We parked outside Grandma Venna and Grandpa Larry's house for the night. The next morning every got a shower in a real bathroom, and Cori and I got the RV into a repair shop. While the RV was being serviced, we visited with the family that was stopping through on their way up to the dry farm. I zipped through a few loads of laundry and we wandered around the yard around the house. Super Grandma Venna (our kids say super grandma instead of great grandma - something Gracie started when she was a tot) leant her binoculars and bird identification book to Grace and it kept her busy for hours.
The repairing of the RV was a comical ordeal. I have to stress that we were in the middle of small town Idaho. When the mechanics opened up the engine and had a good look, they also had a good laugh and were calling one another over to take pictures with their flip phones. Apparently, parts of the AC were being held in place by a 3 foot long wooden pole that had been leveraged into the engine somehow. Hard to believe, but this system wasn't cutting it over the miles we were covering. Also, an enormous bumble bee had become lodged in some air intake. They fixed the AC and addressed a couple of other minor issues. But were not able to repair the generator, nor the heat issue around the driver's side floor. Most of the time was spent that day with the auto shop communicating with the company we had rented from getting approval for cost and payment stuff. Oh the joys.
At last we had it back and we made the 45 minuted drive from the Super's house out to the dry farm. It is called a dry farm because it has no irrigation system. Super Grandpa Larry farmed this land for his living. Every summer, Super Grandma Venna would pack up their children and they would all go up to the dry farm to live in converted train cars. Super Grandma Venna and Grandma Sandy would cook for the family and the hired men who came up to work the harvest months with them. Every couple of weeks or so, Super Grandma Venna would come back to town to do laundry and restock.
The farm has been divided up a little now. Part of it is used for wind turbines. And parts are still being farmed. Uncle Doug and Aunt Anne have made a nice park area with RV hook ups, a zip line, a flat grassy field and plenty of room. It was ideal for our big crew. The children spent three days running in the sun with their cousins. We ate yummy food, played on the zipline, played cards, played kickball, played on the jungle gym, played horse shoes, played on the big farm equipment... yeah. Lots of playing. It was amazing.
There are relics of the farm stead. Above are the remains of the train cars that had been used for shelter back in the day.
Grandpa Larry and Grandma Venna - the two crazy kids who started this whole crew of people.
Grandpa Ray and Grandma Sandy brought their rocket launcher which kept the troops busy for a few hours.
A huge bonfire was followed by a movie under the stars.
Cori and I borrowed Doug and Anne's Razor for an afternoon drive.
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