My GPS kept trying to make me take back roads all the way there, but I took the 15 and the 60 freeways. The whole way that stinking GPS was trying to have me turn around and go back. I don't know about that thing. The backroads were probably a few miles shorter, but not nearly as quick and easy. I am not going to spend an extra hour driving to save five miles. California backroads are full of stop signs and traffic lights, they aren't just a flow right on through type of drive.
Despite a rough start (Libby didn't want to get her clothes on) we got there on time. Every person was given a sticker that assigned a tour group. We were in Bedford, the others were Kent, Lexington, and Chesterfield. Each group had a flag. We went to different stations and had lessons on colonial life. The kids learned candle dipping, weaving, heard about what it was like to be a minute man, watched a blacksmith make musket-balls and toy figurines, learned etiquette, and played games with colonial times toys.
The staff stay in colonial character the whole time. They are great! They really play their parts well and the kids love it.
During the first lesson, I snuck away from the group and went to the Bakery to place an order to be picked up on our way out. I ordered a family size chicken pot pie and a small apple pie. Dinner done!
After a morning of colonial life lessons, the girls and I went into the restaurant for lunch. It was cold in there but we were seated near the fireplace. I would rather have been inches from the fireplace, but a few feet away wasn't bad. The food is amazing! Those colonial types sure ate good! Well, the adults did. I ordered kids meals for the kids, and true to kids' meal fashion, they weren't worth it. I should have gotten them an adult meal to split. I had higher hopes for the kids meals. Oh well, now we know. The girls filled up on hot chocolate with a candy cane in it. They loved it! And, Libby ate little pats of butter. So gross!
After the kids were fed and refreshed, they wanted to play. Game of choice: Pooh Sticks! Best game ever. They stand on the bridge and drop a stick in the water, then run to the other side of the bridge to see it come out from under the bridge. Simple chidhood joy!
While they played Pooh Sticks, I went and picked up our pies and took them to the car. The guy who gave me the pies said, "Sorry but we ran out of small apple pies and so we gave you the large one. It's five pounds. Hope that's ok." Um, yeah! That's just fine with me!
They played Pooh sticks on every bridge on the farm and then they saw a plank going across another section of the little creek. They just had to walk the plank! It looked pretty bouncy and wobbly, like that would stop them. I was pretty sure I would take some sopping wet kids home.
Another mom told me she found a really great playground just up the road on the right, so she was going to take her kids there but she wanted to buy pie first. She asked if I'd like to meet her there so the kids could play without falling into the creek. Great idea! Off we went!
I drove in the direction she told me but I couldn't find a playground anywhere. We found a small one behind a motel, but it was pretty lame. It did have a really cool Yogi Bear statue, but otherwise, it wasn't much of a playground. The kids were happy to get out and play though. After ten minutes, they were done. We drove up the road some more. No playground. We drove some more. Nothing. We turned around, maybe we missed it. Nope. No playground.
There was a place that looked like it had a big grassy area and picnic tables, we decided to just pull in there and play in the grass. Fun! The girls loved playing with the snow and running around free and easy. They found an adorable snowman too!
We discovered that we were at a park or public place, not a private resort. So, we wandered past the gift shop and peeked in the windows, then found the restrooms. There was a map of the place that showed more areas. No playground. We decided to drive to the next parking lot though and see what was over in that direction. We were exploring so why not.
The next parking lot was in the middle of some real beauty! We were in awe! The kids piled out of the car so fast and just ran and ran and ran! They ran through the leaves and through the snow. They ran around the trees. They leaped from rock to rock. They smelled the trees and picked up leaves. They looked at the frost and the ice. They just loved this place! I think they learned more about nature in that romp through the nature preserve than they ever have. And they truly enjoyed it!
After running through the crunchy leaves that were more than ankle deep, we came to the end of that big open area in the photo above. We saw this sign:
Libby shouted "No Way! I want to go home Right Now!!!" She twirled around and made a break for it. She ran all the way back to the parking lot. That girl was not messing around!
We were done anyway. The girls played and played in the snow and leaves. They were ready to go home and the time was right. It was after three o'clock and I didn't want to stay any later and get stuck in the thicker five o'clock traffic (which starts much earlier than 5pm).
It was such a great day! Love these school field trips and the adventures that they bring to us!
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