Hard to believe it's been 14 years to the day since we drove our brand new 4-wheeler UTV down this road from the Colburn Tibbs Arabian ranch to our new home.
Twas a hot, sunny July 1, which is quite a contrast to this morning's steady rain and socked-in mountains.
And, so, with that dirt road trip, began a wonderful chapter for Bill and me.
That day, with help from Willie and Annie and the Laumatia family, we began the move from our home of 30 years on Great Northern Road to our new residence on South Center Valley Road.
In a short time, we coined the name of our 20-acre farm.
For 14 years, it's been known as the Lovestead AND a lot of love has gone into the place since that day.
Daily love and passion goes into "getting to" live out here. The opportunity is never taken for granted.
I love our farm, our beautiful yard, our neighbors and the entire expanse of the Selle Valley.
What's not to love with the beauty, the solitude, the space and the opportunities to be in a place where you pinch yourself with glee almost every day.
While walking the horses down the lane in the rain this morning, I was thinking about that lane when we first walked it before purchasing the place and making the move.
It was grassy at that time in early spring, and the walk was pretty squishy.
Soon after we moved here, we contacted Perry Palmer, a local road builder extraordinaire.
Perry built and styled that lane in such a way that we would never have to worry about our tractor sinking into the ground in the spring or early summer wet times.
The pathway from the barn to the far shed remains solid and firm.
We've also added a new deck and a roof for the deck. One outbuilding has been completely replaced and another has received an addition.
Also, the five strands of electric wire around what were nine different enclosures for goats is all but gone, and necessary enclosures for horses have board fences or woven/smooth-wire fences.
During the past 14 years, I probably couldn't accurately count how many times I have taken the South Center Valley/Center Valley Road route to or from my sisters' house or on trips north toward Bonners Ferry.
No matter when I travel that road complex, I feel a sense of comfort and exhilaration at the ever-changing but always eye-catching rural scenes along either side of the roads.
Deer, goats, cattle, coyotes, horses, ducks, moose, turkeys, geese, elk, bear---we've seen them all while traveling the road.
As a photographer always in search of the next fun photo, this area rarely disappoints, 'cept maybe on some of those gloomy days we experience during parts of the year.
I'm positive that I'm not alone in considering this area north of Sandpoint a true Nirvana. It's just about as close to perfect as a place could be for a lifelong farm girl like me.
And so, today it's time to quietly celebrate and to reminisce a bit about a wonderful ongoing chapter of our Love life here at the Lovestead.
We are so lucky to live on this beautiful farm in this magnificent rural valley.
Even with this morning's rain, it's always a beautiful day residing in this neighborhood.
Also, adding another twist to one of the many bizarre arguments permeating the local forums, we can confidently announce, with no need for a sign, that LOVE LIVES HERE.
And, hopefully nobody will hate us for saying so.
Sending out Love from our little piece of Heaven aka the Lovestead.
Happy Wednesday.
1 comment:
You are indeed blessed and the land and neighborhood are blessed to have (the) Love(s) there!
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