Being a member of MOMS Club means for interesting field trips now and then. This morning, we went to Halingdal Springs Farm just outside of Holmen. We had a good turnout and it was a beautiful day for it. Cool but not freezing and sunny with just a peppering of fluffy clouds. We got there a bit late because I was lost in thought and managed to totally miss when D zigged off. But I figured it out before too long and got myself turned around and back on track.

Our first stop was a large set of what looked like big white dog houses. On a closer look, it wasn't dogs they housed but calfs! I'm a city girl so I'd never seen anything like that. I had Josh in the stroller and, with some effort, pushed him through the sand so he could peek in one of the houses. The calf inside promptly spun around and kicked up a wad of hay. Josh was none too pleased and let me know he was done looking at the cows. So I wheeled him back to the safety of the grass and let him watch from a comfortable distance while I wandered around taking photos of the kids and the cows.

After everyone who wanted to pet the calfs had a chance, our next stop was the milking barn. We followed narrow paths down through rows of cow heads (if we were lucky) and butts (if we weren't). Bad timing on our part... They must have all had a meal just long enough ago to have gone through the system. Yuck. So this wasn't my favorite part of the tour but it was interesting. I was surprised when we were told that the cows pretty much stay in there. I had imagined they spent most of their lives wandering the farm like the ones you see on the side of the road. Guess those must be the eatin' cows, not the milkin' ones?

Back through the cow butt maze we went and out again into the relatively fresher air. Next stop was a hayride out into the farm. I was surprised to find we'd actually be sitting on hay. Or straw, possibly, but definitly not the benches I've sat on for other "hay" rides. Unfortunately, I was also surprised to find the hay was wet and cold. My backside wasn't thrilled but the trip more than made up for a bit of discomfort. We spent about 20 minutes or so bouncing around in the back chatting and looking out at the georgous scenery. I snapped some photos here and there but a bouncing wagon isn't the best shot for good photography. Still, though, it was a lot of fun and the fall colors were beautiful.

I had to rush right off after the hayride to pick up Jamie from preschool so the tour felt like a bit of a whirlwind. I'm glad, though, that I decided to try and squeeze in the outing for Josh and I. Thanks for Phil Johnson to letting us come on out and check out life on the farm.