Vincie had arranged for us to visit a farm that was organic and sustainable - the animals were free-range and ate almost entirely from the land and their natural habitats.
As we arrived the cows were being moved from across the street to another part of the land. Every few days the cows move from place to place so they don't strip one area of grass and can get the more nutrient-rich grass. It was quite a feat to move these cows. The man in the front was clapping and the herd of cows followed him slowly.
A few of the cows stared right at us and mooed loudly as they walked by. It was cool to see. They then ended up on the side of the mountain and walked around grazing there, where they'd be for the next few days. One baby got a little away from the herd and we watched as the farmers slowly tried to get him back to where his mom was.
Inside the barn were lots of hens. Some are egg layers and once they reach a certain age and are ready to start laying, they get moved outside to the Eggmobile. Others, like this picture, are the meat chickens. They get moved to other pens in the yard and will eventually be processed for fresh meat. They do all the work right there on the farm - fortunately it was scheduled for the day after we were there! You'' notice some chickens that look different - they are guinea hens whose sole purpose is to eat ticks.
This was the ceiling of the barn. There were tarps everywhere to help protect us from the peacocks that sat up there and the bats.
Downstairs in the barn were some pigs. There were about 5 piglets, who weren't old enough to be out in the field yet, and 2 full-grown (HUGE) pigs. There was also a domesticated goose named Frederick.
The pink pig became a surrogate mother for the piglets after their mother died.
Aren't they so cute?
It was a rainy day but we were prepared for it, so we got ready to take a walk around the farm, joined by the dog, Basil.
As we walked down the driveway, we saw the cows again. They wee constantly on the move as they ate.
We had to walk down and across the street to go see the Eggmobile. The field where it was located is a field where the cows had been a few days before. The chickens eat bugs from the cow manure and help restore the grass that the cows ate. The animals all work together to keep the fields usable.
The chickens are free to wander around the field by day or hang out in the Eggmobile.
The panels on the sides are where they lay their eggs, which are collected several times a day.
There is one rooster among the chickens. He is a leader for the group and also a protector. If there is a predator flying around, the rooster will crow to warn the chickens and they will all go back to the Eggmobile until it leaves. At night the chickens go inside the Eggmobile and are closed in to protect them from predators.
A view of the chickens and the cows.
These small boxes are for the meat chickens. They are moved around the field every few days so they can have fresh grass. You can see how good it is for the grass to have the chickens there - there is a green path showing where the boxes are moved from day to day.
After walking back to the chickens, Tyler was the only kid who was still walking - most likely because there was no one who would carry him!
Our next stop on the farm was to go up the mountain to see the pigs. We could have walked but we decided the kids wouldn't make it. So we rode in the pick up truck. Not my favorite way to have the kids in a car, but we were barely on the road - just riding up a path into the woods - so we did it.
The boys, of course, thought it was the coolest thing - for a while it was higher on the list that the train ride!
And then we made it up to the pigs. They, like the other animals, are moved regularly, although not as frequently as the cows and chickens. They have a great area that includes trees and branches, some shade (did you know pigs are very susceptible to sunburn?), and mud.
The farmer demonstrated to us how curious the pigs are. As soon as he entered the enclosure, they all swarmed around him sniffing and nibbling his pants and boots. Pigs really have a lot of personality.
We had a great time at the farm and really wish we had a farm like this closer to us. After our tour we spent A LOT of money on meat to grill the next day.
Rudy and Tyler on the planes. Rudy really enjoyed playing with Tyler this week. And Tyler seemed very amused, and often confused, by the things Rudy did!
I have a great video of the three boys on this ride - the Frog Hopper. They are laughing and having such a great time!
At the park, there was an area with a small museum and a woodcarver and a blacksmith. Doesn't Rudy look amazed by this bear?
Everyone, except me, went on the teacups.
These bears were in the museum. I think they used to be art of a show. Rudy had to have his picture taken with each one. The poses are all his own!
The log flume. I am not one for roller coasters, or very many rides because I tend to get motion sick, but I LOVE the flume. All of us except Vincie and Sean went on it.
Our last group ride of the day - we took a train ride.
Although the idea of riding them scares me, I loved the thought of this ski lift ride. The view up there must be incredible! Unfortunately, right after I took this picture it started to rain and I felt very bad for anyone on the ride who was getting soaked.
Tyler on the last ride of the day. It started to rain while the kids were on this ride.
But, as you can see, a little rain does not deter the boys from having fun.
The rainstorm was brief and after it, we got some ice cream, did some souvenir shopping, and headed back to our cabins. After Rudy was asleep, I tried out our new camera by taking some self-timer pictures of me and Paul.
It was a very full day but we'd all had a lot of fun.
Inside the barn were lots of hens. Some are egg layers and once they reach a certain age and are ready to start laying, they get moved outside to the Eggmobile. Others, like this picture, are the meat chickens. They get moved to other pens in the yard and will eventually be processed for fresh meat. They do all the work right there on the farm - fortunately it was scheduled for the day after we were there! You'' notice some chickens that look different - they are guinea hens whose sole purpose is to eat ticks.
This was the ceiling of the barn. There were tarps everywhere to help protect us from the peacocks that sat up there and the bats.
Downstairs in the barn were some pigs. There were about 5 piglets, who weren't old enough to be out in the field yet, and 2 full-grown (HUGE) pigs. There was also a domesticated goose named Frederick.
The pink pig became a surrogate mother for the piglets after their mother died.
Aren't they so cute?
It was a rainy day but we were prepared for it, so we got ready to take a walk around the farm, joined by the dog, Basil.
As we walked down the driveway, we saw the cows again. They wee constantly on the move as they ate.
We had to walk down and across the street to go see the Eggmobile. The field where it was located is a field where the cows had been a few days before. The chickens eat bugs from the cow manure and help restore the grass that the cows ate. The animals all work together to keep the fields usable.
The chickens are free to wander around the field by day or hang out in the Eggmobile.
The panels on the sides are where they lay their eggs, which are collected several times a day.
There is one rooster among the chickens. He is a leader for the group and also a protector. If there is a predator flying around, the rooster will crow to warn the chickens and they will all go back to the Eggmobile until it leaves. At night the chickens go inside the Eggmobile and are closed in to protect them from predators.
A view of the chickens and the cows.
These small boxes are for the meat chickens. They are moved around the field every few days so they can have fresh grass. You can see how good it is for the grass to have the chickens there - there is a green path showing where the boxes are moved from day to day.
After walking back to the chickens, Tyler was the only kid who was still walking - most likely because there was no one who would carry him!
Our next stop on the farm was to go up the mountain to see the pigs. We could have walked but we decided the kids wouldn't make it. So we rode in the pick up truck. Not my favorite way to have the kids in a car, but we were barely on the road - just riding up a path into the woods - so we did it.
The boys, of course, thought it was the coolest thing - for a while it was higher on the list that the train ride!
And then we made it up to the pigs. They, like the other animals, are moved regularly, although not as frequently as the cows and chickens. They have a great area that includes trees and branches, some shade (did you know pigs are very susceptible to sunburn?), and mud.
The farmer demonstrated to us how curious the pigs are. As soon as he entered the enclosure, they all swarmed around him sniffing and nibbling his pants and boots. Pigs really have a lot of personality.
We had a great time at the farm and really wish we had a farm like this closer to us. After our tour we spent A LOT of money on meat to grill the next day.
We then headed to Knoebel's - an amusement park. The kids did a great job at the farm but we knew they were ready for something more their speed. The park is great - no admissions fee- you buy tickets for the rides, like you do at the boardwalk.
Sean on the boats.
Rudy and Tyler on the planes. Rudy really enjoyed playing with Tyler this week. And Tyler seemed very amused, and often confused, by the things Rudy did!
I have a great video of the three boys on this ride - the Frog Hopper. They are laughing and having such a great time!
At the park, there was an area with a small museum and a woodcarver and a blacksmith. Doesn't Rudy look amazed by this bear?
Everyone, except me, went on the teacups.
These bears were in the museum. I think they used to be art of a show. Rudy had to have his picture taken with each one. The poses are all his own!
The log flume. I am not one for roller coasters, or very many rides because I tend to get motion sick, but I LOVE the flume. All of us except Vincie and Sean went on it.
Our last group ride of the day - we took a train ride.
Although the idea of riding them scares me, I loved the thought of this ski lift ride. The view up there must be incredible! Unfortunately, right after I took this picture it started to rain and I felt very bad for anyone on the ride who was getting soaked.
Tyler on the last ride of the day. It started to rain while the kids were on this ride.
But, as you can see, a little rain does not deter the boys from having fun.
The rainstorm was brief and after it, we got some ice cream, did some souvenir shopping, and headed back to our cabins. After Rudy was asleep, I tried out our new camera by taking some self-timer pictures of me and Paul.
It was a very full day but we'd all had a lot of fun.
