Indiana, Rensselaer - Saturday, August 22, 2015 - Fair Oaks Farm

Since our motor coach is still in the shop we rented a car and booked a room at the Holiday Inn in order to spend the weekend with son AJ, daughter-in-law Kim and the twins Jackson and Braelynn.  Friday evening we enjoyed the community spirit while watching the Rensselaer Bombers vs. the Kankakee Valley team. 

 

 

 

On Saturday the twins had two soccer games.  Jackson spent some time as goalie.

 

 

Braelynn got in on the action.

 

 

And then sometimes it was just a waiting game.

After the soccer games we headed just a little north to Fair Oaks Farms.  We had lunch at the “Cowfe”.

I chose half a Havarti pepper cheese sandwich and chili – yum.

We hopped on a bus to the Pork Adventure Center.

 

 

We had to “shower” before we went into the facility so we didn’t bring in any germs.  The more they waved their arms the more bubbles showed up on the wall.

When they stood on a particular spot on the floor their picture was projected to look like they were standing amongst a herd of hogs.

A mezzanine with glassed in viewing enabled us to see all of the times in the life of a pig.  These little ones were a particular favorite.

One more photo op before leaving the Pork Adventure Center.

The Pork Education Center back at the main complex is the newest facility at Fair Oaks.  This carved wood pig out front is just the right spot for a photo.

Jackson was really interested in some of the equipment on display.

Jackson was the one who suggested they should try the high flying ropes course.  He soon found out that might not have been a good idea. 

 

 

He did get just a little more daring – after a LOT of encouragement from those of us on the floor.  Encouragement was all he was getting from us, none of us were going to volunteer to go up and get him.  In spite of the height I think this is a pretty safe activity with the harness and strong cables they are attached to, but I wasn't going up to find out.

 

 

Braelynn on the other hand took off a little slow.

But she was soon off on a daring adventure.  These pictures don’t do justice to how high she was, I had to use the zoom to even be able to tell that it was her.

 

 

When everyone got back down to floor level we checked out the custom playhouse.  This is half inside and half outside the building.

 

 

The inside was so cute.  Having this in your backyard would provide hours of entertainment.  But, I think it would set you back a pretty penny also J

 

 

I got Jackson to take a break from exploring this old truck long enough to get his picture taken.

At the birthing barn we just missed seeing the baby calf born.  I’ve seen enough of them I’m not too disappointed we missed it.

The jumping pillows provided entertainment a couple of times during the day.  Getting their pictures on this thing is challenging.

 

 

Then we were back on a bus, this time going through the operating dairy barn.

 

 

Seventy-two cows are milked every 8 minutes in this carousel style milking parlor.

 

 

Look at all of the cows in the background – it’s going to be a long day.

 

 

 

The twins couldn’t resist the magnetic climbing tower at the Dairy Adventure.  Braelynn went first and got almost halfway up before sliding back down.

 

 

Jackson also went up about halfway.  Keeping three limbs in contact while rolling the other one loose so he could move up was really a challenge – those magnets were strong.

We finished up the weekend on Sunday with a barbeque chicken dinner sponsored by a local church at the county fairgrounds - what a great weekend!!