As part of the Bluff Country Show, our Sweepstakes Prize Drawing is for a Weekend for Two in Bluff Country, as guests of Earl & Marge Kitchen, Karyl Dronen, and Mary & Doug Thompson

Winners of the 2007 Bluff Country Big Weekend

Randy & Linda Ahrndt

Randy and Linda chose the weekend of November 3rd and 4th to visit the Valley of the Goats (Val d'Chevre) and sample what Bluff Country had to offer with the Kitchens, Karyl Dronen, and the Thompsons. It was a bit cool, to say the least, but a good time was had by all. A special set of activities was prepared (see below), but weather intervened so we had to do all the regular sight-seeing activities instead.

 2007 Bluff Country Big Weekend Activities

Friday Evening

– Arrive at Val d’Chevre

- Meetings and Greetings

- Overnight at Kara Kahl Farm with the Thompsons

Saturday Morning - Up at the Crack-of-Dawn for a Big Day

Fix Breakfast at Kara Kahl Farm for the Thompsons

Hand Milking at Kara Kahl Farm for the Thompsons

Hands-On Barn Cleaning at Kara Kahl Farm with the Thompsons

Break – Fix Coffee at Body Shops and Wood & Stream for Karyl and the Kitchens

Hoof Trimming at Kara Kahl Farm – Demonstrations by Linda & Randy Ahrndt

Lunch – Special "Woodland Wild Things" Lunch while gathering firewood

Saturday Afternoon – Special Surprise Afternoon, weather permitting

Barn Cleaning at Wood & Stream Farm using Pioneer Pitch Forks

Break – Camp Coffee at Body Shops and Wood & Stream

Hoof Trimming at Wood & Stream using Heritage Hoof Knives

Catch & Milking at Body Shops and Wood & Stream

Supper – Fix at Kara Kahl Farm for the Thompsons, Kitchens, and Karyl Dronen

Saturday Evening Activities

Local Cable Channel TV Events Calendar & Bedtime

Sunday Morning – Up at the Crack-of-Dawn

Milking at Kara Kahl, Body Shops & Wood & Stream – Randy Ahrndt

Breakfast Preparation – Linda Ahrndt

Breakfast - Thompsons, Kitchen’s & Dronen Awakened for Breakfast & TV

Garden Fall Tillage & Clean-Up, Old Style – Linda & Randy Ahrndt

Lunch – "Garden Gleanings" Lunch On-Site

Sunday Afternoon

Thank You and Farewell to Val d’Chevre

      

Linda & Randy struggle to keep up a brave face despite a bitter wind at the Swan Watch Site and at the Big River Overlook along the mighty Mississippi at Lansing, Iowa, in November...a lovely spot at almost any time of the year. Unfortunately this wasn't one of them. Notice the same frozen expressions in these two different locations.

 

Camera or spotting scope? Marge demonstrates how a puppy can come in handy when cold weather brings on runny noses.

Seriously, we all had a great time with plenty to eat and plenty to talk about as we toured up and down the Big River looking at eagles & swans, visiting museums & shops & exploring the many sights in Bluff Country.