No entrance fees for the boys, which meant that we spent a total of $16 bucks...
and that ain't bad.
Here's how it works, you and your entourage (did they have entourages in old timey days? probably not...) navigate the well-worn pebble path that's nestled among the animal stables, pig slopping area and overgrown brush in order to make your way to the "homestead." As luck would have it, a goat was chowing down as we made our way through and the boys went nuts. They were all "a ggggggggoooooooooaaaaaaatttttttttttt!" (said in the manner in which any sportscaster commentating on a professional soccer match would announce a goal) and were amazed by the fact that the goat did not give a single ounce of care that we were there and just kept right on chowing down as we rumbled our umbrella strollers past.
The more we walked, the hotter it got, so it was nice when we finally got to the "homestead" part of the farm, where the second highlight of the day occurred:
As we rounded the bend, 2 gentlemen got up from their logs and started approaching us.
Cullen paused and whispered, "Santa," and stood frozen, not knowing what to do.
It was such a sweet moment and it reminded me of an innocence that every-once-in-a-while,
I'm fortunate enough to be a part of.
After Cullen's initial shock wore off, we were able to strike up a conversation with them, despite my unwillingness to "play by the rules." (Meaning that I recognized and acted like they were actually the original settlers.) The 2 men tried to stay in character and would passive aggressively correct me while we spoke, so it went a little something like this:
Me: So, it sure is hot right now, what did they do to cool off?
Old Timey Man #1: Oh, well sometimes we will dunk our straw hats into the stream in order to cool off, but as soon as the heat gets oppressive, we call it a day and go fishing.
I just couldn't do it though. Eventually, they gave up too, but I mean, come on, get a load of what this old timey guy was drinking and he's wantin' me to play along? I don't think so; fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
Since we were the earliest "guests" of the day, we pretty much had free reign on the homestead and they entertained my questions with only a few persnickety moments, which brings me to my third and final highlight of the day:
Old timey reenacters are very particular about their craft
and if they have to stray too far off of script or out of character, it can get a little cray.
Old Timey Man #2: Welcome to the blacksmith shop, I'm the blacksmith.
Me: That's great, what are you going to be making?
Old Timey Man #2: Well, it's 'simple.'
Me: puzzled look
Old Timey Man #2: I can't really make anything, so I'm just going to heat up this piece of iron and then I'm going to hit it.
Me: Sounds great!
And that's just what he did. He heated up that piece of iron, then banged on it with a hammer and made it into a hook. It was a little crooked and didn't look like it could hold much weight, but the show he put on while doing it was fantastic.
Eventually, he invited Cullen to stoke the fire, which would cause it to dance up in front of the blacksmith's face. At first, Cullen was reluctant, but after we reassured him that it was all good, he spun the little handle with all his might and was as proud of his results.
As we blasted the air conditioning on our ride home, Jim, Cullen and I decided two things: 1. Having air conditioning is amazing and 2. That we were definitely coming back, but just not on a 90 degree day.
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