GLEN ROSE, TX

Rolling hills and rivers - it's that beautiful scenery that first put Glen Rose on the map.  Today folks still return to enjoy its natural beauty along with the outdoor opportunities it provides, like hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, golfing, kayaking, canoeing or just kicking back and enjoying a sunset.  Somewhere deep within that natural beauty, history was uncovered which gave Glen Rose the nickname of "Dinosaur Capitol of Texas". In the heart of town, at the Historic Courthouse Square, there remains a nostalgic feel with quaint shops, local restaurants, and cozy lodging.  You'll find it all right here in this small Texas town of Glen Rose.

WHATCHA GONNA DO:
Historic Courthouse Square - Visiting the Historic Courthouse Square in Glen Rose allows an opportunity to step into a more relaxing and simpler time...or so they say.  We never really got a chance to experience the Square as we were visiting in the middle of the week and during that time this town is just shy of dead.  Unfortunately we didn't get to stay for the weekend to watch the town come alive, but we did drive through on our way out and saw several folks strolling the Square.  I would suggest visiting www.glenrosetexas.net to check out the town calendar of events prior to booking a trip.

It was recommended to us to visit the Square in Granbury, which is a lake town just 20 minutes North of Glen Rose, as the Square there is a bit larger and more active during the week.  We decided to give it a try and headed North to Granbury for a quick afternoon.  Now, I haven't visited too many "squares", but I can certainly see why the readers of Texas Highways magazine named it the "Best Town Square in Texas".  There were plentiful opportunities for shopping, antiquing, dining, or even to take in a musical at the Opera House.  I definitely want to spend some more time here at a later date.


Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - The main reason we chose Glen Rose as our vacation destination was to stay at the Fossil Rim Safari Camp.  It's a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of species in peril, offering self-driven wildlife viewing, guided tours to view the 1,100 freely roaming animals (in large pastures), unique lodging opportunities, and much more.  I posted all about it last week so if you missed it, you can check out all our wild animal adventures here and visit the Fossil Rim website here.

Up close and personal with a friendly giraffe on our guided tour at Fossil Rim.

Dinosaur Valley State Park - After our tour at Fossil Rim, we wanted to explore Dinosaur Valley State Park to get in some hiking/exercise. Or, as my mom would say, I wanted to make her trek miles of trails, over rocks and boulders, in hopes of prematurely collecting my inheritance. 

Don't worry, no old people were harmed in the staging of this photo.

Alright, seriously now, Dinosaur Valley State Park is known for some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The tracks are located in the riverbed so some minimal hiking is involved to actually get to the them. 

Can you see it?!  It's a dino track right there in the water!

The first sauropod trackways were discovered right here in the Paluxy riverbed.  So not only did we get to check out the tracks, but we also got to experience some great scenery.



I was prepared to catch a pic of her falling into the river,

but she's quite sure-footed for a senior citizen.

Even though a cold front was moving in and the temp was dropping quickly, we decided to stick around and enjoy some hiking trails.  There were quite a few options available with most of them being very family-friendly.  With map in hand, we headed out over the river and through the woods (no really, we crossed the river and then hiked through the woods).  The map was, shall I say, vague in some parts.  And that means we did actually pass the overlook we had set out to reach as our destination, but we just happened to overlook it somehow.  So, we hiked a little longer than expected, but still enjoyed every step of the way.  And luckily, about a half mile from the end of our hike, we happened upon a native to the area who allowed us to tag along behind her to make sure we didn't miss our last turn.  And, we enlisted her as our personal photographer as well...

Not the overlook we were searching for but still not a bad view.

We definitely enjoyed our afternoon at the park and would love to go back next time with the kiddos.  They would love checking out these life-size dinos at the entrance...

It was really cold and my mother didn't warn me to "say cheese".

Just two old fogies hanging out.

And if your kids (or yourself for that matter) think these dinosaurs are pretty cool, then my guess is you would definitely want to check out this next place...







Dinosaur World - Due to our hike being unintentionally extended, we ran out of time to visit Dino World, but I wanted to throw it in because it looked really fun.  Apparently, you can walk through and view 150 life size dinosaurs which are displayed outdoors with explanatory signs.  When we drove by, Mom slowed down to 10 and I snapped this quick pic...

Visit the Dinosaur World website here



The Promise - It's a musical experience of the life of Christ!  You can find it online here.

This was definitely on our list of things to do long before we arrived in Glen Rose. The play took place at night, under the stars, at the Texas Amphitheatre which just happens to be the largest permanent outdoor theater in the state.  And it seems like the whole community of Glen Rose comes together to support it.  The town was a buzz on this exceptionally chilly night with folks hurriedly gathering their winter coats and hot chocolate in time for the performance.  It seemed everywhere we went someone would excitedly ask, "Are you seeing The Promise tonight?"  And then they would tell us how many times they had already seen it.  Earlier in the week, we even met a fellow who happily reminisced about his days working on the set as a school-age boy.  I got the impression that if you were from this close-knit town of Glen Rose, you either played a role on stage of The Promise or behind-the-scenes at some point in your life.  It kind of seemed like a right-of-passage around these parts.

Here's the description of the play straight from The Promise brochure:

"The Promise begins on the banks of the Paluxy River in historic Glen Rose, Texas. A grandfather and his grandchildren, Billy and Lisa explore the riverbed in search of the dinosaur tracks that have made Somervell County a popular destination for visitors. As they settle by a campfire, Grandpa is reminded of a story that his own grandfather used to tell him in the same spot - the one about the Promise sent by God so many years ago.

As Grandpa begins to sing about the Promised One, the three find themselves among the Old Testament prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus.  Immediately, Grandpa, Billy, and Lisa are swept up in the events of Jesus' birth, baptism, temptation, and ministry.

Based on Scripture and incorporating the music of award-winning contemporary Christian artists, The Promise brings a modern touch to the most amazing story ever told."

There's just something special about going to a performance set under the stars.  So just the fact that this was performed at an ampitheather was a bonus for me.  Unfortunately, it turned out to be the coldest night of the year and we had to bundle up in multiple layers, and gloves, and scarves, and then wrap up in two blankets a piece over those layers.  Look at us all hidden under our hoodies...



There was some serious "cold" going on that night.  And I was so impressed (as I shivered in sympathy) when multiple characters walked into the water-filled moat and were "baptized" in the freezing water and did not break character even in the slightest (temps were in the low 40's that night).  Before we even left our hotel that night, we met this cute little dude at the hot chocolate makin'-station who excitedly told us he was an understudy for another kid who thought it was too cold to get wet that night.

Isn't he the cutest?  This was to be his first performance and he couldn't stop smiling.

When we arrived at the amphiptheater, the first thing I noticed was the impressive set. It had some pretty cool features too, such as a water-filled moat, rain curtain, and exceptional lighting.

The set while watching the pre-show entertainment.



We also learned that the cast and crew are made up of over 150 Christian artists and they were joined by several live animals that helped to bring the story to life.  I didn't take many pictures during the show as I didn't want to be a distraction to those around me, but also because I just got lost in the story and pretty much forgot.  Here's one photo I did manage to take at the end...

Some of my favorite things about the show: it was very true to the story of the life of Christ; they put a fun little spin on the story by having it told by a grandfather to his grandchildren; the huge cast of actors and animals played their parts seamlessly despite the frigid temps; and the part of Satan was fabulous! (she slinked around, mostly in the shadows, as an ever-present character just waiting for an opportunity to pounce).

Unfortunately, there were a couple of things that didn't take place quite as seamlessly: the sound system crackled several times throughout the show (maybe it was due to the crazy, whipping wind that night. I don't know.); as Jesus ascended into Heaven we could clearly see the cables attached to him which just kind of took away from this awe-inspiring moment; and the music, well, even though it was good, it didn't move me to the core like I anticipated it would.

With all that said, both my mom and I definitely enjoyed the performance.  This small town really comes together in a huge way to create a ministry opportunity for anyone visiting the area.  And, if I ever happen to be in the area again with someone who hasn't seen the show, I would be sure to take them for a visit to The Promise.

Take note: The Promise is only performed Friday and Saturday evenings in September and October.  www.thepromiseglenrose.com

WHERE YA GONNA EAT:
We dined at two great places near the Historic Courthouse Square of Glen Rose. In this area of town, our options for dining were few, but the good news is that the two we chose were both great!

On our first night, we visited Hollywood and Vine, a great burger joint located just behind the Courthouse. 

You definitely can't miss the sign.

This place had great atmosphere and a super friendly owner who mingled and chit-chatted with the guests. Since the weather was perfect for outside seating, we chose a place on the deck.



We split the new item on the menu - fajitas - and although I can say I've had better at an actual Tex-Mex joint, they were still pretty darn good.  And lucky for us, we just happened to pick a night when the restaurant was hosting a fashion show for a new boutique in town = free entertainment!  We were entered in a free raffle and almost won the grand prize, but after my mom jumped up and hollered in excitement then ran up to claim her prize, she realized her raffle ticket was off by one number and her prize was handed to the actual winner.  So close, Mom.  So. close.


The next afternoon we grabbed lunch at Riverhouse Grill, just a 1/2 block down the street from the Square. 

Doesn't it just scream "small town quaintness"?

A little front porch dining.  Can't beat that!

We opted for lunch here since the dinner prices are a tad high and lunch was a little more reasonable.  We really lucked out price-wise when we realized the portions were rather large and we were able to split a meal.  And let me tell you, in order to split a meal with my mother, the portion has to be really big.  Don't let her size fool you, she can pack away food like a linebacker.

Look at that! She's cleaning her plate before I can even get started!!

Ok, just kidding. That was the empty plate after we split our meal.  But,

she is slopping up every last bit of sauce with a piece of bread.

I think this was a pesto, artichoke, shrimp pasta.  I don't remember the name exactly, but I do remember it was awesome!  Even though the half portion was plenty, I was kind of wishing I had ordered a full portion just so I could gorge myself on its deliciousness. 

We 100% recommend Riverhouse Grill!  You've gotta try it!

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Glen Rose provides the perfect destination for families, or anyone just wanting a taste of small town Texas.  So pack up the car and get yourself ready for a good ole fashion road trip!  Then hit the road and tell that GPS to point you in the direction of Glen Rose, TX.  You won't be disappointed.

FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER

Glenrose, TX

www.fossilrim.org

It's time to start livin' a little on the WILD side!  And what's more wild than getting up close and personal with 1,100 free-roaming exotic animals from all over the world!?  How about having an 18 inch giraffe tongue lick feed right out of your hand?  Or having a stare down with a cantankerous Addax over who has the right of way on the road?  Well, get ready 'cause you're liable to find it here at Fossil Rim along with many more unforgettable animal encounters.

WHERE YA GONNA SLEEP:
There are a couple of places to stay at Fossil Rim so be sure to check out the website here for all your options. I'll tell ya about where we stayed and where we'd like to stay next time.

Foothills Safari Camp - When we first decided to stay at Safari Camp our plan was to try a new and adventurous vacation, ya know, something totally different. I picked it because I knew my husband wouldn't want to stay here (he's been spoiled by Hilton for too many years) and my mom is always up for a new adventure. It turned out to be exactly what we were looking for!

As we entered the property and drove the two miles to Safari Camp, we immediately started looking to see who could spot the first form of wildlife. Right away, my mom eagle-eyed a gaggle of wild turkeys, but they don't count because they are considered "volunteer species". They aren't really suppose to be there, but simply mooch off the land and live the good life. Anyhow, as we made a turn, up and around a hill, I caught a glimpse of this cute little fella...

Aren't you a cutie little Axis Deer.

I rolled down the window to say Hi and he came over to offer a greeting. My mom started to panic as he nosed his way into the car so she quickly rolled up the window.

And then he left us this nice "snot art" on the window. And if you know my mom at all (how OCD she is about everything being clean) then you know just how funny this is.

And then we arrived at Safari Camp, and a whole herd of these guys were there to welcome us.

Sable Antelope just chillin' in the grass.

Eventually, we made it to our cozy, humble accommodations.

Please take my warning when I tell you these tents are NOT for divas. Even though there is a full bathroom (with a sink, decent counter space, shower, and commode), hot water, along with A/C and heat and a ceiling fan, these are very modest accommodations. There are two twin beds and an extra mattress for a third person. But, the mattresses are...how do I say this...at the highest capacity for firmness. And yes, there is hot water in the shower, but only enough to get the job done quick. What I'm saying is, you better shave your legs before you come. My mom almost hit diva status when she drug her two-ton suitcase into our tent. Since there were only two of us, there was plenty of room for her to leave it stored (upright) in the walkway, but she chose to sleep with it on her bed. I, on the other hand, packed accordingly and my roller bag fit just fine on the shelf at the head of my bed. One other interesting fact about the tents...the sliding door doesn't lock. Weird, right? But, apparently they've never had any trouble with theft and we certainly didn't either, although we did keep all valuables in our car when we weren't in the tent just because it felt weird not too.

And now, on to the good stuff...

Despite the warning I just gave, I will say that our tent had everything we needed. We were prepared to be somewhat "roughing it" so with our expectations being low, we were quite surprised at how comfortable we were. There was plenty of storage in the room. The small hot water tank reheated quite quickly. And the A/C and heat both worked perfectly (the day we arrived it was 82 degrees and the next day a cold front came in and dropped the temps into the 40's).

After getting settled in, we walked the short distance to the glass-walled Pavilion where Wi-Fi was available and where breakfast was provided.

Seating in the Glass-walled Pavilion

Fireplace in the glass-walled Pavilion

This was also a great place to hang out any time of day with a little more elbow room than what's provided in the tents.

When we first walked into the building, we heard quite a ruckus and noticed this guy trying to get in...

Greater Sandhill Crane - He's even bigger in person than he looks here.

He flapped his wings and banged his beak against the glass. And we later learned he was probably trying to find his long-lost mate in his own reflection he saw in the glass. Poor guy.

And probably the best feature of staying at Safari Camp...the incredible animal viewing opportunities! Safari Camp sits up on a hill overlooking a large watering hole where animals can be seen meandering and grazing, mostly in the early morning and evening hours (don't worry, we were all fenced in). The first morning I woke early and just before the sun came up I sat out here...

Viewing deck overlooking watering hole.

With just a hint of daybreak, I could make out silhouettes of animals all over the hills and down at the watering hole. But the really cool part was just listening to the sounds of animals bugling, grunting, and antlers rattling. Where else are you going to hear those sounds of nature?!!

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Safari Camp and would stay again in a heartbeat!  The only thing we would do differently would be to bring an egg crate for a little extra cushion on the mattress and you may want to do the same.

The Lodge - So maybe you are a diva or you're just in need of a little more pampering and comfortability, well then the Lodge is just the place for you. My mom and I checked it out and walked through each room (unfortunately I couldn't get too many pictures of the rooms as they had just been vacated and were still a bit messy prior to housekeeping). Now this is a place I could get my husband to stay (that little Hilton snob). Let's have the pictures speak for themselves...

The Lodge

Egret Room - The other rooms just get nicer from here.

Lodge family room - there is also a separate TV/Lounge area 

Lodge dining area with full kitchen attached. And check out that wrap-around deck!

Despite a touch of a 70's vibe in the Lodge, it is beautiful!  And that retro look by no means infers a run-down facility.  This place is well taken care of and very clean.  The largest room on the top floor has a newly remodeled bathroom and is spectacular!  All common areas are available to all guests, including those staying at Safari Camp.  Here at the Lodge, the animal viewing opportunities aren't as plentiful as those at Safari Camp, but as seen from the above picture, the view is still quite inviting.

WHATCHA GONNA DO:
Morning Safari Tours (for overnight guests only) - We absolutely LOVED our morning tour!  Our volunteer guides, Walt and Marge, picked us up at 8:30 sharp in a really cool open-air safari truck that made us feel like we were really on an African Safari.

Not only were they knowledgeable of the animals and their behaviors, but genuinely nice people who wanted us to have a really great time.  And since my mom and I were the only paying guests on the tour (Marge's sister was with us too) they were willing to take extra time when a really great photo op occurred or when we were just really enjoying feeding/watching a certain animal.

Besides the fact that we had our own personal tour guides who were able to give a lot of info about the animals that we wouldn't have otherwise known about, the tour differs from the self-driven scenic drive by going through the Jim Jackson Intensive Management Area.  This area is the heart of the Fossil Rim Center which is home to the most sensitive species on the property.

Take a look at one of the animals that came out to say Hi:



Well Hello, Mr. Maned Wolf!

It was pretty incredible because nearly every one of the animals in the Jim Jackson Intensive Management Area was out and roaming about, but I only have a decent picture of this guy because my camera kept focusing on the fence and not the animal.  Oh well.  And besides, I don't want to give it all away.

Afterwards our tour continued along the usual route of the 9.5 mile scenic drive throughout the 1,800 acres of property.  Walt and Marge brought along feed for the animals and knew just where to stop and wait for a certain animal to come visit us.  Walt referred to our safari truck as the "ice cream truck" because just like all the kids come running when the ice cream truck arrives, so do the animals when the safari truck arrives.  And boy was he right!  We saw nearly every species on the property during our 4 hour tour.  Since our tour started before the property was open to the public, we were first in line to feed the animals so they were nice and hungry and eager to greet us.

Here they come!



European Red Deer

This European Red Deer decided he wanted to come back for more later when we circled around and saw him again. When we didn't feed him a second time he let out a loud bugle to let us know he was not happy.





Fallow Deer patiently waiting for breakfast.

No shame in begging for this Barbary Sheep

Wildebeest

There was a whole herd of Wildebeest just waiting for the "snack shack" to drive by, but I just really liked this picture the best. It's a face only a mother could love.

Ostrich

The Ostrich is known for being a little aggressive when it comes to meal time so we had to be quick to get our hand out of the way.  It was even suggested that we remove dangly earrings as she might find those appetizing.  Considering her eyes are bigger than her brain, we cut her a little slack and gave her some extra food. It's tough being dumb.

Emu 

I think she may be just as dumb as the Ostrich (the Emu, that is...not my mom.  Just in case you were wondering.)  That's probably why they named one of the Emus "Einstein".

I was trying not to look as nervous as I felt.

And this was our FAVORITE part.  A whole family of Giraffes came over for a nibble.  Our guides said that usually just one will come to the truck for feed but we had three giraffe heads peeking in our safari truck.  I was a little hesitant to stick my hand out, full of food, to an animal that looked like it could eat my head in one bite, but for the sake of the experience I did it anyway.

Seriously. That is one BIG head.

And I can tell you there is absolutely nothing more gross than a handful of giraffe spit.  But the thrill of being so close to these gentle giants was spectacular!  I mean, really, isn't this what hand sanitizer was made for?!!

And here's a few other dudes we saw along the way, but they were too cool to come over for food:

Addax

Blackbuck

Gemsbok

It really was an unforgettable trip!  Thanks, Walt and Marge, for giving us the inside scoop and tour that we will be telling all our friends about.

Scenic Wildlife Drive - This is a self-driven tour for folks who are not staying the night at Fossil Rim, but would like to view the animals on their own.  It covers the same 9.5 miles as the guided tour, minus viewing of the Jim Jackson Intensive Management Center.  Try to get there as early as possible, when the animals are most active and hungry, and when the temperature is mild (if there is such a thing as "mild" in Texas).

This was a vehicle on the scenic drive behind our safari tour.

Nature Gift Shop & Cafe and Overlook - About half way through the scenic drive this is the one and only spot to get out of the car, make a potty stop, grab a bite to eat, or shop around.  On the guided tour we were only given about 15 minutes, but we could have spent much longer.  (So we did just that the next day.) 

During our 15 minutes, we first checked out the overlook which was beautiful!  It is a large patio space for eating and viewing just outside the cafe.  We really would have liked to have tried the cafe for lunch, but it just didn't fit in the schedule.  I can't say how the food is, but I can assure you the view is fantastic!

Next up, we walked the perimeter of the Children's Animal Center (since it wasn't open yet for the day).  It's similar to a petting zoo, but with your not-so-average petting zoo animals, like cockatoos, pot-bellied pigs, emus, and more.  I know my kids would have totally been into it.

The next day we went back to grab some loot for the kiddos from the gift shop.  We were pleasantly surprised to find it was loaded with unique and fun memorabilia.  Check out the totally fun gifts my mom got for the kids (of course we had to try them out first).

My mother.  She's a silly one.

Loving their new gifts which will be perfect in this Texas weather!

WHOSE GONNA LOVE IT:

• The WHOLE family!

It's for the young and the old and everyone in between.  But it's also not just for those with children.  This can be an adults only trip as well.  While we were visiting, not only did we see families with young children and grandparents with grandchildren, but there was also a group of approximately 10 senior adults who stayed 3 nights at The Lodge for a college reunion.  Cool, right?!


WHATCHA GONNA EAT:
Nothing makes me more excited than a free meal so when I realized breakfast was included with the price of the stay, I was thrilled!  Breakfast was served in the glass-walled Pavilion with a large variety of options to choose from, including: scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, and warmed peaches.  It was all quite good and the chef was very accommodating to my dietary restrictions. 


WHAT'S IT GONNA COST YA:

I'm only including pricing below for the Lodge Rooms and Safari Camp Tents as there are just too many things to list.  Visit the website here and click on the "Pricing" tab near the top right for all tours, camps, and lodging. Prices are for double occupancy and include breakfast and a Scenic Wildlife Drive pass. Extra guests or Roll-a-way beds are $15.00 each. Lodging tax is 13%.
Peak Season Pricing March - October Rooms Sunday - Thursday Friday - Saturday  Holidays Peregrine $175 $325 $325 Parrot $150 $275 $275 Attwater's $135 $225 $225 *Egret $100 $200 $200 *Hummingbird $100 $200 $200 Safari Camp Tent $125 $225 $225
*these rooms are a lower price because they share a bathroom Off Season Pricing November - February Rooms Sunday - Thursday Friday - Saturday * Holidays Peregrine $125 $175 $175 Parrot $125 $150 $150 Attwater's $125 $135 $135 Egret $100 $100 $100 Hummingbird $100 $100 $100 Safari Camp Tent $125 $125 $125

HOW YA GONNA GET THERE:
Fossil Rim is located in Glen Rose, TX which is approx. 50 minutes Southwest of Dallas/Fort Worth. We were traveling from the North Houston area and it was just over a 4 hour drive (including a potty and to-go snack break).  My GPS wanted to take us on the boring route down I-45, but I eventually showed her who was boss and we went on the scenic route via Bryan/College Station and Waco.

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Be sure to grab your binoculars, your camera's zoom lens, and don't forget the hand sanitizer.  Then head on out to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center for a wild time.  Whether it's a day trip or an overnight stay, or whether you're with the kids or without 'em, you're gonna love this truly unique adventure!

THE END!

This post is linked up to Friday Daydreamin' at www.rwethereyetmom.com

Ready to go with a Haircut and a Playlist

Isn't there some unwritten rule that you have to get a haircut before going on vacation?  I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it's always on my list of things to do.  I've been holding out for nearly 3 weeks on cutting my hair 'cause I wanted a fresh cut right before the trip.  Sorry to all my family and friends that have had to look at my overgrown poofy mess, but I was saving the cut for all the strangers that I will meet and never see again on this trip.  And since my mom and I are heading out in the morning for our little roadtrip, I knew it was time to tame my mane.

Now I won't be mistanken for one of the wild beasts that we'll be viewing at the Fossil Rim Safari Camp.

Also in preparation for our get-away, I made a playlist to keep us singing the hours away.  I was looking for something different from what I normally listen to and since we are embarking on a Texas roadtrip I thought the perfect playlist would consist of a good ole Country compilation.  I used to listen to country music as a teenager, but I'm pretty much a Contempary Christian gal all the time now.  So I'm definitely not hip to all the top charts and I needed a little help.  Google didn't fail me when I searched for "country driving songs" and after sampling tons of songs, here's what I came up with...

Also on that list is "Stuck Like Glue" by Sugarland and "We Shall Be Free" by Garth Brooks.

And here's the other song that didn't make the picture that I can't stop listening to...

I know, it's a short list, but I'm gonna spare my mom my off-key singing for the whole trip.  The best news for her is that I've been suffering from some serious allergies and have lost all ability to reach high notes.  So just when I try to belt out that last note of  "boot scootin' boog-EE" my voice just cuts out.  And we'll just call that my gift to ANYONE within ear shot.

Now it's time to pack my bags and check-out mentally for the rest of the day 'cause I'm so ready to Get Outa Town!

P-6 FARMS & CORN MAZE

Montgomery, TX
www.p-6farms.com

It's that time of year again in TX when the temperature actually drops below the melting/hair-frizzing point and people crawl out of their holes homes to venture outside.  It's a great time to check out all the fun festivals and outdoor activities, so that's just what we did this weekend.  Top of our list...P-6 Farms and their awesome corn maze!

WHATCHA GONNA DO:  There was so much to do here and the kids were having such a great time that we stayed for nearly three and a half hours.  Check out all the fun we had and then get on outa town to check it out for yourselves!

Corn Maze - This is the main attraction at P-6 Farms and it was quite impressive.  Truthfully, the 8 acres of maze looked really big and I was scared we were going to get stuck in there and not find our way out.  But the folks on the farm were one step ahead of us and we came to find that there are actually 2 mazes with one being considerably shorter and much easier to navigate than the other.  We were also given a sheet of questions to answer at each check point along the way...answer the question correctly and you are told to head in the correct direction...answer the question wrong and, well, eventually you'll figure it out.  Along with our questions, we were even given a map which I quickly realized was imperative to follow in order to not get completely turned around and induce a freak out from my kids because "We're lost FOREVERRRR!" (Oh the drama of little girls.)  At one point I even noticed a farmer on a tall scaffolding, high above the 8 feet of corn, who I can only assume was there to help alleviate anxiety when a freak out occurred and to direct folks back on the right track.  

Since we were able to navigate the shorter corn maze quite easily, we came back later and tried the longer one.  It was definitely more challenging and I admit I directed us using the map the whole way which was a good thing 'cause if we had been stuck in the middle somewhere when my 6 yr old realized she had to use the restroom port-a-potty NOW! we would have been in big trouble.  Thankfully, we avoided any such issues and had a great time twisting and turning our way through this massive labyrinth of corn.

That's a whole lota corn right there!

Tube Slide - The kids slid a countless number of times down these "culvert" slides.  I kept thinking "It's just a slide."  But, I think they were impressed by the length and the speed of the slides and of course the climbing up the ladder to get there was half the fun.

Dirt Pile - I've got to hand it to these farmers for turning a big ole pile of dirt into a whole lot of fun!  I'll spare you the 24 photos I took of just the dirt pile and just show you a couple. (This attraction is the main reason the farm recommends wearing your "farming" clothes when visiting.  My kids were FILTHY!)

Tire Swing - Just some good old fashioned fun right here!

Jumping Pillow - It's kinda like a trampoline with a little less bounce, but a whole lot more chance of avoiding busting your head when falling off.  We made the mistake of doing this one at the end of the day because although my three year old bounced for 10 mins straight, my 6 year old was toast by this time.

Pumpkin Patch - If you come specifically looking for just the right pumpkin, you might be a little disappointed since the selection isn't bountiful, but nonetheless there is still a a decent collection of pumpkins.  We basically stopped by the patch for the photo ops and that certainly didn't disappoint.

Hay Ride - Eeh (that's the sounds you make when you could take-it-or-leave-it).  The ride was comfortable and smooth.  Not too short and not too long.  But we just went in a big circle around an empty field.  There were no horsies to spot; no folks to wave at; no cows to come lick our toes; you know, all that stuff you hope for in a hay ride.  The good news is, this is the only thing I wasn't thrilled about on the farm.  Everything else earned an A+! 

I think she was trying to act like a farmer, but who knows.

And a few other things we didn't have time for:
Duck Races, Cow Train, Water Cannon, and a few more things to climb around on.  Check out the website for pictures and brief details.

They conquered the tire pile!

Don't believe the face.  She was having a great time!

WHO'S GONNA LOVE IT:

• TODDLERS/PRESCHOOLERS - YES!
• SCHOOL-AGE KIDDOS - YES!
• TEENAGERS - During the day may be a bore, but my guess is they would LOVE checking out the corn maze at night when a flashlight is recommended since no lights shine on the maze.

This 6 & 3 yr old had a GREAT time on the farm!

*Bring a hefty stroller or wagon for the little guys who may get tired from trekking from one activity to the next.

WHAT'S IT GONNA COST YA:
Admission Prices
***Children 3 and under are free!***  SCORE!
Children (4-11): $8.50
Adults (12-64): $10.50
Seniors (64+): $8.50

Additional Fee Activities
***tickets are $1.00 (tax included)***
Jumping Pillow: 2 tickets for 10 min jump
Duck Races: 1 ticket gets you 2 ducks that you get to keep
Cow Train: 1 ticket
Water Cannon: 1 ticket a shot
***all other activities included in price of admission***


******************
It was a great day on the farm.  And the only reason we called it a day after 3 1/2 hours was because the kiddos were starting to drag and we were one trip-and-fall away from an ugly melt-down.  So, even though they were begging to stay and do more, I knew it was time to pack it in.  But, we'll be back again...well, at least the kiddos will be.  They loved it so much they talked their dad into taking them back at night to traverse the corn maze by flash light.  I'm sure it will be a squeal of a good time!

If you thought we were too blonde to find our way out,
here's proof we made it.

What is your favorite outdoor Fall festival/farm to attend?