The sanctuary is located on the site of an old homestead. While the original house is long gone, many of the barns and outbuildings remain, as does the orchard. These trees produce Rainier, Bing, and pie cherries, as well as apples, Italian plums, and enough pears to feed a hundred chimpanzees. At one time there was actually a railroad stop here in the canyon, and the extra fruit from this orchard would likely have been sold in a bustling farmer’s market. There was even a saloon and dance hall in what is now our lower pasture, shown on an early 20th century map as being nestled between a barn and a chicken shed.
These days the orchard is the domain of our dogs, Wilson and Abbey, but they are kind enough to let the staff and volunteers go in and pick fruit for the chimps from time to time.
Yesterday we picked pears and plums from the old trees, and the chimps had them for breakfast this morning. They were a huge hit. Luckily there are a few hundred more pounds where that came from.
The onset of fall is a welcome change around here. In addition to the orchard’s harvest, it also brings relief from the intense heat and relentless sun of Central Washington summers. The chimps choose where to spend their time, and during the summer much of their time is spent indoors. Now we are more likely to find them relaxing on the play structures, walking through the tall grass, and otherwise enjoying the space and relative freedom of Young’s Hill, their two-acre enclosure.
You could argue that Jamie gets the most out of Young’s Hill, the way she patrols its boundaries throughout the day. But no one exploits every swing, structure, and tight rope like Missy. Now that fall is upon us, I expect to see a lot more of her outdoor antics. If only we could resurrect that old dance hall for her; I think she’d fit right in.
Thank you for these daily updates. I look forward to each one and love hearing about what our friends are doing. So wonderful to have such an abundance of fresh fruit, and lucky and healthy for the 7 of them.
Wilson & Abbey are so cute, such sweet faces.
I hope you get to pick some of that wonderful looking fruit for yourselves too !
Cee Cee: How did you get to see the faces of the two dogs? Is there a close up picture of them somewhere????
Yes, I look at these posts on my phone, and I can enlarge the pics really easily.
thanks for this wonderful sharing. while I love and look forward to each and every day of this blog, some are just more special than others. please understand that I am grateful for each and every one though. everything looks so nummy. the “seven” are so blessed. perhaps the caretakers may indulge a bit themselves . . . and you too, of course, jb.
Very cool hearing about the history of the sanctuary land. Would be interesting to see the old photos of property.
So happy to see handsome Wilson and beautiful Abbey on the blog today! What a treat. I was fortunate to pick some of those yummy pears one afternoon for the chimps to enjoy at dinner. (If I remember correctly, Jamie loves pears right?) A perfectly perfect memory for me, and Wilson and Abbey circled around my legs chasing each other as I picked. That’s my idea of paradise……. a sunny day, fruit tress buzzing with bees, joyous dog friends, and seven lovable, appreciative, hungry, amazing chimpanzees. Life could not have been more perfect that day. And from the look on Burrito and Missy’s face, life seems pretty darn perfect for them. Looking forward to seeing all the chimps enjoying fall on Young’s Hill.
Diana, it was thrilling to awaken to a blog. I really missed receiving it each day. Thanks so much! The post was outstanding. What a beautiful spot. Have fun picking fruit and enjoy fall in Cle Elum with the puppies and the chimps.
JB thank you for a wonderful post with the historical notes on the property. What an image that conjures up with the saloon and dancehall right next to a barn and chicken shed. Thank goodness the trees have flourished all this time and with plenty of fruit to feed the hungry Chimps! So happy the chimps have such an amazing place to live.
I am edified to learn that, in addition to Ellie the Elk, that there are two dogs in
near proximity to the sanctuary. I hope that the chimpanzees enjoy visits from the
dogs through the fencing.
And yes, in this biosphere which is so endangered by the corresponding
anthroposphere, I am grateful that the Autumnal equinox has arrived and, with it,
cooler temperatures for Missy, Jamie, and Co. to enjoy.