Rainy Days

The rainy season is once again upon us here at Slide Ranch. The landscape has turned green again, with new growth visible all around our coastal scubland and in our pasture.

The animals are having a have a mixed response. Most of our goats prefer to cozy up in the barn and nap until the sun returns. The sheep, particularly our oldest girl Marley, are less bothered due to their thick, waterproof layers of wool. The chickens, like most of us, seem ambivalent.

Of course, the garden plants are soaking up the rain and will be keeping visiting school groups and staff alike with a steady supply of greens through the winter. Our small local aquifer is also recharging (did you know that all water used on Slide Ranch comes from our immediate watershed?) – much of this rain will be making its way back to the surface through our well come summer.

The rain’s biggest fans are certainly the ducks! They love exploring the numerous ephemeral streams that emerge each winter. I would encourage you to follow their lead and come pay us a visit some rainy day.

You are likely to have the place largely to yourself, and this place has a special magic in the rain – leaves, lichen, and spider webs are transformed into glittering marvels and even the gravel driveway feels enchanted when bordered by tiny waterfalls. If you’re willing to brave a bit of water, there’s no better time to connect to the land and let your imagination run wild.