Mave has been showing off her newfound confidence on the Bray, though at this point she prefers to stay somewhat close to home. Lucky, on the other hand, has been pushing herself to explore the very top of the enclosure. The other day she climbed one of the towers under construction at the top of the Bray for the first time (I think!) and took a moment to enjoy the view with her brother Cy and pal Gordo.
Rayne with one of her favorite books:
Cy, as I found him while closing up the chimp house one evening:
Here’s a photo of the sanctuary taken several weeks back from the driveway on the southern edge of our property which the Bonneville Power Administration built to access their transmission towers for us to walk our dogs along. In the background you can see one of the many cuts along Old Highway 10 where university students and geology buffs go to examine the various strata of ancient riverbeds, as well as the infamous Taylor Bridge, forever linked to the 2012 wildfire which bears its name.
And one from yesterday, after a wind gust blew a plastic bag up this impossibly steep hill while Jake and I were working on cattle fencing. I figured I’d stop a take a photo to hide how tired I was from the climb and buy myself a little time before trying to make my way back down. I was reminded of one of those quirky British competitions where people chase after a wheel of cheese down a steep slope (I’m not kidding) except at the bottom of this hill is simply an old barbed wire fence. This view of the slope might give you a sense of why we couldn’t extend the chimp enclosures any further to the east than we did – bear in mind, the chimp enclosure is itself a pretty steep hill. I really thought about it, though.
Cindee says
It’s so nice to see Mave continuing to enjoy their outdoor space. Maybe in time she will go a little further, just like it took Willy B a while to walk on the grass. And maybe in time she will convince her friends Dora and Honey B to come out with her.
Linda C says
I liked that, too. Just quietly enjoying the outdoors.
I think they’re goung to have to lure Dora and Beezus with their favorite foods….
Nancy Duryea says
I’m always awed at the ease they have of hauling themselves up on the structures. They seemed to enjoy their outing today. As Cindee commented, I also wish that Honey B and Dora could be coerced to spend some time outside.
The pictures of the sanctuary are beautiful, everything is so green and lovely. Speaking of pictures, those two of Cy are priceless.
Tobin says
Perhaps it is due to seeing the Cascades Range in the distance, but the tower that Lucky, Cy and Gordo ascended seems like it is several stories tall. After all that climbing, I am pleased to see that Cy could up with his reading of the May issue of Harper’s.
Speaking of reading material, I am curious about Raynie’s tome, which appears to bear the title “Little Larry”. Is this a biography detailing the formative years of Larry David as he began his long career of assaulting unwritten social conventions?
Kathleen says
While I am super happy to see Mave outside, she looks a little non-plus with the experience. I bet having Dora at her side would brighten the day!
It’s beautiful seeing Cy, Lucky (yay Lucky!!), and Gordo up high on the structure. What a spectacular view. It must feel like they are on top of the world! Wild and free!
Speaking of wild and free up high with spectacular views….. Wow J.B., what a view from where you stood (or did you take that photo on your knees sucking wind from the steep climb?!). Seriously, the sanctuary is surrounded by beauty as far as the eye can see.
Linda C says
Yeah, I had a bad flashback to taking a study abroad group to Argentina and the Hill of the Penitents. ..so called bc if you weren’t sorry when you started, you sure were by the end! 🙂
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
Thankyou, J B, for those fabulous and fantastic photos. I particularly loved the one you captured of Cy & I am not sure whether that pose was meditation or yoga but Cy looked like he was very much at peace. A photo is worth a thousand words and you sure captured the beauty of your sanctuary surroundings. The scope and the beauty of Pacific North West never ceases to amaze me and Cy Gordo, Mave and the gang sure looked like they were in paradise up there chilling out. In a way they were. A fabulous and joyous day.
Linda C says
JB, I’ve always noticed the incline increased during the running of the cows, but wow! This reeeally puts it into perspective!
I enjoyed seeing Cy taking his reading materials outside. It almost seemed like he was looking for some peace to read, and gave up (even though I know it’s not the case).
Good going, Lucky!
Amy says
The full name of Rayne’s book is Little Larry Goes to School. It’s a true story about Little Larry, an orphaned chimp at a sanctuary in Cameroon. His caretakers teach him about communication and play, but he (at first) refuses to learn to climb. It’s a very cute National Geographic Kids book. I am estastic that Rayne likes it!!!