Western Comfort

We arrived at the Richardson residence around 6:30 Friday night...on our way to their little piece of heaven we kept an eye on the power lines, knowing that once they disappeared we were getting close. David and Diane's home runs completely on solar power and or generator if they need it. As we drove up the driveway to their home, tucked in amongst rolling green hills and grazing cattle we were greeted by David and his horse Winston. Winston was just getting fed, and to our glee we were about to be fed as well. When we first walked into the house we were taken back by the beautiful wood interior and all the taxidermy...including our favorite, an owl! We were also joyful to see their black lab Bell! Between the horse and the dog we got our animal fix in on this visit. Not to mention, they have humming bird feeders and if you stand still enough the humming birds will circle your head and sometimes land on you. It's really neat to feel the wind from their wings as they hover by your body.

The spread they put out before us on Friday night almost seemed like a mirage; there were steaks, potatoes, salad, corn, biscuits, juice, and milk followed up by rhubarb pie topped with butter pecan ice cream...it was a feast. I personally found myself eating multiple servings of everything...so good!

After dinner and lots of good conversation we had a tour of the property and saw the ponds in the back yard. David also gave us a ride up the hill and we got to see some cows up close and personal. We got a pretty hardy lesson on how cattle raising and all the procedures that go along with it...I for one could not stop asking questions and found it so interesting...the life of a cowboy. After our cattle safari we watched a movie about Temple Grandin who was an autistic woman who revolutionized the cattle industry....we all agreed it was an absolutely awesome movie.

Saturday we woke up to a feast, once again. After breakfast David brought us to Lava Hot Springs to soak. We dropped off Diane at the Chesterville Town Center because she is a tour guide for the historic ghost town. We soaked in the hot springs for a couple of hours then came back to house. Andrew, Jon, David and I all roasted hotdogs over the fire and finished up with some smores. We managed to get the oil changed on the van and got it reorganized for our departure. We then headed off to meet up with Diane in Chesterville and got a tour of the whole town from our own personal tour guide...very cool!

On the way home we stopped to do some chores for some neighbors that are away and we got to play with the pigs, chickens, turkeys, and goat. Then once again we got home and had a dinner worthy of kings. Saturday night we took another drive up the road and saw some cows and also an owl flying through the evening sky. We called it a relatively early night and got into our comfy beds.

This morning (Sunday) we got up and went off to church. Their church was a neat experience and everyone was so nice. Now we are back at the house relaxing and getting ready for lunch. After lunch we plan to push off for our next location (Colorado). It's hard to leave a place like this after we have been so pampered...washing dishes in a sink, amazing meals, showers whenever we please, comfy beds, brushing our teeth without using a water bottle, trashcans, internet, dogs, horses....this list goes on.

We can't be thankful enough for everything David and Diane have done for us, especially since we were strangers to them, but now we feel like old friends. They once again have reaffirmed my belief in the kindness many people in this world possess. Also, thanks to Ernie for connecting us with them and for his generous donation for Yellowstone spending money!

Until Colorado,

-Adam

A Historic Cabin in Chesterville