And then there is the distillery…

When we arrived at Chassowitzka the other day we stopped at the station to check in and find out if we did or did not have to pay to enter the park. We didn’t, being over 65, in our case way over. But the real reason I was happy that we had stopped was because the ranger asked if we had ever been to the distillery in the park. No, we hadn’t, and once my friend heard that word ‘distillery’, and we didn’t know the park so we were wandering anyhow, we found ourselves following the signs for NJoy. And what a fun surprise it was to find this place after becoming convinced that we had somehow lost our way more than once. If you go keep driving, there will be another sign eventually.

We found a nice brick pathway to draw us in.

This butt-shot view was chosen to eliminate cars from the background. In case you wondered.

Conveniently placed near the entrance is this out house, complete with light switch.

Just to our right we couldn’t help but notice the outdoor bar area.

But the actual distillery caught our eye, with it’s working water wheel.

The coloring on this donkey, (it is a donkey, right?), caught my eye, but he wasn’t interested in posing for a picture.

There were horses and cows in the pasture.

And a pig just outside the distillery itself.

And a charming pond to sit by and enjoy the view.

Perhaps we will have to return for this event.

I had already decided that this could make a great venue for a party of any kind. There was lots of seating, a giant fire pit, and the bar of course. If private parties are allowed, I didn’t ask. Tours are offered all day long when it’s open, which is weekends only, and while we didn’t take the tour or even sit at the bar and have a beer this time, we might just correct that oversight when we return. Hours later my friend was still marveling over the idea that back in the woods, and I mean way back in the woods, you could find such an oasis waiting for you.