Samuel and I went up to Louisville on Wednesday to see the ADGA National Show. It was the first dairy goat show either of us have ever seen. We sure picked an amazing one to start with! It wasn't at all what Samuel expected (I think he thought it would be more democratic and interactive) and he was somewhat bored and disappointed. I was thrilled to see animals and people that I have only ever seen or talked to online. We drove up Wednesday and watched the junior show, and walked around looking at animals in their pens. Afterward, we went to our hotel to check in, then went out to eat. Upon the recommendation of our friend, Kevin, we went to Bistro Bar & Grill and had green chili wontons as an appetizer. I had Hot Brown as a meal, which my friend Denise told me was a Louisville specialty. While I had hoped to finish off with Derby Pie (another thing you should get while in KY) I couldn't make myself order anything with Pecans. So, we had chocolate cheesecake and enjoyed it immensely. Following dinner, we went to the hotel pool. The pool was a tad too cold and the spa a tad too hot. We got nice and sleepy in there!
In the morning, we had the hotel breakfast, and Embassy Suites is known around our house as having the most amazing breakfasts! Omelets made to order, sausage, bacon, hashbrowns, any type of fruit, cereal, juice, donut, coffee... The only problem was that we hadn't eaten one of their breakfasts since before starting our small farm. I am now so spoiled on our farm fresh eggs and goat's milk, that their omelets and milk tasted like paper. Ugh!
After breakfast, we went back to the Expo Center to see the Senior Alpine Show. The competition was fierce! Does that had appraisal scores of 92EEEE were excused from the ring! It was quite an education and I will be mentally sorting through much of it for quite some time, I am certain!
All the awards for the show were made by Don and Lee Jackson of Buckrun Pottery. You should check them out! http://www.buckrunpottery.com/ They ship fast, items are packed with incredible care, and their pieces are even more beautiful in person.
Following the show, we headed up to Indiana to see some new friends and their soap operation. Words can not do it justice, and because they have an incredible website, blog, facebook page, and videos galore, I thankfully don't have to find words. I have some of their soap, lip balm, and also picked up some laundry soap to try while I was there. Check them out at http://goatmilkstuff.com/ What they have done is truely remarkable and speaks of a great deal of commitment, sacrifice, determination, and love. Oh, and their kiddos (the two legged kind) are Adorable (with a capital A). :)
We left there and headed for home. It was a long trek, and Samuel was disappointed that we didn't get to go to Mammoth Cave or Dinosaur World on this trip. Hopefully soon, we will get a chance to do some of that stuff. Any one of those could be a one day event, capable of doing between morning and evening milking. And speaking of milking... I am so grateful for my dear husband who did the milking (and feeding and watering and cleaning) chores and running the house so that I could get a little time "off". :)
The evening before we left for Louisville, my Grandma Downing came to visit! I don't get the opportunity to see her often, and am most excited to have her here. :) She will be heading back to Michigan tomorrow, and it is my main goal for the day to get the kiddos cleaned up and a photo with Great Grandma Downing. :) They have enjoyed her immensely, and she has enjoyed them as well. I wish she lived closer! My next intended blog post will be photos. :)
Photo of Samuel and I checking out the Redwood Hills pens, taken by Celeste Eastwood of Fiddler's Ridge Dairy 
Photo of Samuel & I watching the Alpine Juniors, taken by Ziggy Forester of Sunrise Farm 
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