Day 1 at The Farm

I arrived at the farm , passed the main gate and became completely lost. The map said turn right on the second road so, there for I turned down the second road which was a clay rock and dirt road with a large brown house which i later found out was Ina May and Stephen Gaskin's house. Then i passed an clay dwelling on the left. The road ended in front of a very large house that ended up being Louise's house. This is where we would meet every night to eat dinner that was completely vegan.

So, i backed up and relized that i was lost. I droved down the next road. It was lined with little homes with gardens in there front yards. My car bounced around from the rocky road. the road soon came to a dead end. I turn my car around and be gain to freak out a bit. It was then that i realized that the second road on the right meant that i take a right on Second Road.

I found The Farm Clinic and three girls were outside sitting at a picnic table. They showed me to my dorm . The dorm was a small cabin with eight beds in it. when I say small I mean like 300sq ft.I picked a bed in a room with one bed and a set of bunk beds. The bed was pretty soft much better then I was expecting.

After I got set up . two girls invited me to walk with them to the swimming hole. they said it was a short walk so, I agreed to join them. We walked up the road ,passed the farm store and turned left down a paved rd that turned into the familer clay rocky roads I had gotten lost on. We walked down a steep hill that was covered with rocks and roots. I toltally thought I was going to fall and break my neck.We reached the swmming hole that was filled with small children. It had rock cliffs on the right hand side . the water was a murky green color that you could sorta see though.

I hung out there for about ten minuets then made the walk back . The walk back about killed me. it was all up hill and about a mile long.When I airved back to the dorm I was so sweaty and out of breath i could barely talk.

It was time for us together to register and get our binders that we would need for the week. We got our name tags and did introductions. Ya know, where every one in the room says there name , where they are from and what they do. I hate doing that.

We were told the rules and then we were off to dinner at Louise's house. when we walked in the house kept getting bigger the further you walked in. She had a lovely table set up for us and she had made lovely vegan burritos for dinner with an apple cranberry tart for desert.As we all joined in the big room Ina May walked in. I found my self star struck . I couldn't believe that Ina May was in the same room with me!! After dinner we went to the community center to here a lecture on the history of The Farm.

I realized that this placed was once a happening place . but, a lot has changed over the years. The Farm only has about 175 residents now compared to the 1,500 in the late sixties and early seventies . After the lecture it was time for bed . I showered and changed knowing that tomorrow would be a big day.

To The Farm We Go

It never fails..... Some how ,some way, I always end up late. Wakening up and rolling over I see the clock and it reads 6:59. the exact time I am suppose to be backing out of the drive way. I jumped out of bed and ran to the coffee pot to make coffee. Dressing at the speed of light in the dim lit room where my husband was sleeping, I whispered "Get up babe!" He rolled over and stumbled out of bed joining me for a cup of coffee on the porch.

I was smart enough to pack and place my bags in the car the night before. So, all I had to take with me was my backpack and purse. I got into my car with my thermos of hot coffee, loaded the Garmin and was bound to go northwest to Huntsville Alabama. I was stopping there the night before going to The Farm, to stay with my best friend Cat. The ride was pretty straight up I75. I went through Atlanta and then hit Alabama. As soon as I did, I hit rain. Rain so bad that I thought about pulling over a few times. But, I trekked though it.

As, I drove into little towns, I wondered if the Garmin was taking me the right way. At one point I hit the country side that had rock cliffs and high mountains, which no one mention to tell me you must down shift to go up them. So ,after the first one -while people in car honked and yelled behind me- I realized that to go up you must shift down.

The mountain road was curvy and wined up the side. I freaked out a little bit in fear of sliding off the mountain side. I came around the bend and there was Cat spa. I was meeting her there so she could give me a facial before she got off of work.

She came out as soon as I pulled up and which i yelled "that was the most awful ride i have ever driven!!" She agreed. I was so happy to see her I could barely stand it! We hugged then went inside. She introduced me to her co-workers then took me up the stairs pass a large painting on the wall. Where I joked about if she had painted it. We reached the top of the stairs where a girl sat behind a desk. Cat introduced me and we walked passed her into the ladies lounge. The whole place smelled of lavender and sandalwood. Candles flickered in all corners of the room. A large wall trickled with water , which made a lovely sound. She led me into the facial room and had me lie down . She pampered me by giving me a glycolic peel and a mask with this amazing contraption at which steam came out of. While she did this, she massaged my neck and shoulders working down my arms. It felt so nice. when she was done I felt rejuvenated and fresh. She suggested that we go to Bonefish for happy hour and appetizers. I promptly agreed.

we drove to her condo. It was set in an almost woodsy place. her condo was adorable. with walls painted a beautiful shade of green and browns. Perfect furniture with no stains or pulls on the tapestry. The way my house would look if i had no children. We freshened up and went to Bonefish and had a couple of glasses of wine with two yummy appetizers. After that we went back to her condo and thats when I met her fiance ,Chris. Who is a tall, skinny, and very nice golf pro. He wanted to go out to eat at one of those Japanese steakhouses where they cook in front of you. So, we did. I wasn't very hungry so, I stuck to the sake while they ate their meals. I stepped out to call Micheal ,I was already beginning to miss him.

After we left the restaurant we went back to her condo and drank some beers and talked about wedding plans. She showed me a picture of her dress which was drop dead gorgeous. then it was off to bed .

I slept soundly. More then I thought I would.

Today I was off to The Farm and was very excited. We left to go to starbucks and then it was time to say goodbye. I surly would miss her. And, I do now as I type This. I really wish she lived a little closer. Well, I loaded up the Garmin and then i was off.