APPLE HILL FARM

June 25-27
And so we finish our road trip at Apple Hill Farm. Tom’s entire family lives there on 80 acres of bucolic wonder. His parents, Maury and Evedna, have commandeered the high ground, overlooking the rolling hills and a fishing pond full of snapping turtles and assorted fish. His sister Vincy and her husband, Bill are just off the highway which makes it handy for fish & game officers who bring Vincy orphaned deer, raccoons and assorted injured creatures to nurse back to health.

In addition to the wildlife, they also raise cows, sheep, goats, a miniature bull, horses, a mule, chickens, ducks and some pet skunks. Maybe some others but that’s a pretty good list. Oh man. Up the hill from Vincy and Bill’s and on the left, Vincy’s daughter Shelly and her husband Paul live with their two daughters and son. Further on, on the right, live Vincy’s other daughter Pepper, her husband Tim, daughter and son.

And on every square inch of the 80 acres there are either crops or animals. Did I mention the cats? Many cats? Everyone has a kitchen garden and there is corn, hay and I don’t know what else growing everywhere. Trucks, tractors, hay bailers, other mysterious contraptions are everywhere. And everyone works hard. I don’t know if it was the original intent but at this point the family grows or raises almost everything they need. It’s a beautiful place populated by hard-working people who treasure their family ties and live in support of each other.
William (Pepper and Tim's son) steals the show.