it must have been the winter of ’79-’80 that my parents came to Wild Horse Ranch.  That was the name of CLR back then.  It was part of an outfit that sold memberships to a number of similar places, and at that time it was all about rockhounding!  In case you were wondering, a rockhound is someone who looks for/digs for/collects rocks, and then maybe does something with them like make jewelry. 😁

Anyway, back then the yearly membership was something like $150 a year.  My parents weren’t rockhounds but loved the country out here, so they became ‘snowbirds’ for a year or two spending the winter at WHR, and then they ended up moving out to Tucson from Michigan which is where we all lived back then.  They moved about 40 miles from the ranch.

Here is a sign that looks like it was left from the old days, but maybe repainted.

Some of the buildings and stone walls were being built then, and I remember my dad talking about helping out.  They loved WHR and the way they talked about the place made me curious, though there was no way I could come out here at the time.

Besides, it sounded like a lot of old retired people were out here. 😀 Now I fit right in!

That was a long time ago but I never forgot their stories and their pictures of Wild Horse Ranch, and how much they loved it.  When I was getting close to retirement myself, one of the places high on my list of places to visit was WHR.  But gosh, I couldn’t really remember where they said it was, except I knew they had to go through Three Points, aka Robles Junction to get there.  My mom was still alive then, but sadly she had little memory of those days when she and my dad were here.

I poured over maps and the internet with no luck.  It was so long ago, I began to think it didn’t exist anymore.  I did find a dude ranch in the area which claimed to be there for 40+ years, so I contacted them and briefly told them my story, and asked if by any chance WHR was still around.  “It sure is!” was the answer.”But now it’s called Caballo Loco Ranch!”  That was the lead I needed.  There wasn’t much about it on the internet but I did find contact info so I began emailing the owner, Jim.  I asked for pictures…didn’t get any.  He said ” come see for yourself.”  And I did.  In February of of 2015 I stayed at an RV Park in Tucson and while I was there, I drove JR out to the ranch.  It was love at first site and I blogged about it back then.  I ended up staying at CLR for a week at that time. I just felt this connection…to the place itself, but also to my parents.  My dad has been gone since shortly after they moved to Arizona…it’s been a long time…but here I feel his presents….his spirit….and my moms too.

A typical scene here

It seems easy to get in touch with Spirit here.  Pure nature is my catalyst for that it seems.  Lack of distraction is part of it.  Here is an area on our beautiful earth that is still winning…less conquered by humanities unnatural ways…less manipulated…less devastated.

Sun drenched, quiet days.  Dark nights, marked with animal sounds….coyote, owls, unknown twitters and calls.  Meditation comes easier.  Communication with Spirit and self comes easier.  Knowing my own heart comes easier…and believe me….so often I have not known my heart very well.

How To Get Here

In the Arizona Benchmark map 2012 edition, turn to page 87.  You see Tucson in the NE corner of this page.  See the gold road coming out of Tucson, heading SW?  That is Hwy 86 or Ajo Rd.  Follow with your finger to Three Points, where it splits, and then follow 286 for almost 2 inches down.  On the left you will see Caballo Loco Ranch Rd.  If you are looking on Google Maps you will see that it’s called TR Ranch Road.  On my GPS it tells me I’m coming to Caballo Loco Ranch Road, but after I’m driving on it, then it tells me I’m driving on Britten Ranch Road.  As it turns out, the official address is on W Britten Ranch Road.  No wonder it’s hard to find!

More info.  The place is for sale and has been for over a year.

Some of last evenings sunset.

Some big news coming up in the next post!