Goat Hikes in Maine: ten apple farm

Our Goat Hike in July 2019

Finally, we booked a family goat tour for late July of 2019. 

Book through AirBnb Experiences

We booked our tour through  AirBnB Experiences but you can also book directly through the Ten Apple Farm website.

They have a  busy schedule and are tech-savvy. Thus, I recommend booking on-line, one way or the other, rather than calling. 

The hike was incredibly fun and educational. Also, we learned so much about goats, farming, self-sufficiency.

Perhaps best of all,  our family came away feeling like we were close friends with Karl and Margaret.  

Meet at the Farm

Karl sent us a direct message confirming the time and details of our hike. 

He provided suggestions for hiking attire and gave us a heads up on what to expect. 

Hikes are contingent upon weather conditions. There was rain early in the day of our hike. However, Karl monitored the forecast and kept us apprised of the hike status. Fortunately, the rain cleared up by 3:00 PM, just as Karl predicted. 

Our hike was on! One other family from out of state joined us.

Greet the Goats

After meeting up outside their 1901 farmhouse, Karl took us into the animal pen to meet the goats. Next he gave us a primer on how to interact with the goats.  

Karl requested that we avoid touching the goats’ horns. The reason is that he has trained the goats to avoid using their horns to engage with humans. In reciprocity, people do not touch their horns. Sounds fair to me.

Goat Behavior

Hike the Farm

Hike Overview

The hike itself is just over one mile.  However, there are some slight elevation changes. Additionally, there is at least one spot where you need to use a rope rail to assist in the climb. 

For the most part, the trail is flat and well marked.

No Animal Left Behind

Initially, we were concerned about some straggling goats. However, Karl bellowed a loud call to tell the goats to hustle. They respectfully complied. Generally speaking, does and bucks do not like to be left behind. They had a natural desire to keep up with the group.

Hiking in Unison

The hike is a communal experience. I find it a little difficult to describe in words.  Our interactions with Karl, Margaret, the animals, our own family and the other family flowed together seamlessly.

Rest Break and Pictures

Once we reached the far end of the property, Karl gave the billy-goats (and us) a few minutes to rest. Most of us took pictures of the grazing animals while our conversations continued.

At one point I mentioned to Margaret that we have a hardwood lumber company and supply tone-wood to electric guitar manufactures. She told me that the previous day someone from Paul Reed Smith came to 10 Apple Farm and hiked. It’s a small world, especially in the goat-hiking community!

Check Out the Woods House

Next, we started back toward the farmhouse. We took a brief stop at the guesthouse where their AirBnB guests stay. At that point their daughter Sadie appeared and joined the group. Sadie, meet Sadie!

Ten Apple Farm Garden

The next stop was their impressive garden. 

Goats are voracious eaters. Thus, it was with a bit of annoyance that Karl had to go back and pull one mischievous goat out of the raspberry bushes.

Pretty much everything else on the property is fair game for goat food but apparently this one billy-goat has a thing for ripe red raspberries.

Heritage Mangalitsa Pigs

Next to the garden was a pen containing two very large and distinctively furry Heritage Mangalitsa pigs.

After the walking portion of the hike ended, we went into the animal pens. There, anyone who wanted to, took a turn milking the goats. Karl expertly explained the technique several times before it was my turn. Yet, it still took me a few tries to get it right.

Buy Food, Books and Gifts

Our tour ended up in the farmhouse kitchen.

We had a goat milk tasting. It was our choice of warm or cold milk. I tried the warm goat milk that we just finished.  

Additionally, Karl gave away some surplus chicken eggs. We took a dozen back to our AirBnb and fried them in the morning. 

I always thought an egg is an egg. Not sure if it was from the type of chicken or what but the eggs Karl gave us were extra rich and tasty delicious.

We bought matching Goat Love tee-shirts for the girls. Apparently, the t-shirt design was based off Karl and Margaret’s wedding invitation. Lest anyone question their commitment to  the goat lifestyle, here is the proof!