THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO HAPPEN AT BELLE’S:))

 

BELLE DISCUSSING RANCH PLANS WITH CINDY & KELLY

"Brrrrrrrrr!!!!"  And that's all this Canadian boy has to say about this morning's Arizona's 21F temperature near Douglas.

We were on the slow side getting ourselves mobilized but managed to pull things together well enough to head over to Belle Starr's Silverado Ranch about 11.

We had printed out all the emails for Belle that we received from folks expressing an interest to help out at the ranch.  Belle was overwhelmed at the response & there was an extra sparkle in her eye for sure.

KELLY MAKING NOTES ON THE PRINTED EMAILS FROM PEOPLE ON OUR WAY TO SEE BELLE

The young fellow Belle had helping her has left  & the undesirable drifter who showed up a few days ago was asked to leave & has done so.  A neighboring horse rancher has stepped in to help along with his two nephews so the animals are being cared for.

While we were there a pick-up truck rolled in with an RV couple who had read about Belle's situation.  They are currently staying at the Turquoise Golf & RV Park in Naco just south of Bisbee & came over to see if they could be of help.  We walked around the property with Cindy & Dave & their dog Shadow pointing out areas needing attention.  Turns out Dave is a retired contractor so has expertise in many of the repairs & updating that the ranch needs.  As an added bonus, he travels with his own tools.  And would you believe, Dave even has his cement mixer with him.  Now, that is a dedicated contractor!!

DAVE, CINDY, & KELLY LOOKING OVER THINGS AT THE SILVERADO RANCH

We introduced Cindy & Dave to Belle & the sparkle in Belle just grew.  Dave & I walked around the outside area a bit more & had a look where they could best set up their 5th wheel.  Before Kelly & I left Cindy & Dave had headed back to their RV Park to hook up their rig & bring it over to Belles.  Nice feeling to know things are beginning to happen.

<< ONE OF BELLE’S OLD RANCH POSTERS

(click to enlarge)

Now, I am going to answer questions folks have been emailing about helping Belle.  I am also in the process of emailing each & every person who emailed us & Belle hopes to respond to everyone as well. 

First & foremost, the position at Belle's is not a paying position.  It is strictly a volunteer effort in exchange for free RV parking & a helping hand around the ranch.  Belle has a fondness in her heart for RV folks because of the respectful way they have treated her & the Silverado Ranch over the years when stopping in. 

CINDY & KELLY TALKING ABOUT THE RANCH

We think the neighboring rancher is going to assume responsibility of caring for the horses but that's not a hundred percent clear yet.  Two of his nephews are going to stay on the property in one of Belle's small cabins as night security & daytime help for now.   Belle is relieved to have someone on the property 24/7.  Someone asked if this would be a full time or part time caretaker volunteer position & that is a hard question to answer at this point & will depend on how things shake out over the next few months or so.  As stated, it will depend on how much time the newly arrived neighboring rancher (couple days ago) is willing to put in. 

                             

THE SILVERADO SADDLE ROOM

In the meantime there's lots to do here & I will be going over this coming week to help with the beginning clean up.  I'm pretty darn handy with a shovel & rake you know.  I urge everyone to put Belle's Silverado Ranch on their list if your heading into this area & if your not, drop in anyway & say hello to Belle & the critters.   And while your here just park your rig at Belle’s & enjoy some time exploring this historic valley.  For anyone who has been following our blog these past few months & last spring you know how historic & beautiful this area is.  Feel free to email Kelly & I with any questions regarding things to do & places to go.

        

LOTS OF BOONDOCKING ROOM AT BELLES RANCH

Now, I'm going to wrap this up for to-night because I have more emails to answer & I want to get on that right away before I get behind & miss someone.  I seem to have a habit of doing that sometimes.  Kelly reminded me to-day of a fellow RV'er needing a hand setting up a blog & I had forgot about that.  Gonna get back to you Gerri:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Q. When is a retiree's bedtime?   A. Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch.

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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now....AL.