Thursday, January 14, 2010

HAPPY TRAILS, HOD...


A nice man by the name of Hod Holdcroft, and his lovely wife, Barbara were our first contact with properties for sale in New Mexico. Hod and his faithful dog drove into Quemado from Fence Lake, met us outside the Largo Cafe, put us in his pickup truck, and took us out to see the area that is known as the Santa Rita Estates, or what we landowners call the Santa Rita.

I remember that he drove fast along the 26 miles of gravel road to the Santa Rita. He was used to driving that type of road, seemed he had been in ranching for quite a spell.

The first stop we made was at the property we ended up buying, then he drove us up to the top of Moreno Hill for the "overview" look at the entire Santa Rita. He told us a little about the area, and showed us another property, then drove us back into Quemado.

We stopped in at the Largo Cafe for a piece of pie. If you've read the entire blog, you know that we signed the contract to buy the land over that piece of pie. Hod certainly wasn't a pushy salesman, we chatted, ate pie, then he asked if we'd be interested in any of the property.

The rest is history in regards to us and the property.

We kept in touch with Hod and Barbara after they had moved from Fence Lake to another area of New Mexico, then Utah, I believe...and somewhere in that time we were told that Hod had cancer. But Hod didn't quit...he fought, and fought, and endured treatment after treatment. Enjoyed his time with Barbara, playing golf, enjoying NMU football games, and apparently loving a good steak and drinking wine.

We just got an email from Barbara this morning...Hod passed away today. I'm sure he will be missed by the family and friends who saw him on a daily basis, but he will be missed too by those whom he helped make a big dream come true.

Thank you, Hod...it was a pleasure meeting you.
We wish you Happy Trails...on the other side.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

WINTER WONDERLAND!



Thanks SO Much to Jay and LouAnn from the White Wolf Ranch for all these amazing winter photos of the Santa Rita covered in a crisp blanket of snow. Absolutely stunning! The photo above was taken from the top of Moreno Hill (aka: the big scary hill)


Snow Storm...The land will be blanketed soon!


Fog Forming...As Sun Rises


Fog on SR 601


Glistening Snow at the White Wolf Ranch


Snow on the Junipers


Icicles...Where there's a will, there's a way!


Fog Burning Off As The Sun Rises Higher


Fog Finally Burning Off


Winter Wonderland!


Looking Towards St. Johns At Sunset

As of 9:50 a.m. MST on Friday, Jan. 8th, 2010...it's currently 18 degrees at St. Johns! Which is where the plumes of steam are coming from that you can see some 50 miles away northwest from the Santa Rita. The power plant is probably our only reminder that there is civilization out there beyond the Santa Rita.

Happy New Year to one and all! 2010...The Year To Begin...Again!


Friday, January 1, 2010

HERE'S TO PROGRESS IN 2010!


On this first day of the New Year - 2010, who can guess what the year will hold. We can only hope we all have safe journeys to and from the Santa Rita, that the weather is always wonderful (okay, that could definitely be a bit of wishful thinking!) and that winds never get above 10 mph.

Bill bought me a log cabin magazine for Christmas, and he has been looking at different companies and packages once again. Guess he's thinking we'll be winning the lottery soon or something!

Looking forward to getting out to the ranch as soon as the weather gets nicer for travel, and walking about on the property. We have to wait until it warms up a wee bit more, as we are not as adventurous as Jay and LouAnn from the White Wolf Ranch. We are also looking forward to their report of the Christmas excursion to their ranch.

Here's hoping everyone has a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year!