Tuesday, December 20, 2011

THE LAZY W RANCH….A WALK AROUND SOME OLD MEMORIES TODAY

DSC_0011

DUG THIS FIRE PIT AT THE LAZY W RANCH 10 MONTHS AGO BUT NEVER DID GET TO SIT BY A WARMING CAMPFIRE

It was encouraging to see a brighter sun in our dawning sky first thing this morning and how nice it was to feel yesterday’s cold winds had subsided.  Pheebs and I did the morning chores and how good it felt to be getting some needed exercise as we checked the security fence line around the long perimeter.  I saw the corrals needed a cleaning so that will be some welcome additional exercise for me.  I don’t mind working with Donkey buns:))

DSC_0003

RANCH DOG PEARCE HAS BEEN FEELING A LITTLE LONELY SINCE JEANIE & RAY LEFT SO HAS BEEN HANGING OUT AT OUR HOUSE

Seems I have mixed up my Bandy’s with my Banty’s.  Bandy’s might be a short term for something to put on a cut finger but Banty has something to do with attitude and swagger.  Had referred to my little ‘Attack Rooster’ in Monday’s blog as a Bandy Rooster.  Commenter Glenda questioned the spelling and of course that sent me scrambling off to Google.  Here is what I found.  ‘Banty is short for Bantam.   In addition this term is used to describe the behavior of some short men who may tend to walk with a swagger and adopt a somewhat exaggerated male posture.’  Yep, this sure sounds like my feisty little Buddy in the chicken coop alright and yep, it sure sounds like some short men I have known too.

IMG_3033

THE PALS WHO PLAY TOGETHER, SLEEP TOGETHER >>>

Jeeps gas tank was going on empty so we headed over to the little town of Elfrida late this morning.  I like the gas station there because it is a no brainer.  Just drive up, lift the nozzle and put your gas in.  Walk inside and tell the guy how much you put in and that’s it.  No annoying computers in the gas pump wanting your area code, name of your first born, how old your Sister’s younger Brother is.  Just put your gas in, pay for it and go.  Now, how easy is that.  Just like yesteryear.  But, then again Elfrida Arizona itself is just like that.  It’s a tired and dusty little town that time really hasn’t, or hopefully never will, catch up with.  It’s my kinda town…..and I like it.

DSC_0008 DSC_0007

Half a dozen back streets, a gas station, post office, hardware, couple little restaurants and maybe a dozen buildings on main street with probably a third of them empty.  Sage Brush tumbles down the main street and horses might be tied up outside the High Lonesome feed store.  Nothing fancy in Elfrida.  Not enough traffic for a light.  Maybe not enough electricity for one either.  But, I do exaggerate a bit.  However,  it’s an exaggeration that fits well with the once bustling little town which once boasted a large Cotton Gin.  What’s left of the Gin is still there but the Cotton Gin folks have moved on.  Prosperity in Elfrida has moved on as well and most folks in town just kind of hang in and try to make the best of what they have.

Nice medical facility, community center and cozy library at the north end of town.  Fire station and Police Department at the south end.  A few churches and a nice school.  Even the founders of the town never left.  They are buried near the Fire Hall.  Elfrida’s not most folks cup of tea but it fits right into my little world quite well.  As I said, nothing fancy here:))

DSC_0017

CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF THE SNOW CAPPED CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS TODAY WHILE IN ELFRIDA

While in Elfrida we stopped at the library because Kelly has a library card here and we usually stock ourselves up some good reading material.  For me, that is local history of the surrounding areas here in the Sulphur Springs Valley.

Some blog readers may remember last winter when I fell in love with a dusty little tumble down and tumble weed Ranch property here in Cochise County.  We boon docked on the ‘For Sale’ property for about a week back in February. 

I wrote about the Ranch each day we were there at the time and I also wrote about how I felt about it after returning to Ontario in the Spring.   If you go to, ARIZONA'S SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY KINDA GROWED ON US you can read my May post.  Just scroll down and begin reading under the Mule Mountains photo. 

I felt exactly the same way today as we once again made our way east of Elfrida along the bumpity road to the Lazy W Ranch.  All the feelings came right back for me as we rolled up the dirt driveway to the empty little adobe brick house.  Nothing had changed except it just looked a little more tired and forlorn than I remembered it.  We were so glad to see that it had not been vandalized yet.

DSC_0013

MAYBE DOESN’T LOOK LIKE MUCH TO MOST FOLKS BUT THIS HOUSE, PROPERTY, AND LOCATION SPOKE TO ME 10 MONTHS AGO, AND STILL SPEAKS TO ME TODAY……………………. 

We walked around the property and my mind picked right up where it had left off last winter.  All the thoughts and plans were still there, fresh in my mind.  The perimeter fencing, new irrigation ideas, all new landscaping, an RV idea, etc. etc. etc.   But, also in my mind was the same realization we came to back in February.  The Ranch dream was just not going to happen then and it is still not going to happen now.  The $145,000 dollar price tag is even more unrealistic today than it was 10 months ago.  As real estate prices continue to fall in the economically stressed Valley the price tag on the deteriorating vacant 80 acre Ranch has not kept pace with the down turning reality of the Real Estate market.

DSC_0010

WE WERE SO HAPPY TO SEE SOMEONE IS STILL FEEDING THE BIRDS AT THE LAZY W

It was sad for me to once again turn my back on the little Ranch, climb in the Jeep and head back on out the driveway for probably what will be the last time.  I am such a sentimentalist.  And sometimes, I am such a Dreamer………………

DSC_0012

We were notified by Facebook yesterday that the second AL’s profile (the hacker) has been eliminated. If you feel you have been hacked by this SOB, notify Facebook immediately and start the process to have your hacker and his phony profile impersonating you, dealt with by Facebook.

Pheebs and I finished up the day by cleaning up some Donkey bun piles around the corral.  Lots more to pick up but we have made a start.  Bright and early in the morning we head for the University of Arizona’s Medical Center in Tucson Arizona.  I have a 10 a.m appointment with a Urologist to discuss this mysterious kidney stone of mine and what, if any action needs to be taken.       

DSC_0014

GROANER’S CORNER:((  What's the difference between outlaws and in-laws?
Outlaws are wanted.

---------------------------------------------------------------Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

16 comments:

  1. Cannot imagine that kind of price tag on the ranch...doubt anyone will be willing to pay that any time soon. Hope your appt goes well tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Still sending positive thoughts your way. YOu ought to be feeling those thoughts tomorrow.

    Emjay

    ReplyDelete
  3. Al, I remember reading your blog last year and the pics you posted about the house in Elfrida. I kept watching it this past year and saw it still was on the market. I was wondering if you'd go back to visit it this year.

    Best wishes for good news tomorrow at your doctor appointment.

    I don't post much but just to let you and Kelly know I really enjoy reading your blog. Your pics are amazing!!!! Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  4. If someone offered 80 or 90 K for the ranch they would have to take a serious look at it!!!

    My appointment on Wednesday is with the surgeon, so perhaps yours won't be that drastic. Good luck with explaining where the pain went........

    Rod

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree with Rod - make an offer that you could live with and see what happens. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

    ReplyDelete
  6. nice that you went back to the place that filled your heads with dreams..dreams never die just the dreamer!..145,000 for 80 acres?..now that is a screaming deal for us in BC!!
    good luck with the doctor tomorrow!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree with the others. Make an offer that would suit your dreams. All they can do is say no. You just might be surprised.
    Good luck and the Docs.
    Fred

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hope all goes well at the Doctor's then yu can get on with your dreams. Good Luck My friend, Sam & Donna..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sorry about your ranch house dream ~ something better is around the corner I am sure. Hope your docotr appointment goes well.
    Have fun & Travel safe
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dangnabbit! You got my eyes watering now at the memories of being there last winter. Thanks so much for introducing us to the area and here is the first of 4 or 5 blogs of our visit too.
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/2011/03/vacation-one-week-can-you-believe-it.html

    We fueled up at the same station, and the next guy started pumping before we could pay inside and he took our word for the amount we pumped! The tiny grocery store with the handicapped guy in the wheel chair running the store himself, rolling around to help me find things, and then up to the checkout to ring me up. Watching the young guys work to sack up the roasted pecans after the harvest down the road.

    I can close my eyes and smell the smells, hear the birds, and feel the sunshine on my face while standing in the dusty yard of that little ranch house, and looking out at the mountains...

    Thanks Al and Kelly. You made my day!

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good luck tomorrow in Tucson Al, hope it all goes well for you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. We kinda liked what we saw of Elfrida also, but could never live there ourselves. Now if we had a friend living at the Lazy W, that would be wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  13. WoW! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! your new header your photo of the windmill! Sending lots of good wishes your way! Hoping for the docs to look at you and ask you "why are you here?" All cured thanks to Doc Kelleys wild medicine! We also agree, your really ought to make an offer on your dream ranch... if it's been sitting this long, they might be willing to come down on price to the right people!

    ReplyDelete
  14. If you could get the place for half the asking price, would you do it? Could you buy it and still be mobile, or is an either/or situation? I understand the lure of a homestead.

    Is there water on the land?

    Boondocking on vacant ranches ... I hadn't fully considered that. Seems like owners might be happy to have folks as good-looking as we are to charm away vandals.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wishing you good luck at the urologist's tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete