Second post since trailer

We now call the trailer "The Lair." We're trying to put a cozy term to encourage a positive view of our circumstances. The lair is a place we retreat to for relaxing, decompressing and feeling at home. This is supposed to be our second blog to help you envision the sequence of what's happened since we moved out to the ranch. The next order of events occurred two days ago... We were walking by the creek near the beaver dam with the dogs, having a conversation, when suddenly a loud splash ("ker-plop", if you will) in the creek startled us to stop and stare. There were bubbles and ripples in the water next to a beaver-made ledge. Curious to see what would surface, we waited. Nothing. Within a few minutes, we heard light splashing from what appeared under the ledge. So you can picture what the ledge looked like, it was overhanging the water slightly and the water didn't quite meet up with the underside of the ledge- maybe an eight-inch gap. With the second splashing, Misha whined with her ears perked, ran down to the creek and plopped into the water. She started to swim toward the ledge but then turned the opposite direction. After several passes, she soon decided to enter the space underneath the ledge nonchalantly. Just as she passed under the ledge, something made a loud splash and Misha turned right around without hesitation, swimming rapidly. She went straight for the side of the creek and out. Oddly enough, whatever creature was under the ledge made a long melancholy sound. The only interpretation we had of the sound was that it was either a warning sound or a scared, "I'm uncomfortable with you entering my space" sound. Either way, it was sad sounding. We were proud of Misha for being so daring, yet sad to have disturbed the creature. We are almost certain that it was a beaver hiding under the ledge.

To catch you up - the last four days we have been trying to take apart part of the beaver dam to try and rid of the beavers from the ranch. The problem with them being there is that they are making these ledges under the main roads that the tractors for the rice fields have to use. In order to keep the roads in good condition, the beavers have to go. Thus, we've been trying to frustrate them off the property by tearing down their dam repeatedly. This was Matt's idea. The method is peaceful and respectful of the situation. The funny thing is that every morning we return to the dam to find the beavers have replaced what we had undone the previous day. It's a battle to see who will give up first. Humans vs. beavers. Who will become most frustrated? Kareena made it her job every morning to go down to the dam and undo the beavers work. Hopefully she outlasts the beavers. =0)