We look east into the Bear Creek Valley. Your hosts, Carol & Jim, have gardened the Hat Ranch for over 30 years, creating a Pollinator Food Forest complete with honey bees! Just beyond the first ridge is Ashland, 15 minutes away. The space Located in the foothills above Talent, the Hat Ranch offers beautiful views, seasonal harvests, and quick access to the Bear Creek Valley. We are 15 minutes from downtown Ashland and Shakespeare Theaters, 5 minutes from Talent, and 20 minutes from the middle of Medford. Our spacious porch, outfitted with numerous chairs, invites you to enjoy the distant view, daily visits from neighborhood deer and a host of birds, flitting through the garden. The garden is best described as a Pollinator Food Forest. The notion of Food Forest Design was introduced to me through readings and discussions with friends regarding Permaculture. The concept recognizes the importance of integrating relationships between trees, shrubs and ground covers in the layout of your plantings. To this we add honey bees and a pinch of black tail deer, and "voila"::::>you have a Pollinator Food Forest. Flowering trees are a must: apples, pears, plums. Shrubs and vines take up the middle: grapes, black berries, flowering hedges to name a few. And finally, both last & first, are the ground covers: clovers, mints, and all the crazy grasses. This mix of plants: trees, shrubs, vines, & ground covers; provides nourishment and protection for honey bees, deer, and the likes of you and me. Guest access Guests have access to the kitchen, laundry, yard, living room, bathroom and beautiful views from the front porch. The bathroom you will use is shared with one other member of the household. During your stay We seem to get to know folks in the kitchen. Nothing like a full belly. There are always fixings for guests to make their own coffee and tea. We can potluck if you wish, or you can prepare your own meals. There is a space for guests' food in one of our refrigerators. You will most likely be greeted at least once by Daisy, a blue healer mix doggie who is currently residing on the land with her person. Introductions are always in order and pave the path to good inter species relationships. Three cats also live here, two inside the house. They are NOT allowed or encouraged to come into the guest room that you will be using, but they are pretty friendly and almost always ready to occupy a lap for a while. Other things to note Yes, we do have cats! and yes, they are inside the house, but not in your room. A dog also lives on the property with her owner, and you will be properly introduced. She does not come inside the house. Our house has two bathrooms, and the one you will be using is just down the hall from your room. Please note that other people do sometimes use that bathroom as well.