This year’s been a crazy one, (so far)—highs, lows, and everything in between. We rolled into 2025 full throttle, pushing hard to bring our new home vision to life out at Lorntzen Ranch. And then life, threw a wrench at my leg!
🚑 March: When the Builder Goes Down
Just as we were getting ready to pour the concrete for the garage, I managed to break my leg riding my dirt bike—snap (in four places). That bought me a helicopter ride, hospital stay, and surgery where they used a rod, clamps, and screws to bolt me back together.
Two months: no building, no walking, just healing—and not as fast as I wanted. The garage build hit the dirt and so did I.
🛠️ May: Jayden to the Rescue
Mid-May, our 16-year-old grandson Jayden came to the ranch to give us an extra hand. Sheila had 30 yards of wood chips delivered for the garden and paths around the property, and Jayden quickly learned that wood chips were now his life.
When he wasn’t wheeling wood chips, he was out helping Grandpa Dan build framing the footings and stem walls for the garage. The kid worked hard, and we were able to get more done with his help. He stayed with us until July 18—and we miss him. (I have to take out the trash now!)
✈️ June: A Visit from Sheila’s Dad
The first week of June, Sheila’s dad flew in from Ohio to visit for four days. He’s 89 and still going strong. He got his first ride in our new Tesla as we headed up to Winnemucca to visit his granddaughter Jess and her crew. He got to spend time with five of his great-grandsons. His visit was great, you know real memory-making stuff.
🧱 Progress and Concrete
Later in June, we finally poured the concrete footings and stem walls for the garage with help from family and friends. After a three-month setback, that felt like a victory lap. We’re not moving fast, but we’re moving forward—and that’s what counts.
🏡 July: Family, Friends, and Full Plates
The second week of July, Sheila’s cousin Kim and her husband Harv came through from Ohio on their cross-country road trip. We took them for a spin in the Tesla, grabbed dinner at our favorite little hole-in-the-wall Mexican spot, and spent time talking politics, genealogy, retirement—you name it. Good company and a great visit.
The annual family camping trip took place last week as we spent 3 days at Rye Patch. Going out on the boat, campfires, good food and grandsons filled those days. So great to spend the time relaxing.
After Jayden left, we kicked into gear getting the house ready for my mom’s visit. Sheila’s been deep-cleaning and organizing, and I’ve been moving furniture to prep the guest bedroom. We’ve also been driving back and forth to Sparks, trying to get that house cleared out so we can list it for sale.
🌱 Sage & Soil NV: A New Chapter Begins
With everything else going on Sheila’s launching something new: Sage & Soil NV. It’s a small farm stand at the end of our driveway featuring native plants, seed packets, and how-to info for folks wanting to garden smarter in our climate.
Guess who’s building the stand? Yep—me. Thankfully, it’s a kit (LOL with Chinese directions), so we’ll have it up and running in no time.
Add that to the to-do list: finish the garage, build the greenhouse, raise the farm stand… and eventually get the barn done too.
🐾 The Bottom Line?
This lifestyle? It’s not easy. It’s real. And sometimes, it hurts like hell.
But we’re still swinging hammers. Still planting seeds. Still building something that matters—together.
The Lorntzen Lifestyle isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about showing up, doing the work, loving the people around us, and finding joy in the dirt and the dust and the progress.
Ride safe,
Dan
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