Shady Spring Farm feels far removed from the busy I-95 corridor where we travel to our jobs. While it sounds a bit cliche, life on the farm slows down. Every season brings new sights and new scents. Early spring sees daffodils and crocus emerge from thawing ground. April into May is calving season when 80 or so black angus calves are born. May is the first cutting of hay and the blooming of tiger lilies around the springhouse. The warm nights in late June and early July are lit with thousands of fireflies. For two years now we've had both bald eagles and golden eagles visit the farm in the month of July - soaring over the field behind the farmhouse. August is lazy, it seems even the trout in the springhouse take it easy. Every season brings it's own wonder.
When Tony wants to play a little golf he heads to the Great Cove Golf Course, just two miles from the farm. Whitetail Ski Resort (with snow tubing!) and historic Berkeley Springs, WV are within 30 minutes. Early Colonial history lovers might enjoy learning about the area's Revolutionary and French & Indian War history by visiting nearby Historic Fort Loudon or Chinococheague Institute, both in neighboring Franklin County. One can enjoy a train ride on the newly re-opened historic East Broad Top Railroad, a narrow guage rail system, or take a trolley ride at the Rockhill Trolley Museum both located in nearby Rockhill Furnace, and easy 40 minutes north of the farm. Looking for a little time on the water? Consider Raystown Lake, 12 miles long and nearly 13 square miles, the lake has two Marinas that offer boat rentals, beaches and fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass, muskies, rainbow, walleye, and Chinook salmon. When in the mood for outlet shopping we have two choices within an hour - Prime Outlets in Hagerstown MD and the outlet center in Gettysburg, PA. Two national battlefields are within an hour, Gettysburg and Antietam, and we enjoy visiting both.