Aylmer Trip to Visit Good old Friends

July 11-15

 Chris, my sweet sis, wanted to take me on a trip to Elisabeth’s in PA, something I would’ve loved but was just too much for me then, not to mention a busy time for Lizzi who was getting ready for the Indian camp and her wedding soon after that!  So we decided to do a local trip instead and my first choice was to Aylmer to see some special friends. But first, a couple of relaxing days at LP!

En route we stopped at “Sam’s Place” a cute little market store and garden store with interesting antiques and crafts 

 and amazingly, homemade goat-milk ice-cream sweetened with only honey! Couldn’t resist tho it only came in 1 litre pot, and we had no freezer! (yes, we pigged out – the things you’ll do on vacation!)

  I haven’t had ice cream in a long time – certainly not such pure, delicious, creamy ice-cream as that and with fresh blueberries on top, it sure was good!

And yes I'm driving my van! (tho not for long, Chris of course did most of the driving and she loves driving that big thing! Reminds her of her bus, tho easier/funner!)

We were able to get a site in the old campground, Cottonwood, near the beach since it was it the middle of the week. 

It worked out well with just my van and a little tent
and the ease & speed of setting up & packing up was wonderful!

but first, before any setting up, a swim and rest!

So nice just to be able to rest, relax, read, talk with my sister

and eat...  (I don't think I've ever polished off a bag of chips in 1/2 hr with only one other person helping me eat it!  and sweet potato chips at that! :))  

During the drizzly or buggy times (tho nothing like last trip!), the van provided a nice place to hang out in.. 

Yeah, that fresh air and walking & talking made someone hungry! ;)

After that hardy breakfast and one last swim, we left our enduring footprints in the sand (huh!)

 and drove off to leave a little more lasting impression (hopefully good ones) on our friends.

Ist visit was with old-time friends, Jake & Joyce, who gave us lunch and took time out of their crazy busy schedule to show us their big goat farm operation!

                      So many goats & kids all penned up! (glad I'm not a goat!)  

Their own kids are growing up fast, some moved out already, providing lots of excitement and adventure - esp Becca!  

(yikes, selfies!)

From there we headed to Louise & Rudy’s which was to be our home base for a couple days from which we made more visits to other friends.

Louise milking with baby strapped to her! Yes, the refined city girl I once knew is a quite a capable farmer's wife now!  I wouldn't believe it till I saw it with my own eyes! ;)

And she's become quite a good cook too, and served us a delicious, real, dinner - healthy/allergy aware too! We much enjoyed their sweet generous hospitality and dear fellowship over the next few days - and of course holding and playing with their delightful baby!  (We didn't see that much of the other kids since their cousins were over at Grandma's so that's where they naturally preferred to be).   

Sweet baby Dallas having a sunflower "bath"!

The next day Louise was joining others for a fun day at Hiemstra's honey/bee place

Clovermead farm which had quite expanded  since I was last there 15 yrs ago!

Very interesting, fun place for kids! 

 We looked in the free part and taste-tested their many different varieties and flavours of honey! and bought some (not from this museum but from the tourist store)

Ya gotta love their signs! haha!

and ya hafta visit the "outhouse" even if you don't hafta go!

\

... it is a little creepy or disconcerting at first, haha! 

kids in the play area 

We waved farewell to Louise (temporarily) from outside the park 

and headed off for another Hiemstra farm! (cousins)

where Carl & Brenda were awaiting us with their table spread!  So nice to spend time with C&B and family.  They are doing an amazing job with their kids who are just thriving there on the farm. Precious to see how sweet and gentle/patient Carl is with Emma. 

Emma loves animals 

and just carries them around like babies! (Her doctor had said when she was a baby that she likely wouldn't walk! Well! And not only is she doing all this, but she's also driving the lawn tractor!  

It was so amusing to watch and fun to get down there with her and try feeding one 

or 2!

...goat kisses! haha!  I prefer Tia's kisses!

Ok, back to the barn you 2!

There's something so exhilarating about watching kids chasing kids!  Yes, Heidi and her friend had  2 somewhat trained teenaged goats frolicking with them in the grass, leaping and kicking up their heels in pure joy of freedom!  

The lovely sun-room they built on for Carl's mom who lived with them for years

It was neat how Daniel joined in and shared about his interests/ventures as well as explaining things about the goats and the farm to us "city-slickers"

After that fun day, we headed off to visit other long-time special friends:

Finally got to see Herm & Lisa’s new place – very nice!

We sat in this gazebo catching up with the kids 

who are growing up so fast!

and hearing about Ruth’s boyfriend tho didn’t get to meet him

 but did finally get to meet Roland & Ivy – tho I felt like I already knew them...

this little one is dear to my heart. 

Elizabeth was rather melancholy so I was wondering if something was up again – and sure enuf, shortly after that visit Lisa told me that she was indeed regnant again!

relaxing in the living room after a delicious, healthy dinner in Lisa's grand kitchen/dinning room

then back to Louise's for the night. Sat after a lovely morning and sweet fellowship, we headed back home. We'd love to do it again! (but pack in a little less - to think that we were planning to try to fit in Liz & her mom as well! Good thing it didn't work out for them cuz it was full enuf already! - another time, hopefully!)