#epicroadtrip Day 8

Day 8: Salmon, ID

Michael and Jo get up at 6am to do morning farm chores: moving the cows back up to the barn, cleaning the utter of the ones they are milking, and finally milking those pretty girls. After that they come inside to enjoy coffee and make a healthy, hearty breakfast. We had potatoes, squash, bacon, and eggs. The Idaho meals made me want a farm even more than I already do haha. Michael left for work after breakfast, he is building a beautiful cabin for someone in Salmon, and the girls rounded up to do more farm chores. We had to move the fence so the cows will graze new land when brought back down. Next we moved the chicken coupe for the same reason essentially. Then we went to get the pigs more water. Lastly, we brought the cows back down to the grazing land and then played with the baby goats. One of the baby goats they are selling is named Wilson and I fell in love with him. He was so adorable and so friendly, I held him like a baby. I wanted to take him so bad; too bad we aren't carrying a trailer behind Sara's car. After we did all the animal stuff, we checked out the garden. We weeded for a little bit. By the time we had finished it was almost lunch time so we packed up and headed into town to get sandwiches and head to Jo's parent's ranch in Northern Salmon. It was about a 45 minute drive total across the river and up the mountain. Her parents place was incredible. They manage all this land in the valley between two mountains. They have horses, cows, chickens, dogs, a huge garden, and a beautiful home. We ate lunch and then drove the four wheelers down to the river. It was pretty cold but I couldn't resist so I was the only one who went all the way in. It felt amazing though, I love swimming. We hung out at the river for a while and then drove back up to the house. Time for dinner prep. We had ribs, corn with a chili lime coating, sweet potatoes, and chocolate carrot cake. For sure the best meal so far, I mean just so good. Plus delicious red wine. Wow. What a day. We all just sat around and talked for a while. It was actually a bunch of people. Michael, Jo, Ettie, Me, Sara, Steinke, Sara (Jo's sister-in-law), Sara's two children: Leeda and Elkin, Jo's parents, and Maddie (a girl from New Zealand working on the ranch for three months). And it was actually Maddie's birthday!! So we celebrated that which was so fun. After all the festivities, everyone was wiped from the long day so we drove back to Michael and Jo's and hit the hay. I had not seen Michael in years and it was just so amazing to see him and meet his family and have the chance to see his new life in Salmon. It had me all tender being with family; plus I fell in love with their daughter Ettie and all the farm animals so it was hard to leave this morning to say the least.