A Zucchini, Two Bulbs of Garlic, and The Best Recommendation Ever

As happens I found myself in need of some fresh vegetables so I followed a sign for Crossroads Farm Stand, which turned out to be located three miles down a dirt road. I parked and, not seeing anyone, started wandering around the farm buildings, admiring the rough-cut planks and lovingly-crafted structures. I had only started examining the buildings when Arnold pulled up and introduced himself. While he led me around to the root cellar to pick out my dinner we started talking and I discovered that he has bought this land (which was completely forested) 25 years ago – and built everything on the property himself, from scratch, WITH NO POWER TOOLS. He cleared about three acres for cultivation and over time constructed a house, barns, work shed, and other small structures. He lives without electricity or running water (though now uses solar power and a generator for pumping a well and irrigation) and for most of his time living on the farm, has gone without purchasing things. He was a pretty amazing dude. He showed me all sorts of little inventions and explained the ways he built things (including rock walls without any formwork). I honestly could have talked to him all day but I felt I had taken enough of his time at this point seeing as he’s clearly doing fifty things at once. I did ask if I could take some photos of his property before I left which he happily agreed to but because I didn’t want to wander back into the buildings I only have some shots of the exteriors. Seriously, the farm is an incredibly impressive accomplishment.

On top of all that, Arnold wanted to give me this massive zucchini and two bulbs of garlic for only a dollar once I told him about my long-term traveling. Luckily I was able to persuade him to take two. Finally, I get a lot of recommendations on places to visit and many times they turn out to be really great but the recommendation I got from Arnold may top all the previous ones. Located off the southern end of the penninsula is Great Wass Island, most of which is a preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy. Arnold told me about the trail there that sounded fantastic, but it turned out to be one of the best hikes of the trip. So glad I stopped at Crossroads.