Ken Burn's " The National Parks"

Have you watched any of the PBS series "The National Parks -America's Best Idea" by Ken Burns? It started on Sunday and was on again last night. I have been watching & it has brought back some great memories. In the summer of 1972 I travelled across the country ( and into Canada & MX) with a friend--this was our setup......A '63 Falcon, an orange 2 person pup tent and a coleman stove! We travelled from June-Sept, staying in a hotel only 2 nights ( but we did look up family & friends when we could!) This is me at our campsite in Niagara Falls--1st day on the road! During the trip we purchased Golden Eagle Passes --good for entry to all parks for 1 year. I think we ended up going to at least 10 parks that summer. But a few photos from a few places--the car going through a giant sequoia in Yosemite.

Our day at Yellowstone was awesome! Here's some thermal hot springs

And colorful hot springs. This trip was the 1st time I'd been off the east coast & we travelled about 4000 miles through 23 states.

And what's a trip to yellowstone without a visit to Old Faithful! We lucked out & didn't have to wait long for it to erupt!

Some panoramics from Isla

I'm in the process of cleaning off an older computer, making sure I have Cd's of photos or transferring them to one of the other computer in the house. Came across a few panoramics that were taken 3 or 4 years ago--with a film camera! One of the photos is at the beginning of the Bash & everybody is wearing their orange shirt--will have to go look & see what year that is!
* Checked & it was from 2006-----This is a view from the Vistalmar roof.


Waiting to start fishing

And the boats starting out in the morning.

Now that our trip is only a few months away, we start thinking about it more!

Interesting border

I went outside & saw this interesting border growing along one edge of the woods. it just sprung up one day--I hadn't noticed it before it started blooming.

This makes a nice looking border--I'm sure it's all weeds, but makes a nice border all in a shaded area.
Has anyone ever seen this before? We have all sorts of weeds that grow here--most I just let them grow & see how they turn out. Many I just can't keep up with!

The last Fair photos ( for this year!)

At the Draft Horse show--2 horse hitch--love seeing the horses & wagons! A close up pf the Dolans & their hitch--I think it is a 6 horse. Thsi family has competed in every Draft horse show we have had at the fair--and it celebrated it 20th year this year.

And the newest event --1st time this year--a truck pull. It was a big hit, too. All events were crowded this year--we have been the only fair in our county to have 3 great weather days so far--there have been 3 other fairs & they all have had rain for at 1 1/2 days of their 3 days.

And the piglets--isn't this a great photo? ( these are all from the woman that hadn't been in 25 years--Sarah) We try to have one sow & piglets because it is a very popular draw--people love to see the little guys running around or curled up with Mama! or sleeping with a smile on their faces!

Two blacksmiths outside the antique barn. The barn is filled with antique farm machinery, old carriages, household stuff and tools. We also have a woodcarver, quilters, a potter and others doing demos of their skills. The gentleman without the hat ( or I could say the bald guy) is also the 1st selectman in Goshen--before he took office he made his living as a blacksmith .

Collecting Pinecones

This week I have started collecting pinecones for firestarters. We have quite a few tall ( very tall) pine trees that have finally started shedding the cones. I know I could be collecting them to make wreaths or something else crafty --Becky, any suggestions? But for now I'm collecting them to burn. We use our woodstove every day in the cold weather--had it going last night! And buying fatwood gets to beexpensive. So I go out with a bucket & pick up cones! They work great--just enough sap on them to help get the fire going.

Yesterday's haul......

Near the end... for now!

Even though I have lots of photos from the fair, I will probably only do one more post about it. We are already starting to plan for next year! From the Draft Horse show--I love to watch this show--the horses are beautiful--& huge! Alot of it takes place on Sat. morning & that's my busiest time during the fair.....so a friends sister was at the fair for the 1st time in 25 years & she has shared her photos with me---and you!
I spent 1/2 hr. on the internet trying to put a name to this breed of chicken to no avail.....interesting looking isn't it?

And another....our Poultry dept. was up this year--had a few new entrants.

From the opening ceremonies of the fair.........

A Percheron draft horse from Utopia Percherons here in Goshen--beautiful!

More on the Poitou Donkeys

Remember back a few months ago I told you about these interesting donkeys--that there were a few of them here in Goshen? Well, a few days ago I was talking to a friend of mine & it came out in the conversation that he & his family had 4 of them at their house. They belong to the Commerford family & weren't doing well where they were living so they thought they would try them at Sean & Brandi's. I asked if Alan & I could come over to see them & was told sure !
Summerlin & the Donkeys These are the gentlest of animals--Summerlin ( 3 yrs old) sat on all of them while they were eating & it didn't faze any of them. We were told they don't like the dogs, though.

Summerlin & the baby........

Momma & baby. Sean told us these animals were bred to be used in the vineyards of France; they would put baskets over their backsto carry the grapes in--formal name is Baudet du Poitou Donkey

All four--L-R--Baby, Momma, Grandma & Daddy ( that's what Summerlin said they were called!)

The variety of animals at the fair

I will only bore you a few more days with photos from this year's fair. Then I guess I better get out & take some new pictures! From the Draft Horse show

Unloading the sheep.....

Charolais cow & calf.......

Around the dairy barn; waiting to show the calf......

Around town

I was at the Post Office today & thought I'd take a few photos around it. Our PO is lacated in a small shopping area in the back--behind the package store, a restaurant and a real estate office--the sign is out along the road.

Looking across the street towards home.......

A beautiful display of hydrangeas--I love seeing them change color--from off white to pink to mauve--a little deeper color every day.

And it's baled...

This field of hay was baled yesterday afternoon. I know they were trying to get it done before it rained--then the forecast was changed--no rain for the next few days--we may even have a nice weekend!

Some stragglers in the garden

This is the most prevalent thing growing round our yard now---goldenrod---up and down the driveway .......but there are a few actual flowers blooming,too!











Like these 2 lovely white roses......























And this vibrant purple flower.............

The View from the end of the Driveway

The leaves are starting to change color.............

And across the street , they were finally able to do a second cutting of hay--probably will be the last for the season!

It's a Family Affair.....

Photos from the dairy barn of one family from Goshen getting their cows ready to be shown. Here's Dad ( Tony) drying the cow---notice the hairdryer!

And here's Mom (Karin) drying another cow!

And Becky, waiting to show her cow......

Our dairy show is about the largest of all the shows ( judging) that we have...Six different breeds and lots of classes!