A first

We live very close to what I guess is characterized as a state park, but it's a farm. A working farm with animals, crops even beehives. I've gone there since I was a child. A once famous writer once lived there and his famous friends Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married there under the floating staircase. (http://www.malabarfarm.org/ ) Every year they have the Heritage Days outdoor festival, we don't go EVERY year. It is a very nice festival though. They shoot off a Civil War cannon, muzzle loader riffles you can throw a hatchet. There's people dressed like native Americans (not hokey either), also like pioneers (those poor women on hot days) There are teepee's set up the kids can go in and they make butter and other stuff. My son loves the model train display. I love the apple butter they make out on the open fire! They even have fresh kettle corn and sarsaparilla. Can't beat that! But what I love is the horse rides. It's not the old pony hooked to a rail and they go round and round. These are well cared for and loved horses saddled up and lead around on a path. My husband had to walk with Naomi because, well she's little! But also she got so excited when the horse moved she waved her hands, thus letting go of the saddle horn. Her brother has grown out of this! God forbid someone see him on a horse, or worse yet HOLDING A BALLOON!! OH THE HORROR! Besides the horses they had live music from a couple old men playing banjos, fiddles etc.. Bluegrass type music. Naomi couldn't be still! Her Grandpa Johnny out in Washington would be so proud! He used to play before Arthur Ritis came to stay. He even had bluegrass festivals at his house.