Pineland Farms and Bradbury Mountain

Mattimeo and I had an awesome day outside yesterday. We got to see friends and family, meet all kinds of farm animals and even climb to the top of a mountain!

Family Farmyard Fun

After dropping Robbie off at work, Mattimeo and I drove to New Gloucester to visit Pinleland Farms for some family farmyard fun. There we met up with my Mom, my brother Brian, his girlfriend Meghan, my nephew Bryce, our mommy friend Sarah and her baby girl Stella.

Mema and Meo

Meghan, Bryce and Brian

Sarah and Stella

There was so many people there! When I worked at Wolfe's Neck Farm and Freeport, we did a similar sort of thing for small children on Saturday mornings. I would have them help me feed the goats, sheep, and chickens, collect eggs (to take home), and then read them a couple story about farms/Maine all while teaching them about the animals on the farm. I think the most kids I ever had to teach at once was like 20...yesterday at Pineland Farms there was probably around 60.

Meo looking excitedly at me from his carrier on my hip

After a little talk in their education building, we took a little walk out to the farmyard to meet their laying hens.

Probably the least flattering picture of Meo and my Mom ever, but I think its hilarious! haha

They let the kids collect eggs in baskets and pet the chickens. It was kind of chaotic, but the kids loved it and the chickens didn't seem to mind.

I just set Meo down on the ground and let him experience the chicken frenzy. He loved it! He was watching the chickens in amazement and pointing at them. He was being very curious and very brave. The only time where he got a little uneasy and started crying was when a couple chickens decided to come investigate him and pecked his legs; Meo did not care for that.

"Help Mama! A chicken pecked me!"

Bryce was a little nervous of the chickens, but he collected an egg all by himself which was really sweet. I think he enjoyed himself, but was happiest in the safety of someone's arms!

Meghan and Bryce

Brian, Bryce and Mema

Mema comforting a nervous Bryce

After the chickens, we went to see the pigs. There was two little pink ones, and the kids enjoyed watching them roll around on the ground and be fed vegetables. Meo was so in awe of the pigs that he actually stood up unsupported for a long period of time, just looking in awe of the pigs.

Bryce looking at the pigs from his high vantage point

Look!

Meo and a pig!

Standing up all by himself

Bryce checking out the pig

the whole gang and the pigsty

Stella found something fun to play with

We got to visit with a beautiful, but nervous, goose. Their geese are really friendly, but this poor goose was quivering because it was overwhelmed by all the kids! I can't blame him.

Meo and I looking at the goose

Goose!

Sarah and Stella looking at the goose

We saw a couple young sheep. One of them was very interested in my ERGObaby carrier and was nibbbling at the buckle. Meo did not really care for that!

Sheep!

Drink break

We walked over to see a couple of goats. The goats were fun! They were very busy trying to sneak out past the gate as kids came in and out, and with eating lots of hay.

Getting ready to go see the goats

Goat!

Bryce checking out the goat

Chewing on some hay like a goat :)

Finally, we went to visit the cows. All the cows were busy mowing down on hay, which made it easy for us to get a close look and to pat their heads. Some of them even licked our arms and hands as we reached towards them...Meo was a little freaked out by their huge, leathery tongues!

Cows!

Sarah and Stella feeding a cow

Mema and Bryce

Meo and I looking at some cows

For only $5 (backpack babies are free), this was an amazing way to spend our morning. With such great company, beautiful weather, and sweet tempered animals, Meo and I certainly had a lot of fun and hope to go back to visit again.

Pineland Farms

Bryce pushing his stroller on the way back

My brother and I

Lunch in Freeport

After the farm, me, Brian, Meghan, Bryce and my mom headed over to Freeport to get some lunch before they headed back home. Bryce and Meo had fun sitting next to each other. They passed each other things from the table and played with ice cubes. They are so cute together!

Mema and her grandsons

Goofball Meo and Bryce

Playing with ice cubes

Brian, Bryce and Meghan

Bradbury Mountain

After lunch, my brother and his crew went home, so Meo and I were left alone to wander around Freeport. We visited a couple stores, then I decided it would be fun to spend the rest of our afternoon going for a hike. I was a little bit nervous about hiking by myself because I had never actually done that before, especially on a mountain I had never been to. But I heard that Bradbury Mountain was an easy climb and so I decided to go for it. Although Bradbury Mountain State Park is not far from downtown Freeport, my sweet Meo was tired and fell into a deep sleep. So when I got there, I was faced with the dillema of either waiting in the car until he was done napping and risk going their for nothing, or just stick him in the carrier. I decided to try to get him in the ERGObaby without waking up, and succeeded! My little guy slept peacefully on my back for the ENTIRE hike!

Mattimeo sleeping on my back

I decided to take the Northern Loop Trail up because it was the longest (only 1 mile) and most gentle. Since I just had my Toms shoes on, I wanted to make sure I kept it easy so I wouldn't slip with Meo.

It was the most perfect afternoon for hiking; blue skies, a nice breeze, and very peaceful. I hiked past a few different groups of people, and they all commented about how cute Meo was sleeping on my back. It wasn't overly busy though, and I enjoyed the quiet solitude of hiking "alone" immensely. I loved breathing in the fresh air and inhaling nature, I loved listened to the soft chirps all around me and the quiet breathing of sweet Meo. I loved having a little time to let my mind rest and I felt very peaceful.

The trail

Me and my hiking buddy, snoozing on my back

The hike was incredibly easy. I felt kind of silly being worried about it, but how was I to know just how easy it would be? There was a nice view from the summit though, and it really was an enjoyable hike. I met a couple with their dog at the top, and they took a photo for me.

View from the summit of Bradbury Mountain

We did it :)

Still sleeping at the summit

Meo and I at the summit of Bradbury Mountain

On the way down, I decided to see what the more difficult Summit Trail was like. While it was a lot steeper, it was still really easy compared to any other hike I have done. It was also very short, only 0.2 miles. But it was a fun little scramble down, and I enjoyed exploring a new trail.

When we got back into Westbrook and waited in the car for Robbie to get out of work, Meo and I nursed in the back seat. Meo was being silly and playing with my lips and pinching my nose. He makes me so happy, and I feel so blessed that we have the rest of our lives to play, adventure, laugh, and explore together. He is my shining star.

Nursing bliss