It felt like we had a hundred chores and errands to do on this July Friday afternoon before we could escape to the Farm. It’s been a heavy week in some ways. Getting out of town was like running a maze, the truck was down a quart of oil, we needed to drop some papers off in Charlottesville, and we wanted tacos from our favorite place. We finally arrived at the Farm a little after 3, after setting out around noon.
The ground was still dry, but the air was cooler, around 80 degrees and the breeze was refreshing. The last three weeks the hot wind has hit us like a blast furnace.
We started our walk up near the entrance and walked through the forest to the South end to check on our blueberries. There hasn’t been enough rain for them to ripen, so they continue to hang in unripe blue-green stasis.
The grass hasn’t grown much with the persistent drought, and we didn’t even see a tick. Ticks thrive in damp conditions, and there hasn’t been any precipitation. We came across a big dung beetle not having much luck trying to get home.
Throughout our visit the clouds were gathering, we could see them moving towards and over us from the South. After our walk and a snack, we prepared to head home, when the skies finally opened up with blessed rain. It started as a sprinkle, then drizzle, and then a steady shower.
We sat there in the truck and talked for a little while with the windows open, just letting the rain come in. Our spirits are lighter, with the return of rain to the Farm. We will be back in a day or two to forage with better prospects than we’ve had in weeks.
St Andrews Forest Farm 