Baby chicks, baby goats, and baby pigs are all good reasons to visit a farm during the early spring. However, we live in North Dakota. With the snow finally melting, the result is MUD. This little factor did not discourage our homeschooling group of 50, from Minot AFB, to take the journey. After a meager 90 minute drive and 30 minute bathroom break, we arrived at our destination. Greeted warmly by the Bartlett guys, we were shuttled in their pickup truck where the aroma of nature welcomed us in. After trudging our way through knee deep pools of mud, our first sight to experience was week old chicks.
The boys were wide eyed, but we were able to pull them away with promises of other babies to behold. The greatest attraction, by far, was the two day old baby goats. They were both a joy to watch and to hold. The boys were only a little taken aback when they discovered that the new piglets' names would be "breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
The story of this particular farm was quite admirable. The family has been living on this plot of land for only the last 7 years. They arrived with only a pop-up camper and a dream. Their current home is still under construction, as they have been building entirely debt-free! At the end of the tour, a nice afternoon snack was laid out before us with fresh cow's milk, butter, and cheese. At first, Aidan wasn't sure what he thought of the milk, he asked me if it was "home-made." He has now decided that he likes it better than milk from the store. Overall, it was a great adventure. Especially for a group of boys. Of course, our little girl didn't seem to mind the sights as well. Although, in the end we were all ready for a nap.
