Hazel and Owen have enjoyed life together for several decades. They were married in the early 2000's, and started a family. Now with their youngest kid getting ready to move out Hazel and Owen have started planning the next chapter of their lives. Owen has never been a fan of living in or near cities. Hazel never minded living in the city, but she too was ready for a change of scenery. Both of them agreed they wanted a place where they could just disappear and be left alone. So they started looking for land.
A few weeks had gone by when Hazel stumbled upon a property in Montana that was exactly what Owen and her had been looking for. The property was just over 1000 acres. There were ponds, rivers, forested areas, and some plains. Hazel showed the property to Owen. He loved it as well.
"We need to call the number and set up a time to go look at it," Owen said.
"I agree. We will need to take time off of work. We can make a family vacation out of it," Hazel replied.
"That is a good idea. We can call the kids and see if they would be interested in going. I will go a head and call first.
Owen grabbed his phone and dialed the number. Owen talked with the person on the phone and started writing down some details. Owen thanked the person on the phone and hung up. He turned back to Hazel.
"Okay, we can go out and look at it. I told him that we could be there next week, since we would need to get time off of work. He said that shouldn't be a problem, but he would call if anything came up."
"Oh that is great! I will let the kids know they are welcome to come too," Hazel said.
"That sounds good. I will call my boss and tell her I am going to need time off next week."
"I will do the same, luckily we have been slow, so it shouldn't be an issue."
Both Hazel and Owen called and got their time off. Hazel got a hold of their kids that had already moved out. While Owen went to talk to their son that still lived with them. They all would be heading to Montana on Friday. The kids and their families all came and stayed Thursday night with their parents so they all could head out together early Friday morning.
On Sunday afternoon they made it to the hotel in Billings Montana. They were scheduled to see the property late Monday afternoon. After they got into their rooms they decided they would go and lounge around at the pool. Hazel and Owen enjoyed having their family with them and watched their grand kids splashing around in the pool.
Owen had asked the lady at the front desk about a good steakhouse. She let him know about a couple in the area. Owen looked up the suggestions and found that the Buffalo Block Prime was close to where they were staying and highly rated. Owen looked at his watch got up from the lounger and told everyone to go get ready that they were going to dinner.
They arrived at Buffalo Block Prime and were directed to their table. Owen told everyone to order whatever they wanted it was his treat. Everyone ordered dinner. While they waited for their entrees they talked about the beautiful sites they saw along their way to Billings. When their dinner arrived they ate and continued their conversations. After everyone had finished their dinner Owen got everyone's attention.
"First I want to say that nothing makes your mother and I happier than having our entire family here with us for the week. We look forward to seeing the property tomorrow and that you will be their with us to do so. If this property works out your mother and my plan is to set up a homestead. The house back home is just to big for us with all of you kids moving out. So we decided that we want to get way from all the noise. We plan to build ourselves a cabin. Live off the land and be off grid."
Hazel smiled and added. "We plan on having a huge garden and getting some livestock. We are at a point in our lives where we want to be totally self sufficient and to do everything we can on our own. While are planned cabin will be just for us, we do have a plan for a space so if you all want to come visit at the same time we will have space for you."
"That right," Owen said. "Their is also plenty of spots on the property that if you wanted to move out here to you could build your own homes."
Vince their oldest son asked, "Why did you guy chose to go north west instead of some place warmer?"
"Well son to us this is much better, and your mother and I are not scared of snow or cold."
Sally chimed in. "Well you said that you were going to grow your own food. How are you going to do that under snow?"
Hazel answered, "well we will can our food. We also have plans for a green house to have crops going year round."
"What about me?" Tyler the youngest son asked?
"Well son you are welcome to come with us if you so chose," Owen answered. "Or if you chose to continue schooling, you are welcome to stay with us at the house until you go to school. If we do get this property we wouldn't be moving in tomorrow, I still need to build the cabin."
Owen and Hazel continued to explain their dream plans. The waiter asked if anyone wanted anything for desert. When the family finished Owen paid the bill. They all went back to the hotel. While the kid still didn't fully understand why their parents wouldn't want to go south to retire, they were all happy for their parents.
Back at the hotel Owen and Hazel wished the family a good night and retired to their hotel room. In their room Owen opened the curtains. Hazel came up to his side. Owen put his arm around his wife and she laid her head on his shoulder. The looked out and enjoyed their view of the Big Horn Mountains.
"It really is beautiful," Hazel stated.
"Yes it is, I can not wait until we get to look at the property tomorrow."
"Me too, I want to wake up to a view like this everyday for the rest of our lives."