First Impressions
(Guest Blog Post By Mrs. Bryan)

We left Ferndale, Washington this morning anxious and excited to reach our destination…namely the Bradrick Farm. It’s a funny thing how you find yourself in a different driver’s seat and begin to understand what it feels like to anticipate watching over another man’s sheep (and cows). We have asked friends to watch our farm with all its odd assortment of critters and never thought what it might feel like for them when they come to watch our place. So with feelings of excitement and a bit of fear we drove south for our big adventure.

We arrived at the Bradrick Farm a little after 1:30 pm and immediately we were greeted with the excited barks of old Dutch the Dalmatian and two stick carrying pups, Arrow and her brother Badger. What a joy to have such a welcoming committee! After ten minutes of endless “throw and retrieve” and realizing that this game really has no end, we headed over to greet the rest of the animals. The cows looked us over with the “I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole” kind of stare and kept their distance. They are in the far West pasture and have plenty of good grazing to make them healthy and happy. This was definitely the Contented Cow Club of Montesano.

Next we wandered over to the sheep and saw the cutest critters you can imagine. I’ve warned Phillip that when they returned we may have each of sheep named. There is just something about sheep that makes you think cuddly thoughts. Yet, I have to admit I did have a juicy lamb chop dance before my eyes too!


After petting the horses and checking out the amazing barn swing we saw a sight I will never forget. Arrow and Badger were taking turns swinging by their teeth on the rope hanging from the rafters! They looked so funny waiting for the rope to swing their way and then jumping up with all their might to snatch the rope in their mouth and then twirl around. We laughed and laughed to see two dogs getting into all the fun. Just as I turned around to walk away the rope swung away from the dogs and hit me in the back of my head. I twirled around to see two dogs innocently staring at me as if to say, “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me”.

Upon finally entering the house and finding bread, cookies, sweets, and fruit to greet us we settled down to some classical music and a nice cup of coffee. The farm is beautiful and the only thing that would make it more enjoyable would be having the entire Bradrick Family with us as well. We look forward to tomorrow and our first day roping’ steer, branding sheep, and rounding up strays. O.K., maybe I’m getting carried away, but so far we really do feel like cowpokes on the range. Adios Amigos and many blessings from the Bradick Family Farms.

Mr. & Mrs. B and their cowhands