Stephen is always trying to pick amazing stays for us. After 6 years on the road, he still makes my joy a priority for our accommodation and our stay in Gray, ME was no exception. He chose this one because it’s on a goat farm! Ten Apple Farm is run by Margaret and Karl. They were excellent hosts, so even though we don’t usually write about our Airbnb stays, when they are extra special they need their own post so you can stay at hidden gems like these across the US.
We stayed in this house that was on the property but down the road from the farm. There was a trail leading over to the farm if we wanted to walk and see the goats any time during the day. The house was Margaret’s father’s and it’s been left as a bit of an homage to him. He was a professor and writer and so there are lots of personal touches around the space.
It was a great space to have available to us. It was comfortable, included laundry and upon arrival it was stocked with their own fresh goat cheese, goat milk and chicken eggs. Their books and community cookbooks (a cause close to their hearts that I’ll explain later) are also available to read while you’re there. We grabbed a copy of one of their books before we left the area and I can’t wait to read it.
In addition to offering cheese, milk, eggs, turkeys, t-shirts and stickers, they also have books for sale. Before starting Ten Apple Farm, Margaret and Karl took a year traveling around the US to learn about all things goats and in search of the perfect cheese. They’re passionate about food and community. As a result, in addition to running the farm, they’re starting a non-profit to coordinate storytelling and community meals. They have two community cookbooks including stories and recipes by famous Mainers, like Stephen King, that seek to address the loneliness epidemic. By preserving these family recipes and stories, they hope to bring people together around the table at Ten Apple Farm for storytelling and food experiences.
They already offer a few other fun and interesting experiences at the farm, so this will just complement what they’re already doing and expand their offerings and mission. You can go on a goat walk; sadly we missed those because by the time I remembered it was available, they were all booked up (yay for them – boo for me!) and you can milk the goats! I went one morning to milk the goats and then I brought Stephen’s parents, Chris and Eric, back another day to try their own hands at milking.
Watch the video below of all the milking fun!
Fun fact I learned – I knew that goats had rectangular pupils to help them see with a wider field of vision. But, I’ve never seen goats in low lighting. So my mind was blown when I learned that their rectangular pupils turn round when the light is low. I just assumed they became bigger rectangles.
After the milking the goats head outside for the day. They have a wonderful little run from the barn down to the field. Many days they go on hikes, but it starts with some time eating the branches provided.
One of Karl and Margaret’s daughters have these mini horses, so I watched as Karl gave them breakfast one morning. The daughter normally does it, but she’d asked her dad to cover her that day.
Here come the goats down the run!
We had a wonderful stay at Ten Apple Farm. From the cheese, milk and eggs upon arrival, the opportunities to enjoy the farm, and the homemade scones we were treated to halfway through our stay, it was a really memorable week in Gray, ME. Thank you to Margaret and Karl for all of your care, hospitality and consideration for your impact on the local community through your next venture with Community Plate. It wasn’t a year, but our week of the goat was fantastic!
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