Original families on 2nd Mile Ranch in the 1970s.
In 1972 a group of wide eyed, like-minded young couples ditched their southern California lives for the freedom and adventure of starting their own intentional community founded on Christian values in the remote wilderness of the Twisp River on an old homestead up Poorman Creek.
All the founding families, now spanning three generations, many who still live on the ranch, convened last weekend to share stories and remember the early days of the 2nd Mile Ranch.
The ranch takes its name from biblical scripture where in the book of Mathew, Jesus is believed to have said, “whoever compels you to go one mile, go two.” Literally and figuratively, the 2nd Mile Ranch homesteaders took many 2nd miles to make a way of life that sustained each other. Their extra efforts, born out of a genuine love of mankind and the earth, created an enduring community that has, as far as most hippie back-to-land intentional communities go, is a grand success story.
From livestock, vegetable gardening farming, carpentry, food preparation and ministry the families set out to carve a life of meaning and cooperation. There were many failures but also successes.
Over the years, each family carved their own path, found their own way to survival in the hidden hamlet and spiritual callings. Somewhat abandoning a true cooperative lifestyle, they nonetheless, succeeded in building their homes, 12 in all, and raising families and eventually finding employment in town. They remain friends.
The families who came to Second Mile Ranch in 1972 are household names around the valley: Mendro, Floyd, Westlund, Schmeckle, Wallis, Labanauskas and the Shaffer families all raised their kids on the land, and Bob Wells built the home where Andy and Jennifer Floyd now live.
Newcomers to the valley know these folks and their offspring as teachers, builders, business owners, craftsman, IT professionals, piano teachers, musicians, designers and ministers. They’ve made major contributions to the vitality of the community from fostering wayward youth, tending the poor, fixing our computers, fighting fires, and bringing music to our souls; the valley simply would not be the same without these outstanding people.
Intentional communities and communes were not uncommon during the 1970s, as the Vietnam and civil rights era spurred soul seekers to try and make sense of the atrocities of war and social justice and find a way to peaceful existence on Earth.
During the early days of the grand experiment up Poorman Creek, interlopers and wanderers would often visit the ranch, seeking community and belonging. Just up over the hill another commune was also underway in the ’70s that embodied a new age spiritualism and free love ethos. The two communities shared, and swapped resources as needed to help one another, despite their radical philosophical differences, but the 2nd Mile Ranchers outlasted the others.
At the gathering on July 29 to commemorate the 50th anniversary, families and friends of the founders shared stories from wildlife encounters to follies, and shared in the joy of food and music. Congratulations to these remarkable folks for lasting 50 years, and a big thanks for stewarding a precious piece of land through frost and fire to the benefit of all its inhabitants and visitors.
