Philip Foster Farm

It is just plain nonsense that I have lived 15 minutes from the Philip Foster Farm for the past decade, and that this weekend was my first visit ever!  I guess I thought it didn't look like much from the road, and just never took the time.  After all, there are plenty of fun things to do around here, and admittedly, history is one of my least favorite topics.  But pioneer history has less to do with war, and more to do with daily life, which I find far more interesting.  I was also motivated by a coupon for free admission!  Once we were on the property, I was surprised by how much this out-of-the-way rural attraction had to offer.  When the boy asked what something was, the answer always began with, "Well, before there were engines or motors..."

But most exciting was his first ever pony ride!  He loved it, but not so much that I am worried about the "I want a horse!" phase that I went through.  We played with pulleys, built a miniature log cabin out of giant-sized lincoln logs, used woodworking and blacksmithing tools, and ground corn.  It was high noon and awfully sunny for pictures (never mind attending to a 5-year-old hefting 7-foot logs), so maybe I'll get some better ones when I return for the Haunted Halloween event!

I also found it interesting that my friend on the east coast spent the weekend at a similar attraction set in the 1700s, as opposed to Oregon's 1850s version of 'old'.  Check out her adventure here!