Here's a few pictures of the farm. It is intended to be used for family and friends to enjoy their kids and grandkids in an outdoor environment. It is not a hunting destination, but be aware of it's wild animals. It still requires caution.
It does require a four wheeler or side-by-side to get access to the property and picnic area.
We just ask that you please be careful in what you do and allow your kids to do, and be responsible for your actions.
Also note:
There is not a bathroom on the property. However, Howe is just a short stroll down a county backroad.
Try not to disturb our local Beaver
Be advised the game warden and local cops check on things now-and-again. We have some history with poachers, mostly at night. If you happen to see the game warden during the day, just say hello and tell them you know me, no problem. They know we have some responsible daytime traffic.
We own 230 acres. However, the wooded area is only about 72, and the lake is about 10. BUT, we only own a northern portion of the lake, so respect the neighbors (Fence H-braces mark the line on the lake.)
Please respect the farmer (Eric) and his work. The tilled farmland needs to remain untouched.
I recommend some Off Spray to deter the pests.
Reid, Joy & Adalyn enjoying the trail
An overall view of a trail
Brother Chris showing off his fish
It's always interesting discovering new tracks and trying to guess at the intruder (or, are we the intruder?).
An overall view of the available trails over the 72 acres of wooded section
a couple of travelers you might see
An example of why you must use caution
Chris Covington showing off his catch
Brother Chris showing off my Carp
Reid and Teague making themselves at-home at our unique fire pit in the picnic area
Reid and Tate
Sitting around the imaginary campfire
Our new Kawasaki Teryx 4
Adalyn and Tate
Chris and Tate loading it to head home
Reid, Joy, Kowen, Monica & Adalyn riding the trails
Kowen, Monica, Joy, Reid and Adalyn riding the trail
The largest one so far (Chris and his Carp)
Five deer including two babies
This guy looks a little hungry
A big rain, now the lake is back to a normal level
We were sure having fun here. Then.............................
One stuck..................
Now two stuck............... (the creek has risen too)
Now, back to "do-able"
Teague testing the depth of the water
Andy, Teague, Todd, T.J. watching Chris preparing for the picnic.
A little last minute instruction
Tate and Johnny Mack trying to avoid the creek
The water level of the lake has exceeded normal limits and beyond the fire pit and seating area.
Reid, you go in first!
Kelly and Tate with fingers crossed (Shirley and Cliff in the back)
This motley crew double daring each other to get muddy.
Worm anyone?
Kelly and Bo blazing the trail for Teague to follow
Roxie and Halston exploring the fishing option
Look Dad, what did you catch today?
Let's go mudding?
Make yourself useful Teague, grab a winch.
Whatever you do, just don't get in that mudhole
If I could just have a minute to re-group, I'll be ready to go again.
Halston caught the big one!
Where do you want to be today?
Move over Adalyn and Reid, here I come!
Kelly and Cliff giving the fish another chance.
Halston, Bo, Adalyn, Reid and Joy planting Wildflower seeds
Everybody needs to throw a few seeds
A very unusual moment, Teague doing something.
Reid inspecting the seeds
Watch out folks..........................this work stuff will be brief for me
Adalyn, Reid, Halston, Hayden planting wildflower seeds at the farm
From the Dam (water is way up)
Lined up at the creek waiting our turn
Tate, Teague, Marty Scott and Kyle Bell tossing a coin to see who goes first
Marty and Kyle sloshing in the muck
Kyle's machine proving itself
Stopping in the woods to recollect (The water ahead is too deep)
Marty and Kyle continuing to test the machine (did well too)
Tate and Teague following suit.
Testing the water
Sloshing by the lake
Young Bucks
Afternoon Party
Party Poopers
They are calling this a lazy Daisy
Now this is one that we planted (Name? Maybe a Missouri Primrose)
We have (3) vegetable gardens planted as well. This is the only one that is fenced.
I found a Milkweed (04/18/16)
The Milkweed is the only plant that the Monarch will lay their egg on while heading northbound. If you look close, you can see an egg on the backside of a leaf (4/16/16). I hope to have follow-up photos
A Caterpillar on a pepper plant (at the farm), but not the Monarch species I was looking for.
Bees are here. Let's see how long they stay?
Taking Beekeeper class with Penny and Rosalee Dixon (pictures furnished by Rosalee)
And then there's this fellow who showed up out of nowhere
Can you find the deer in this picture?
I see some horns coming on
Now I know what has happened to my bird feed.
Horns are growing a little bit.
This one is looking a little pregnant?
Squirrels can become pests. Next time, I'm going to spray a little PAM on the wire and top of the house. We'll see......
Finally, a bird or two.
Now we were promised some butterflies? (5/29/16)
JoJo and Adalyn walking the trail
We've got it now
Now what do we do with it?
There's no getting away now
Butterfly Alley
I'm not sure what these horns are going to end-up looking like?
A little in-and-out action of the bees from the hive
What is so intriguing over here?
Show'em how to hammer Reid
Fourth of July on the shores (2016)
The big catch (Bo, Reid, Adalyn, Kowen and Teague)
Light my fire
I can do it better
Baby Deer walking around the farm
Snow-on-the-Prairie (brightens up the summer)
Bombus fraternus - Southern Plains Bumble Bee (on Sunflower)
Down to one hive. Had to combine after the second hive wouldn't accept a new queen.
Some Yellows, Purples and Whites.
The bees seem to be back to very active after the combining (10/2/16)
The Monarchs are passing back through southbound to Mexico (10/9/16)
Early morning view of the calm lake (11/24/16)
No hogs yet, but someone else is curious.
Mexican Plum (2/26/17)
Tate and his son Kowen at the farm preparing for the planting of wildflowers (5/7/17)
Preparing several spots for the wildflower seeds (Pollinator promotion)
Reid (Teague and Lindsay's son) and Kowen (Tate and Monica's son) in the tub used for broadcast seeding
Mixing sand with the Butterfly Retreat Mix (purchased from seedsource.com)
Halston (Roxie and Johnny's grandson) and Adalyn (Teague and Lindsay's daughter) putting the final touches on the mix.
Getting ready to broadcast
Teague and Lindsay broadcasting the wildflower seeds (hopefully, it will rain)
And, on this same day, the honey bees decided to leave, and were hanging out in this tree temporarily. (I was able to get them back in their box. We'll see what happens next, 5/7/17)