann.org)

Snake Your Way to
Washington Serpentarium, northeast of Seattle in Gold Bar (Hwy 2). It houses over 200 not-so-cuddly creatures, including 75 species of chameleons, scorpions, turtles and spiders. Visit with The Reptile Man and see rattlesnakes, pythons, cobras and mambas. (360-793-2000)

Born Free
In the shadow of Mount Rainier in Eatonville is Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Free roaming herds of bison, caribou, elk and big-horned sheep are just some of the animals families can see along a naturalist-guided tour through the 635-acre park. Wolves, grizzlies and cougars also roam free in moat-protected natural habitats. Enjoy the Children's Discovery Center, nature trails and picnic meadow. (360-832-6117)

Howling Good Time
It is a howling good time just down the road at Wolf Haven in Tenino off of Hwy 507. It is home to almost 30 wolves. Guided tours will give you an up close look at these rare and endangered animals, while learning more about them. (www.wolfhaven.org)

Lions and Tigers and BearsOh My!
In Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula, The Olympic Game Farm houses and trains exotic wildlifewater buffalo, lions, tigers, zebras, and much more. Take a drive-through “safari” to see animals from the safety of your car. Call 800-778-4295 or visit www.olygamefarm.com.

CHECK THESE OUT:

• Llama pack trips in Olympic National Park (www.northolympic.com/llamas) or burro pack trips in Pasayten Wilderness.
• Island Meadows Farm on Vashon Island, ostriches.
• Dude ranches, especially around Cle Elum and Republic. (www.ranchweb.com)
• Red-tailed hawks are a year-round feature of the Skagit Valley countryside. Snow geese gather in the Valley in February.
• Ballard Locks in Seattle is the place to see sea lions, and salmon runs in the fall.
• Mt. Fremont lookout in Rainier Park for bands of mountain goats.
• Cattle Pass (from Cattle Point Park on San Juan Island) for scores of harbor seals and occasional river otters.
• The Chimposium in Ellensburg presents a rare chance to get acquainted with chimpanzees. (www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci)