Barn cats have an important mission here at Rockchuck Ranch: keep mice out of the hay, out of the grain, out of the chicken food, and out of sight. Our barn cats must also learn to neither stalk nor molest the chickens. Barn patrol is a tough, 24-hours-a-day job, requiring constant vigilance. Our cats, who were hired as kittens to get them used to the chickens (and chicks), started out strong. In recent months, however, there has been far too much of this: And this: And n

"Cupid," our 1966 Ford dump truck, is more than just a pretty face! When not covered with flowers and ready to pose with guests looking for the perfect farm-style backdrop, Cupid helps out around the ranch. On Saturday, Cupid celebrated Earth Week by delivering more than 3000 pounds of scrap to the annual Methow Recycles Metal Drive. (www.methowrecyles.org) Thanks, Methow Recycles, for keeping the beautiful Methow Valley green!

http://www.methowexplorations.com/news Yesterday Methow Explorations visited the Twisp Terrace Lodge at Rockchuck Ranch (formerly the Tice Ranch) outside of Twisp along State Route 20. Lodge proprietor (and skilled furniture mover) Eric Blank gave me the scoop on the best trails, scenic overlooks, and Beaver Creek access, as well as details on their exciting plans as the Blank family opens the lodge for business this May. The Rockchuck Ranch/Twisp Terrace Lodge is located

Getting the fruit orchard ready for the Spring today we watched a Cooper's Hawk drive a luckless robin into one of the Farmhouse windows. A common tactic, but this hawk zigged when she should have zagged and took a bang herself. After some helpful but humiliating resuscitation from our aspiring ornithologist, a drink of water, and an hour resting in the back of jeep while we shooed away the curious barn cats, the hawk took off without a word of thanks. As long as she stays

Driving from the Lodge to the Barn

With the snow totally gone it might be nice to show some last of the season's winter pictures. Here's a view of the Lodge from the West: Yes, it has all new roofing. Our website picture is of the old roof(s) (or should it be "rooves?"). We like this one much better! And here is a last winter view from the the Escarpment Trail looking East: The fruit orchard has been trimmed and is ready to go. We have been training the barn cats to keep the birds away from the cherries.

Jake, our Yellow Lab, is enjoying his first swim of the season. Blue, our Aussie, is not sure that swimming is for him. This is his first Spring and the other end of the pond is still under ice! Plus, the ducks make a terrible racket. Blue may be right. Here is the pond just a week ago. Brrr! Meanwhile, the bald eagles are celebrating the first day of Spring by deciding to give our chickens a break and to dine on fish. They flapped off shortly after this picture with one