Our Location: Empire Ranch, Vail, Arizona
We are enjoying our time here at the ranch, despite the wind and the cool temperatures. Although we are battening down the hatches so to speak, as the beginning of the week doesn't look very nice, but after that things improve greatly. So we think we will be hanging out here until a week tomorrow.
All of today's photos were taken with my phone.
That is us down there.
A bit of a closer look. Blurry due to cropping a phone photo.
The sea of grass goes on and on and on.
We waited Friday to see what would happen with the 'bird placing' but we didn't see anyone at all. Late Friday night a truck turned around in the space just in front of the nose of the Igloo and a motorhome once again came back to the turning loop, but nothing else happened.
That is the main road into the ranch, the kiosk I mentioned is behind the tree on the left.
I love the natural plants that grow in the desert.
Saturday morning we held off on a few things expecting to see all of these birders come along and tell us to move. One vehicle showed up and parked for about 20 minutes, and before 9 am he left too. The big shoot must have taken place elsewhere on the ranch because there wasn't a single sound here in our neighbourhood. The motor home and the Igloo were the only excitement here. Just before 2 pm our area got really busy with rigs coming from further back in the ranch. I would guess that the shoot was taking place not far from their area and the noise drove them out. That is a guess of course but I'll have to wander up and chat with Brian and Trish (met them on Friday) to see why they came back to this area.
Riley and I were invited to dinner last night at Deb & Tom's ( Celebrating the Dance ). We had a fantastic time, the meal was excellent but the company is always the highlight. We laughed, we chattered, we had an excellent time. Thanks for dinner folks!!
Sometimes those rolling hills end like this, a sudden drop into a wash.
Can you see the pronghorn up there on the ridge? I was out for a walk and he ran across in front of me but at a long distance. Since I only had my phone, this was the best I could do.
Riley and I chatted on the way home about the many times we've driven after dark this year, which is something we very seldom do even at our summer location. A total of 5 times already when normally it's zero. We haven't had trouble finding our way (except one time with Doug, it took us a few minutes to find the correct road) like we did last year at Q.
Deb, Tom & Riley
Riley centered between the Debs.
A birthday wish to my future son in law David as he celebrates the big number 30 today. David is a huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan (hockey for those that don't know) but wasn't yet born the last time they won the cup. I guess that's what you call a die hard. Happy Birthday David.
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you all had a wonderful couple of days.
Until next time.. take care, be safe,
Deb
Hope the weather settles down for you soon. Such a beautiful area. I'll be heading there as soon as my solar panels are installed. Glad the bird hunt was a bust and you weren't bothered at all. Great that you and Riley have Tom and Deb near by. Great picture of the Pronghorn on the hilltop. Really stands out against the sky.
ReplyDeleteThey just moved the hunt somewhere else on the ranch. The sign was still at the roadway. We are definitely enjoying Tom & Deb's company very much. Hopefully we get another visit before they leave.
DeleteI couldn't zoom as I just had my phone and that was the best photo I could get of the Pronghorn. I always enjoy seeing them, they are very regal in appearance.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
I have been catching up on your posts. You seem a little unsure of the Empire Ranch country. I know exactly what you mean about having a connection with where you are. Sometimes you do and sometimes you just don't. I did like the story about the grass and the colours. I could imagine the prairie grass waving. Keep on having fun doing what you do.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorne. True about the connections to places and I'm still not sure about the connection here. I think time will tell about this area. Glad to see you are enjoying your new spot a great deal. Looks like a wonderful place to spend your remaining time there.
DeleteTake care, be safe,
Deb
How sweet to have dinner with Deb and Tom. Deb is a great cook. Have a wonderful day. Elva Shannon
ReplyDeleteVery true Elva. Deb is an excellent cook and they are wonderful folks. We do enjoy spending time with them.
DeleteTake care, be safe,
Deb
Wonderful pictures of the area you are parked in. Great catch of the pronghorn up on the ridge. It really is beautiful out there, I have probably said that before but it is worth repeating. We were so happy to have you and Riley join us for dinner Saturday. It was a wonderful evening and we so enjoy spending time with the two of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb. WE had a great time and the food was excellent. Hopefully all goes well with the brakes!!
DeleteTake care, be safe,
Deb
Good thing the Shoot was relocated. Great picture of the Pronghorn on the ridge even if it was taken with your phone. Nice that you had dinner with Tom and Deb.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and continue Enjoying the Ranch.
It's about time.
Thanks Rick. We had a great time visiting and having dinner with Deb & Tom.
DeleteThe capture of the Pronghorn was just luck and I was surprised to see only one, I have always seen them in herds of at least a half dozen. Maybe the others were lagging behind.
The rules of shooting on BLM are very specific and are posted at the kiosk at the top of the road here. We are in a designated camping area and therefore the shoot couldn't happen here with us being parked and we weren't the only ones here on Saturday morning. I think the old fella was trying to push us into leaving so they could use this spot (because when he was here there was only our rig in this area). I'm sure it's probably the best spot with the long grass but they couldn't ask or force us to leave. Had they asked us, we might have pulled out for the day but I'm not sure we would have either. It's a lot of work to pack up and move for a couple of hours only to move back before dark.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
I've spent a lot of time at the ranch headquarters, but had no idea you could camp around there. I may just have to head that way in my rig when I heal up. Weird the big shoot didn't happen, or maybe that guy was just trying to scare you away.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you didn't know about the camping. Although I don't believe the camp hosts have anything to do with the camping aspect, just the tours of the Ranch House. (That is a guess on my part)
DeleteI'm sure the shoot happened, it just didn't happen here in our location, it happened elsewhere on the ranch. The sign at the road was evident that it went on. I do think the old fella was trying to scare us away so the shoot could happen HERE, not elsewhere on the ranch property.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
That's too bad about Lowe's. We usually shop there over Home Depot because of the service. From the Hubby...we wouldn't own anything other than a Honda generator. We have one we bought in 2005, have only had it serviced once and it has alot of usage on it. We only buy from Honda dealers. Prices are comparable to any where else, but it will come serviced and ready to go with the correct oil..not shipping oil. Yes they are pricey, but the quietness and dependability are worth the difference :) We did buy a new one last year, we bring that one with us on trips and the older one is used at home for things. Have a wonderful day! :)
ReplyDeleteI think we will be heading out to Home Depot in the future.
DeleteThanks Ken, I appreciate the information. My dad, my brother and my nephew all own Honda's and I think it's what I'll end up getting, which is one of the reasons I didn't buy at the Big Tent. Honda didn't put in an appearance. I'm always looking though. My dilemma is size. I want a small one but they are pull cord and I find that difficult to manage, and I'm not sure I want the size that will be required with electric start. However I have a plan to perhaps borrow my nephew's small Honda generator for a couple of weeks this summer to ensure I can start it with the pull cord before I make my final decision.
Take care, be safe,
Deb