VT 50

This past Sunday, we participated in the VT 50 (a 50 kilometer ultrarun).  Starting at the old Ascutney ski area, we spent a bit over 7 hours running and hiking on the trails and back roads that surround our home.  Due to some last minute route changes, we wound up with a "bonus mile" for a total of a bit over 32 miles.  We had absolutely beautiful weather and were, for the most part, unharmed by our outing.  Teresa's knee was pretty achy from early on but she once again proved just how tough she is with a strong finish.  I am quite proud.

Got Milk?

We do!

Lola wins a prize for milking.  She's producing a little over 1/2 a gallon of milk a day!  Harvey and the dogs have been enjoying this new abundance.  George really was a milk monster!

A Fairwell to Georgie.

This is the hard part of farm life, losses.
We arrived home yesterday from work to find poor little George dead.  He had caught his collar on a water bucket handle and suffocated.  Ironically enough, George was scheduled to be processed later this winter, but as caretakers of our animals, the peace we have with the life-death cycle comes from knowing that our animals have lived happy lives and that death is quick and peaceful.  Our animals don't suffer.  This loss has been particularly hard. 

George was known as "the milk monster", still nursing regularly from Lola at over 4 months old!  The tears flowed yesterday as Lola filled the milking jars, realizing just how much she was still feeding her baby boy.

George was a snaggle-horned goat who loved bridge-bouncing and napping on the cows.  He loved little apple pieces, mouthfuls of alfalfa, and back rubs.  We will remember him for his joyful spirit. 

Rest in peace little Georgie.

Acadia National Park

We just returned home from a few days at Acadia National Park, celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary.  Yup, still married to this guy:

We had a great time visiting the tidal pools and watching the crabs fight over mussels as the tides flowed out to the ocean.  During low tide we were able to hike across to Bar Island on the sand bar, which is so fun to see during high tide as the island is completely surrounded by water.  We went for many hikes throughout the park, one of our favorites went from our Bed and Breakfast (the Cranberry Hill Inn), across the causeway and up to the top of flying mountain.  From there you can look down the fiord (the only one on the Eastern coast of the US)!  Our favorite activity was exploring the area via the many carriage roads on our tandem bike. We never made it into the main part of the park or around the loop road by car...maybe next trip.

The 2016 Great Pumpkin Harvest

Today was the great pumpkin harvest of 2016.  

We pulled over 50 large pumpkins and 25 pie pumpkins out of the garden and loaded them into the pick-up truck.   

Nothing says, "Fall" better than a truck full of pumpkins!

Next weekend...out comes the gourds!!!