Summer at the Lake: Bookamer Farm

For the past 7 years or so, my cousin, her kids and my two aunts have spent a week at the lake each summer. Somewhere along the way, my mom and I started making a schedule for their visit. I know, sounds a bit controlling. But, here's the thing. None of us can make a decision. Without the schedule, we'd sit around all day saying, "What do you want to do?" "I don't care. You decide." Also, over the years, we've acquired quite a list of annual traditions that we have to squeeze into one week. To complicate it even more, Regular business hours don't apply around here, so we have to work around the crazy schedules of some of the places we like to visit.

None of this is set in stone, and we also have the weather to contend with. The first year that my cousin visited, it was so cold that we sat on the beach wrapped in blankets. Another year (when we had about 10 additional family members visiting) we had the most sweltering heatwave. I think that, along with the somewhat rustic cottage conditions, scared some of our relatives off. Luckily, though, nothing seems to deter our most diehard visitors. We always a look forward to their visit. And then collapse with exhaustion at the end of the week.

The six kids climbing into the Bookamer's Polaris for a ride through the woods surrounding the farm.

This calf used our arms as a salt lick. Her rough tongue gave us a little exfoliation treatment.

Dollar Spaghetti Night at the golf course. Only on Wednesdays.

After spaghetti, on a the golf course.

The Scavenger Hunt list. Boys vs. Girls.

Hanks frozen custard. Closed on Tuesdays.

We spent an unforgettable day on the Bookamer Family Farm in Meadville. The Bookamer Family has lived on and farmed the same hill for generations. If you've ever read Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma, this farm reminded me so much of the Polyface farm he visited. The chickens act as pest control and provide fertilizer, in addition to being a source of meat and eggs. Crops are planted in harmony to naturally avoid pests. Cows graze on the pastures like cows should do, etc. The Bookamers have six kids, ranging in age from 23 to 11, and all have been home-schooled (or farm-schooled as mom Linda says). Everything they eat comes from their land, with the exception of flour and sugar bought in bulk each month.

We started our day by visiting the chickens. The egg above was so fresh it was still warm. The chicken below is one of the meat chickens. This one is only 6 weeks and is already huge. Notice how big her legs are to support her weight. The chickens are in moveable enclosures that rotate around the property every two days.

After the chickens, we visited the animals in the barn. Usually they'd be out enjoying the pastures, but because of the hot weather they were in the barn when we visited. The alpacas aren't particularly fond of being petted by hands, but enjoy giving kisses and getting a good sniff of your face.

Amy enjoying an Alpaca kiss from Willie

The Bookamers have six dairy cows and sell raw milk directly from their farm for only $2.50 a gallon (bring your own container). These are definitely happy cows.

Icy the calf was born just three days ago. Baby calves wrinkle their noses with each breath.

After learning about all of the animals we enjoyed the most delicious lunch. Beef, pork, sausage patties (homemade) and barbecued chicken cook on an open fire below (all from their own cows, pigs and chickens).

Everything we ate, down the butter made from milk from their cows, was from the farm. In addition to the burgers, chicken and sausage, we had homemade bread, homemade pickles, onions, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and peach iced tea. Everything was absolutely delicious.

We ate on red checked table clothes under a tented cover, right next to the fields where the food was grown.

As if we didn't eat enough for lunch, we had apple pie, homemade ice cream and cookies. You guessed it - apples grown from their trees and ice cream made from milk from their cows.

Vern, the cutest bunny ever, made an appearance after lunch. He's an angora-lion head cross, and I think we all want one now.

Amanda petting Vern

Each of the Bookamer children specialize in something related to the farm. Bill, the eldest, sells the raw milk and is also a fiber specialist. Here she is showing us how she turns alpaca hair into yarn.

We took a hay ride around the pastures.

Our kids on the hay ride

Aunt Irie, Aunt Amy and my mom

The forest is an important part of the farm and provides the fuel. Thomas, the oldest boy, has apprenticed to be a sawyer. He took us on a ride through the forest, up and down ravines we didn't know were possible to climb in a vehicle. This was no ordinary vehicle, however. The Polaris has tracks instead of wheels and can go over anything.

You can't tell by this picture how steep the hill us we're about to go down.