Written by: Vivi Lay

This past week, Grandpa and JeeJee took me to the farm for a solo farm trip. They knew that I hadn’t seen hardly any of our land, and wanted to expose me to more of it. So we set aside a time for them to take me to the farm for two nights! Over those days, I kept a journal, writing in it periodically and keeping track of all I did. And now, I’ll use those entries in this journal post!

Day 1: Entry 1

9:12 pm

Right now we are driving to the farm in the dark. We just ate dinner at Olive Garden, and I’m starting to get sleepy. Grandpa keeps yawning! I’m super excited about the upcoming farm trip, and can’t wait to get there!

**Here’s me in Grandpa’s new truck, excited for a fun-filled farm trip!**

Entry 2: 10:45pm

We just got to the farm! It’s so late. Grandpa keeps sleep-talking, and I can’t wait to crash into bed! I have to wake up early tomorrow to look at trees!

Day 2: Entry 3

9:27 am

We all just woke up after a great nights sleep! I had a big bowl of cereal and a turkey nugget for breakfast. Right now we’re in the truck diving to Moss Hill tract. The mule is on the trailer in the back. We will drive around Weyco-Miller to get there. Then we’ll go to Carlton’s Hole for a picnic lunch.

**I’m eating a hearty breakfast before a big day!**

**Grandpa is loading the Mule on the back of the trailer!**

Entry 4: 11:35am

We just came back to the truck from Moss Hill. Grandpa had to chainsaw a TON of trees in the road. We looked at a bunch of the dead pine trees in the road. I helped roll them out of the way! I was also attacked by a yellow jacket and two spiders. Then Grandpa almost ran into a writing spiders web. On accident. I don’t know… I think it was on purpose. Anyway, we’re now heading to Carlton’s hole for a picnic lunch!

Entry 5: 2:16pm

We are just driving back from Carlton’s Hole. We went wading, and had lunch in the mule! I had a Grandpa sandwich(Pb and chocolate chips), a ham sandwich, and a Dr. Pepper. Delicious! Then Grandpa “accidentally” drove off the road, and we almost fell out of the mule. But thankfully, we survived. And we covered a ton of land! It’s super cool looking at all of the tracts I’ve never seen before! I really have a better appreciation and loving for the Harrison Woodlands, and all of the Pine Trees. We’re now driving to Buck Creek, then back to the cabin for cold showers. It’s so hot and humid!

Entry 7: 10:05 pm

Before we went to the cabin, I got to drive Grandpa’s red tractor! This is obviously training for future years. We went to the Station for dinner, and I got a DELICIOUS dinner, and an incredible slice of key-lime pie for dessert. It’s now bedtime, and JeeJee and I are about to turn off the lights. Today was amazing, and I learned so much!

Day 3: Entry 8

9:57am

This morning has been AMAZING! First, I had a biology lesson with Grandpa, where I got to drive the gheenoe with the motor and put fertilizer in the pond. Next, I got to eat chocolate cake for Part One of my breakfast. Then, we’re heading to Jimmy’s Coffee Shop for Part Two of breakfast. And finally, we’re going to Lacrosse!

Entry 9: 10:36am

We were just leaving Jimmy’s Coffee Shop, when who did we happen to see but Uncle Jimmy himself! We talked awhile and took some pictures. I got a frozen hot chocolate, and JeeJee got a coffee. We are now heading to the Hudson Place!

Entry 10: 11:49am

We just looked at the pulp-mill where Grandpa worked for two years. They make diapers there! We’re now heading to lunch. They serve their food cafeteria-style, and I hear they have really good desserts!

Entry 11: 1:00pm

We are now driving around and looking at different tracts. We just got back from the lunch place, which was impeccable. I heaped my plate high! Their banana pie was delectable. We are now heading to McLendon 2!

For the rest of the time, I was so busy that I didn’t have time to write! And we took SO MANY PHOTOS! We visited both Dozier and the Dairy tracts, and Grandpa even let me drive his truck! ON THE ROAD! It was so fun! As you can see from all of these entries and pictures, this Farm Trip was indescribable. I cherished every moment, and learned a ton! I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Thank you, JeeJee and Grandpa for this amazing experience!