August

 Even as the river slims and runs lower its purpose ever flows. As long as it has carved its arterial way through the earth it has served to those above as a road map, saying "this way, this way...".  Each morning the geese, flying in formation south, honk a reminder, "Nothing gold can stay." The sun seconds the notion with its dramatic goodbyes each dusk. Nature’s vespers service offers sunsets of such awesome and fleeting grandeur that all are silently commanded to attend to what is: Summer’s end. It is still warm yet our first reminders are here - winter is coming. It is time to tend to all that is yet undone.  

Lupine seeds are dried in their pods and awaiting weeded beds. They are ready to be tucked in for a long winter’s nap while Mullein stands bravely awaiting its harvest. Pearl enjoys her first cool nights under crystal clear skies that offer initiation into the Milky Way for anyone simply willing to look up. Coyotes and owls chorus with the intermittent "ooh and ahs" of breathtaking shooting star moments. Like a momentary meteor streaking the night sky, Summer has a way of coming in suddenly, in all of its glory, and then fading too soon. But, not before parading some of its most captivating displays of wonder; a mid-August hail storm followed by the promise only a rainbow can make.

Pearl’s thin tawny coat is beginning to shed with each grooming and our thoughts turn to preparing the barn for all the animals to seek shelter on the year’s coldest days to come. The cats celebrate their birthday mid-month with a hunting party and the dogs do not disappoint when, as if on cue, they retreat daily into the cool house to escape the "dog-day" afternoons. As the month stretches on it feels as if we are all in wait. For what? Then, suddenly, it is done. Two yellowed aspen leaves have volunteered like scouts to boldly go ahead down to the grass. Their message: "We’re coming, next month, in mass. Be ready."

* Air Quality in August on the ranch can vary wildly due to the unpredictable nature of Fire Season.  We provide Air Quality updates to guests as well as providing an air filtration unit in the Inn to support indoor air quality remaining at a healthful level.  All the while we are doubling down on our mission with this ranch: To help find and enact climate solutions so that we reach drawdown together.  Please join us.