Last winter I was emailing with my girlfriend, Christina, the one who used to manage a backcountry ranch on the Main Salmon River here in Idaho, we were talking about cut flower farming.  Christina and Wes were planning on making the move to a new management position on a different backcountry ranch on the South Fork of the Salmon River — the South Fork Ranch, also known as the Hettinger Ranch — and she had made up her mind to start a cut flower farm there.  I was delighted to hear of her plans since I’ve been thinking of putting part of our own farm to cut flowers.  I ventured down to the ranch in late July to see her progress and it was nothing short of a miracle.  I mean, I was entirely inspired!  She’s doing it!  She’s successfully growing flowers and hauling them in to market twice a week in McCall.

In case you’re confused by what the term backcountry ranch means, allow me to define the term for you.  The South Fork Ranch is located in a backcountry location on the South Fork of the Salmon River.  It is historic.  It is not a newfangled ranch.  It’s been there for years and years since it was originally pioneered during the gold rush era in Idaho.  It is at the end of a long, bumpy, winding forest service road.  It is a working ranch.  It has an airstrip.  It grows hay, horses, mules and now flowers…as well as food for Christina and Wes to consume year round.  It’s beautiful.  I mean, it’s the brightest jewel in the crown of Idaho backcountry ranches and no place does backcountry ranching like Idaho.  This ranch puts hydro-power back into the grid and is pretty much self-sufficient.  I love it there.  Christina and Wes are living my alternate dream life.

Christina cuts her flowers twice a week and hauls them into McCall to the farmer’s market.  She also supplies flowers for local events in McCall (of which there are many during the summer season).  She’s doing it.  She dreamed a dream and now she’s living it.  My hero!!!  So often I find myself paving the way for others when it comes to realizing dreams and actualizing them.  This is one of the first times in a long, long time that someone has inspired me, deeply, in a direction I want to go with my life and work.  I’m so thankful I’ve been able to witness her success.  I’m lucky to have her paving the way for me.  She’s been so courageous and tenacious with this dream of hers.  I’m proud of her.

Here’s to forty more years of flower farming, dear woman!  Thank you for helping to make this world a more beautiful place.