A diary of the projects, hurdles, rewards and family life at we recorded at Wise Acres, our former homestead in Horsefly, BC. (Careers and teenagers have forced us back into the city, at least for a little while.)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

While the sun shines...

It's time to make hay in the Cariboo! As you drive through the countryside, rolled bales of beautiful, fresh cut hay fill the fields. Hay sheds that have slowly been emptied over the winter are once again being filled up. It's a tricky business, making hay. Weather conditions must be just right...some unexpected rain can spoil the whole lot.
So the other day when Uncle David called to say he had some square bales ready for us and we could come and pick them up, we didn't waste time and hooked up the trailer, packed some snacks and off we went. We all enjoy the 45 minute drive through beautiful Beaver Valley to get to the ranch. We have seen all kinds of wildlife on that road, like eagles, black bears and even a cougar. And then there is also the not-so wildlife that make it an interesting trip...wandering cows, horses and the odd dog that will try to chase us down the road.

It took us two trips but we picked up almost one hundred bales, which should last my sheep about 10 months. Uncle David made them nice and small (maybe 30-40lbs) so the girls could handle them. And that they did...
hay bales make excellent building materials!

And since we are on the topic of hay...this is one of my favourite photos...by Florian Krumsiek, check out his site Inspired by Imagination