One crazy little goat

I decided I wanted to raise goats one more time, so I got a pair of Nigerian Dwarf does (bred). My sister named them: Thelma and Louise. Thelma gave birth to twins on March 20. One was dead in the straw. The other was a little buck my (Great) niece Gabby named Ramen (after Ramen Noodles). Louise hasn't had her babies yet. She's supposed to kid sometime this month (April). 

Ramen is something. He sneaks through holes in the gates, goes where he wants, and demands constant attention. He's a goat. Of course, he does all that. He runs. He plays. He jumps. He climbs. He bleats (if you can call it a bleat). He follows after every one. Everyone loves him. Gabby and Lara want to take him home. I wonder if Louise's kids will be as crazy as Ramen is.

Did I say people think I'm crazy for getting goats again?  I got rid of the other goats over 15 years ago and vowed never to raise goats again; they are so much trouble!  But I caved. 

I love covered bridges.

I've always loved covered bridges. I've taken may drives to seek out covered bridges. If I ever encounter a covered bridge on a drive, I stop to see it. Mom enjoys going along for the ride when I'm in pursuit of covered bridges.

Frederick County has a three bridge tour of historic covered bridges: Utica, Loy's Station, and Roddy Road (pictured below). They are located in northern Frederick County, all within twelve miles of each other. Each has a different truss system. You can still drive across all three. There are only three other covered bridges in Maryland: one in Cecil County and one shared by Harford/Baltimore counties. I've not seen any of these.

There are more than 200 covered bridges in Pennsylvania, more than any other state. I've knocked quite a few off my bucket list, but am no where near having seen them all. Last fall, I (we) embarked on a tour of the covered bridges in Columbia County. There are 21 covered bridges in Columbia County. Only two Pennsylvania counties have more. The highlight of the tour was the twin covered bridges: the East and West Paden Bridges. The road by-passes the bridges, so the area is now a park. 

Just 11 years after it was built, both Union and Confederate armies crossed the Sachs Covered Bridge near Gettysburg. Supposedly, three Confederate soldiers were hung from the bridge's wooden support beams. Their crime:  trying to flee the war. For this reason, the bridge is thought to be haunted. The bridge is no longer open to vehicular traffic, but you can walk across it. It is one of the most picturesque bridges I have seen (so far). It is a must-see landmark for Civil War and covered bridge enthusiasts. 

One of my favorite places to take Ty is Martins Mill Covered Bridge State Park in Antrim (near Greencastle). It has a long 200-foot bridge that spans the Conococheague Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River. The bridge is closed to traffic, but you can walk across it (it's kind of creepy), but you can't go on the other side of the creek, as it is privately owned. The bridge is in a nice park there where you can easily access the creek. Ty loves the water. He swam for the first time last summer, though I had to throw him in the creek. I hope to go tubing on the creek this summer. Don't know how Ty will feel about that. I have a life jacket for him.

Most covered bridges are red, not to resemble barns, but because red paint was cheaper. There are some white covered bridges. We stumbled across this one while driving to Raystown Lake (PA) last summer. Halls Mill Covered Bridge is one of 14 historic covered bridges in Bedford County (PA). The bridge is in excellent shape and you can drive across it. It spans the Yellow Creek. The area is clean, scenic, and well-kept. It's located in an open area so you can see the countryside all around it.

I took this picture almost 40 years ago when I was living in West Virginia. It is of the covered bridge in Philippi, one of the few that is part of the federal highway system (Route 250). It is also one of the few surviving two-lane covered bridges. Philippi was the site of the first land battle of the Civil War. Both armies heavily used the  bridge. The bridge survived the war relatively unscathed, but was damaged by severe flood in 1985 and nearly destroyed by fire in 1989. Care was taken to restore the bridge to its original form. I have not seen the restored bridge, but it's definitely on my bucket list of places to go.

Covered bridges are a colorful slice of Americana. According to Wikipedia, over 14,000 were built in the US, mostly in the years 1825 to 1875. In the mid 1880's metal bridges replaced wooden bridges, and they didn't need covered. Less than 1000 (1 in 10) covered bridges remain in the US. Thankfully, some have been added to historic registers and preserved for all to enjoy.

Cunningham Falls

Cunningham Falls State Park is home to Maryland's highest cascading waterfall at 78 feet. Ty and I visited on March 8, and I took Mom there on March 17.  Both seemed to enjoy the falls. Only one went in the water.  I had visited the falls last summer, but there was little water flowing, due to the lack of rain.

Cunningham Falls State Park borders Catoctin Mountain Park, a federally protected area. It is a short hike along a boardwalk to reach Cunningham Falls. I was able to push Mom in a wheel chair. Ty and I took the longer hike to reach the falls. There is a cliff walk that takes you to the top of the falls. I'd like to do this hike at some point, but probably without Ty. Ty and I have done other hikes in Catoctin Mountain Park, including Hog Rock and Blue Ridge Summit.

Washington Monument

I've lived in Washington County for more than 20 years, but had never visited the Washington Monument. I rectified this on April 14 when I took Mom there on one of our Sunday drives. Unfortunately, the trail to the monument is not handicapped accessible. She waited in the car while I made the short hike to the monument. When I got back, I showed her pictures of the monument and surrounding area.

The Washington Monument in Washington County was built two decades before the one on the Mall in Washington DC. It was erected on July 4, 1827 by the citizens of Boonsboro to honor the first president. It is a stone monument that resembles a milk bottle in shape. It was built with stones from the area. It is 30 feet high and located near the summit of South Mountain. During the Civil War, the monument was used as a signal station by the Union Army. The Battle of South Mountain took place nearby.

Like most things, the monument fell in disrepair over the years. During the time of the Civil War, only about a third of the monument still stood. It was rebuilt at least twice in its history, most recently by the CCC in 1936. In 1972, the monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is now maintained by the Maryland Park Service as a state park. The trail to the monument intersects with the Appalachian Trail. Along the way, there are signs commemorating important milestones in George Washington's life. 

The Little Known History of the First Washington Monument

Annapolis Rock

Annapolis Rock is a scenic overlook in South Mountain State Park in rural Maryland. It is a 5.3-mile hike, up and back, on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. The 1700 foot cliff overlooks the Cumberland Valley.  The view is breath-taking. It is considered a moderately difficult hike. There are some strenuous sections with rocky stairs to navigate. Overall, you gain about 780 feet in elevation. At times, footing can be difficult to navigate. Ty and I did this hike on April 16. I was proud of us. We're both amateur hikers and a bit on the chubby side. Next time, I need to bring more water for Ty. 

Two years

April 1, 2022. It's been two years since I retired, after almost 34 years with the University of Maryland. I began my career with University of Maryland Extension (then Maryland Cooperative Extension Service) on July 18, 1988. I remember my first day. I put a computer desk together.

Combine my Maryland career with the almost three years I worked for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and I had a thirty-six year career doing agricultural extension work, mostly small ruminants, but also farm management.

Regrets about retiring?  None. I've enjoyed my retirement so far. I stay busy. I do webinars and speaking engagements. I do the web site and extension coordination for the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control. I currently have a writing assignment with the American Sheep Industry Association. I'm part of a few grants with universities. I try to stay connected with my colleagues at WMREC. 

In Northern Ireland with Lara

I expanded my farm. I now have meat rabbits, trios of New Zealand Red, New Zealand White, and Silver Fox. I got a few dwarf goats. Both the rabbits and goats are confined to the garage. I still have to figure out the marketing of the rabbits. I hope to sell breeding animals from each litter (that's why I opted to go with pedigree rabbits), but I need to secure a meat market for the rest of the litters.

The 2023 lambing season was the easiest ever, didn't have to pull any lambs. No lambs were lost at birth or early on, though I lost two lambs around weaning age. I bred 37 ewes for the 2024 lambing season, using the same two rams. This year's lambing has had a few more ups and down, but there are plenty of healthy lambs bouncing around the place. This year I have to invest in a new Katahdin ram.

I've visited a lot of local places since retiring (and Covid). I've taken up hiking. Easy hikes, so far. Ty is a great companion for these activities. There are many more places I want to visit and/or hike. Some of my favorite places are the C&O Canal, Martin's Mill Covered Bridge State Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, and Gettysburg and Antietam National Military Parks. There's so much to see and do in this four state area -- so much history and natural beauty. And, all close by.

I made my first international trips since retirement (and Covid). In August of last year, I was invited to speak at some goat hoof care clinics in Ontario, Canada. I spoke at two locations. I did a little touring while I was there and stopped at Niagara Falls on the way home. It was a great trip. In September, Lara and I spent almost two weeks in Ireland (Republic of and Northern). I footed most of the bill. So many memories and highlights. This year, I'll be going to England (Yorkshire Dales) and Scotland. I'm hoping to take at least one international trip per year. Iceland, Newfoundland, and Romania are on the short list. 

At the canal with Ty

I'm able to spend more time with Mom. While she has her caregivers from 10 am to 1 pm (or 12). I can take her places in the afternoon or on the weekends. I am able to take her to visit her friends and old acquaintances. She's still going strong at 94. I organized a birthday celebration for her this year.

Cash entered my life on June 24, 2023. I had to go to Ohio to get him. Greg went along with me. Cash was 12 weeks old when I got him. I had always wanted a Maine Coon cat, orange tabby, of course. I have thoroughly enjoyed his first year of life. Besides being a regal-looking cat, he is the sweetest boy. He was costly, but worth every penny I spent. Sadly, I recently lost my "free" cat, Crissy. I miss her so such. Girl animals are different. All my dogs/cats are now male. I might try to find another female orange tabby (kitten), rescue one in honor of Crissy. Crissy came from the shelter in Hagerstown.

Financially, I'm in good shape. No worries. I don't have an expensive way of living. Mostly I spend extra money eating out, buying techie-things,  and taking care of my cats. Travel is paid for by my side jobs.

Until we meet again . . .