Homeschool hiking and another adventure.

On Monday, Ron ended up with a low census day at work, so he suggested we go on a hike. We left the twins at the neighbors and packed a lunch.
Ron did the planning and picked the route. He has been wanting to hike up Scenic Hill here in the State Forest, so that was our destination for the day. The view above is from the top. It would be more scenic if there wasn't so many trees blocking the view. The hike there was beautiful, except for a muddy logging road we took part of the way there.
Those three in front are tough cookies. We estimate we hiked at least six miles on very hilly terrain. Sam is showing off a piece of birch bark he found. Sadie is interested in making birch bark baskets.
It was pretty in a harsh way, no leaves yet, just dead ones on the ground. We enjoyed the warm sun. As we took a break and soaked up some rays, Ron reminded the kids they would be sitting in a school desk inside if they were going to public school right now. That was a funny thought to them-and then they really appreciated being out hiking on a beautiful day.

On Wednesday, we took part in a dairy event at a neighboring farm. Farmers and their families gathered (and we slipped in with the bunch) for an informational session and lunch. We heard some discussion about genetics, and then saw a video of a dissection of a cow. A lot of it went over our (the kids and me) heads, but it was still interesting. After lunch, we went out into the barn to look at examples of cows with the specific traits they have been breeding them for.
The farmer is in the blue cap there, discussing the cows they had pulled aside to show as examples. It brought me back to my 4-H days and showing dairy cattle. This would have been very useful info back then.

It was fun for the kids to see inside this big barn, as we drive by it all the time.
They even have a sauna as part of the barn "complex" for workers to clean up in after chores.
It was a very unique home school experience, and my kids learned more about what dairy farmers do besides milk cows.