#28 Wolf Springs Ranch

After saying goodbye to Cat and David we headed back the way we came! Silly us, the road had gotten no better over the two days we were camped, but it was the only way to Highway 55 and north for a visit with Sabrina and Nick Ferris, owners of one of the sweetest ranches on earth, Wolf Springs Ranch. Story is that Cokie babysat two sisters, Ann-Scott and Sabrina plus their brother, Cliff many many years ago. They’ve all kept in touch over the decades though it’s been 14 years since we celebrated their mother’s 70th birthday together.

Their incredible ranch is nestled in a gentle valley outside of St. Maries in north-central Idaho. Aside from the shear beauty of the forest covered ridges, the small stream running through the middle of 120+ acres, groves of white birches, Engelmann Spruce, oaks and fruit trees, this is a fully sustainable working ranch with a beautiful herd of Scottish Highlander Cattle, Alpaca wool producers, gentle horse helpers, strutting turkeys, laying hens, great dogs and a cat or two. But that's not all, by any means! No sir! These two amazing people have opened their hearts and their home to children of many ages and to women veterans of America's military. They have created a variety of classes: horsemanship and etiquette for girls, ranch skills for boys, craft classes, team building plus one of the few opportunities provided for female veterans to come to a safe, secure ranch setting to share place, space and camaraderie with other veterans of similar experiences. 

Sabrina and Nick have built many venues on the property to facilitate their programs: a huge covered arena and a state-of-the-art crafts barn/sleeping space (thanks to donations to their non-profit: LifeSkills Ranch Program, Inc. www.lifeskillsranchprogram.org/index.html. They wonderfully restored a old log cabin for guests, placed a teepee for fun and sleeping near the creek and developed quiet spots throughout the land for meditation, conversation and simple reflection. Couple all of this with contented farm animals, busy happy ranchers, the sense of sharing and heart felt giving makes us believe this is truly one of the sacred places on this Earth! So I decided to share my varied impressions as you view dear Cokie's exceptional photos.

I'll just call it-

WOLF SPRINGS RANCH 2019

Thick rich silence

Broken only by

Gentle leaf whispers

Water kissing pebbles

Whoosh of wings

Raucous cries of raven

Growling bark of dogs

Neighs of horses

Creak of field gates

Endless vistas show

Green black forest depths

Shimmering new growth

Fields of dancing daisies

Creamy birch trunks

Bowing of Engelmann spruce

Flat bottomed clouds

Over pine topped ridges

Rest on distant mountain peaks

Serenity and silence fix

Fractured psyches

Restore that sense of self

Open memories of softer 

Scenes and calmer times

When one could stop to reflect 

To once again shake hands

With that long lost creature

Known as authentic self