{"id":1261,"date":"2012-08-16T14:12:38","date_gmt":"2012-08-16T21:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ribshots.wordpress.com\/?p=1261"},"modified":"2012-08-16T14:12:38","modified_gmt":"2012-08-16T21:12:38","slug":"and-her-brother-bought-the-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ribshots43.com\/?p=1261","title":{"rendered":"and her brother bought the farm …"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, usually in August, we head north to Spokane, WA. My wife’s family grew up in Spokane on the family farm. It’s a beautiful property, clear skies, giant trees and the Little Spokane River running right through it. I’ve been told that “the farm” used to actually be a working farm … complete with chickens and cows and crops … Now-a-days it is simply referred to as the farm and is home to my brother-in-law and family. The pilgrimage to the farm is a tradition that started long before I was part of the family and continues to this day. Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Friends and spouses congregate at the farm … Sometimes all together, other times just missing each other by a week or 2. I’ve seen birthdays, funerals, weddings and fuck-yelling-contests (which my wife proudly won) all celebrated at the farm. No matter who we see or what we do, the annual visit to the farm is a great time …<\/p>\n

This recent trip we had a few new experiences … First, we saw 3 moose (mooses?), 2 were traveling together (called “the twins” by the farm dwellers) and, presumably, their father, who was solo and massive. The twins are already taller than a standard horse and really did not seem bothered by our gawking … they just stayed to their task of eating all of the leaves they could reach.
\nThis is one of the “twins” walking through the backyard.
\n\"Backyard<\/a>
\nAnother unique thing we did this year was hiking up to “the rock.” The rock is above the farm and provides spectacular views of the river and valley. Getting to the rock was a challenge. It was a steep, slippery climb that had us ascending on all fours (see the “trail” below).
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\nOnce we made it to the top, the view made it all worth it. This is taken from the rock, looking down on the farm. The actual house is out of sight and behind the trees, but if you look closely you can see the driveway with a truck on it (middle left), the deflated jumpy-house\/water slide and the Little Spokane River in the background.
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\nLastly, and I think my favorite picture of the weekend, we went to a very unique market. Its called Rocket Market and has a great logo of a rocket propelled artichoke made from rusty metal … The market has a great selection of farm fresh produce, a great wine selection, tons of beers, sandwiches and is situated inside the mini-mart area of a working gas station .. Not really the place you would expect to find a fine Italian wine and freshly picked huckleberries.
\n\"Rocket<\/a>