The sun was setting over the campsite we built on our property next to our ice skating pond. Sitting by the fire I was reminded again of the beauty of nature with this sight.
This area used to be fields where the trees resided surrounded by brush. Slowly we have cleared it out to build an area away from the main house to relax and enjoy friends and family but close enough to care for the animals. We have a tenting area and a pond for “frogging” in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Our next project will be to build a small log cabin as a place to sleep rather than our tent. We have our first woodburner still in the garage and will incorporate that into the cabin for warmth.
There was always a “low” spot in the trees that filled with water. As kids my siblings and I would walk back through the wintery brush and ice skate on the frozen waters in that area with double edged ice skates. It was not smooth, big or easy to skate on, but it was fun! We cleared that area out a few years ago and built a large ice skating pond. We hung colored Christmas lights on either end, built an ice shanty to warm up in, and have a burn barrel with a fire going to warm yourself during the cold winter days and nights when skating. With electricity back there the kids can even brew up a hot chocolate.
The horse pastures are near the area. The horses love to be back there when we are and we enjoy seeing and hearing them during the night. The coyotes howl off in the distance, owls hoot, and crickets play their music. It’s one of the most relaxing areas on our property. I picture my kids as teenagers hanging out back there with their friends, having a bonfire, skating, listening to their music, being silly and loud and feeling independent being away from mom and dad, but not too far.
It’s a “staycation” area giving us the feeling of a true vacation without having to worry about the care of the animals, watering of the gardens, and upkeep of the farm!!
chase n chance ranch 