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Nothing is easy at Stringtown Rising, and of course, moving was no exception. I lucked out in that there were a number of dry days in November. I started packing weeks ago. Worried about weather–mud, snow, ice–I began moving boxes to the old farmhouse (here, I mean the old farmhouse on my cousin’s farm) because it’s on a hard road. I thought, if the weather turned, it would be easier to haul boxes from there than to have to go back to Stringtown Rising. I wanted the big moving day with the truck to be mostly about the furniture, not a bunch of boxes, to make the day more efficient. I can haul boxes in my Explorer, I don’t need a big moving truck and a bunch of people for that. I got the keys last Friday and started moving my boxes from the old farmhouse to the new farm. Saturday, I moved the animals. Saturday and Sunday, I moved more boxes and got almost all of my boxes that I’d stored at the old farmhouse moved to the new farm.
Monday, it rained. OF COURSE. The river was rising, but thanks to so many dry days ahead of that, the driveway was a little slippery but still doable.
The big moving truck waited at the bottom of the driveway.
Every single thing that went on the moving truck went down the driveway first in the back of pickup trucks.
It was the most stressful day of my life, let me tell you. At the bottom, each load was moved onto the moving truck. It was a whole lot easier unloading the truck at Sassafras Farm where it was driven up the short (and not steep!) driveway right to the back door.
Get ready for me to constantly exclaim over how much easier everything is here. I’m going to be overcome with wonder and awe for awhile.
The moving truck arrived across Rocky Branch, our dirt-rock road, but it was a huge truck, and sat pretty high, so despite the fact that the river was rising, after loading it left across the ford rather than bounce my furniture over our dirt-rock road to go out the other way. Jerry, who picked up the moving truck for me and drove it, made a neat video. Here it is:
THANK YOU, JERRY! And thank you to everyone else who helped me through this move in so many ways–my kids (plus Mariah), Mark and Sheryl–who both helped every way they could and Sheryl for all those boxes from the hospital, their son, Madison, his girlfriend, Amanda, Sean and Sean–old friends of Ross’s from high school and the two workhorses who cheerfully carried more furniture than anyone else, Debbie (who helped me pack for weeks), Lonnie (who moved the cows, donkeys, sheep, and hay), Pete (from the forum), who set up the party at the new house and started serving up pizzas as soon as we arrived, and all of my friends who supported me and encouraged me and just listened. And thank you especially to all of you who were so understanding when I posted yesterday about this change. Thank you for waiting for it. I was actually really worried about posting about such a big change, and I appreciate so much your patience and support. Thank you. Posted by Suzanne McMinn on November 25, 2011
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Getting a farm like that with free gas is just to die for. I looked for one of those for years (and didn’t find one) before I bought my little farm last year. You will never be cold again and you will always have running water, even to the barn if you want it. Your animals will never be cold. YOu will have all the eggs you want if you keep those chickens inside on the cold days, and lock them up at night, where they can stay warm. You won’t have to give them laying mash or nothing that isn’t organic. You will live with the best food to eat. I am a big time organic gardener. I canned for 2 months this year (the first time I got to have a garden here) My basement is full of food, no grocery shopping for me all winter.
Just so you know, last year I got really lucky too. I had bought houses all my life, remodeled them, and sold them. Last year I had a 1920′s house in Morgantown, I sold for 3 times what I paid for it, to the first person that looked at it, in 15 minutes, IN THE WORST REAL ESTATE MARKET IN THE HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINA! So yes, I know how you feel. I sit at my 10foot picture window looking at coopers rock state forest, with my quilting frames in front of it all winter, and watch it snow. It took me a lot longer to get what I got then it did you. BUT, I know GOd put me here because the same situation happened with me when I came to buy it…no one could buy it that wanted it but ME. How weird is that? ON top of that I got to pay cash for it! I owe nothing to no one. NOt a penny.
Peace be with you Suzanne. May you have a blessed Christmas and a farm filled with love and grandchildren, for the rest of your life.
P.S. Remember, watch out for the men, they will be on you like a hen on a junbug now
You just let me know if you need help with that, I got guns and everything! 
The Old hag at Haunted Acres…
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I know you won’t miss fording rivers, driving into town for your mail, and probably that long flight of stairs from your porch.
I am looking forward to the new adventures at Sassafrass Farm.
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One tip, keep a good roof on that barn and it will be the best money you ever spent. Three years with a leaky barn roof and it spells doom for these old barns.
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Free gas? This is a foreign concept to me…I of course googled it, because you can pretty much google anything, and landed smack dab on real estate listings for WV.
Can any of you just fill me in on this ‘free gas’ concept? Inquiring minds, and all that good stuff… thank you!
Good luck unpacking Suzanne!
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I’m so happy for you.
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I can hardly imagine a moving day like that. Moving is always so stressful, and then to add to that moving all the animals, and then to have to tote everything an time to shuttle it to the big truck, AND with the added time pressure of a rising river…WHEW! I hope you have a chance to put your feet up and sip some hot cocoa this weekend. And I hope you have a good time with all three of your chicks home for a visit. Take good care of yourself.
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I would venture to say most of your readers have had relationships end and know that there is a lot of negative emotion that goes with that and no one wants your new life on the new farm to carry any of that over.
I’m glad you found the online comments positive. The thing you have to remember is most people found this blog looking for farming information or cooking information and stayed because of YOU. So, therefore, it wouldn’t matter if you were blogging from a cave in one of those beautiful mountains, we would still come to read your posts.
Wishing you such a wonderful adventure on Sassafras Farm!
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And it dawned on me that you started sharing this a bit ago….I know I saw that barn before! Looks like you got your wish!
Looking forward to reading your further adventures at Sassafras Farm!
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You’ll have to tell us Suzanne, if the old saying of “one day, this will be funny” is true!
I hope you make lots of wonderful memories in your home!
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boxes from Stringtown—>farmhouse—>Sassafras and
furniture and similar from Stringtown—>fork in the road—->Sassafras
Good grief, no wonder everything is going to seem drop dead easy!
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When I started to read your post yesterday I was in tears because I thought you were going to have to leave your furry family and not live on a farm and not be able to do all the things you love, and not be able to share with us. Now I’m so excited.
This is all SOOOOOOO worth the wait to finally find out what’s been happening and that you, the kids, and the animals are all OK.
Sassafrass Farm gives a whole new meaning to the word STUNNING !!! I want to run and scream and laugh with Morgan. I want to sit on your front porch with a cup of tea or a glass of lemon aid and gaze at the BARN. I’m so happy you finally have a barn. A really to goodness real HUGE BEAUTIFUL BARN !!! Did I say how excited I am?
I want to milk BP and hug that brat Glory Bee. Does she still have to wear that calf weaner thingy? I want to feed the goats and collect the eggs. I want to fork animal poop, watch Morgan love and enjoy her new horse, watch and wait for new babies.
I JUST LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR NEW HOME !!! It is really just breathtaking.
You are absolutely amazing and I’m SOOOOOOO looking forward to enjoying this new journey with you. I hope you don’t have to work as hard and have more time to just enjoy.
Thank You for sharing with us.
P.S. Every time God shuts a door he opens a window and this is
the biggest most wonderful picture window I’ve ever seen….
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I am SO looking forward to your stories of the new place, and to see what the house looks like inside.
Even though it isn’t as near to where your ancestors lived, it is still in the same county, and you can see the same hills and valleys that they saw years ago.
The very best to you!!! We love you!!!
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It has been like waiting for a friend to go into labor…
Can I breath now????? Love to all.
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I have nothing but admiration for you Suzanne, you certainly have good friends when the cards are down.
Wishing you nothing but happiness in your new home!
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Still so dang tickled for you. A fabulous farm, a fantastic name to go with it and a wicked cool barn for me to sigh over. Yay for warm and toasty animals on cold days.
This lurker is glad you’re moved in and safe. I can’t wait to see the next chapter of this unfold– Sassafras Farms and the stories waiting to be told and shared.
Yippeee!!!!
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Jerry
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TO the person that wanted to know what “FREE GAS” was: Many times you can buy a farm with free gas. FREE HEAT as long as the well has gas which could be many decades. When they drill a gas well on your farm you can make them give you free gas. Usually you can only get it for ONE DWELLING though. I Had a place like this once and it’s fabulous to not have to worry about heating your house. YOu can keep it as warm as you can and if there is a limit on the gas you can use it’s always way more than you need. Or at least that’s the way it is in West Virginia. I hope that answers your questions. I always look for land with gas wells. !
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I am so happy that you are still able to follow your dream. Here’s a warm farmgirl hug with all the best wishes for a bright new future. Congratulations! And thank you for sharing!
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I loved that video. It was fun and yet showed just exactly what you would be leaving behind in the driving department.
You have such a wonderful and vast support system. Again, I am a little jealous of what you have there is WV. It seems like a wonderful place to be.
I can’t wait to hear about how happy and comfortable you are. Can’t wait for spring to see Morgan’s new horse. Can’t wait to see the smile on her face!
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I am so happy for you.
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NEW and IMPROVED LIFE….Full Steam Ahead!
I do think ADVENTURE is your middle name!
ALL the Best in all you do….
<—will continue
to Jump for Joy!
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Many blessings, strength, and good humor to you & yours. All the hard work and hard decisions will be worthwhile.
Bravo!
Judi
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The creek rising AFTER the moving truck had forded, seems symbolic. Mother Nature blocking off the negative that was, and the road ahead being nothing but a positive time in your life.
Glad to hear all of the feathered and furry children have made the move as well. They are always a comfort in one’s life. And so glad that all of your 2 legged children were there to support you. Along with your friends.
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