Recently, my husband Kelvin and I packed up and headed to Elberton, Ga to visit his longtime friend Mason and his beautiful family. Kelvin and Mason go way back they met years ago while working security together at NASA in Florida. Both are military veterans, and despite life’s twists and turns, they’ve managed to stay connected through the years.
It was such a pleasure meeting Mason’s wife, Scarlett, and their growing family. Scarlett and Mason actually met while serving in the Marine Corps, and together they’ve built a wonderful life filled with love, adventure, and now a whole lot of farm animals! They have five children, with another sweet baby boy on the way.
What fascinated me most was their decision to leave behind the hustle and bustle of city life in exchange for a slower, more intentional lifestyle on their 20-acre farm. It’s part of a growing trend happening across the country where families are choosing to simplify, grow their own food, raise animals, and embrace a life that’s more connected to the land.
And honestly? I can see the appeal.
The older I get, the more peaceful that kind of life sounds. No traffic. No constant noise. Just open skies, fresh air, and room to breathe. But could I do it full-time? That’s the question! I don’t know if I could live quite that far from civilization, shopping malls, and my favorite restaurants. Would I eventually get bored? Maybe. Or maybe I’d surprise myself.
While we were there, I got to meet some of the farm’s cutest residents. There were goats, tons of chickens roaming freely around the property without a care in the world, and they certainly weren’t concerned about us visitors! They just went about their day, pecking and exploring like they owned the place.
I also met their three friendly Great Pyrenees dogs, Gus, Otis, and another sweetheart whose name completely escaped me (sorry, pup!). They were gentle giants and perfect protectors for the farm.
Of course, the guys couldn’t resist heading out back to keep their shooting skills sharp. My husband enjoys practicing whenever he gets the chance, so he and Mason spent some time shooting targets while swapping stories. And yes, I joined in too!
To my surprise, I shot the Geissele URG-I for the very first time and hit the bullseye on my first try! I was pretty proud of myself. Kelvin has a PWS and Daniel Defense setup, while Mason’s favorite is the Geissele URG-I.
Overall, it was such a refreshing getaway. Sometimes it’s nice to step outside your comfort zone, slow down, and experience a completely different way of life. Whether or not I’m ready to trade my city conveniences for farm chores is still up for debate, but I definitely left with a newfound appreciation for country living.
Until next time, I’ll be dreaming of wide-open fields, friendly goats, and peaceful sunsets on the farm. 🐓🐐
Gus & Otis
