Ordinary Maine

Maple Sunday has become an institution here in Maine and having grown up in the Greater Portland Area I have never taken part in the event. I seem to remember that some sugar houses were open to the public when I was a young lad, but there was never anything as organized until after I graduated from college. This year Renee and I decided it would be fun to put the kids in the station wagon and head out to take part in the adventure.



As you can see from the picture above there were plenty of cars and people waiting to get into Smith's Farm on the Chute Road in Windham. One attendee fell victim to the soft shoulder he parked his car on and had to call a tow truck to pull him out of the sinkhole created by the weight of his car. I love mud season.


As always, Camden is good for a funny face picture.

Madilyn walked with Mom, Dad and Camden for about a half a mile from where we parked in order to wait 45 minutes to have pancakes and bacon with Smith Farm syrup. Needless to say Renee and I had to take turns holding her. I just love my little cuddle buddy.

After Renee, Cam and Madi ate brunch (Diabetic Dad cannot have tasty pancakes and Bacon with Syrup) we took a walk around the farm. It should be noted that after a 45 minute wait for pancakes, we did not wait for 45 minutes in the sugar shack tour line. Pictured above is a traditional maple tap and bucket. Now as much as I enjoyed my walk about the farm, have I mentioned how much I love mud? Especially when my kids are covered from head to toe in it?

This shot is one that I had to get. I wanted to show everyone a drop of the liquid that is the cause of all this madness. Timing the shot to get this one picture was an interesting feat in the adventures of point and shoot auto focus insanity, but persistence always pays off. When gallons of that magic liquid is boiled down to reduce it's water content the farmer and consumer are left with Maple Syrup. Liquid Gold!

Smith's Farm also had a variety of animal attractions for visitors to see. This picture taken on the back 40 of the property shows but a small sample of the large number of people who, like the Besseys, decided that the road was not to muddy for a little walk.

In this area there were caged pheasants, peacocks and this very social ostrich. I have never been around an ostrich before and I have to admit this bird was very engaging. You have to love an animal that can make a show out of finding and eating a worm.

Our last stop on the farm was to see this momma cow and her two calves. After a few minutes momma decided to get up and walk over toward her admirers and start eating straw. This was a big hit with the kids.

After years of avoidance, it was nice to finally find the time to get out to visit a farm. Next year I think we will head out to North Baldwin to the farm that does a Maple Syrup BBQ. Did I mention how much I love the mud?

Great Maple Sunday in my Ordinary Maine!

Tony