Well, it looks like I am going to be kind of a stand out from the pack on this subject.
Our driveway is 1/4 mile long from the highway.
We have a vertical lift security gate THAT IS ALWAYS CLOSED AND LOCKED, 24 hours 365.
http://www.sun-power.com/
Our gate is never open, just to be open.
Family and employees have remotes, certain (very, very few) friends have the code for the key pad.
Nobody steps foot on our property without calling first.
In 24 years of running this operation we have had exactly 2 people jump the fence and walk up to the compound unannounced.
They do not have good memories of that day.
Our property is not "open house".
Where did it ever become the rule that if you are a beekeeper, your operation is Disneyland?
We work hard all day, often away from home. (gate closed and locked)
If we find a day here and there to quietly take a day and work in the garden (gate closed and locked) or have close friends over for dinner (gate closed and locked) bale hay in the front field (gate closed and locked)
THE LAST THING that we want is tourists poking their noses into our world.
We sell nothing from our home base.
We pollinate crops and sell honey all at away locations.
I read the posts in this thread and ask myself; why put up with all the goofy nonsense?
Have you ever asked yourself, "Why?"
If you are tired of disruption and poor time management, I suggest taking charge of your property and your life and setting boundries.
1) All visitors must call first and visit only by invitation or appointment. This includes relatives, friends, whomever.
2) Gate the property. Gate is always closed and locked.
3) Answering machine on all phone lines.
Now, some of you are probably reading this and thinking, "Boy, this guy is really private."
Here is my response:
If you want to be a jack-in-the-box, that is your choice.
Time management is tough enough without having hours sucked out for pure nonsense.
O.K.
I'm ready for my whipping......