Home Sweet Home~

Fall, one of the two most beautiful season's anywhere.  I'd missed the first couple weeks & the changes seemed swift.  The weather these early October days, has been beautiful for the third year in a row.  Mid-60's, a light breeze & only a couple nights when the temperatures have dropped below freezing.

Backyard - 10-4-2018

My first week home, I felt like I was in a daze.  Linus said to expect one day for each hour of time difference.  I found that to be true.  I had to fight my way through the afternoon, when the urge to go to bed hit full force!  About 2 a.m. I'd wake up & be ready for the day :-)  I've decided that moving forward in time is relatively easy. Going back though, seemed difficult for me.

10-9 Mr. Squirrel in his fall colors~

Before leaving, I hadn't even begun decorating for fall.  But now, I was motivated to get it done.  My favorite time of year & I wanted to enjoy it - both inside & out.

10-13 Back Deck~

The deck has become everyone's favorite hangout.  Sitting high over the rest of the yard, we were oh so lucky to get the view & privacy.  Not as much in the winter months, when we can see across to the neighbors on the far side, but enough.

Lights on~

I'd ordered more of my favorite fall lights from Ben Franklin in Monroe last year.  They sent me four boxes & I hope they last a long while.  I can't even find them on-line.  There're a combination of brown, gold & orange.  The plant, lasted one more week before it's leaves started falling off.

Hoot~

Hoot - almost didn't make it.  He was one of the last things to come out of the woods.  He'd just been wrapped in a black bag.  He was also one of the last items to be taken out of storage.  A little the worse for wear, with a broken ear & the tip off his nose.  I used super glue & decided that his days of being out in the weather are over.  The deck is more protected & I can enjoy him from the family room too.

Hoot with Mason & Cassidy, 4-11-2010

Hoot's job was to keep Mason & Cassidy on the correct trail in the Homestead's woods.  :-)  One day the two of them were lost.  Butch & I were hiding to see what they'd do.  Mason to Cassidy;  "Cassidy...  There's Hoot!  We've been this way before!"  Cassidy younger but oh so much wiser than her brother replied;  "I Know Mason!"  Neither of them did - but they weren't in the slightest worried about it.

East end of the deck~

It kept my mind somewhat occupied finishing up the Italy stories.  With this weather, Butch & I are working on the old shed.  Time for the tarp we put over the roof last year to go!  Now, it's a rush to get a new roof on before the rain comes!  I'm already looking forward to February.  My winter visit with those five special Grand-kids, their parents too of course :-) & my special mare!

Drive North~

Our first day back in WA state was a typical December day, mid-30's, gray & frost.  We spent it enjoying family time with two of our favorite Grand-kids.  Friday was warmer & still gray.  Borrowing the kids car - we took a drive up north.  We both wanted to see our old Homestead.  Of course with all the trees we'd planted over the years for privacy from the road - there wasn't much to see.

Up our old road~

There were changes, it didn't seem like home anymore.  Strangely enough - we were both happy about that!  The forest looked just fine!  Since the creek runs through & with the on-going water rights issues in the County, I hope that it will never get cut.

Signage still here~

It was nice to see that the signs were still on the fence.  We stopped to see Pat, Donnie & Kayla - so good to reminisce about the old days & hear news about how the on-going development will affect the neighborhood as we used to know it.

Seattle Galvanizing

Arlington too, had changed.  We checked out the last small property that Butch was building when we left.  An attractive little commercial building, now complete & occupied.  There was a new Condo/Apartment building just across from the Safeway & more traffic than we remembered.

Whitehorse Mountain~

We had just enough time to drive to Darrington, where we walked through 4" of fresh powder snow to check out our youngest daughters old property along the Sauk River.  The erosion was continuing, with huge chunks of the bank still falling into the current.

At the Ranch~

Dinner at Rhodes River was the plan & it was as beautiful as ever to see the Christmas lights as we pulled in.  

Gate Decorations~

Our friends were waiting, dinner was as good as ever & we spent the evening catching up on everything that had happened in the year we'd been away.  

Barb, Scott, Linda, Butch & Connie

It wasn't as hard this time - to say good-by.  We're in the planning stages for a horse camping trip next summer & looking forward to saddle time.

The drive back to Duvall seemed long!  We almost didn't recognize our old turn onto SR 92 off SR9!  A new storage building was on the corner - harbinger of future residential construction.

In The Sun~

Crossing the Long Bridge~

Our weather presented us with an unusual two days of gray - yesterday being a day so reminiscent of western Washington - I mentioned it to several friends.  The weather report did not disappoint though & today was a dazzler.  When I went to pick Farah up, the hill in her run was so slippery we both about fell.

Farah's favorite place along the trail~

If Waubonsie had been my only choice, I'm sure the trails there would have either been closed, or too slick to ride.  Wednesday's are the day the gun range at Pierce Creek is open, no fun going there.  Again, I was thankful we've discovered the Wabash.  Less than half the drive for double the saddle time, works for us.

Interesting~

I'll be sending in my check so I can attach a trail pass to my saddle...  I have to wonder if the mountain bike riders who are also allowed to use the horse trail have to do the same?  Are these fees in addition to the $1. per day or $12. for the annual pass posted on the sign at the trail-head? 

Through the invasive Honeysuckle bushes~

Even if it's Honeysuckle, it reminds me just a little of our old Washington trails where the Salmonberry grew thick & green along side.  The Honeysuckle seems to withstand the freezing nighttime temperatures better than most of the other shrubs.

Last of the Oak leaves in the Timber~

We have about two-miles of traffic noise to get to the 3+ miles of relative quiet.  Our favorite section is through the Timber.  One of my bucket list goals is to visit the some of the remaining stands of Timber in the Midwest. 

About the last mile to Margaretville is actually- almost - just - the pure sound of the countryside.  Quiet, even here - is something difficult to come by.  Having said that, we still enjoy a level of quiet I hadn't appreciated enough our first years on the Homestead.

That it is!

No one was around when we arrived for our lunch break.  I'd let Farah graze several times on the way down.  At most road crossings there's tall green grass & of course we spend time both on our way south & back north at the grassy field.

My good mare at the hitching post~

I walked back a way to check out the trail, too heavily overgrown to go any further, but Butch & I did some exploring last Sunday.  Butch is the one who said;  "If there's a hitching post here, then horses must have been able to access the trail further south."

Farah on-high~

We both have always loved high spots.  Here, high spots are at a premium.  Who can complain about territorial views like these?

Us~

The variety of the leaves on the ground only reinforce the variety of the trees in the Timber.  The oak, maple & others I've yet to recognize.  The sun is on our right side on our way out & at the end of the afternoon, on our left coming back.  Someone tossed in a couple good bucks today!  The wind was pretty fierce when we were returning.  An occasional hard gust put us both a little on edge.  Hearing the trees groan & creak is interesting too :-)

On the final leg~

Butch has promised me new shocks on the Bronco.  That will make a drive southeast to Pierce Creek much more pleasant.  I have to hope the weather holds for more riding, as the sun sets a little earlier each day.  Both daylight & temperatures in the low 50's will come at a premium, soon I'm sure!

A Tint of Green!

After church, we drove to Council Bluffs & bought a new door for the back of the house - one with a screened window that opens.  Next, we stopped to check on Farah, who was enjoying the 80+ degree day.

 Now, I'll know - if we have what is being called a mild Winter, then the first flush of green here at home will happen St. Patrick's weekend.  (27-years this weekend since we moved to the Homestead in WA.)  Little did we imagine then - that all these years later - we'd be working to clear along another creek in Iowa!

South side of our back fence, cut vines on the right~

This little fox was the first piece of yard art I bought for the Homestead & the only larger piece we brought with us.  He'd sat out on the hill along the creek, then later up in the woods.  I thought it fitting he find a new home along Tinkle Branch :-)  He'll be groomed with a new coat of paint this year!

Clearing!

Butch started in, cutting through all the tall grass & weeds, behind our south fence & to the west on the property we're purchasing.  Once that was done - I took my pruners & starting cutting all of the horrible, nasty vine Greenbriar that had grown into the trees & shrubs.

Greenbriar stem & creek in the background~

I just thought Blackberry was bad... Let me tell you - it can't hold a candle to this stuff.  So sharp that my work gloves were shredded by the time I was done.

Vine in the middle of the frame~

 With vines going well over twenty feet up into the trees.  I had to pull, tug & even wrapped some around other trees, to gain enough purchase to pull them down.  I could almost hear the trees sigh with relief.  I also found what looked to be grape vines?  They had wrapped themselves around the trunks of the trees all the way to the top.  I almost think some type of Ivy - but time will tell - unless I can get it fully killed before it leaf's out.

The "piles"

The piles don't look very impressive, but you wouldn't want to try to walk through here!  Next, I'll have it all to cut into pieces & haul to the fire to burn. 

Black Austrian Pine~

We planted our second tree, a Black Austrian Pine - up near the top of the hill.  It gets huge, is hearty to 40 below, deer resistant & can live 500 years!

A very warm day!

 Tired & dirty, we sat out with cold drinks, watching the sun set behind the trees.   Six-months here now & so appreciative of the friends we've met & community that's welcomed us~

2016 - Movin' On~

I didn't even think to do my usual yearly wrap up until this month - almost a year later!  Looking back - I realize my last one was at the Homestead in 2015.   2016 was so full of change - none expected or planned - but each in it's own way moved us forward on the path of life.  We've been very blessed to have our family to love, friends to support us & opportunities to experience the beautiful places we have.

January 14th, 2016 - Three Fingers from the Homestead~

The year started out normal enough.  A New Year's Day ride with our Traildusters Chapter of BCHW.  The mild, but wet winter & spring gave me plenty of nice days of riding.  Below - a photo of the first of the Trilliums.

4-11-16 Trillium~

By April, as usual, Farah & I had covered a whole lot of miles.  Butch was working what by now had become his usual routine.  Long hours on his job sites & even longer hours on the freeway commuting. 
A friend wanted me to show her the way up to Stimson Hill & I never had to be asked to make that ride.

4-11-16 Whitehorse Mountain from Stimson Hill

A trip to Quincy & visit to the Cave B winery with friends, was a highlight.  We left camp in pouring rain - but it was so eerily beautiful it made memories I'll never forget.  As Scott said;  "Farah tried to kill you three times." He wasn't kidding - she'd even reared & struck out at him & his horse when he was holding her reins.  It wasn't her weekend...

4-29-16 On our way~

May, my mare redeemed herself & made us proud by accomplishing my other competitive goal, the  Best Condition award at the Mt. Adams endurance ride.  Even with the shank, Butch had his hands full trotting her out at the Vet-in.  She was ready & knew the name of this game!

5-21-16 Butch has his hands full, at the Vet-in~

As June rolled around, little did we know it would be our last annual trip to Nehalem, OR.  A week of bliss riding on the beach. Sandy & I had such fun!  It was probably the last time Farah & her sire Ody will be together.

6-9-16 Connie & Farah, Sandy & Ody~

By late July, change seemed to be happening daily.  Getting the Homestead ready to sell, had us both working long hours.  Butch would come home, load the truck & haul the boxes I'd packed to storage.

8-1-16 Grandson Ben & Butch on the construction site~

My trails were wiped out.  No more riding from home.  I was doing what so many horse people now do, trailering to ride.  It seems we never appreciate anything enough - until it's gone...

8-7-16 Butch views the destruction ~

By September, with the Homestead sold, packing, sorting, hauling, donating etc. was in full swing.  We were constantly looking at the sales ads on-line, searching for a place to live, in the town we thought would suit us best.

9-25-16 Mason, Grammy & Cassidy, under the arch on the Centennial Trail~

As I've written before, the very hardest part was leaving the Grand-kids...  Something we never though we'd ever do.  Both the girls & their families visited & helped sort through everything as we downsized.  After so many years on an acreage -  we filled two U-Haul trucks.

10-14-16 In Sheridan, WY

Early October, we were on the road to Iowa.  The trip couldn't have gone any better, we stopped to visit family in Sheridan & arrived in Glenwood right on schedule.

10-21-16 The Home Place

With such a short time to find anything, we were very lucky.  Our search resulted in a place we felt comfortable calling home.  Two-weeks later I lost my Mother...  We locked up & drove to Boulder,  where we spent a week, before returning to Greenfield for services.

11-11-16 At the Greenfield Cemetery~

It was a sad time - but at least Mom lived long enough to know we'd arrived safely.  She loved hearing all about the house & town.  She was so happy to know we were in Iowa.

12-10-16 Our Tree~

December came, our first Christmas - at the Home Place.  As I write this, almost a year over-due, those months flew by.  So many changes, in such a short time.  It seems especially so, after many years of the seasonal routines in Washington.  No wonder it's taken me a while to assimilate.

The last few years, were mostly about saddle time.  This year riding took a backseat to everything else.  It had only taken Farah a short while to settle into her new surroundings.  It wasn't long before the two of us were back to enjoying our time on the trail & the beauty of the SW Iowa landscapes.

Past Year - 2015~

Changing Our Stars~

  As the years have gone by & things have changed around us - so too has our attitude toward the property  in Washington - we've called home for so many years.  What would have seemed unthinkable almost 27-years ago - selling our Homestead - is something we're contemplating now.

  To follow through with this possibility - we're working on a plan.  Contacting realtors, crunching numbers & doing the research to see if we should consider a move to the mid-west, where I was born.  The thought of semi-retirement is appealing to us both.

The Hoge Home Place will chronicle the changes as we journey toward the possibility of a new home, in a new place!  Glenwood, Mills County Iowa, is at the top of the list.