At Stringtown Rising Farm, there were two ways to get to a school bus. One way, that I used whenever I could, was to cross the river and drive about a mile to the last stop the school bus made on that road. (And no, you couldn’t get them to come any further for you.) The other way was to drive across the rock-dirt-ice-mud road for two and a half miles to a school bus stop in that direction. Either way, Morgan could get to the high school, but I preferred, when possible (when the river ford was crossable) to go across the river since that was a faster route and I could avoid the rock-dirt-ice-mud road. In the winter, there were times it just wasn’t even accessible for me that way at all. At other times, the river ford wasn’t accessible if water was high or frozen. At those times, Morgan would either miss school, or if I realized bad weather was coming, I could get her to my cousin’s house and she might stay for a week just so she could get to school.
In the winter, often I didn’t drive up and down our driveway for weeks at a time, if not MONTHS. I kept my Explorer at the bottom. This meant that just starting the drive to the school bus was prefaced with a hike down the driveway, which in icy weather sometimes involved slipping and falling. The walk down the driveway in the early morning hours meant walking down in the dark. I’d take a flashlight with me. After she got on the bus, I’d drive back and have to hike back up the driveway. And do it all over again in the afternoon. (At least it would be light.) I always worried about being late to pick her up from the school bus because the school bus stop was in the middle of nowhere. No houses anywhere nearby. Just an intersection where the bus could turn around, totally remote and unpopulated.
It was exhausting, to say the least, and sometimes slightly dangerous.
Sassafras Farm is at the end of a county road. This is nice because it means there’s not much traffic. Beyond the farm, the lovely hard road turns into a rock-dirt-ice-mud road and few people live out there. (It’s a Stringtown Rising Farm sort of road.) This farm is the last stop for mail, the school bus, trash service, etc. (Which is why there are several mail boxes beside my mail box–the people who live down the rock-dirt-ice-mud road beyond this farm have to come up here to get their mail.) Just past the farm is a place where the school bus turns around. First, they pick up Morgan!
It’s so nice now for her to be able to walk down the short (and not steep!) driveway and get right on the school bus while I watch from the porch.
I’m in love with the school bus! (I’m going to love it even more when it’s snowing and I’m NOT walking down the steep driveway at Stringtown Rising with a flashlight trying not to fall on the ice.)
shirley T says:
I’m so happy for you. I don’t know how you lasted as long as you did at stringtown,but sometimes things happen for a reason.Relax and enjoy your new home.
On December 1, 2011 at 7:06 am
D1BeachBum says:
No matter how self-sustained we wish to be, sometimes a few of the modern conviences make life much less stressful. Enjoy your newly found modern conviences.
On December 1, 2011 at 7:38 am
Sheila Z says:
Civilization…it’s a good thing.
On December 1, 2011 at 7:42 am
Diane says:
That is wonderful to have the bus come right to the house. My daughters bus comes right to the front of the house. Its a good thing. No standing out in the weather to wait for the bus on cold mornings. It will end soon. Baby girl is getting her licences in a few days, bought a junk car and will be driving herself to school. 🙁 Kind of wonderful and sad at the same time. lol.
I bet Morgan is so glad to have easy access to the bus now and not have to worry about missing school.
On December 1, 2011 at 7:49 am
Glenda says:
I can identify with this school bus convenience.
We were the last on the route and the bus pulled into our barn lot and the kids walked maybe 30 feet to get on the bus that then turned around in the large lot and took them to school.
On December 1, 2011 at 7:51 am
Flowerpower says:
One does not know how to be thankful for every day things we all take for granted until we don’t have them anymore. :happyflower:
On December 1, 2011 at 7:53 am
wildcat says:
It’s so cute how excited you are to have a school bus and mail delivery and a mailbox. Welcome to civilization! :snoopy:
On December 1, 2011 at 8:22 am
BuckeyeGirl says:
That is one beautiful school bus, no doubt about it!
On December 1, 2011 at 8:39 am
langela says:
You guard you feelings so closely. I wish you would tell us how you REALLY feel about your new place! 😆 I’m so happy for you.
On December 1, 2011 at 8:42 am
Miss Judy says:
I remember those days from when I was a child. I didn’t know kids(and Parents) still had to struggle to get to school! Cheers for paved roads!
On December 1, 2011 at 8:45 am
Bev in CA says:
What a winter you both will have. Let it snow. Lol, well not that much, but what a wonderful thing. A cup of hot coffee, nice and warm, standing on the porch. The best! Thankful for Morgan, too. It was a hard way to start her day.
On December 1, 2011 at 9:08 am
marymac says:
Sounds like your life will truly be much easier and you can still do the things you love. So happy for you!!
On December 1, 2011 at 9:14 am
CindyP says:
Morgan won’t have as many snow days…how does she feel about that? LOL!
I’m so happy you’re not up on that treacherous hill by yourself. It’s nice if you’re a hermit and don’t HAVE to get out. I really enjoyed my extra day there trapped by the river :sun: But sadly, I won’t have that excuse anymore…
On December 1, 2011 at 9:18 am
shirley T says:
I really don’t think farm life was as hard back in the 18 hundreds as it was for you at stringtown rising in modern day. So glad you are off that mountain.
On December 1, 2011 at 9:56 am
shirley T says:
The beautiful farm house at String Town Rising would make someone a really nice summer retreat, summer only.
On December 1, 2011 at 10:13 am
holstein woman says:
Oh BLESS the Lord for He has done great things for you!
On December 1, 2011 at 10:27 am
Jersey Lady says:
Yup,if you have a choice,picking the right place makes life soooo much easier,safer,and more pleasant.
On December 1, 2011 at 11:19 am
MousE says:
Yay! :snoopy:
YOu have worked long and hard to get here, and I appreciate you taking us along for the journey.
Best wishes!
On December 1, 2011 at 11:56 am
NancyL says:
And isn’t it wonderful that Morgan is the kind of girl who actually appreciates the school bus? This is wonderful for all of you!!!
On December 1, 2011 at 12:27 pm
CATRAY44 says:
I am so happy for you guys!
On December 1, 2011 at 1:14 pm
bonita says:
I can’t even imagine the convenience of a schoolbus! Hooray for both you and Morgan. [I had to walk a mile 1/4 to school, no matter what the weather AND I lived in the city. (No city bus routes were any help) Yep. I’m that old!]
If there were no school bus at your location, would Morgan then be able to ride her horse to school? ‘jus wondering…idle minds and all…
On December 1, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Cheryl LeMay says:
It’s sooo much better for you both at your new place. I know how much you loved Stringtown Rising, but you endured so many hardships there. I know I’ve said it before but I’m very glad you no longer live there.
On December 1, 2011 at 8:47 pm
holstein woman says:
Suzanne, will you be able to go back in the spring if you like and get some of the plants you put in?
On December 1, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
holstein woman, yes, probably. I plan to.
On December 2, 2011 at 4:47 am
Snapper119 says:
So fabulous!
Oh, I would be tempted to fill those mailboxes with goodies!
On December 2, 2011 at 6:02 am
Chic says:
WOOOHOOO!!! That’s being grateful for the ‘little things’ that we take for granted. I’m excited for you Suzanne 🙂
On December 12, 2011 at 11:20 am