Wednesday, January 06, 2010

DON’T THROW A SHOVEL FULL OF DONKEY DUST INTO THE WIND!!

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THIS HERE’S MY HORSE….’GATOR’

Thought for sure I would be feeling a little stiff this morning after yesterdays raking & wheelbarrowing over at Belle's Silverado Ranch.  But, I was good to go & the joints didn't feel too bad.  But, that was this morning!!  It is now the end of my second day & I can tell if I don't have a can of WD-40 beside my bed in the morning I won't be creaking anywhere. 

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Nice 20 minute drive this morning paralleling the Mule mountains on my way to the Silverado Ranch.  Upon turning onto the Bisbee/Douglas highway I could see for 30 or 40 miles down into the Sulphur Springs Valley to the Mexican border & beyond.  Douglas & Agua-Prieta were under a fog bank of sorts but the distant Mexican mountains indicated where the 2 border towns adjoined each other. 

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Cindy was just coming out of their 5th wheel as I parked the car.  She had indicated in an email Monday night that they would be moving on either to-day or Wednesday so I made sure I got to the ranch on the early side.  Dave was away scouting another possible paying job in the area & we didn't end up seeing him until mid afternoon.  Cindy explained the procedure for feeding all the critters which consist of about 20 donkeys, 15 horses, & an assortment of geese, peacocks, pheasants, 3 dogs, chickens, roosters, & a bunch of resident pigeons.  Between the two of us we figured out how to start the John Deere Gator & we were off to load up some bales of hay.  I had never driven a Gator & I could tell Cindy was more comfortable with her driving anyway so she lined the Gator up beside the hay wagon while I climbed up & dropped the bales into the back.

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CINDY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO START THE GATOR……. I WASN’T MUCH HELP:((

We went down between the line of horse pens & she showed me how to break the bales into loaves & how many loaves per horse goes into the corral.  Quite a mathematical science she had worked out there.  Checked all the water bins as we moved along as well & some containers had to be filled.  When we fed the miniature donkeys we noticed one little fellow apart from the rest in a laying down sitting position.  Well, neither one of us being very wise in the ways of the west, we immediately figured the little fellow was in trouble.  While Cindy headed off to get some water I climbed the fence, went over to the donkey & seated myself on the ground beside him with my arm around him talking softly telling him everything was going to be fine.  Cindy was back with the water & handed it through the fence but he didn't want any.  Next she handed me a handful of hay through the fence & by the time I turned around the little guy was up & moving around with the other fellows.  Of course they completely surrounded me wanting that little bit of hay in my hand & within seconds the hay was all gone & I didn't have a clue who the fellow on the ground was because they all look like clones of each other.  We kept an eye on the pen the rest of the day & aside from a few rolling dust baths the whole gang looked perfectly normal.  Even the one we thought was sick, whichever one he was.  I can see I'm going to have put name tags on everybody for sure.  Sure felt like an eastern Dude that's for sure.  But hey, we northeasterners got some pretty tricky stuff waiting for you southwesterners up there too you know.

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LINING UP THE GATOR TO DROP SOME HAY IN THE BACK

There's a lot of water hoses everywhere & that took us a little figuring to get them moved around to various watering stations but we did 'get er done.'  I continued my clean up project in the driveway area while Cindy worked away at raking the grounds around the bird pens.  Between the two of us we managed to come up with many piles of 'stuff.'  By this time I was as skilled on that Gator as Mario Andretti was in his race car as I maneuvered around here & there picking up the piles.  Had a big red tub on the back of the Gator & that's where I shoveled & pitchforked things into.  When it was two thirds full I drove towards the back of the property, picked out a spot & started a fertilizer manure pile.  Took me a lot of grunting & groaning to get the huge tubs of stuff tipped up & overturned onto the growing pile but the system worked & besides, the exercise felt great.

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FILLING UP A WATER CONTAINER

Belle has decided to split the donkey herd & move half of them into another pen area so I spent about an hour with my rakes & shovel cleaning that pen out.  Cindy, in the meantime had more piles for me to load & the afternoon went along very well.  When donkey or horse droppings (Jerry calls em road apples) remain on the ground long enough they break down into a fine grass like substance that is very light & blows easily in the wind.  I found that out early on when facing into the wind I picked up a healthy scoop of dried flaky droppings & swung the shovel around to drop it in the big red tub.  The wind picked it right of the shovel & deposited the whole load right in my face.  Lesson learned right there & then thankyou very much!!

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LAST LOAD OF THE DAY

In between Gator loads I sometimes dropped into the house to see how Belle was doing.  The 2 sweet little tea cup Chihuahuas were racing around like a couple of manic magpies on steroids & Belle was glued to her computer.  I sit down & we chat for a few minutes.  We talk about the ranch, the cast of characters coming & going, & life in general sometimes.  She expresses her worry about me outside working when I don't have to & I assure her I am having a great time.....which I really am.  These past 2 days have been a couple of the best days I've had in a very long time.  It feels great to be actually doing something physical again & I'm sure it is going to be great for my weight problem.  I enjoy the type of work mainly because I work alone & at my own pace.  What a great feeling it has been driving home these past 2 days feeling so physically tired & so mentally alive.  The thought that I am actually doing something useful for a change is sooooooo rewarding for me.  Not to worry Belle, I am having a great time learning about the ways of the west.  How many other 65 year old guys would have a chance like this to finally live his boyhood dream of being a rootin tootin cowboy.  Heck, one of these days I may even get myself up onto a horse....D'ya think:)) 

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Oh, & who was my favorite cowboy when I was a little feller.....Hopalong Cassidy & his big white horse Topper of course.  Had big black Hoppy hat & shirt plus necktie.........Yaaaay Odel:))

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GROANER'S CORNER:(( At his 103rd birthday party, my grandfather was asked if he planned to be around for his 104th   "I certainly do," he replied. "Statistics show that very few people die between the ages of 103 and 104."

FACEBOOK READERS GO HERE TO SEE OUR ACTUAL WEBSITE COMPLETE WITH PHOTOS & MORE INFO.

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

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

PLAYING IN THE ARIZONA DESERT DUST

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AT JEANIE & RAY’S McNEAL RANCH

Some folks are happy with power tools while others are gifted aircraft pilots, crack racing car mechanics, computer wizards, ace salesmen, long haul truck drivers, gifted quilters, talented singers, or crafty lawyers.  Some folks are just happy being retired & watching television.  Give me a shovel & rake, point me towards a pile of dirt & I'm a happy guy too.

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I WORKED ON THE DRIVEWAY CLEAN-UP & SHOVELED ME UP A TASTY WHEELBARROW LOAD OF HORSE BUNS……..WELL TASTY FOR THE DOGS THAT IS…..click to enlarge photos

And so, that is what this happy guy did to-day.  Loaded a couple shovels & rakes from the ranch here into the car, ker-plunked my cowboy hat on, brewed up a thermos of coffee, & headed over to Belle's Silverado ranch 20 minutes west of here.  Cindy & Dave had fed all the critters this morning & Dave was busy burning some garbage.  Cindy was up to her elbows & working hard on cleaning one of the bird pens.  I'm sure I saw some smiles on those little bird faces & a few grimaces on Cindy's.

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CINDY AT WORK TODAY IN THE BIRD PEN

Popped in & chatted with Belle for awhile & she was as warm & chipper as ever.  Had a stack of papers sitting on her printer & was hard at work on the keyboard typing up articles for her blog.  She will soon begin posting stories of her colorful life & was obviously enjoying the old memories flowing from her mind to the computer screen.   A chuckle here, a snicker there.  And always the sparkling eyes.

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CINDY’S PHOTO OF AL & DAVE……DON’T KNOW WHO THE 2 GUYS ARE

Told Belle if I sit too long I would seize up so headed out the door, grabbed my shovel & rake & dug in.  Spent 4 enjoyable hours under the warm Arizona sun with a bit of raking here, a bit of sweeping there, & a bit of mucking along the horse pens.  Mucking??  Cleaning up horse manure.  They don't always keep things in the pens you know.  Dave hopped on his big bright yellow Honda motorcycle & slipped down to Douglas for some materials while Cindy brought me over 2 delicious brownie muffins that her baking husband had made.  Geeezzzzz, how come every RV guy we meet is a talented cook!!  Only thing I've ever been good at making is a mess:((  Well, I am kinda good with a shovel & rake &.......well, you already know about the dirt part.

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THE ‘CLAW’ IS IN PLACE & JUST HAVE TO POUND IN THE LONG SPIKES

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There is a lot of work ahead of us or anyone else who would like to drop in to the Silverado Ranch with a desire to help out.  We can promise lots of fresh air, sunshine, & good old Arizona dust.  Not much in the way of grass in these here parts though.  Coming from lush & green Ontario the southwest can be a bit of a shock to some people.  We always have to work on adjusting our heads before arriving here.  It is like traveling from one planet to another with not a lot of similarities between them.  On our trip down it is always such a welcome site to first see the dim outline of distant mountains ahead on the horizon.  On the return trip it is the beautiful green trees & soft green grass we long to see.  We try not to bring our critical eyes here when we see the old tumble down buildings & we try not to take our critical eyes home with us when we see the busier highways & gobbles of people.  Many southwesters never see the north & east while many of those nor easters never see the southwest & it is invariably hard sometimes for each group to understand the land & the ways of others.  For those of us who are snowbirders or fulltimers we rattle back & forth between the two lifestyles, the two cultures, & the two ways of thinking.  And yes, they are definitely different lifestyles.  And, where am I going with all this........don't know, it was just something bubbling around inside me to-day.

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GOTTA LOVE THESE BIG ARIZONA SKYS

We are lucky here at the McNeal ranch in that the Propane truck from Wilcox will come & fill our tank without us having to move the rig & travel to Douglas for propane.  Nice perk I'd say.  With the icy cold nights below freezing I've had to jump the ATV battery each time I use it.  Neighbor Doug came over this morning to haul out the battery & see what he could do with it.  I'll know in the morning if he was successful.  Eight chickens in the pen & the girls have not laid one single solitary egg for 6 days now.  Wonder if we should give them some Drano in case they are plugged up.  If that doesn't work they may all end up in the soup pot this summer.

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SATURDAY CAMPFIRE

Weatherman says we're in for another sunny warm day so I'll be back at Belle's in the morning with my little shovel & rake happily playing in the Arizona desert dust.  And ya know what, I'm gonna take my ghetto blaster along to-morrow & serenade them there horses & donkeys with the Sons of The Pioneers:))

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GROANER'S CORNER:((  A new wine for seniors........California vintners in the Napa Valley area, which primarily produces Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio wines, have developed a new hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diuretic.  It is expected to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to the bathroom during the night.   The new wine will be marketed as Pino More.

FACEBOOK READERS GO HERE TO SEE OUR ACTUAL WEBSITE COMPLETE WITH PHOTOS & MORE INFO.

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

Monday, January 04, 2010

A BETTER DAY:))

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The morning was slow but picked up this afternoon.  As soon as Kelly left for exercise class this morning I was busy doing dishes, vacuuming, & just generally straightening things up.  No dusting though, you all know how I feel about dusting!!!!  Re-laid our outside bamboo mat making sure to get rid of the sharp stones underneath this time.  Fresh water tank had to be filled & the gray tank dumped.  Propane truck comes on Wednesday so that will be another thing off the list.

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Four people out at our little photo group this afternoon in Elfrida.  Was nice to sit back & chit chat about photo things etc with Ray, Jean, & Marybeth.  I will miss these folks & our Monday afternoon sessions when we leave here one day.  I used to belong to various groups years ago like a camera club, a hiking club, field naturalist club, etc but have gotten away from all that club stuff over the years.  But, I do like our local Elfrida photo group.  We did actually belong to the Escapee RV club about 5 years ago but we let our membership lapse & just never got around to re-newing it.  We're just not fire ring & rally type people.

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<< PHOTO GROUP MEMBERS JEAN & RAY BACK MARYBETH INTO A CORNER FOR A PHOTO

The UPS truck rolled in late this afternoon with our 'Claw.'  A few weeks ago I blogged about our satellite being blown over for the second time in high winds.  MIKE McFALL emailed us suggesting we get something called 'the claw' which is guaranteed to prevent our dish from toppling over ever again.  Mike said if the dish gets dumped he'll come over & personally eat the whole dish!!  Yaaaay Mike.....would you like fry's with that:))

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THE ‘CLAW’ ARRIVES

The blog will be short to-night because I have emails to do & tomorrow looks like a busy day. 

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GROANER'S CORNER:((  A group of Canadians were traveling by tour bus through Holland. As they stopped at a cheese farm, a young guide led them through the process of making cheese, explaining that goats’ milk was used. She showed the group a lively hillside where many goats were grazing. These, she explained, were the older goats put out to pasture when they no longer produced. She then asked, “What do you do in Canada with your old goats?”  A spry old gentleman answered, "They send us on bus tours".

FACEBOOK READERS GO HERE TO SEE OUR ACTUAL WEBSITE COMPLETE WITH PHOTOS & MORE INFO.

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

WELL, IT’S BEEN A BIT OF A DAY

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A NEIGHBOR SENT US A PICTURE YESTERDAY OF OUR HOUSE IN BAYFIELD ONTARIO……LOOKING KIND OF SNOWY UP THERE!!

Kelly has a big roaring campfire going to-night so you can tell it's a tad less cold out……. the key word being tad.  Turned out to be a warm sunny day.  I like when that happens.

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I went over to Belle's this morning & I guess the first thing I had better say is that the 'caretaker' job has been filled.....for now!!  Had a long talk with Cindy who with her husband Dave have been the RV boots on the ground at Belle's the last day & a half.  We talked about the condition of the ranch, work involved to bring it up to par, Dave's opinion regarding repairs & Belle's health & well being. We also talked about the 'new caretaker people' who showed up a few days ago!! DSC_5149

Cindy, Dave, myself, & Kelly are all very concerned about Belle but we are not sure what we can do now.  Kelly & I had hoped to find a caring & trustworthy RV caretaking person or persons to come & help Belle but now with the 'new rancher neighbor caretakers' in place we're not sure if that would work out.  Cindy expressed her genuine concern about Belle's well being & future of the ranch.    Cindy also gave me an email address for anyone interested in her & Dave's opinion of the ranch situation.  You can email Cindy at gtrgone@live.com

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IT WAS A 6 DOG WALK THIS MORNING……7 IF YOU INCLUDE ME:))

I talked to Belle this morning & she was as chipper as ever despite her electricity being out again.  The only electricity she had when I left this afternoon was in the small area where her computer is by the door.  It had gone out a few days ago when we were there but someone came & put 2 new breakers in.  It went out again yesterday & Dave was able to get it on but today it was off again.  In fact, Cindy & Dave spent a very cold night in their 5th wheel because their electricity went out as well & they were out of propane.  Brrrrr!!  Obviously there is some kind of major electrical problem somewhere.  Belle said she had the whole ranch re-wired with 50 amp service when she first moved in & everything worked fine including her 6 RV sites.  She said a fellow she had working for her later made changes to the electrical set-up & it has never worked right since.  Of course that fellow is long gone down the road now.  Belle also informed me that her niece/cousin is driving in from Kentucky to-morrow & will be staying with her for a bit.  Hopefully that will give her some much needed help in the house.

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CORKY PULLS A PIECE OF ICE FROM THE POOL THIS MORNING & SOON KELLY HAS THEM ALL EATING THEIR VERY OWN ICE CONES

So, I guess the bottom line in all of this as of to-night is simply to say that because of the recent appearance by the new 'caretakers' a few days ago we don't know what to do next or if in fact if there is anything that we can do now.  One of the positive things to come out of all this though is the caring response we received from so many people all across the country regarding Belle's situation.  The RV community stepped up with offers of help, emails, comments, & genuine concern.  Some folks even sent in financial support directly to Belle.  Guess we'll just have to wait & see what happens.  Kelly & I may only be in this area another couple of weeks before moving further west but at least while here we were able to bring attention to Belle Starr & her Silverado Ranch.   Hopefully other folks can stop by & keep the ball rolling for Belle.  We’ll see what the next few days bring……………………10-4!!

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GUESS WHO GOT SOME NEW TOYS YESTERDAY:))

And welcome to our newest followers Judy & her little dog Emma.   They are adventurous  full timers traveling the country in TRAVELS WITH EMMA

GROANER'S CORNER:((   Morris, an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young lady on his arm.  A couple of days later the doctor spoke to Morris and said, "You're really doing great, aren't you?"
Morris replied, "Just doing what you said, Doc: 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.' "   The doctor said, "I didn't say that. I said, 'You got a heart murmur. Be careful.'"

FACEBOOK READERS GO HERE TO SEE OUR ACTUAL WEBSITE COMPLETE WITH PHOTOS & MORE INFO.

BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

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

Saturday, January 02, 2010

SOAKED UP SOME SUNSHINE & LISTENED TO SOME WESTERN TUNES

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Needed a few groceries so figured we would head into town this morning but then Kelly dropped.....the 'S' word.  She decided if we were in town anyway she could hit a few stores.  Well, that was it for me.  After my Sierra Vista shopping day this past week I figured I was good until 2015 so had no interest in getting dragged through more stores.  Kelly headed off for Bisbee & I stretched out in a lounge chair with my 'Sons Of The Pioneers' CD shakin up the chickens.

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Turned out to be a very busy morning on the computer anyway so was glad I had stayed behind.  I had emails to respond to, photos to sort, emails to organize, & fellow bloggers to read.  I responded, sorted, & organized but didn't get any blogs read so I may keep this post short to-night & do some catch up.

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Noticed we have some new followers so want to welcome Belle Starr, Jeanie, & Yarntangler.  Do you suppose Yarntangler might have something to do with quilting.  Seems like every third or fourth RV/Blogger we meet is a quilter person.  Geeeezzzz, some of the guys are even married to quilters:))  Jeanie's husband has just entered the blogging world as well so you might want to have a look at ROJOS RAMBLINGS.  Tell him The Bayfield Bunch sent ya:))  And check out Gerri & Art's blog at THE 2 BALLS.  Sounds like amongst a bunch of other things, Gerri is a very experienced reptile handler!!

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On our Middlemarch Road drive a few days ago we came upon something we had not expected to see in this area.  On the east side of the Dragoon mountains about half way to Pearce we spotted a Saguaro Cactus standing tall on a hillside.  First one we've ever seen this far southeast of Tucson.

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RARE TO THIS AREA……A SAGUARO CACTUS NEAR PEARCE, ARIZONA

BELLE'S UPDATE

We had an email from Cindy & Dave this morning.  They are set up at Belle's place in their 5th wheel & have run into a few work related problems.  There is a problem with the electric running to the boxes at all 6 RV sites so Dave is having problems running his power tools.  At the time Cindy sent the email Dave was working on fixing a sink for Belle.  Kelly & I are so grateful to Cindy & Dave for coming to Belle's aid.  As many of you blog readers know I am not mechanically inclined whatsoever & to have a caring couple arrive carrying their own tools with the ability to use them is nothing short of a miracle.  This Wisconsin couple & their dog Shadow arrived at a perfect time.  Kelly & I were able to get the ball rolling but it is people like Cindy & Dave who can keep it rolling.  I am hoping to get over to Belle's to-morrow for a couple hours so we'll see how things are going & how that Belle gal is doing.  She is having a few problems getting onto her blogsite so maybe we can work on that for a bit too.  I would like to take a few more pics for Belle's blog as well.  If anyone RVing in the area knows how to set up a full blown website that would be much appreciated.  Belle had a nice website but the fellow who did it put everything in his name including passwords, etc.  When he finally 'got lost'......so did Belle's website!!

Ok, that's about enough out of me for another day!!

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GROANER'S CORNER:((  During my brother's wedding, my mother managed to keep from crying---until she glanced at my grandparents. My grandmother had reached over to my grandfather's wheelchair and gently touched his hand. That was all it took to start my mother's tears flowing.
After the wedding, Mom went over to my grandmother and told her how that tender gesture triggered her outburst.
"Well, I'm sorry to ruin your moment," Grandmother replied, "but I was just checking his pulse."

FACEBOOK READERS GO HERE TO SEE OUR ACTUAL WEBSITE COMPLETE WITH PHOTOS & MORE INFO.........

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

Friday, January 01, 2010

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

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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.

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<< ONE OF BELLE’S OLD RANCH POSTERS

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.