How many times have you heard the old adage that the more things change the more they stay the same? I’m not sure if it holds up, but it seems to ring true here in the chimp house.
When I was here last it was 2019 and driving up a few months ago for my first shift was jaw dropping. The sanctuary has always been beautiful, tucked away in the mountains around Cle Elum, and it has retained that beauty. Now, though, it is home to 9 additional chimpanzees and the sanctuary has grown so much. When I came to CSNW for my first ever intern shift, with fellow caregiver Chad, we had our volunteer orientation in a trailer outside of the kitchen. Where I am sitting now to write this blog did not exist – or, rather, it was outdoor space between the kitchen and the trailer. Now there is a lobby, a full bathroom (!), a clinic, and the new additions for chimpanzee space.
This photo is from the archives of my phone photos – a long ago trip around Young’s Hill, with the Cle Elum 7, in 2019 (don’t worry – my blog photos will get better, promise). If you squint you can see the original building plus Phase 1, since construction began a few months before I left.
A quick search through archived photos also produced this gem – Desert Fox, the O.G. clinic and meeting space. This is where we had our initial volunteer orientation and it will always be one of my first memories of CSNW.
This photo (thanks, Anthony!) has been used in previous blog posts, but it really lets you see how much has changed. After Phase 1, Phase 2 and 3 were added. It truly is amazing to see how the sanctuary has changed and to witness the positive impact of such a big change.
I think that’s what it comes down to- pulling up to the sanctuary now after a few years away, it’s hard to ignore how much of everything around me is new. For a while it was intimidating, until it started to settle in that what makes CSNW so special has remained through it all. Thank goodness some things never change.
Bonus Photo: Jamie enjoying her loot of mini peppers from the Easter forage yesterday.
It really is amazing how much bigger, better, and improved things have gotten.
I remember the trailer/medical area on my first trip up. The new clinic is so great to have. And everything else is so thoughtful and beautifully built for the chimps. You can tell how much the new kids love their forever home.
I love that last pic of Jamie….So happy:revolving_hearts:
Welcome back, Grace!
You’re so lucky to work with these special chimps!
These are great, Grace. Thanks for the archival pics and walk down memory lane. And, that shot of Jamie with her eyes closed in reverie over her peppers. I can’t tell if they’re fully closed but the expression on her face is just priceless. I often think that Mave looks like the Buddha and in this pic so does Jamie! It’s great to have you back on board!
Zen Jaime:person_in_lotus_position:
It must be exciting to come back and see all the progress made. All those massive plans completed in such a short amount of time. And, still more changes to come with the rearranging of Young’s Hill!
You are right, through all the physical changes the heart of the sanctury is still the same. Home sweet sanctuary home.
Lol, Jamie with her eyes closed….I can almost hear the happy moan.
Glad you’re happy in the new space, Grace!
I just love this photo of Jamie. She appears to be having a Transcendental Pepper Experience!
Your photos look great. No need to worry.
Everything looks so beautiful there. You never realize what a flat state you live in until you see those valleys.
I have a pepper question if anyone can help. I always gave my guinea pigs red or green peppers and they loved them both. Do they all taste pretty much the same?
It looks like the orange ones contain some sort
of magic!
Well I for one can’t stand the green ones, but I love the red and yellow:person_shrugging:?
I don’t think I’ve ever had a yellow one.
Yellow, red, orange have more flavor than the green.
Take these mini ones, halve and seed them, fill them with a combo of refried beans and salsa, top with cheese, bake at 300 or 350 for 15-18 min. Quite tasty!
I think I’ll give this a go. I’ll count it as my daily vegetable. Thanks!
Hi Linda…Thanks for the great idea, since as much as i love those sweet, colorful, mini peppers, I’m always looking for new ways to use them…Salads, roasted, & in a rice or farro bowl, are my usual go-tos..Can’t wait to try them stuffed with goodies… : )
Yw!
Got it from the local supermarket magazine (which gets forwarded to Sir Cy). Not a substitute for the crinchiness of nachos, but the taste is great! Even with low sodium, fat free beans!
Disclaimer: I’m not a pepper expert and I am not sure if the little peppers taste different (maybe sweeter?) from the full sized “bell peppers”
but a green bell pepper growing on the vine will eventually turn red. I know this from gardening. So the green peppers are a little bit “bitter”, strongerin flavor. The ripened red, yellow and orange too, are sweet since they are fully ripened. Roasted red peppers taste like Jamie’s expression! Sweet and creamy. 🙂
Now that makes sense! ’cause yellow is my favorite. Plus it’s really pretty and a salad.