Sunday, December 12, 2021

Short move to the Grasslands

 After hearing on Friday that it would be 7 - 10 days for the part to be delivered and we have been living the life of luxury in Nancy's driveway, I decided that we should spend a week of real boondocking.  We really do appreciate Nancy's hospitality letting us stay in her driveway while I got things worked out.  

We had a leisurely breakfast and then Nick and I went to Safeway to load up for the half hour journey.  Then we came back to the White Lion and watched some football, Dallas and Washington till the game was over and around 2:30 we headed south on hwy 83 to the Empire Ranch about 30 miles straight south through the Santa Rita foothills to the valley of grass known as the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.

Last week when we drove through this area, I saw a big rig on top of a hill about two miles into the ranch land.  Today, the big rig was gone and a brand new van just like Nick wants parked there.  We drove further up the lane till it ended in a big circle.  We decided this was our place to live until we receive word our part has arrived.

It was 3:30 when we pulled in and threw our Dish and local antenna up to catch "Yellowstone" and more football later on.  For once, everything worked right off.πŸ˜€  Rough life we have here in the middle of a cattle ranch.

There was one lone calf almost old enough to be a cow on the side of the lane we drove up.  Just laid there ignoring us till Yuma and Nick walked over to see what would happen.

Couldn't believe it, but Yuma wasn't interested and ignored her.  That's great!  Maybe I won't have to keep Yuma on a leash.

Didn't have anything but hotdogs thawed and Nick and I weren't in the mood for more hotdogs, so he had a sandwich and I had a can of heated Hungry Man soup with steak and veggies.  And of course our dessert, Tapioca pudding and lots of whip cream 😘

Here is what we see looking around our home.

Empire Ranch down the hill to the northeast.


Close-up of the Empire Ranch

Mustang Mountains to the southeast.

Whetstone Mountains due east.

The Rincon Mountains north of Nancy's house.


We're watching the Bears playing the Packers.  Supposed to be a kill for the Packers at home, but the Bears are holding their own 35 -27 at the end of the 3rd quarter.  Go Bears!

Planning to hit the sack right after the game is over and call it a day.  Thanks for stopping by.

14 comments:

  1. I know you've been to Empire Ranch before and it is under the BLM umbrella, but is it still an active cattle ranch?
    You have a great spot there at the end of the road, Enjoy!

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    1. From what I gather, the ranch is public land but they do still have lots of cattle here and cowboys still work them. Love this place right on top so I can see all the beautiful mountains.

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  2. That definitely looks like a wonderful spot to spend sometime waiting for your parts. If you have to be stuck somewhere not a bad spot to have it happen. Beautiful pictures of your surroundings.

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    1. It is a beautiful place. This time I am staying closer to the entrance with easy access.

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  3. At a glance that looks more like a young bull than a cow but it’s definitely keeping an eye on you. If Yuma chases them it’s possible they COULD turn on him and he would run straight home bringing a stampede right at you, Nick and the WL. We have never had any trouble with any cattle on BLM land (but we didn’t bother them either) although near Carlsbad, NM we had a couple drop by to enjoy taste testing the carpet on the outside steps. Lol
    We love the grasslands, maybe you will see some Pronghorn antelope too. Enjoy.

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    1. At a glance last evening it looked like a sweet young cow but this morning I see that it is a big mean looking bull. Glad we didn't learn the hard wayπŸ˜„ There are a number of them nearby this morning. Must have parked in a bull pen.😨

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  4. I sorta kinda have an idea of where your location might be. There is also a neat little pond of water with trees and green growth around it along the road that runs through there to the east/west highway at the south end of the grasslands.

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    1. We're about a mile or so from hwy 83 overlooking the ranch just down the hill east of us. Neat place except for all the bulls.

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  5. I hope you guys enjoy the stay. The grasslands are so pretty. Bears couldn't pull it out against the Pack, but tried. I hope your parts come in soon.

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    1. Yes, the Bears just couldn't keep it going πŸ˜ͺ i think we're going to enjoy the stay here. Beautiful spot.

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  6. Ummmm Doug ..... that's a BULL, not a cow. Be careful, they can move much faster than you can imagine and they could badly hurt Yuma, not to mention you. I could live out there ... it's just so nice and quiet!! Are you across the waterway to the back?

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    1. Yes he is. Boy I was way off yesterday. No cowboy hat this winter for meπŸ˜ͺ Not beyond the creek this time. I'm staying nearer 83 on top of a hill so I can see everything. Be ready to leave quickly when called.

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  7. Nice spot but after reading Nancy's message, be careful! She knows cattle! :)
    The scenery is beautiful!

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