-Posted by Isaac

Last time (seems like a while ago) I told you about Jayne taking off for the great unknown. While she was getting ready for that trip, I made it clear how jealous I was. I also tried to exaggerate the burden of carrying on with the fall honey and taking care of the kids for a whole week. Alone!

But she saw through it. She’s a farmer’s daughter.

When you’ve grown up farming, you know that there’s a little exaggeration now and then. Especially when it comes to the work load.

Here’s a meme that floated around the beekeeping internet this week:

I had to laugh. For one, it is sort of funny. But for me, part of the funniness is how completely untrue it is. There’s plenty of spare time! Are you kidding? Four months of winter?? Don’t let them fool you.

I saw a similar meme about grain farmers a few months ago. And my reaction was the same. Like Jayne, I grew up watching my dad farm. The work can be heavy and long, sometimes stressful, but only in spurts. It’s seasonal work. It’s cyclical. A few days, maybe a few weeks at a time. That’s all. Anyone can sprint.

By comparison, most of you spend your life running marathons. It’s a grind. I’ve been there too, and what drudgery— teaching and turf management— you know, real jobs. Where you have to show up on time, be professional, dress professional, be polite, be efficient, don’t take naps, etc… And I have to say, no thanks! It’s a sufferfest. I feel for you.

I’m happier now, and as long as you guys keep buying our honey, I’ll never have to work again. I know Jayne feels the same. Give us the bee life. For instance, my bringing to Jayne’s attention the “hard” work of the fall harvest while she vacationed, only brought this reaction: “Well, why don’t you take a trip too?”

Yeah, why don’t I??

Good idea. The very day we finished up with the fall honey happened to coincide with the first day of the Pumpkin Show. Around here, we get out of school for big things like pumpkins. So, me finishing with the bee work, and my hiker son Mason being free for a few days, we were presented with a great spare-time opportunity.

We took a four day trip to Kentucky.

The Red River Gorge.

Sure, he had to miss the big pumpkins, but there’s always sacrifices. A little yin, a little yang.

Oh, the problems of having a lot of spare time… which fun thing to do next? It’s tough.

I’m happy he decided to come with me. I had been down once before in college and learned that it’s a big climbing Mecca. The climbers come from all over the country to test their skills on this awesome sandstone.

Having no gear, we weren’t there to climb. But, I did know where all the climbers like to hang out.

I knew the best spot to eat, I knew where to hear great adventure stories and where to camp for (practically) free.

There’s this little pizza place, Miguel’s, that serves as the hub.

Behind the restaurant is a a big grassy field where you pitch your tent for the outrageous fee of $3 per night.

I guess it’s not very suitable if you want the no-neighbors and no-noise camping trip.

But if you’re 11 and you’ve never experienced climbing culture, this is about as good as it gets.

I was happy that Mason enjoyed the hiking every bit as much as hanging out with climbers. Maybe even more so. He became a real milage hog. We ended up covering about 40 miles, crossing the gorge twice.

Sometimes he’d even help dad bone up on the trail running.

And every evening Miguel’s called us home. We felt obligated to replace those lost calories with the most wonderful pizza ever. Not to mention pints of super-chilled Haagan Dazs.

It was an awesome, energetic and inspiring few days. And what made it even better is knowing that the fall honey harvest was done. Now I only have to answer life’s great spare time question.

What am I gonna do next?

At a Jimmy John’s, I was reminded of that old rat race once again.

Nah… not for me. You successful people can duke it out.

I’ll take my spare time. I’ll take the bee farming.