I guess we needed a short break. New Daddy has been dying to go fishing, but Cherokee, NC was too cold. He had Monday off, and we wanted to visit one of Georgia's canyons. Temps at Cloudland were below freezing. The high at Providence was in the 50s. Guess who won out. And the nearest place to stay was the stomping grounds of one of Georgia's organic farming heroes- Will Harris' White Oak Pastures. We put in a reservation for the Pond House at 1 AM and told the kids the plan when they woke up. They squealed- a real farm with TONS of animals!
When we arrived, we found out that a farm-made quiche was waiting for us in our cabin, along with a dozen eggs. Because of the recent rains, our van couldn't navigate the muddy roads. So Mr. Harris loaned us his 4x4 F-150 while we stayed there. Are you starting to get the feeling that these folks have Southern hospitality down to an art? Well, you would be right. We were treated like family.
The Pond House was out by itself on a peninsula surrounded by a 15 acre pond stocked with largemouth bass and catfish. There were a couple of kayaks and a jon boat alongside a covered dock with swings and a picnic table. As soon as the kids awoke at 7 AM, New Daddy was out the door to toss a spinner bait. The kids joined in, and no one was disappointed. Bubby cast, caught, and released his first fish ever; he was goofy-excited. New Daddy brought in several really nice bass.
As the fishing tapered off after sunrise, we headed for the main building to meet Jodi for our farm tour. Only, some farm workers were installing new fencing along the road we normally would have taken, and the road was blocked with their truck and a tractor. So we backed up across the dam and turned around to go through the gate west of the cabin. After about five gates, we finally made it back to the highway! The older kids were jumping in and out of the back seat, opening and closing gates as we stopped. Farms will teach you patience in short order! The kids loved having an important job.
The farm tour was one of the most thorough, insightful, educational tours I've ever been on. After watching a very humane cow slaughter, including the gutting, we decided that this officially counted as a field trip. Like a real cow dissection- definitely not for the weak of stomachs, but totally fascinating if you were up to it. Zero waste- they compost the entrails for fertilizer!
After the tour, we sat down for a super-yummy lunch at the Pavilion. Most of the food comes from the farm, and I'm pretty sure the steak fries were fried in delicious tallow. I had a cup of chicken noodle soup and a turkey sausage wrap. Nom nom nom.
After lunch, we went to see the horses (I'm telling you, they really treated us like family! Kids want to see the horses? Let me text my mom to tell her y'all are coming by.) After we came down a bit into the field, a horse came over to say hello. The kids fed him grass and clover. When they stopped, he stomped. Whoops- more grass for Mr. Quarter Horse. And while they nuzzled and rubbed him, he was not-so-secretly wondering where we might get more grass to feed him. When we left, he followed us out. When Precious ran, he ran after her. Totally. Made. Their. Day! After we got outside the pasture, he neighed to let us know he was going to miss us (and our grass). What a sweetheart.
Back to the cabin for more fishing (and a nap for Tater) before hitting the road. A few more animals around the farm were bald eagles (who are consuming the chickens to the tune of 100 birds per day) and Iberian pigs-- really from Spain!
We left around 4:00, after purchasing a few items (liver! hahaha) from the store. And up the road to Providence Canyon, just in time for sunset. We sang "Amazing Grace" in the old Methodist church, and the song vibrantly rebounded off the wooden pews, floors, and walls. The huge bible on the podium was nearly in shreds, and there were several Methodist hymnals lying around.
And then we drove home! One night was just about perfect- a great way to relax.
Pictures from this post
When we arrived, we found out that a farm-made quiche was waiting for us in our cabin, along with a dozen eggs. Because of the recent rains, our van couldn't navigate the muddy roads. So Mr. Harris loaned us his 4x4 F-150 while we stayed there. Are you starting to get the feeling that these folks have Southern hospitality down to an art? Well, you would be right. We were treated like family.
The Pond House was out by itself on a peninsula surrounded by a 15 acre pond stocked with largemouth bass and catfish. There were a couple of kayaks and a jon boat alongside a covered dock with swings and a picnic table. As soon as the kids awoke at 7 AM, New Daddy was out the door to toss a spinner bait. The kids joined in, and no one was disappointed. Bubby cast, caught, and released his first fish ever; he was goofy-excited. New Daddy brought in several really nice bass.
The farm tour was one of the most thorough, insightful, educational tours I've ever been on. After watching a very humane cow slaughter, including the gutting, we decided that this officially counted as a field trip. Like a real cow dissection- definitely not for the weak of stomachs, but totally fascinating if you were up to it. Zero waste- they compost the entrails for fertilizer!
After the tour, we sat down for a super-yummy lunch at the Pavilion. Most of the food comes from the farm, and I'm pretty sure the steak fries were fried in delicious tallow. I had a cup of chicken noodle soup and a turkey sausage wrap. Nom nom nom.
After lunch, we went to see the horses (I'm telling you, they really treated us like family! Kids want to see the horses? Let me text my mom to tell her y'all are coming by.) After we came down a bit into the field, a horse came over to say hello. The kids fed him grass and clover. When they stopped, he stomped. Whoops- more grass for Mr. Quarter Horse. And while they nuzzled and rubbed him, he was not-so-secretly wondering where we might get more grass to feed him. When we left, he followed us out. When Precious ran, he ran after her. Totally. Made. Their. Day! After we got outside the pasture, he neighed to let us know he was going to miss us (and our grass). What a sweetheart.
We left around 4:00, after purchasing a few items (liver! hahaha) from the store. And up the road to Providence Canyon, just in time for sunset. We sang "Amazing Grace" in the old Methodist church, and the song vibrantly rebounded off the wooden pews, floors, and walls. The huge bible on the podium was nearly in shreds, and there were several Methodist hymnals lying around.
And then we drove home! One night was just about perfect- a great way to relax.
Pictures from this post
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