Day 50-52

Stranded at the ranch.

For the last 1000 miles, my car steering has felt more and more out of control.

I have been sweating while driving in 16 lane San Diego traffic just trying to stay in my own lane.

It began affecting my psyche. I was beginning to think my traffic anxiety was causing me to forget how to control the car.

We were supposed to leave Oceanside and drive to Big Bear. That is up a mountain 7000 feet.

LONG story short, stopped by Da-Le ranch for a half a minute to say hi on the way to Big Bear, decided to have car checked , oil changed, etc.

Turns out Rack and Pinion was OUT and all 4 brakes were shot! Plus a laundry list of other things that come from driving a 17 year old car 5000 miles in the last 2 months.

So, we were stranded at the ranch for 2 days.

The girls were in bliss and wished the mechanic was less efficient!

They are so drawn to farm life and all the animals. Even the work! And they don’t mind the poop!

They cared for the animals, did chores, dragged supplies with the Kubota, explores, caught wild lizards, helped in the garden, collected eggs to incubate, and had eager hands and willing hearts the whole time.

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I helped tag and castrate 25 sheep and finished the hoop garden I started on our previous visit the week before.

We learned about red granite, gold mine run off, how to dig a hand dug well, and how to build a ram pump for pumping water uphill with no electricity.

Our time on the farm is just packed full of learning new things. A rich two days for sure.

And so grateful we could drive a safe car up to big Bear. So, very thankful for the Lord’s mercies in not letting us make that trip when we planned.

Here we are at 7000 feet.

Settled in our resort and out to a nice candlelit dinner on top of the mountain to end the day.

Counting a hundred blessings right now.