Off to the Continent

Greg and I are in Boston waiting for it to be time for us to leave for the airport.
After we left Matt and Linda in Connecticut we headed north into Massachusetts and toured around the Amherst area reminiscing about my college days. Then we turned north into rural Vermont. It has rained a lot these days making for a soggy, lusciously green backdrop for our tour.
I had a surprise for Greg at our next stop in Vermont. I spent a semester abroad in Costa Rica my junior year of college and became friends with Josh. He grew up on a farm in southern Vermont and I visited him there about 11 years ago. I thought about not going back to college and just staying on their farm. His father, Willis, and his mother, Tina, live and work on a 200 year old farm where they have cows, chickens, sheep, and make both maple syrup and apple cider products. His family made such a wonderful impression on me that when we decided to come to New England, I contacted his parents to see if we could stay with them or at least visit their beautiful farm. They somehow remembered me and graciously allowed us to stay in their cabin in the woods.
We took our time and arrived at the farm about 4:30. Greg and I somehow manage to get along with him driving and me trying to figure out directions. Sometimes it is smoother than others...Willis greeted us and showed us around. We said hello to some soggy sheep and tried to take all of the beauty in. They live on the top of a hill with an incredible view of rolling hills and woods. We changed into some warm clothes and descended into the basement.
There isn't much work on this kind of farm this time of year (too wet to hay) so we helped bottle some apple cider. Willis had his friend Tom over to help bottle up their fall hard cider that was brewing in the basement. We shared stories and laughter bottling the cider. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. Greg and I both got to take turns filling and capping the cider.
Then Willis went up to make some dinner. I helped harvest some lettuce and kale from the garden. I do not remember slugs out here from my farming days but with all their rain I felt like I was back in Oregon fighting for some greens. Willis cooked up some homegrown hamburgers and lamb kebabs. I tried the lamb and it was delicious! We lingered over dinner and were both grateful for our conversation and company. There are people in this world that are so open and friendly that you feel like you have known them forever, and Greg and I both felt that way about Tom and Willis.
On our way to our cabin for the night, Greg called to some owls in the field. We stood there for a while listening and watching the fireflies. Greg heard the owl call later in the night but I missed out. The cabin was set back in the woods and had huge windows so we listened to the evening and the rain the next morning. It sure felt like Oregon!
We gathered our stuff together and went up to the main house for breakfast. We decided that we would like to see "rural" Vermont and got some great tips. We left shortly after coffee and granola but we both left the farm with a huge smile on our faces and in our hearts. Thank you so much Willis for welcoming us into your home and life. We both hope to someday have a farm like yours and hope that you come and visit!