Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Magic Mile

The end of my birthDAY we made it to the NASCAR races at the Magic mile.  We had planned to camp at the New Hampshire race facility and what an awesome facility it is!  The shower building is just awesome - better that some other campgrounds we have stayed at and we were within walking distance of the track and festivities.  We set up camp, ate dinner and prepared to partake in the activities.

Pictured below are from the 5 K race that proceeded the parade of haulers.


The "mascot"



below is the upper hill above our camp area - I have never seen so many camp areas and campers packed into a place.


Jon and I enjoyed the parade of haulers.  This pic has "Ford Racing" for our son that works as a mechanic at Ford




After this it is a quick trip back home.  We have some visitors coming to the farm on Thursday, so we need to get back and catch up a bit.  A friend of mine says that we "don't let much grass grow under our feet" and I guess it is true.  Jon and I do stay busy, but we do also like lush thick grass for the cattle- tee hee!

New Hampshire

September 19th, my birthday, we visited Hilltop Farm in New Hampshire.  The land for these Belties is much like the land at our house with slopes and yet lots of green pastures.  I always enjoy seeing the calves and there was a new young one on the farm here.


This view is looking down from the driveway - What a beautiful site to sit in the house and see during the downtime in the day!




This little one is hungry!  While her mom enjoys the grass, the calf enjoyed a snack too.

What a nice barn, feeding pad and look at the winter feed they have ready. 




There is always one in every crowd that wants a bit of attention!


Moon Shadow Farm

From Vermont, we took a trip to Maine.  September 18th, found us at Scott and Christine Adams at MoonShadow Farm.  You could tell that Scott and Christine are into Conservation practices, as we are.  These cattle live the life.  From the beautiful barn, feeding pads, to wonderful lush grass, they look awesome.  Scott and Christine were at the Big E for the Show and then they were both heading right out again the next day to other shows. I'm sure Jon got some other wonderful ideas for our farm and land from them.




 It was great to see this sign on Scott and Christine's fence.  Jon also proudly places his Conservation signs on our fences.

Sometimes I feel that putting a picture in of our camper along with the places we visit puts a little perspective to all the miles that we have traveled in the last two years.  Jon's goal of 48 states in 2 years is becoming a reality. We now have completed 40.


 Isn't this and awesome feed pad? And it completely goes around 3 sides of the barn!


 Pictured below, this little one was taking a nap in the feeder, until I disturbed him - Awhhhhhh




Below- Just a little coaxing with some tempting hay to get them to leave the lush fields and come closer to us and the camera


As you can see below, participating in the shows is very important to the Adams. I was a bit out of focus on these indoor shots - probably talking while taking the pictures.

Post Mills Airport

From the Big E in Mass. we then traveled to Vermont to visit Jon's relatives.  My favorite part of visiting Vermont other than being with family was visiting the Post Mills Airport.  If you've never been to Post Mills it is a unique and wonderful place.  The first time I visited, we went through the museum.  I love all of the Hot Air Balloon seats and how there are crutches arranged everywhere.  I've been up in a hot air balloon before exactly 30 years prior to this day in Vermont. Jon had treated me for my birthday, before we married.  

Each time we visit, we either go here to watch the planes and eat lunch or fly.  Several years ago,  Jon paid and I flew in a glider, like the one below, but this year I got a really special treat, and the best Birthday Present Ever!






I could honestly just lay on the ground and watch the planes all day, plus it was such a glorious September day to begin with! 


Now for the special treat - I got to fly in the 1940s plane below.  Karl said he was wanting to go up and asked if anyone would like to go.  I contained my 'shout' and said "YES".  I asked Jon and Aunt Tina if they wanted to go, but they said - no.  Later I found out that they were sitting on the ground worried about if this guy would just take me off somewhere.  Take me off somewhere is exactly what he did, and it was so exciting!  We flew over the beautiful Vermont countryside and down the Connecticut River.  I had such fun!  Karl was so nice to take me on a wonderful ride.


The above is the plane that I was in.

Enjoying the Vermont countryside

Preparing to fly down the Connecticut River

Flying down the Connecticut River

Flying over Lake Fairlee with two Kayaker's below

Preparing to land with a good top view of our camper in the lower left hand corner.
I hope I get the opportunity to do this again!  Maybe, I should just take up flying.


Big E

We were at Big E in the Northeast in Springfield Mass. on September 13th and 14th, 2013.  Jon and I always enjoy the Big E.  Jon use to go there as a kid, having grown up in Vermont.  My first time ever was 2012.  My favorite part is touring the New England State Buildings.  My favorite foods are the Eclairs and the Lobster Rolls.  Jon's favorite foods are the Lobster Rolls and Cream Puffs.  We also enjoy the concerts.  We mostly go to Big E for the Belted Galloway show.  Below are several pictures from the show that our Belted Galloway group ought to enjoy.


The youth show was on September 13th.  I always enjoy seeing the participation from our youth.




September 14th at 9:00 a.m. it was back to show.  Such beautiful Belties.







 As you can see below, Andy even let Jon participate in the show.  Jon really enjoyed this.
 







Sunday, September 15, 2013

Maryland

Now that we have faster internet service, I wanted to include several pictures from the farms that we have visited in the last week.  The Northeast is so beautiful in September.   Our first stop was Persistence Run Farm in Maryland, which was our grand prize winner in the 2014 calendar contest.  It was such a pleasure to spend time with the Adams.  I (sylvia) really enjoyed their children, doing everything from gymnastics to star gazing.  We enjoyed being in with the cattle and enjoying the outdoors.  Jon and I envied them starting into farming with their children still younger.  Their children really are involved.  It is a busy life and we miss those days with our own children as they have moved away from the farm.




 Our next stop was at Choptank farm in Delaware.  We couldn't believe how warm the weather was for September.  



We then went to visit Michelle Ogle, the vice president of the Belted Galloway Society.  We couldn't be this close to her operation without stopping by to say Hi!  She has a lot to manage, but we still found time to go to the General Store for lunch.  New Jersey is still trying to catch up from some of Sandy's storm damage, but with all the rain this year it is very green in September.




Next we stopped in Rhode Island to visit Harmony Meadows.  The Romani family was preparing for and attending the "Big E", which will be in the next blog entry.  It was nice to drive by the field stone walls in and around Rhode Island.  It reminded me of our stone walls in Kentucky.  Below are some pictures, though the cattle were enjoying the shade on the rather warm September day.