Fresh and bright

The Carlton farm is truly smack up against the wilderness. Just a short walk off the property takes you into the 2500 acre Golden Doe Wildlife Area, with a beautiful riparian loop trail. And just beyond that to the northwest, the vast expanse of Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, encompassing 3.8 million acres along the east slopes of the Cascade Range. 

Amanda and I had Golden Doe all to ourselves this morning, and what a morning-- the sun quite warm although the wind still had a chill. 

 Back down in the orchard, a blooming paradise. Just one perfect tree of hundreds...

Will every blossom become a piece of fruit? 

The thought of that much abundance boggles the mind. 

So much to learn and discover this first year with many surprises (good and bad) along the way for the new homeowners. They are loving it, but think "money pit."

The big weekend project will be getting the complicated irrigation systems up and running for the summer-- the dry season is already here.