Fall Farm Trip

Last Saturday a big group traveled up to Kenny’s family’s farm north of the lake to spend a day in the great outdoors. After reading my post in February about our last trip up there, many of my family members expressed an interest in seeing the farm for themselves. Nola, Nopsi, QP, Grams, Bop, and even baby Kate all got their first farm experience, and I think they all enjoyed themselves.

Throughout all of my years of talking about going to the farm, I didn’t think I’d ever get Nola up there. So I was shocked when she said she planned to join us. I think it’s safe to say that she and QP had the time of their lives.

It wasn’t quite as pretty a day as our last time up there, but it wasn’t hot. A cold front came through the night before, so we all had to bundle up for our day outside. However, shivering a bit throughout the day was much preferable than sweating, at least in my opinion. I was so glad for the cool weather. Kate may have thought differently, but she hung in there like a champ all day.

Our first order of business was to bring the two tractors from the barn to the campsite so we could go on our customary hayride around the property in the afternoon. While our coaxing to be one of the drivers didn’t work on Nola, QP happily assumed the role, got a quick lesson from Kenny, and drove the old 1956 Ford back.

Tractors retrieved, we then turned to getting some fishing in before lunch. Riley had talked about wanting to fish since he spotted the front pond on the way in, so Grandpa obliged and taught him how. Before long, they had pulled in their first perch! Aunt E, Nola, and I soon caught our own fish, too.

Unfortunately for him, Bop, an avid fisherman, was too cold (and was nursing a sore tailbone), so he spent most of the day inside. But he did venture out for a bit to sit with Grams, QP, and Kate to watch the rest of us pull some fish in.

Fishing desires sated, we walked back to the campsite to get lunch ready: chicken and beef fajitas and blueberry cobbler. While Kenny and Steve cooked, Riley and Zac had fun running around with the two sweet dogs that showed up earlier in the morning, as well as climbing all over a fallen tree. And Kate was passed around from person to person, all cozy and warm wrapped up in a blanket.

 

All too soon the time came to start our hayride. My fam had to leave at 3, so we did a shortened version of the tour and went straight to find some of the cows. Grandpa almost didn’t make it up one steep hill near the beginning, but a few of the guys hopped off of our tractor to push the first riders up. Crisis averted!

Once we found the cows, we spread out a few bales of hay for them to munch on, hand fed the ones who would let us, marveled at how big they are up close, and took lots of pictures.

We even found one of Riley’s calves, number 94. Grandpa has assigned a mama cow to each of his grandchildren, and any calves that cow produces become theirs. This basically means that they get a little bit of money put into an account when Grandpa sells their calves, and they’ll be able to use that money for college. Pretty cool, huh? I had hoped to show Riley his mama cow, Magic, but we actually never found her. Next time!

Once all of my family had gone, there was time left for a short ride on the four wheeler and then we packed everything up and cleaned up the campsite. At this point, Riley was starting to fade. He stood in the same spot for close to a full minute without moving; I think he was a bit delirious from not having a nap and from going-going-going all day. However, you wouldn’t have known that on the drive home: he was wide awake and chatting non-stop all the way back to our house. But, he did fall asleep in my arms later that night after his bath. So sweet. I miss that!

I’d say the day was a rousing success. I’m so glad so many of my family were interested in coming, and they’re all already talking about a return trip in December. So don’t worry, Uncle Bill…..we’ll get you up there soon. Thanks so much to Grandma and Grandpa for organizing everything; it was a wonderful day that we can’t wait to repeat in a couple of months.

Oh, and a very Happy Birthday to Grandpa today!