Remote ranches

Cindy is having problems getting an internet connection so she asked me, Diane, to post an update. I'll write it as if she is speaking...

Following the desert crossing we have been going from one remote ranch to another. We went from Fite Ranch to McKinley's, (or was it Williams?) to Hinckley's and then Arnold's. The ranches are 17 miles apart, each one being the other's closest neighbor.

Wes, a local rancher, has been riding with us. He has been our liason to the ranchers, getting permission from the local ranchers to ride on their land and to stay overnight at their ranches.

We ride on county roads as much as possible as the ranchers are trying to protect their grass. It is so dry that the grass is brittle. Also, they don't want the cows to be sent running as they will lose weight. The ride is often long, hot, and dusty. Everyone is getting a ski-mask tan. Dust gets in everywhere. Many have had sinus and ear problems, camera lenses are getting scratched. You have to wash your dishes after eating but then again, BEFORE you eat off of them. It's impossible to get the campers clean.

While we were at Sissy and Greg Arnold's ranch, Sissy was talking on the phone. Suddenly, she said, "Here she is" and handed the phone to me. When I said hello, I discovered that she had been talking to Ron Adams (chiropractor in Jackson). As it turns out, Sissy and Ron are cousins! Such a small world!

Soon we were on our way to Mountainair, a town of 1,100 people. Contacts with the small towns had been made before the trip began. For some reason, plans were not made in advance to stay in Mountainair so we set up camp at a fork in the road. Before long, a rider approached our group and asked if we were the riders with "Best of America". Come to find out it was the mayor of the town and that they had been expecting us that night. They were prepared to provide all of us with a dinner and a program. Kindly, they agreed to put everything on hold until the following night. We enjoyed a wonderful BBQ dinner and a man giving the history of the area. (Long ago Spaniards who were Conquistidors came to Mountainair and stayed. Today there are blue-eyed spaniards living in the area who still speak 17th Century spanish). Later, the same man who gave the history, sang songs that he had written of the history of the area.

One of my favorites parts of the trip is meeting the people. Most of our stops are in small towns or ranches. The people have been most welcoming and excited to have us stop in their area. After long hot days of riding, it's wonderful to see their enthusiasm for our visit. We have had MANY meals of beef BBQ, spanish rice, cole slaw, and beans.

Estancia had a natural spring and a rodeo ground. In town, there was a fountain with trees in the area. It was so refreshing... breathing moist air, hearing the sound of water. One lady in Estancia came out with a baking dish piled high with homemade cookies. Her idea was for us to take them with us in our saddlebags. They soon disappeared, but not to the saddlebags.

The weekend of May 15th we were in Moriarty, The Pinto Bean Capital of the World. On Saturday, we were entertained with a youth rodeo. We had to wear our coats... it was so cold! (In the 40's).

As we travel, people are often joining our ride for a time. They soon get caught up in our enthusiasm for "living a lifelong dream".

On May 19th, we may have the opportunity to be extras in a Sam Elliot movie. He is known as a friendly guy who likes to come out to greet the extras! How exciting!!!