The G.O.A.T. of Galena

Among the rolling hills of northwestern Illinois, just outside Galena, awaits a one-of-a-kind experience — a guided hike with some bleating companions.

Christina Eisbach recalls spending endless days exploring the land where she lived as a child. “It was all timber and native prairie with wildlife and the ecosystem still intact,” she says. “It’s a wooded wonderland.”

Animals were also a big part of her life. “I had chickens, geese, cows, dogs, cats, horses and goats.” She dreamed of sharing her love of the land and animals with others.

Christina still lives on the land on JCE Co-op lines, located 15 minutes east of downtown Galena. Her two daughters, Sydney and Samantha, are the fourth generation on the property that their great-grandparents, John and Lois Eisbach, purchased in 1958.

They and Christina’s father John were in the forestry and lumber business and planted more than 100,000 oak, walnut and red pine trees on 300 acres. Her father had a sawmill, specializing in custom lumber. “That’s how he made his living off the land for more than 50 years, from the 1970s until last year,” Christina says.

One year, her younger daughter Samantha asked for baby goats. “I jumped at the chance,” says Christina. “We bought two and bottle-fed them.

“We discovered they followed us everywhere. Every day after school, after work, we took the girls, goats and a couple of dogs on walks with us,” she says. “We headed out on forested trails that my husband David maintained for our own recreational use. It was one of those fun activities that made us forget about our day, the stress, and concentrate on the goats’ head-butting, prancing and playing, while we fed them treats. It was super calming.”

As Sydney approached her teen years, she began looking ahead at colleges. Christina was astounded at the financial burden and wondered how the family was going to pay for it. An entrepreneur herself, she suggested the girls open a business that they could operate themselves. “You can learn how to start a business, run a business and gain life skills that will come in handy later in life,” she explains.

She suggested they conduct guided goat hikes. However, the girls were skeptical that people would pay to do that. Christina pointed out that Galena attracts about 1.5 million visitors annually, most from urban and suburban areas, who don’t have access to land, let alone goats. “It could be a fun way that you can share who you are and what this land is about, and impart some knowledge about open spaces, family land and animals,” she told them. The girls agreed to try it.

Hoof It Goat Treks took off running. “We started with five goats — our two, plus three leased from a friend — in summer 2019,” Christina says. “We’re now up to 37 goats, with more on the way.”

In addition to the goat treks, they also hold a three-day camp for kids ages 5-12 in the summer. “They learn about keeping animals and the care of them. They fingerpaint the goats with washable paint that’s then rinsed off,” Christina explains. The kids go on scavenger hunts, learn about animal tracks and make crafts. Of course, they also wander the woods with the goats.

Now that the girls are grown, Christina leads public walks for groups of 30-35 people with one goat for every couple of them. “I take out a herd of people and a herd of goats,” she laughs. For private groups, she has a six-person minimum.

Christina says visitors are enthralled by the goats’ charm and antics. Visitor Cheryl Gabriel, of Branson, Mo., says, “The goats were cute, sweet, affectionate and gentle. It’s a great experience for people who are seeking a unique outdoor adventure.”

Tours are held year-around, except if it rains (goats don’t like to get wet) or if the temperature is below zero. “We walk in snow and have snowshoe rentals. Fall is an amazing time when we get vibrant colors,” Christina says.

In 2020, Hoof It was the first business approached by Galena Country Tourism to add special activities through their Forever Original Experiences program. Tom Rynott, communications director, says the program’s goal is two-fold. “It was started to supplement our event calendar, peak and nonpeak times, with some curated activities to fill in the week. We also wanted to expand our offerings to potentially interested groups coming here.”

Events Christina came up with have proved popular: Hoof It + Sip It involves Fergedaboudit, a local winery, which offers each person a glass of wine to take on the goat trek, followed by a wine tasting with goat cheese and other pairings. Hoof’n & Groove’n begins with an evening goat trek followed by a roaring bonfire and live music.

This year, she added Goats & Floats, where guests enjoy a root beer tasting and make root beer floats that they take on the goat trek. Offered in conjunction with Root Beer Revelry, a downtown craft soda shop, Tom describes it as a family-friendly event.

The hikes take about one hour along a 1.25-mile path. The gently rolling terrain is suitable for all ages and abilities and can accommodate strollers. Reservations are required and available by phone or on their website. See details below.

Through education, enjoyment and exposure, Christina has fulfilled her vision of sharing her land and animals. She says, “It’s all about the fun, laughter and pure joy of walking with goats through native prairie and forests.”

Let’s go

Hoof It Goat Treks
616 S. Devil’s Ladder Road, Galena
563-663-6944
hoof.it.galena@gmail.com
hoofit-galena.com