A Country Drive with Good Fences

Can you believe that June is almost over? 

I am trying to soak in as much summer as I can, 

because I know how quickly it will pass. 

We are still in a cool and rainy pattern here

in the foothills of Washington's Cascade mountains, 

but when the sun shines, 

it is glorious! 

So come along with me and we will take
 a country drive with Good Fences

through the green fields of summer,
soaking up the sunshine. 

xx

This foothills pasture is near to my home. 

There are several young steer hiding in the brush

while their mother's graze nearby. 

We frequently see elk here in the evening. 

Another little pasture has two llamas and some big, red steer. 

You can see the back of one steer as he is grazing alongside

a small, spring-fed pond with cattails. 

There is a little windmill here that pumps water to 

the livestock. 

As we descend to the plateau, large, fluffy clouds

line up on the horizon on their way to 

the mountains where they back up,

unable to cross, causing mountain rains. 

Eastern Washington state is a completely different

climate and topography, (high desert)
from us here in western Washington,
 due to the Cascade mountains,

which prevent precipitation from the Pacific ocean. 

A Raspberry farm sets up business in the shade of the trees. 

A handsome white rail fence corrals a view

of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade range. 

Can you see it? Mt. Rainier is covered in snow. 

Some young cows graze between 

a flower bedecked, modern farmhouse and 

some old farm buildings with wonderful patina. 

You can see the top of Mt. Rainier peeking over the 

 roof of the house. 

A hand-crafted fence highlights blue hydrangea, 

a handsome purple beech, and a rosy smoke bush 

in full bloom. 

This beautiful farm recently had a major make-over. 

It was sad and neglected, but now is a well-tended 

hay farm. 

On a clear day, it has the most amazing view of

Mt. Rainier. 

Even on a cloudy day........

Looking the other way, it has a view of the Olympic mountains

on the other side of Puget Sound - (barely visible in the clouds). 

How wonderful would that be to wake up to?

The yellow structure operates a flume gate to control or shut off

water flow into the nearby river from a dam in the mountains

built to regulate flooding. 

The flume can be directed to a large, man-made lake

that handles overflow, although the lake has been 

heavily built-up with residential homes in recent years. 

It always pays to research the surrounding topography,

industry, and public works in the area before buying a home :)

The first cutting of hay....

I am still getting used to the scene of giant marshmallows

of poly-wrapped hay

instead of  beautiful, unwrapped hay rolls. 

This little farm is a cooperative organic

vegetable farm. 

Members get a large selection of whatever is growing

that week in return for a fee and some volunteer work. 

Some farms are thriving......others are in decline. 

The circle of life.....

This horse farm has never had horses. 

Someone built a beautiful home tucked into the trees, 

then added miles of white rail fencing, horse

shelters and barns that were never used.

Perhaps a sudden life-change prevented the dream.....

We never know what might be around the corner. 

Across the lane, this older farm has been well-loved. 

A small herd of cattle roam the lush, green fields. 

Another handsome barn and fence as we enter

an area of new development. 

You can see daisies and buttercups

growing close by. 

The builders have kept a lovely, rural aesthetic. 

These are typical Northwest-style homes. 

Lots of windows to take advantage of the sometimes,

gloomy light and beautiful views. 

Time to turn around and head for home. 

The clouds are getting darker.....

Through my little Ford Ranger window, 

we see a hidden prairie meadow.

 Black Angus cattle gather

in the distance. 

Another hidden meadow. 

You can see tall Douglas Fir, conical Western Red Cedar, 

flouncy-skirted Hemlock with a few Big-Leaf Maple. 

The Douglas Fir are over 150 ft. tall and probably 200- 300 years old. 

You can see how they dwarf the rest of the forest. 

Some newly furrowed fields at the pumpkin farm. 

Rain, as we pass some contented cows. 

Normally we would see Mt. Rainier here

but it is swallowed by the weather. 

Sometimes we don't see Mt. Rainier for weeks at a time. 

We know it is a good day, when 'The Mountain' is 'out'. 

'Home Sweet Home' as we run inside, dodging the raindrops. 

Come in - make yourself comfortable. 

The sign says it all.....

Sugar and cream? 

Yes, please......

(Stevia and fat-free 'half and half' for me)

How do you take your cuppa?

The last of the sun sneaks under the clouds

as we enjoy our steaming mugs

at the end of the day. 

I hope you enjoyed coming along, Dear Friends! 

xoxo

Today I am linking with:
Run-A-Round Ranch - Good Fences

Won't you join the fun?