Summer is always a fun time for everyone, with vacations and family events; creating memories that will last a lifetime. And that was what happened to me this summer.
[singlepic id=14 w=320 h=240 float=left]With the National Highland Cattle Convention being held in different regions, this year it was in Ithaca, NY in June. These gatherings are such a great venue for education, networking with other breeders and farm tours. I saw an opportunity to expand the trip to visit my aunt and uncle that live in Dexter, NY. It had been a very long time since I had seen them and what a great time we had! We also went to visit my cousin and her family, who had just purchased a dairy farm. It was fun to see their excitement and wish them all the best with their new venture. After a few days, it was time to say goodbye and head south to Ithaca.
It is a 4 day event for me, as I have a couple days of Board and committee meetings. When planning my trip east, I wanted to visit a farm or 2 after the convention , with a visit to the May family; Seawind Meadows in Dennis, MA at the top of the list. Oh, my, what a beautiful area. They were so gracious and made me feel very welcome. We visited an Oyster farm , which had many parallels as any farm. Walked along the beach with the girls helping find Sea Glass, had a terrific Cape Cod dinner. and of course had such a great time visiting , and seeing their cattle. While I was at the convention, John & Sue Foster extended an invitation to visit them at their Twinflower Farm in East Corinth, VT. So from Cape Cod I traveled north to VT. What a great time I had there! We walked pastures to see their cattle and had great conversations. Before I headed west, I also stopped to visit with Chris & Greg Markwell of Trafalgar Farm. We had all had lunch and enjoyed each other’s company. By then it was time to head west. I left the east coast with so many great memories that will last me a lifetime.
[singlepic id=1 w=320 h=240 float=right]I was home for about 2 weeks, then it was off to the Midwest Jr. Cow Camp held north of Grand Rapids,MI. This was the first show of what I hope is many, held at a local resort. It was a weekend for kids, their families and cattle. The kids could bring their own or there was an animal provided for them. Dawn and Evelyn showed kids how to make neckties for their animals and personalized small wash pails. In the morning we had washing and grooming sessions, preparing the kids and the animals for the show ring. It is so much fun to watch shy kids blossom into confidant individuals by the end of weekend. It wasn’t all about cattle; during the heat of the afternoon, the families went swimming, fishing and took a boat ride across the river for Ice Cream. Because of many great and generous folks this event was free for the families and from what i could see and hear it was a HUGE Success!!
My heart is so full of memories and I feel my life is so much richer because of this summer. This breed not only has so much to offer the beef industry but the friends and memories that I have had wouldn’t have happened at all if it wasn’t for this Grand Old Breed.
