Sometimes being a Solo Traveler doesn’t necessarily mean to travel across the globe, but may simply mean exploring your own backyard. Who knew I would find lavender in my backyard. Well, actually I don’t have a literal backyard as I live in a condo, but I do have a very large figurative backyard around the Madison, Wisconsin area. In fact, I am finding my backyard really is extending to include the whole state. Since I have not been able to do much long distance travel to far away exotic places, I decided to enjoy what I have right here. So a few weekends ago, my backyard travels took me to a wonderful New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm. Thanks to Aron and Laura for opening up their Lavender Farm over four years ago. After talking to both of them, I realized their dream was beyond growing lavender and making lavender products, but truly wanted to be a respite for the local community. A place to sit and enjoy a sunset or some lavender ice cream while overlooking the wild flower fields.
I took an afternoon to drive up to Baraboo, Wisconsin (about an hour drive for me) and enjoyed their wagon tour. The tour started with a short video on the farm, the processes, and the family and then Aron led us outside to hear a few fish jokes by Gracia near the pond. A short walk from the pond was the first set of lavender fields where we learned about the types of lavender (the culinary species versus the fragrant product species). I didn’t even realize there was a difference. The fragrant species (English Lavender) definitely had a more potent “menthol” smell versus the culinary species (French Lavender) had a more grounded “spice” smell. On to the wagon where we went moseying around the property, learning the history of the farm, the design of the farm, and the closed environment maintained on the farm. When I say closed environment, it is really a sustainable design, meaning the family keeps bees which pollinates the lavender and feeds off the nectar supplied by the wild flowers and whose thirst is quenched by a man-made drinking hole. The family is quite well versed in all things lavender. At the end of the tour, be sure to partake in the complimentary sample of lavender cherry pie.
After the tour, I highly recommend grabbing some handmade lavender ice cream, sitting out on the porch swing by the fields and take a moment to just be. Take a long moment as I did. I have been working hard the past few months so really wanted to treat myself to something special; something unique. The New Life Lavender and Cherry Farm was just that: a special slice of uniqueness, found right in my own backyard.
I couldn’t quite leave just yet though. I would be remiss if I didn’t buy a few gifts to take with me. I love the reusable dryer sheets and car sachet that I discovered. As I am checking out, I notice more food on the menu that I had not seen when I ordered my ice cream. So when the woman saw me looking, she asked, “Did you want something else?” How strange that I was thinking it but wasn’t really going to get anything until she asked. Good marketing or my subconscious taking over? Either way, it was a win-win because I had THE BEST strawberry lavender lemonade ever.
Thank you to all on the farm for your hospitality, your caring, and your engaging conversations.
Go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want:
Alli L
For all the photos, go to @TheSoloTraveler50 on Facebook