Three new WWOOFers come to the Flying L on Wednesday. It kind of made me sad that my time here will be coming to an end, sitting around the fire with all of these people tonight who were strangers merely two weeks ago, and now feel like close friends.

There is Leslie, the head of the whole operation. Bought the ranch eight years ago and has been running her trail riding/vacation rental business ever since. She has been named ‘Grizzly Mama,’ has the biggest heart and the crudest sense of humor, it’s great. There is Jen, from Minnesota who once was a WWOOFer and now lives on the farm. She is the most grounded person I think I have ever met. Very genuine and feels like an old friend. There is Melinda, Leslie’s niece, who is a free spirit. Loving, full of energy, and loves to read into people’s energies. She’s awesome. And of course, Gib. A man with a huge personality-he has been renting from Leslie for the past four years. He has the attention span of a ten year old boy, and is the definition of a ‘people’ person.

These four have taken me under their wing(s) (and Aly when she was here) and have been so welcoming. They have made my experience one I will always remember. Excited to meet the new WWOOFers and show them the ropes for the day or two I have left at this beautiful place. 

My time in Ashland is almost up and I am getting so used to this lifestyle I am most definitely going to miss it. I was worried I would not have much to occupy my time during this weekend since I am without wheels, but boy was I wrong. I woke up this morning with no plans, and the minute I stepped out of my door plans began to unfold. The man whose unit I’ve been staying in, Gib, called last night saying he would be back today. The only thing I had on my agenda was moving my things out of his crib and into the trailer. Leslie told me she had a trail ride and said if I could catch another horse out in the pasture I could come. I caught the little mare (beginners luck) and saddled up and was ready to go. The trail ride was a perfect way to start the morning. After that, Leslie needed help catching horses that were out to pasture to move to a different pasture. Herds of horses were galloping towards us and it took some patience to catch 8 wild ones. After that, Jen (another WWOOFer) had told me that she was helping a breeder halter break four new colts and foals and asked if I wanted to tag along. We spent an hour lifting up these little babes hooves and getting them use to people, I was in heaven. At the end of the day, we came home to sir Gib telling us of his travels on his Harley down the coast. We spent the evening drinking beers, grilling burgers, and then Gib busted out his pipe and said to us all, “Cheers to the good life.” And a good life it is. 

Wake up at 7am and make coffee (much needed).

8am — milk mama goats which usually takes about an hour because they are stubborn girls.

9am-12pm — work individually teaching my little girl with autism about horses and riding. We usually only ride for part of it, then I redirect her with the goats and all of the other fun things on the ranch.

12-1pm — a little break in my day to grab food & relax for a hot second.

1-4pm — another kids camp, this week there are only two little boys. brothers. smartest kids, and can seriously entertain themselves so easily. yesterday the head trainer and I were pretty much zombied out from being tired and we were grateful the boys could talk each others ears off and we didn’t have to do much (bad, I know). 

then my day is over, and a couple nights ago I did an evening trail ride, hopefully I’ll be able to do a few more of those before my time is up. 

now, onto another day on the ranch. xoxo

Aly & I just purchased two tickets to see the play, As You Like It at the Elizabethan outside theater on Saturday evening. A dinner and theater date for two, how romantic.