Country Tips For City Folk
Easy ways to make your stay at
Cheesecake Farms safe and enjoyable
Welcome to Cheesecake Farms!
We’re an agri-educational farm for learning and
refreshment.
You’ve left urban life behind for a while to
relax in the peace and quiet of the country.
While nature is nothing to fear,
you must respect her grandeur and power.
We want your stay to be pleasant and enjoyable!
Here’s some tips to help you get along with Mother
Nature and appreciate her sweet side:
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1. Respect the sacred space of all animals.
The country side is the natural habitat of lots of animals most of whom you’ll never see because they respect your space, too. Think of it as peaceful coexistence.
Living all around us are deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons field mice and more. They’re all a part of nature and holds a very important place in our eco-system.
Animals in their natural habitat are not like pets or
animals you see in movies.
You don’t have to be afraid of animals in the wild but
you must respect them.
Keep your distance.
Don’t engage or encourage them.
Never try to pet or feed an animal in the wild even if they
seem tame.
Simply go about your business and they’ll go about theirs.
2. Wild animals that approach you may be sick.
Avoid them. Animals in the wild naturally keep their distance from humans. Rabies is only one of many serious diseases sick animals can carry.
3. Keep food and drinks inside your room.
Animals in the wild (and pets, too) are always on the lookout for something tasty to eat.
Leave a sandwich unattended (or even just the wrap) and a raccoon, crow or possum will show up fast.
Don’t be afraid to enjoy a snack al fresco but when you’re done, take the remains and the wrappers inside with you. Drinks, too.
4. Drive slowly.
We’re a wild life habitat so there’s lots of rabbits, deer and turtles. Please observe our farm speed of 10 mph. Be extra careful on all rural roads, too.
5. Sweet scents attract bugs.
If you smell like fruit or flowers, bugs will flock to you. Save perfume and cologne for the city.
6. Watch your children.
Farms are full of beauty and wonder but they can be dangerous places especially for little folk. Supervise your children at all times.
We have a fast running stream and a marshy wet land.
Horses are big and can step on your feet.
Animals may bite an out stretched hand thinking they’re being giving food.
7. Don’t let dogs or cats run loose.
Local ordinances require that all dogs and cats be on a leash or in a carrier when they’re outside of your room. That includes being on the porch or deck and in the barn. If they pick up a “country scent” you’ll find yourself chasing even the oldest animal for miles.
If you must go out without them (like to dinner), put them in their carrier or crate so they don’t get out of the room on their own. Our fresh country air makes even the best trained cat or dog frisky.
Housekeeping, by the way, will not enter your room to make up your bed or your pet is there.
With regret, no animal companions are permitted in the Mane House.
8. Keep car windows rolled up.
You don’t want to be surprised by an animal who has taken up residence in your vehicle.
9. Don’t pick flowers, fruits or vegetables.
This may sound silly but here’s some of the reasons why.....
Most of our plants and trees reseed themselves. If you pick them at the wrong time, they won’t be able to reproduce and they’ll die.
Some plants are grown to attract bees for pollination. Others are grown to help feed a large community of wildlife.
Lending wildlife a helping hand is our way of supplementing the environment and addressing the issue of habitat loss occurring from urban and suburban development. The animals thank us by rewarding us with their beauty and presence.
And some of our plants are grown just for enjoyment and to grace the tables of everyone who visits Cheesecake Farms.
There’s other reasons, too, but you get the idea.
10. Hike safe.
Stay in the open or on designated paths so you don’t loose your way or get stuck in marshy mud. Wear closed toe
shoes to protect your feet.
11. Keep vehicles and gear 10 feet away from fences.
A horse can stretch his neck over a fence and chew the vinyl off your roof.
Horses are big, powerful animals who can scare easily.
Respect their space. Never open stall doors. Never feed the horses. Petting over the fence is OK - just be careful.
Even if a horse seems tame and gentle, he can seriously hurt you without meaning to.
12. Leave gates the way you find them.
If it’s open, leave it open.
If it’s closed, leave it closed.
Never open our pasture gates.
Our drive way entrance gate may be closed but it’s never locked so you can always get in even if you’re out late. Just close the gate behind you.
13. Stash Your Trash.
Please be sure to put trash in the proper containers.
Things like pop tops, cans, plastic containers, plastic bags, straws and 6 pack holders do serious harm to wild life.
Trash also pollutes our stream and wet land making it unsafe for wild life.
14. Smoke Outside In Designated Areas.
Never smoke in or near the barn or animals.
Please dispose of butts in the appropriate places. Cigarettes (and matches) are a serious problem for farms because they can smolder starting a fire days after they’ve been tossed.
Also, tobacco often carries the mosaic virus. Harmless to people, the virus can destroy crops and vegetable patches.
15. Don’t Let Night Noises Scare You.
Whatever you hear or see, it’s probably not what you think.
A barn owl sounds like a woman or child screaming (yes, really) and when he swoops around, he can look like a ghost - especially when he turns his head all the way around.
In the still of the night, horses leaving the barn for a moon light graze can sound like the roof is falling in or someone is breaking down your door.
Gun shots sound like they’re right next door - only they’re miles away at Quantico Marine Base or at Phelps Wild Life Preserve.
Relax and enjoy the country. That’s what you’re here for!
If you’re really concerned and need reassurance, our phone number is 540/439-2188.
16. Emergencies.
If you have an emergency (medical, fire or otherwise) call 911.
Our address: 4085 Sumerduck Rd., Sumerduck, VA 22742.
Tell them where you are..... in the barn upper/lower level
in the Mane House
Put your porch lights on and unlock your door.
If you're able, call us, too.
Our numbers are: 540-439-2188 or (cell) 540-270-8676
Enjoy your stay!
Breathe in the fresh farm air!!
Your Hosts,
Karla and Tony Seidita
www.CheesecakeFarms.com
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