As we dropped into the lower valley we entered a thick fog bank that stuck with us as we followed the river north. The road was full of 90 degree turns as it followed the property lines between huge fields, but soon delivered us before a large white barn.

Since Amy usually drops off and picks up Clara at school I really didn't know anybody from her class. I had hoped Clara would jump out of the car and rush into playing. Quite the opposite, however. She clung to my hand and wouldn't really interact with anyone. Hmph.

We were introduced to the chickens and ducks first, then the pigs. Our host instructed the kids that everyone on the farm had to work and the animals were no different. The kids got a thrill out of hearing about the chicken poop and how it was used, but were far more interested in the pigs. Happily, this was about when Clara started to enjoy herself and interact with some of the other kids. (This was mostly due to the late arrival of Chloe, Clara's friend from daycare.)

After we finished with the animals we packed onto the hay trailer for the hay ride. There were probably a few too many of us on there, but the ride was short so it wasn't too bad. We entered a weird combination of tiny pumpkins and monster sunflowers. Clara tromped around and found a nearly perfectly spherical pumpkin about the size of her head. We climbed back in the trailer and where shortly back at the farm.

Next up was the hay maze in the hay loft. I don't know what I was thinking it would be like, but it was really cool. The loft was pretty dark and the few shafts of sunlight were full of hay dust. The kids headed into the maze with abandon and soon they were shouting at each other through walls they couldn't see over even though they were only two bales high. Clara came bursting out of the exit and immediately ran back inside. Just as I got my camera ready she passed me again.

I stationed myself by the exit and waited. And waited. I could see the little yellow hood of her classmate that she entered with, but couldn't see Clara. I started into the maze after a while, more to get a picture than to find her, but just then another adult walked Clara out. She had gotten into a corner and decided to heed my survival advice of, "get lost and stay put." Probably not necessary in a hay maze, but not too bad either. (Heck, she did get out.)

Once we got booted out of the maze (the kids wouldn't have left voluntarily) we gathered up our pumpkins and tried to get the kids to sit for a picture with some limited success. The coming naps were starting to show with more fussing so we took that as a good time to head home.