FULL HOUSE

One of the beauties of summer are the guests that make their way to the End of the Rainbow Valley.  For some reason we haven't had any couchsurfers this summer but we've had family and friends come visit.

Our last set of visitors included Natureman's youngest sister and her husband with their family of 3 teenagers. They are all quite the conversationalists so there were a lot of discussions. Natureman was in 'heaven' besides being at the End of the Rainbow...

The kids kept busy with a lot of walks, visiting with the animals... and
 of course, a campfire complete with somores (graham cracker sandwich with roasted marshmallows and Hershey chocolate) for you non campers.

One special request from this last set of visitors was to visit the Amish on the Ridge. Included in my customized tour is first learning to identify the Amish and English farms. It took no time at all for these fast learners. One of our nephews had done some previous research on the Amish community so he was my top tourist identifying farms from their machines with metal tires/ the absence of power lines /parked buggies vs cars as some of the obvious signs. 

But due to the timing of their visit, the family also got to see the different stacking of the cut oats. No automated bailers here.
Since the teenagers all had taken what we called 'Shop/Industrial Arts' in the old days is now called 'Tech Ed,' an Amish furniture workshop stop seemed feasible and was interesting for all as the machines of course aren't run by electricity. The kids could identify the machinery but realized these were gas generated. Tech Ed indeed Amish style.

The Amish Bakery Shop was next on the agenda. One tiny building, the size of a small baby's room, shelves filled with jams, pies, donuts, cinnamon rolls and candies like peanut brittle and items made in the community including soaps, rugs, toys, etc...  One of the older Amish daughters of this family who runs the shop, gifted the kids 2 different fudge flavors. What a generous gesture! 

It was a busy time on the Ridge as the farmers needed to harvest in-between all the rain we have been having. So after a lunch break the boys went back out in the field with their magnificent work horses.

We all got a taste of life on the Ridge and sights that city folks don't see every day. Our visitors certainly returned to the Twin Cities with some new memories as well as a lot of fresh country air...

                            Ya'll come back, ya hear?