Trip photos....rain check

We just got back from a rain check on the properties we are serious about. I thought you might enjoy some of what we saw and a decision the trip helped us make.

First of all we had to leave our sidewalk!

The tomatoes are doing so well and all seem to have set fruit. We still have no firm idea of who their parents are but we DO know they are vigorous and sturdy plants!

Here is an attempt at a moving shot going through a tunnel in Tennessee.  We talked about a family we have come to know who came from the Clinch River region of Tennesee...the Sackett's. Louis L'Amour is often under rated by readers but his research into his character's is in depth and accurate. We enjoy the morals and strengths of his men and women.

Ralph got me a tablet several trips ago and we both enjoy the pure luxury of being able to research things we go by on our travels. In fact I am posting this from that tablet!

I looked up the Clinch River. As I marveled at its wandering through Tennessee from Google Maps Satellite imagery I came across an enormous plant of somekind. The Kingston Fossil Plant.  I looked it up...it is a huge coal fired power plant...1.7 gwh. When it was completed in 1955 it was the biggest power plant in the world. I have to admit it was disturbing to see its mass sitting a long the river. It has the dubious distinction of having had the biggest accidental spill of fly ash in the United States after a massive spill in 2008.

We continued on our way and arrived at the first property on our list. Marler Hollow.  This property has been a dilemma. It was the one we were going to make an offer on when the money is released this Thursday!

However there was a concern about the spring and the water supply it provided. The owners do not live there full time. They had no sure answer for us about the spring in rain or drought. I knew from having had a true spring on the land we sold....the spring flow never changes from rainy weather to severe drought.

We had to learn more so Ralph decided with all the rain forcast and falling in Kentucky it would be an ideal time to go and see what this spring is doing.

He also wanted to check the upper fields drainage. It was beautiful out in the morning, the heavy rain had stopped but it still drizzled. ..Ralph took his umbrella and wandered the pasture. The birds were singing wildly and there was mist above the trees.

The hay had been cut and the grass was recovering very well for a second cut of hay later on.

Then we went to look at the spring. It was gushing out of the overflow. Probably 5 times it's normal rate, off color and murky.  This is not a true spring or if it is it has seeps affecting it in a very bad way. If rain has this effect then what happens in drought. It also means it is not safe as a drinking water source at all.

This was the last straw so to speak. We looked at each other and knew we would face the fact this place....despite the lovely house and quiet valley... would not work for our purpose. The strange thing was not a sense of sadness but nearly one of relief. God was talking to us.

We continued on the trip...we headed to a 15 acre place we had just found, near Cub Run in Kentucky. The drive took us through Mammoth Cave State park and across the Green River on a little ferry that three vehicles....all small cars... squeezed on to.

We arrived at the Cub Run farm as the sun came out!

It is a lovely farm, owned by a young Amish couple. It has the best set of farm buildings for a small place we have come across, all new fencing on the perimeter and some cross fencing. A small but new corral. A pond that will need cleaning but is still a good size. There are three big old apple trees that are loaded with fruit. An old oak sits not far from the house with a beautiful shade patch below it. The house is 1500 Sq ft. It has power to it but they do not use it. There is a half basement they used for storing canning and food stuffs.

We had not made arrangements to tour the home, we had just wanted to see if the land was suitable...and if the buildings were half as nice as the photos.

It is very, very nice and we plan a formal tour after this Independence Weekend.

It was time to head home...and soon the rain was back.

We again had much to think about. Ralph was quiet and obviously deep in thought. This rain check has brought us closer to a new home, closer to earth to work and animals to raise and as we went down the road in a companionable silence closer to each other.

Happy Independence Day America...be brave, be safe and be strong. Remember too, the gifts God has blessed us with!