Farewell to Lakeview Farm

       Good Evening,
       Our first home on Sixth Lake in Inlet, NY was a small, (under 3 acres), parcel of land on which to manage horses.  However, for 18 years we managed up to 4 horses and six goats rather creatively and efficiently on our tiny property.  During that time, I could never have imagined another place on Earth that I would rather be than on our beloved Lakeview Farm.  Rod had always envisioned a larger and more appropriate homestead on which to manage livestock, but it never had occurred to me that the time would come when we would indeed leave the home that had realized my childhood dreams and granted all of my wishes.  
       In today's excerpt from Finding My Way to Moose River Farm, I come to terms with the fact that its time to let go of Lakeview Farm and dare to dream bigger.

Not Forever

       I don’t know when the epiphany occurred but suddenly it became clear to me what Rod and I needed to do.  It was time to leave Lakeview Farm and begin another phase of our lives with the animals.  As clear as this revelation was to me, was the lack of knowing where this phase would begin.  What did it look like and how would we go about achieving it?

          I shared my thoughts with Rod when I returned home, (from visiting a friend), a few days later.  He had always dreamed of living on a larger property with land on which to manage and create.  He seemed to be waiting for me to prepare myself to say goodbye to Lakeview Farm.  Although, he had lovingly restored and doubled the house in size, it was not his dream house.  Rod had no attachment to Sixth Lake either.  He viewed it as an eighteen year investment that would provide us with the capital to develop a larger piece of land.  As the more sentimental of the pair, I saw Lakeview Farm as my dream come true.  It had given me what I always wanted, horses right outside my kitchen window.

My Dream Barn started with 2 stalls that I could see vividly from the kitchen window.  The flower box under Promise's window added the perfect touch of color every summer.

The view of Sixth Lake from our dining room window.

The 'barn side' of our house was brimming with color every summer.

Easau had his picture taken on the lakeside lawn.

On hot days, Noah could be found burrowed in the cool wet sand of our beach.

Spike enjoyed 'scuba diving' in our tub.

The newly excavated riding ring, (1988), complete with newly constructed jumps enabled me to begin my  riding lesson business.  (In the distance, Ludie investigates the sand footing.).

Ludie and Noah snooze in the sun room while Casey preens her feathers.

Olivia, Holly and Christopher strolled down to the lake every morning.

Louise, Christopher, Noah and Ludie hanging out on the lawn.

Rachel and Hannah watch the goings on from their secure paddock.