Living on a ranch and farming over 8000 acres, we need a good way to get around the property. We love to four wheel. Some of our bikes are four stroke, some are two. Obviously we can’t hoe weeds with two stroke engines, but we can get around fast and check the fields. My son doesn’t mind working as much, either!
When the kids were little we used to pack a picnic lunch and head off to the river on our bikes. Sometimes we went down the canyon to the Happold Place. It was an old house that finally burnt down – it was just to dilapidated and unsafe. Cricket Magazine published a story I wrote about it a few years ago – it was a ghost story, about a little girl who goes back in time.
Unfortunately, these beautiful old farmhouses are becoming unsafe. They’re a magnet for low-lifes. We’ve found three meth labs on our property in the last few years. Farmers have anhydrous ammonia, and druggies steal it to use when making methamphetamines, so we’re a prime target. The sheriff comes out and takes care of the problem for us.
We don’t just love to four wheel at home; we love to go to the dunes at the coast. Southern Oregon has amazing miles of dunes. You can go back i n to inaccessible places that are indescribable. Lakes and trees and hidden vistas you would never walk into… they are just too far in! We go with a whole group of Sherman County friends, and we have cookouts at noon and pizza at night. Or Mexican food – gourmet, with fresh halibut in a spicy cream sauce! Last time we went to old town Florence for shopping and ice cream. The boys bought a 2″ tall “grow a girlfriend” and I bought a dress for Darcie’s upcoming wedding. Sometimes its seafood and bowling, or swimming. We’re pretty low key and always play it by ear. There’s always lots to explore, as the dunes are always changing. Lots of idiots are out trying to jump their bikes or scale new heights. I take my book and read on the beach when I’m tired of riding.
We just came back from this year’s 4th of July trip. Everything was fine until the last day – great weather, great riding. Then I had to go over a hummock that turned into a maze – I hit a spot where my thumb punched the throttle and launched me into a wall of sand. On my head. Ow. Thank God for helmets. Its funny, because I’m the one who is usually so careful – that’s why I have a 4 stroke. Colt came through the same spot a few minutes later with ease – he says he wishes he could have seen my wreck! Thanks, son, for the concern. I’m writing this a week later. I still hurt, but I’m lots better. A trip to the emergency room proved that nothing is broken except my pride. Ow.
