Cow-tivated Passion: Exploring Simply Natural Creamery
There is a quote by Bill Bryson that goes, “To my mind, the only possible pet is a cow. Cows love you. They will be your friends forever.” And I wholeheartedly agree. I have longed to have a cow as a pet, but so far, it hasn’t happened. I don’t know where and when my love for cows began, but I just know that the day that the agritourism farm where I used to work got Maybelline ( who has since gone on to greener pastures) I hopped in my car and raced over there to meet her. Don’t know if that was the beginning of my love or if it was the fuel that sparked my love of cows all I know is it was love at first sight. This year it is all about taking adventures and marking things off my list that I have always said I would do someday. And one of the things was taking a tour that Simply Natural Creamery in Ayden offered. ( I still have another cow field trip in mind and maybe even a photo shoot with another barnyard animal.) After coming back from Charleston, I emailed their tour coordinator and got myself on the tour for the next day. So keep reading about my Cow-tivated Passion: Exploring Simply Natural Creamery.
First, let me say I have been to Simply Natural Creamery many times. Their chocolate milk is like you are drinking a milkshake. Anytime we are heading to Greenville, we always made a side trip to pick up some regular and chocolate milk. Of course, we also get some ice cream as well. They always have one of their calves in a pen near the playground that people can pet and take pictures with. And yesterday was no exception. But the difference between yesterday and all the other times I have been was that today I was gonna finally take the tour.
I came ready for the tour armed with my DSLR camera and my iPhone. Ready to get my loves captured in snapshots from the wagon, Only thing was I wish I has asked our tour guide Nicole which side would be better for pictures because, of course, I sat on the opposite side. But I still got some good shots.
On the tour, Nicole gave the history of the creamery and how it all started with just 2 cows that were pets. I already liked where this was going. As Nicole was telling us about the farm, I couldn’t help but be impressed by our tractor driver, Mr. Julian. He expertly drove that tractor, and it wasn’t an easy feat. Not only did we have to cross over a road, drive through some big mud puddles and then drive down the road (pulling the wagon) while cars were whizzing by, but he did it with such ease.
The former teacher in me loved the educational part of the tour- showing what the cows eat, how much the cows eat, how many gallons of water they drink, as well as the milking process.
I kinda knew a little bit about the milking process because I follow Sunset View Creamery (a farm in upstate New York. And I learned so much from them. But seeing it in person took on a whole new meaning.
I knew that the cows at Simply Natural were Jersey Cows – much like my beloved Rhubarb from Bravo Steaks. But I didn’t know why. And then I found out they are considered the Golden Retrievers of Dairy Cows. They are lovable and friendly and love to give lots of kisses. Plus did you know that cows have best friends, and they often wait for their besties to finish milking before they head back to the barn?
This brings me to my next part- there were several times on the tour that we were able to get off the wagon and look around. This was my absolute favorite part because we got to love on the babies. I wanted to love one so bad, but just like people, they have their own personalities, and this one was a little shy.
There were others who stuck their head out of the hutches, and one even tried to eat Gracie’s dress. There were also several that seemed to all have to pee at the same time. LOL 😉
After the tour, we were each treated to a kid’s cup of vanilla ice cream made on the premises. It was such a refreshing treat on a hot day.
Now I know you wondering would I got back and do this tour again. Was my Cow-tivated Passion met exploring Simply Natural Creamery yes and no. Yes, I would go back again, but this time I would go back when the weather wasn’t so darn hot – it was over 90 y’all, and I would totally sit on the right side of the wagon so I could get more pictures of my beloved cows.
Mark my words one day, I will have a cow for a pet, but until then, my Cow-tivated Passion will have to be okay with visiting them and admiring them from afar.
If you are interested in checking out Simply Natural and scheduling a tour, you can check out their website. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
