The WELL Turns 25

Welcome to the Farm

By one of the barns on the property, a choice vintage Airstream is undergoing its own renewal as the weary interior is replaced with custom-built everything.

By one of the barns on the property, a choice vintage Airstream is undergoing its own renewal as the weary interior is replaced with custom-built everything.

Gyro

Gyro, one of several goats on yesway's and Ali's farm, is partial to dried loquat leaves.

Gyro, one of several goats on yesway’s and Ali’s farm, is partial to dried loquat leaves.

First arrivals

ode and ronks flank yesway, who shows them to the patio

ode and ronks flank yesway, who shows them to the patio

The party begins to take shape 

aronan and pk stand by the beverage table while friends of yesway's talk about tree-planting techniques.

aronan and pk stand by the beverage table while friends of yesway’s talk about tree-planting techniques.

A day for smiles

Jenny (Mrs. bbear) and her fabulous new haircut

Jenny (Mrs. bbear) and her fabulous new haircut

Free-range chickens

During daytime hours, the chickens are free to roam throughout the farm's acreage.

During daytime hours, the chickens are free to roam throughout the farm’s acreage.

East Coast Guest

Professional photographer marvy (left) endures a photo session with amateur picture-taker peoples.

Professional photographer marvy (left) endures a photo session with amateur picture-taker peoples.

Octo-goats!

li is an artist who creates installations for museums. Here, a test run of an octopus figure is a challenge to a pair of resin-cast goats.

li is an artist who creates installations for museums. Here, a test run of an octopus figure is a challenge to a pair of resin-cast goats.

Good conversations

Jenny, pk, bbear, doctore, and Joan (Mrs. ronks) enjoy the afternoon sunshine

Jenny, pk, bbear, doctore, and Joan (Mrs. ronks) enjoy the afternoon sunshine

Time for tree-planting

A phalanx of WELL members looks on as ode fires up the backhoe

A phalanx of WELL members looks on as ode fires up the backhoe

Driver’s seat view

The backhoe, heading toward the designated tree-planting area

The backhoe, heading toward the designated tree-planting area

Backhoe fail

The hydrolics in the backhoe's shovel lock up. Efforts to unlock are unsuccessful; we revert to hand shovels.

The hydrolics in the backhoe’s shovel lock up. Efforts to unlock are unsuccessful; we revert to hand shovels.

Many hands

With multiple volunteers, we take turns digging. From left: yesway, marvy, aronan (back to camera), ode, Joan, oz

With multiple volunteers, we take turns digging. From left: yesway, marvy, aronan (back to camera), ode, Joan, oz

Setting stakes

yesway drives in a support stake for the newly planted Frost peach.

yesway drives in a support stake for the newly planted Frost peach.

Adding strength

marvy adds organic fertilizer to the fig tree sapling

marvy adds organic fertilizer to the fig tree sapling

Gently, gently

ode jokingly hugs the peach tree while oz looks on

ode jokingly hugs the peach tree while oz looks on

Time to eat

With all four trees safely planted, we turn our thoughts to filling our bellies.

With all four trees safely planted, we turn our thoughts to filling our bellies.

The quinoa queen

wickett's homemade curried quinoa is an enormous hit

wickett’s homemade curried quinoa is an enormous hit

And the guests keep on comin’

yesway escorts late arrival annmargrit to where the group is gathered

yesway escorts late arrival annmargrit to where the group is gathered

Tegu time!

We meet one of the five tegu lizards on the farm

We meet one of the five tegu lizards on the farm

What’s cooking

peoples and baker, who host the Cooking conference on The WELL, have a post-prandial giggle.

peoples and baker, who host the Cooking conference on The WELL, have a post-prandial giggle.

Men (and women) who stroll with goats

After visiting with the tegus, we escort the goats on an afternoon cruise through the ancient apple orchard.

After visiting with the tegus, we escort the goats on an afternoon cruise through the ancient apple orchard.

Mmmmm… apple blossoms

The goats don't get free range in the orchard because, given the chance, they'd strip the trees bare.

The goats don’t get free range in the orchard because, given the chance, they’d strip the trees bare.

A meandering path

From left: oz, Ali, David, baker, aronan, David (Mr. wickett)

From left: oz, Ali, David, baker, aronan, David (Mr. wickett)

 

A command performance

Ali rewards a goat that has successfully completed its "walk the plank" routine.

Ali rewards a goat that has successfully completed its “walk the plank” routine.

Winding down

With goat tricks complete, we amble back to the house to collect our things.

With goat tricks complete, we amble back to the house to collect our things.

Woof

Goodbye, thanks for visiting!

Goodbye, thanks for visiting!