What do you get when you create a safari within a farm to incorporate social distancing while allowing for someone to get the farm experience? A SAFARMI!
Born out of the COVID19 Pandemic, this guide is here to serve as information of some places to consider going if you’ve binged all your Netflix, played all your games, baked all that sourdough bread and maybe just want to get out (or find things to do to stay in). As a family man myself and also a photographer who likes to explore, I found it difficult to find things to do to keep myself and my little one busy at home (there’s only so many times you can listen to "Baby Shark") so I thought that as I discover some of these experiences and places and shared them through my photography, it would help you generate some ideas to get out of the house and (following the proper social distancing and health protocols) get some fresh air.
You, of course, are responsible for taking the proper precautions and doing your part in social distancing and self-isolating if you aren’t feeling well. Always follow the BC Health Guidelines and do your part in keeping yourself and others safe. You can find the info here.
With all that being said, if you’ve had it up to here with Baby Shark and want to take your child to someplace that will allow them to experience a farm without having to get close to others… the Safarmi might be your best bet.
It’s the farm. From your car.
The Safarmi is located at Eagle Acres (a farm and pumpkin patch) in Langley, BC. It’s a safari … but of a farm! And the whole time you and your loved ones stay in your car.
We were greeted at first by the attendant who held out a hockey stick with the card reader attached so I could pay the fee by tapping my card. We then followed the rest of the cars in the line ahead of us as we all creeped forward along the path.
Social distancing with a hockey stick!
The entire path consists of various farm animals that you can see from a distance. Your driving speed is (and should be) a crawling 3-5km/h or something like that. From out of the side window, you can see the animals … all the while staying socially distanced from everyone because, well… you’re all in your cars the entire time.
It was a slightly warm but overcast day.
The path then loops around to the farm shed, where you get to go down the line where the cows reside and feed. I felt it was here that you were closer to the animals than any other time.
All of the animals are not within touching distance (unless you want to scratch your car against the fencing… just... don't, okay?) but are still close enough to be seen and heard. At all times, you are in control of the speed but are also following the “conga line” of cars ahead of you and the speeds they are going. Play it safe, follow the car in front of you and enjoy the view as you stroll past.
Hay there! …..
Near the end, there is a possible opportunity to loop around and do another run. We did go by one more time before eventually leaving.
We thought this was really great as it allowed our little one and us to get the farm experience while being socially distanced from everyone and staying safe during the time of the pandemic. Most importantly, we were able to get out of the house for a few hours and enjoy the outdoors... From the safety of our car :)
We are going through something that we have all never experienced before. It can lead to some difficult times and heated emotions and mental distress. If you need help, please reach out to the proper people.
And as Bonnie Henry always says: “Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe”.