A day of reconnaissance and visiting with friends

Day trips are a common outdoor experience for my wife Garnet and me. Ephrata friends, Rosann and Bill Green, have mentioned the idea of using a goat to help trim their pasture area instead of having to use a lawn mower. After the goat helped keep the pasture grass down for the summer, it would become winter meat.

Davenport friends, Karen and Jim Jerow, raise goats. They raise 50 plus goats and sell some of the meat at the Spokane Public Market, an indoor market similar to a farmers' market.

This was a perfect reason for a road trip to Davenport and to introduce the Greens to the Jerows. The two couples could discuss goats and afterwards, we could scout for turkeys and places to hunt during the spring season.

The plan was for us to meet the Greens at 10 a.m. in Wilson Creek. I called City Hall ahead of time and informed them a stray vehicle would be parked along the street for several hours.

The land from Wilson Creek, through Hartline, Almira, Wilbur, Creston and on to Davenport was new territory for Bill and Rosann. While Moses Lake and Ephrata were snow free, snow appeared on the farmland as we neared Hartline. The line of snow appeared as if it was a contour line or an elevation line.

We arrived at the Jerow ranch close to noon. As was prearranged, all three couples brought their own lunch, but a macaroni salad was shared, as were some of Karen's canned pickles. Jim had a surprise for us as he retrieved several goat chops from the grill. I enjoyed mine and likened them to lamb chops. The meal was completed by a package of white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies, which Jim enjoyed immensely as evidenced by the amount he commandeered.

Next it was time to talk goat, so we headed to the goat barn. Bert and Ernie were in attendance, two great Pyrenees dogs who have the job of guarding the goat herd. These dogs are friendly and enjoy the attention of visitors, but woe be the person or animal who appears about to do harm to a goat.

Goats are herd animals, so instead of one goat, the Greens would be wise to acquire two, we learned. The Jerow herd wanders a few miles a day through the ranchland, with Bert and Ernie guarding them all the way. However, two goats at the Green homestead would do just fine in a fenced pasture.

With the goat education complete, we said goodbye and headed out in search of turkeys. Bill has shot so many turkeys while growing up in Texas, the sport of turkey hunting doesn't appeal to him anymore. Garnet and I are still interested and enjoy the meat.

We first stopped at a place we have hunted for years, but new renters were in place. Permission was secured when I asked, "Have you seen many birds in the area?"

"Well yeah," the woman said, "about 300."

We turned on the main road from the driveway and drove about 100 yards when Bill spotted a flock of around 75. But, the number didn't account for part of the flock having already going over a nearby hill.

On we drove for another half mile and another flock of at least 100 was spotted making their way along a creek bed. We turned on to the Miles-Creston Road and climbed out of the canyon, stopping at another house where we have secured permission before, and it was granted again.

We stopped at the next house also and again secured permission. When asked about seeing birds, the lady indicated there had been a bunch close to the house all winter.

As we neared Wilbur the Billy Burger sign came into view. We stopped for a cup of coffee. The young man charged me $1.70 for two cups and began to brew a new pot.

When the coffee was ready, I questioned him about the price per cup. The math was correct at just 85 cents each, which is the least expensive cup of coffee around. I tried to give him an additional $2 for a tip, but he wouldn't take it.

Treating customers in a polite and generous manner is appreciated by this traveler. We will be sure to stop at the Billy Burger Drive In every time we pass through Wilbur.

We dropped Rosann and Bill at their vehicle in Wilson Creek and they followed us until Stratford, where we turned south. It had been a great day, having the pleasure of introducing two friends to another two friends, talking goat and securing permission to hunt on many acres of land.