Recap #1

It has been a busy late winter and spring…so busy that I haven’t posted about a lot that has been going on our lives.  So here goes.

Once our barn with its twin RV hookups was complete, we were ready for company.  I mentioned earlier that our first guests were Steve and Gail Dixon, full-time RVers we have known since 2008 when we attended our first Heavy Duty Truck Rally in Hutchinson, KS.  They arrived in early February, just before this year’s snow/ice storm, thank goodness.  The Dixons spent two months with us…Gail full-time and Steve in two-week increments between scheduled trips to pilot cargo between the US and points east.  

We had good fun around the neighborhood, shopping and just hanging out.  We considered putting this beauty on our wish list, but didn't think it was bright enough!

Gail especially liked getting acquainted with our cows and our friend's pigmy Nigerian goats.  She was also a great help with chores, including the installation of our protein "lick tub" for the cows.

In day trips to Waco, we checked out Homestead Heritage, where we visited a blacksmith shop, woodworking shop, pottery studio and other attractions,

and the Waco Mammoth National Monument.  If you're in the area, be sure to visit.

Before they left, we made sure Gail and Steve had a taste of the "real" Texas Mexican food (including Texas-size margaritas) at Ay Jalisco in nearby Meridian.

After the Dixons departed for points north and east, we had a short visit from good friends and fellow RVers, Rick and Linda Lorentz.  We have known Rick and Linda for a number of years, and have camped together many times…first at Custer’s Gulch RV Park and Campground in Custer, SD, and at various other locations where we met up for a few days. We had some great walks at the farm...

 

as well as good meals, like this one at Oma Leen's in nearby Walnut Springs. 

The food and drink were excellent; I think my favorite (other than the blueberry margarita) was the Pulpo, made from locally-sourced octopus.

We enjoyed our short time together, and look forward to another meet-up later this year.  

Easter fell this year on April 17.  We celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, as well as a visit from Brian & Debi and Gage and his friend, Gabby.  The weather wasn’t quite as windy as it has been most of this year, and Brian was able to fly his drone over the property for a bird’s eye view of Goat Hill Farm.  The drone (sadly, it doesn’t have a name) also followed us and made a video of our walk around the farm.  When it was done, upon command it landed on the exact spot on top of the Kawasaki mule from which it took off.

A very useful device; it makes beautiful videos.  (Brian also gave me a short lesson on flying the small drone he and Debi gave us for Christmas.  I managed to fly it inside the barn and outside in the parking lot, only crashing into a tree once.  Fortunately, Brian was able to retrieve it without damage.)

Here are a few more photos of their visit.  With Gage’s and Gabby’s dogs, we had a full complement…as many dogs as people.  

Gabby again tried to pet a cow, and was finally successful with one of the heifers who was distracted by food.  (Our cattle are very gentle, but always move away when we try to touch them.)

Huey and Zelda had great fun being farm dogs for a couple of days,

and Rue gave everyone lessons in barking at squirrels.

We tried for a group photo, but weren’t entirely successful. 

But everyone had a great time and we look forward to their next visit.  (Hopefully with Mallory and Daniel as well as Myles.)

But RV friends and family haven't been our only visitors.  Our long-time friend, Jimmy Joe Jacks, Michal's Hamilton classmate for almost all her growing-up years, paid us a visit a few weeks ago.  We enjoyed some fine visiting and porch-sitting,

and did our best to decrease the turtle population on our upper stock pond.  It was a great weekend.