Enjoy staying on a 40 acre live working farm with over 20 acres of nature preserve. Stay in an 1884 farmhouse while hanging out with 21 miniature donkeys, 2 ponies and 2 goats and 2 lambs. 15 chickens where you can gather farm fresh eggs when available. 2 ponds for fishing, 3 kayaks, a rowboat and 20 acres of hiking trails, geode field, natural jungle gym, fire pit and a wonderful lge front porch, plus two other porches and lots of outdoor seating areas. The 7 bedrooms can sleep 19 people, kitchen table space is large enough to seat 19 as well.

The large 4,500 sq ft farmhouse features 3 king suites on main level, the upstairs is over 1,000 sq ft divided into two rooms with a king, two twins on one side and a queen, two twins and a crib. The one br is located in the guest cottage out the back door that used to be the summer kitchen. Large gourmet kitchen with 8 burner gas range, two ovens, 5 burner electric range, large refrigerator, under-counter ice maker and wine/beverage center. Lots of outdoor activities and a basketball goal as well as 40 acres to hike and picnic on. Bring your fishing poles, both ponds are fully stocked or just enjoy sitting on the pier while drinking a cup of coffee or watching the sunset. Kids will always reel in their first fish. Fish cleaning station where you can clean your fish then cook them for appetizers or many make fish tacos. Plenty of outdoor seating with three covered porches, my favorite one overlooks one of the ponds. Outdoor fire pit with cooking grill also overlooks a pond. Plenty of wood provided

We are proud to be a breeder of Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys touted as the "most lovable animals on the planet." You can have as much or as little interaction with them as you desire. Feel free to hang out in barns/pastures with them, each day we close the gates and let a few free range on the farm. They'll be glad to hang out with you on your patio, are very social and want lots of hugs and kisses. You'll be able to say you "kissed ass at Donkeytown" when you leave. In addition, we have two free range goats, Willie and Waylon, that will greet you daily. If you see some big hairy creatures those are the miniature horses, not quite as social as donkeys but very gentle.

Check IN/Out times
Check in is at 4:00, Check out is 11.
Getting Here
If you use google/apple maps, 3522 Pleasant Run Road, Heltonville should bring you here. If you are coming from the northeast or southeast it is probably best to go 65 to 50 west. If you are coming from the northwest or southwest it is probably better to take 37 to 58 east or go through Bloomington, it is best to come down 446 across Lake Monroe Causeway, that’s the easiest way from northwest.
We have a neighborhood general store that carries the basics but if you need to buy groceries it is best to stop at Jay C’s in Brownstown or Bedford, or Kroger in Bloomington depending on what direction you are coming from.

We have a small neighborhood country store that is a must see! People come from all over to get their famous ham salad and you can get gas there when you leave. Larger grocery stores are Jay C’s in Brownstown or Bedford, or Kroger in Bloomington depending on what direction you are coming from.
You will see black/wood fencing, please come in the farm stay entrance with the Donkeytown sign, to enter the gate, just push the gate opener. You will come down Donkey Drive all the way down until you see the white Farmhouse with front porch. Drive all the way behind the farmhouse parking is available there or in front of white barn in the very front. The farmhouse will be unlocked, we are in the country and don’t lock doors or use blinds here, welcome to the country!

Farm
Once you get settled-in we can show you around the farm, how to open gates, where alfalfa treats are. The donkeys love to be petted especially inside their ears but they have to get to know you first so move on them slowly it will only take a few minutes. They love to be brushed and each of the pastures have brushes you can use. We can let a few out each day to free range with you. No running or chasing donkeys or screaming at them, they are very calm animals and running toward them will scare them away. You are welcome to enter any pasture/barn to see them, just please make sure gates are closed. We will keep front gates closed so if some do get out it is no big deal. However, we do have two jacks and some of our donkeys are male geldings and young females that can’t be with jacks. So don’t let any donkeys out yourself without our permission. At night we bring the baby foals in the back barn. Feel free to go through the white double doors in there to see them at night or first thing in morning.
We have four kayaks for your use plus a rowboat to get out in the pond or you may put them on our trailer and take them to Lake Monroe.
There are 40 acres here, feel free to roam all of it. The back 20 acres is a nature lovers dream! We’ve been clearing the woods in the very back to make for a great picnic area. We also have a large tree down that makes a good natural jungle gym for kids. You will see steep hills, more beautiful pastures, a spring fed creek, a second larger pond, geode field and maybe a creepy doll graveyard. (This used to be Turner Doll Factory for 34 years) Feel free to take a picnic lunch or a bottle of wine and hang out back there. If you prefer primitive camping feel free to bring a tent and sleep in the back woods for a night. The ponds are fenced off and well stocked, feel free to fish all day and have a fish fry at night. We do have a few fishing poles on site if you don’t have one and a fish cleaning table with water. We have chairs/benches throughout the pastures and near barns with great views. If you hang out there with some carrots the donkeys are likely to find you. But not too many they will get the runs :/. You are coming to a farm so you’ll want to bring clothes you can get dirty in and boots, comfortable shoes. No open toed shoes around donkeys. Many folks have brought rain gear and stayed out during rain to fish or play. You’re in the country you can do what you want. Our neighbor has a cattle farm you do want to stay out of the cattle farm, there is a bull that might chase you but they are a joy to watch from our farm!

Kitchen
There is a large gourmet kitchen inside the farmhouse with an 8 burner gas range with double oven, 5 burner electric range, oversized commercial refrigerator, under-counter ice maker and wine/beverage cooler. Plus an outdoor charcoal grill, firepit has a grill for cooking on open fire. We do provide charcoal and wood for your fires. Being able to cook for your friends and family helps make this a very affordable vacation.

Check Out
Please take all used sheets and pillowcases off beds and leave in room, hang towels on hooks to dry in bathroom, please wash any dishes before you leave and put furniture back in its place if moved. Take out all trash to dumpster behind Rustic Roost.

Trash
There is a convenient dumpster behind the black barn by one of the exits. Please put all trash in there, should be new trash bags at the bottom of each trash can. Please don’t put trash out on porch a racoon might give you a surprise clean up in morning.




Food
There is a small general store within a couple of minutes you can buy most any of the basics, beer is sold there but no wine or alcohol. For pizza we recommend Farmers Market 8 minutes away on hwy 50, large supreme pizzas are only $15 and great for your first night here. For lunch they have cheeseburgers, tenderloins and chicken strips, breakfast is biscuits and gravy, bacon, breakfast sandwiches. My favorite restaurant is Truffles on east side of Bloomington, high end culinary and drinks. For a closer nice dinner out we recommend Scenic View north on 446 near Lake Monroe (they also have a wonderful brunch) or Limestone Café in Bedford for breakfast and lunch. For bars we recommend Court Room Sports Grill in Bedford (great canjun) or Mammas and Pappas in Bedford. For Chinese carryout, 99 Restaurant, Bedford.