End of the Road

There is something special about living at the end of the road. For one thing not many people drive by this time of the year. The county road leading up to this point is less than ideal but from the Dead End sign on it degrades rapidly into a rock strewn, two-track path. A couple of summer cabin residents travel by when they are here. The folks from Trails End Ranch, which wraps around this area on the north and west sides, access the south end of the ranch from this road. Occasionally a Sunday afternoon tourist, neighbors on horseback or illegal hunter passes by, but that's about it. 

Of course there are always a few people every year who are not convinced by the Dead End sign and plod forward only to get stuck in the snow, lost, or find themselves having to back out a quarter mile or more. In fact that's the reason for the little sign below the Dead End sign - No Forest Access, No Turn Around. Just trying to save people from themselves. 

There's another special aspect of being at the end of the road and that's the spiritual one. It's good knowing that beyond this point it's more about the woods and the animals that inhabit them than people. And it's about our conscious decision to live beyond the reach of most things, to live quietly and in harmony as much as possible, to work together to accomplish a simple yet beautiful life.

I am reminded of the famous poem by Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken. I think the final lines say it best.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - 

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

So true.

From Fleur Creek Farm

Season's Greetings

Another spectacular day begins as another year glides to the end. Its been an interesting year as we started an heirloom orchard, had winter in May and summer in November, enjoyed the best grazing season in four years, broke my ankle in early July and hobbled around for three months, and reminded ourselves what is truly important in life. If 2015 is half as enjoyable as was this year, it will be a beautiful one.

We've tucked the gardens and orchards in for the year, started working down the wood stacks and woodshed as winter finally settles in, are studying what a neighbor calls "garden porn" in the form of seed catalogues, and find ourselves enjoying the time when the natural world rests.

2015 will bring a new project to the homestead - beekeeping. We've thought about it for years but finally made the decision this fall. The hives are now constructed and painted and awaiting the bees. In May we'll travel to northern New Mexico and bring two bee colonies home. It will be a big learning curve but Don has armed himself with lots of books and we are blessed with some excellent beekeepers in the Valley who are willing to share their knowledge and experience. 

As the year comes to a close we want to take a moment to wish you the beauty and blessings of the season. Take comfort in the love of family and friends and look forward to a happy and prosperous New Year. 

From Fleur Creek Farm

Seasons Greetings from Fleur Creek Farm

Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice and several days after that, Christmas. This is a beautiful time of the year full of spirituality and celebration. Its also a special time to reflect on the events of the year, look forward to the coming year, and take comfort in the love of family and friends.

From our home and hearts to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

From Fleur Creek Farm

Winter Arrives

The calendar may say that the first day of winter is December 21st but for us winter arrived last Thursday night. Snow started falling during the night and continued on and off until Sunday. When it was over we had more than 24" on the ground and everything else for that matter.

I know we parked the car around here somewhere.

It took a bit of work with our old tractor, shovels and our neighbor's plow but we eventually had paths between the buildings and the driveway cleared enough to drive out.

Our flock of wild turkeys found themselves trapped here until the driveway and county road was opened up allowing them to head to less snowy locations. We kept them well fed in the five days they were stuck here and they re-paid us with lots of ongoing turkey chatter and a significant amount of turkey poop so the whole area around the house and old cabin smells like a poultry farm. The turkeys even roosted in the surrounding big cottonwood trees at night so they were ready for an early breakfast.

 

 

When the sun finally reappeared Tuesday morning the scenes were spectacular. It's been quite awhile since we have had this much snow from one storm system and it is sure welcome. We can only hope this is the start of a good snowy winter.

 Snow on South Brush Creek

You can followup on our winter from this local webcams - KWMV Westcliffe Radio

And on this day before Thanksgiving, we are reminded about how thankful we are for family, friends, and neighbors. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

From Fleur Creek Farm