There are so many things I want to tell you about, but some are being preempted because first I want to tell you about our Desert Tour!
The most excellent way to explore the desert is in an ATV/ORV/ 4 wheeler/quad….all pretty much the same thing….I think. Most people at the ranch here have one or more. Fred and Colleen have one called a Honda Pioneer.
Colleen and Fred, and if you look closely, you will see Daisy in the middle.
This ATV can hold 4 people, and they invited Ruth ( my neighbor with the horse, Major), her sister Joyce who is visiting, and me to a day of desert exploring. Ok, that’s 5 people but the plan they offered was that Colleen would stay home and watch Joy and Shiloh, along with Daisy! What a deal! Thank you Fred and Colleen!
At 9am on Monday we hit the road…well….the trail…and what an amazing day it is! The weather is perfect topping out at about 70 degrees with blue sky’s. We pack lunches and off we go. I’ve never been 4 wheeling out on the trails and I am surprised at the poor condition of some of them, and at the ease that Fred and his Pioneer handle them.
An example of the trail, and it got worse than this.
Even the winter desert is green here, and will be greener when the trees and some bushes get their spring leaves.
Cactus in bloom.
This area is all hills and mountains and washes….sometimes dipping deeply and other times rolling softly.
The area is peppered with abandoned mines, evidence of many hopefuls, searching for gold, silver and precious stones in years past. Some found what they were looking for.
The above hole in the side of the mountain is called Sunshine Mine, and was apparently somewhat successful, yielding more silver than gold. It’s bigger than the other mines we saw.
After more sightseeing and lots of stories from Fred, we come to the marble mine, with hunks and chunks of beautiful white marble scattered about.
Joyce, Ruth and Fred in front of the mountain of marble.
A closer view of the marble.
Yours truely, sitting on a chunk of marble.
We stop at what used to be the old Ryan Ranch house to eat the lunches we packed.
There is a well there.
And a corral made of Mesquite, with the old water tower above.
I’d hate to meet up with this guy!
This is the biggest Saguaro that Fred knows of in these parts.
We head back to the ranch where Ruth needs to tend to her horse. Joyce and I vote to continue the tour, as Fred has offered to show us Chrystal Mountain, a few miles north of CLR. We take ‘C’ road, the roughest one yet, and bounce a few miles farther on, while Fred points out some of the small mines that dot the mountains here.
At Chrystal Mountain we get out and Fred shows us the crystals in the rocks and boulders lying all over.
They remind me of the inside of a geode when you crack it open, except these are just lying everywhere.
Climbing Crystal Mountain.
We take what we can carry in our hands. Some of them will become part of my new RV site on the hill.
Maybe it was all the fresh air and sunshine but I am worn out when we get back, and as happy to see Joy and Shiloh as they are to see me.
Shiloh, Colleen, and Joy.
I was also happy to have my head hit the pillow at 7pm!
OUCH! Not a pillow.
Wandering Spirit 
wow, gorgeous – the desert and these stones (hahahaha) always remind me of my grandparents, early ‘rockhounds’. They would collect and bring home, use their well-stocked lapidary shop at home to create jewelry and curios. I still have some tumbled stones, geodes, and polished balls of agate…
hugs!
Laura
Hi Laura, that’s right, I forgot about them being rockhounds. That’s what this place was started for…rockhounds. I still have some jewelry that someone here made way back when, that my mom bought for me.
Thanks❣️
For lots of pictures, I presume. ☺️
Whst a wonderful day!
It was Dawn!
How fun! Been thinking about you and how you’re getting along there. Can’t wait to read and see more about it! Sooooo jealous…
Hi Cindy, noooo….don’t want you to be jealous….want you to just do it….if and when you can!
I’m gonna! Impatiently waiting for retirement…
Wow! Thanks for sharing the tour Micky! Lots of hidden treasures everywhere!
Wish you were here girlfriend…I really do!
Wow!! What an exciting day!! I know you had a blast seeing and learning about the area. The marble and chrystal were amazing!! What a great area to be a part of!!
Yes Gerri, the earth holds such beautiful things…hidden under dirt. Just amazing!
Oh, Micky…absolutely loved the tour!! So, are people allowed to take the marble and crystals?? How exciting to be there…I know you are loving it!!! When are you getting your four wheeler? Well, you DO have a shed…and then when I come visit, you could take me and all the dogs exploring!! Seriously, I would very much like to see the Ranch, and am thinking that maybe in April I can do just that. One certainly can’t beat the price of rent…
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy, my friend!!!!
Hi Pat, yes, that’s what everyone here asks me..l’When are you getting your 4 wheeler? Well,
Not any time soon, is all I know. I’m not ready to make an investment like that, much as I’d like riding around on it!
April may be hot, I’ll be gone by then. I’d say come in March at the latest. If you come and
Boondock, there is an empty site right next to me. 😀
Yes, you can take the marble and the crystal as far as I know. I mean, not loads of it, but some pretty pieces.
Oooh, so beautiful! I love the dessert. we used to go every year when I was growing up. t e cactus are amazing and beautiful and the dessert always is so peaceful (:-D
Elinor I know you would like it here…the rocks….