The Last Day~

Barn & Pasture~

I thought it would be hard, but when we woke, we were both just ready to be gone!  We'd already signed all the closing paperwork the week before.  All of that week had been spent loading a second 20-ft. U-Haul for this trip.  Hardly a square inch of space was left by the time we were done!  Donnie's eye for packing was again put to good use.  She managed to get the last of our items to fit inside!  Getting the Bronco on the car hauler at Pat's last evening - was scary!  Only Butch could have accomplished it!  We only had a couple inches to spare - to secure the oversize tires on the trailer!

Farah in her pasture~

 Very rarely does Farah lie down - but this morning she did.  I know - she knew - it would be her last time in this place.  I hope having other horses near, will make up for the loss of her personal paradise.  While Butch added Farah's things - I walked most of the Homestead.  Nika & I sat up on the swing one last time...   I looked around at the familiar surroundings - realizing the top of the large Hemlock had blown down.  It was sitting on it's broken end - just across the trail from the swing.  About 30-ft. of tree top that will need to be cut up & hauled out...  No longer my job!

Big Leaf Maple

 We didn't get to see the leaves get to full color this year, nor the creek running it's length.  Both things I've looked forward to every Fall.  It was almost noon when we loaded Farah & were ready to pull out.

On Our Way!

I had to get the final photo of Butch driving the truck, camper & trailer out under the arch - now void of our entry signage.  At the bottom of the hill, the U-Haul with Bronco in tow was waiting.  Donnie came out of the house, to say goodbye...  The goodbye's were the absolute hardest...  Pat & Donnie had been our very first friends, our very best neighbors & after all these years - like family.

I was a little nervous, driving the U-Haul - it was one long rig with the trailer & Bronco behind!  By the time we arrived in Duvall & picked up daughter Courtney at the Safeway - I was feeling a little more comfortable.  Son-in-law David came to tell us goodbye & that brought home to us - the finality of our decision.

Goodbye Hoge Homestead - may your new owners treat you with respect, make improvements to your beauty & keep the forest intact.  We will miss you forever ~
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This completes the final post of this blog.  For the continuation of our life & times - please visit us at the Hoge Home Place!

Hangin' Out~

Quite time on the Homestead!  The quietest it's been in weeks!  Beautiful weather, time to gather up & sort through the items that remain.  Enough items we'll be taking another U-Haul & towing the Bronco on a car hauler.  Butch has been so impressed with the comfort level of the interior of the new U-Haul truck, he said driving one will be more enjoyable than the Bronco's rough 4-wheel ride.

Fall in the Woods~

Speaking of my Bronco...  It was nice enough to let me know with some groaning sounds - that the power steering pump was going out - it's in the shop.  Better here - than on the road somewhere!

Nika in Kitt's old spot behind the swing~

Nika & I have even had time for my morning tea up on the swing!  Such amazing days we've been having!  Farah too, has come up to ask me more than once, why we're not going out.  She's been enjoying more time in the pasture.

Farah relaxing~

No blankets for the gold girl!  I keep looking at her sleek coat, summer hair shedding out & gradually starting to lighten.  I'm hoping I can convince her to grow a thick one :-)  I've packed her heavy blanket, rain sheet & mid-weight traveling blanket - but by now I'd usually have a light weight sheet on her.

Rings~

The barrel rings that make the large wind spinner - Butch made me years ago - came from my Great Aunt's farm in Iowa.  I don't know if we'll be climbing up to retrieve them.  I'd need a huge tree to hang them from.  There are two nice ones - so we'll see.

Creek with water~

The creek is finally starting so show some water.  Not running yet - that used to happen in mid-September.  With the days of upcoming rain in the forecast - I may get to see it flowing yet before we leave!

Black Cottonwood~

The largest of the Black Cottonwoods is starting to turn yellow - they are so beautiful & smell So good this time of year.  Each time I walk the woods now, is special to me.  I find the Cedars I've planted, all growing well enough - my planting - some well over 5ft. tall.  The new owners haven't asked any questions about the woods, but I've left my notebooks & certificates for them, in the Cottage.

Three Fingers~

The view of Three Fingers from up behind the barn - always stunning - will be one I will miss...  There are many, many things we'll miss - but it's time.  Even when we thought they might not - things did fall into place & we're very grateful for the friends who helped that happen!  Our timing has worked out & I'm enjoying each of our final days on the Homestead~

Butch & Dave's Great Road-Trip!

This morning, Butch & Dave saw the sunrise in Montana.  There's just something about sunrise in the West~

Dave's amazing photo~

Leave it to these two - to take the route that puts them just where they wanted to be :-)  Not in time for the big rally - maybe not driving a U-Haul - but a great place to make a stop~!

Sturgis!

By now, they've traveled well over 1,000-miles - with the Ford U-Haul truck cruising right along!

Dave & the U-Haul~

It's great that even when they don't have much cell phone reception - in most cases they can still sent out a text.

In Town~

They walked the town & had nachos & beer!

Dave & Butch at lunch~

So glad they're taking a little time for some stops!  :-)

Packing Up, Butch & U-Haul Leave & a Birthday!

We spend Friday - all day Friday - packing the U-Haul!  It was crazy, the amount of boxes that we had packed!  Without Donnie - who came up early & later Kyla & Pat - we couldn't have gotten it done!  By early evening - two more friends came up after working all day & helped with the final push!  I was way too busy to take photos, sure wish I had.  After we were done, we managed to find enough chairs to sit!  Next you ask?  Margarita's out of a can & beers for all!

Butch & I spent the night in the camper - both exhausted.  Butch was up & gone with the truck by 6 a.m. the next morning.  He picked up our son-in-law Dave & they were on their way!

To Montana!

 By just after 2 p.m. Butch sent this photo as they crossed from ID to Montana!  The next text was after 7:30 p.m. when they'd stopped for dinner & the night just outside of Bozeman MT.

Cassidy & Cupcakes!

I'd been invited to Granddaughter Cassidy's birthday party.  Hard to believe that she's now 13 & officially a teenager :-)   Courtney served a wonderful taco bar for dinner, then the Poke Ball Cupcakes for dessert!

Cassidy, Mason & friends!

The girls wanted to go see Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in Monroe.  It was quite the movie!  It wasn't Mason who was scared - it was Grammy!  I told him I was about ready to sit on his lap & close my eyes!  :-)  To just sit in a chair & be entertained was amazing after the last week...

Nika is sticking close - Donnie came up to feed Farah.  Now, I'll be rattling around an almost empty house for a few days!