Ever since watching the documentary “The Business of Being Born” I’ve been enamoured with the idea of The Farm. The commune that was established back in the flower power era was, at one brief point, on the list of potential places to give birth. In my mind’s eye we would make the 1,000 mile pilgrimage from New York City to Summertown Tennessee a month before Baby Boy O’s arrival date, arriving joyous, round bellied and greeted by mystical midwives who would sprinkle rose petals as I walked along the path to motherhood.
Today’s lesson is two fold: firstly, the dream can differ significantly from reality, nevertheless the dream makes you recognize the elements that personally ring true, like the desire to be closer to nature and the belief in the human body to do what needs to be done. Secondly, is that even I have limits to the level of ‘granola-crunchiness-walk-on-a-rainbow-flower-power-patchouli-incense-chanting-and-drumming-earthiness’ I can take without wanting to jump in my petroleum burning vehicle and order a non-vegan burger.
All that being said, I have deep respect for the philosophy and conviction that seeded and grew The Farm to what it still is today.
![Other side of the 11 ft clearance bridge RV on road with 11 ft bridge](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Other_side_of_the_11_ft_clearance_bridge.jpg)
Break on through to the other side, conquering yesterday’s predicament
![Sign for the farm in TN Sign for the farm](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sign_for_the_farm_in_TN.jpg)
Pilgrimage to The Farm in Summertown, Tennessee
![Visitors center at the farm Visitors center at the farm](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Visitors_center_at_the_farm.jpg)
Finally made it
![Opening times at the farm visiting center Door of the visitors center with visiting times](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Opening_times_at_the_farm_visiting_center.jpg)
Open 9 to 5…not. Thankfully there were instructions for a self guided tour
![Philosophy of the farm Philosophy of the farm](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Philosophy_of_the_farm.jpg)
The philosophy and conviction I deeply admire
![English Hubby and Baby Boy O in the farm store Man holding baby in store](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/English_Hubby_and_Baby_Boy_O_in_the_farm_store.jpg)
Dined on vegan fare at The Farm Store
![Birthing school bus Yellow school bus in disrepair](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Birthing_school_bus.jpg)
Legend has it that an old school bus with seats removed and cushions on the floor was a the original midwifery center where babies were guided into this world
![Barrel with anti petroleum slogans Barrel with bicycle](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Barrel_with_anti_petroleum_slogans.jpg)
Pang of guilt when I mentally calculated how many gallons of gas we’ve used on this road trip
![Organic garden at the farm Gates leading to organic garden](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Organic_garden_at_the_farm.jpg)
It may have been organic, but it wasn’t much of a garden
![Eco house with grass roof at the farm Eco house with grass roof](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Eco_house_with_grass_roof_at_the_farm.jpg)
Experiments in alternative ecologically friendly housing
![Bamboo at the farm Bamboo](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Bamboo_at_the_farm.jpg)
Sustainability is key
![Eco house with black panels Eco house with black panels](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Eco_house_with_black_panels.jpg)
In harmony with the land
![Drumming at the farm People in front of Eco house with one man drumming](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Drumming_at_the_farm.jpg)
Accidentally intruding on a meditative drumming session
![Pumpkins and fungus Pumpkins and fungus](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Pumpkins_and_fungus.jpg)
Pumpkin power
![RV on the Natchez trace RV on the Natchez trace](http://www.noplaceliketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/RV_on_the_Natchez_trace.jpg)
Back on the road again in our tiny house on wheels – perhaps even in our gas guzzling vehicle we have a smaller carbon footprint than the average person?
Yesterday’s post: Predicament
Tomorrow’s post: