Circle A Ranch

 I was really looking forward to heading down to the Circle A Ranch in Cuba, NM. I've wanted to go down for years but I guess there have been some weird family stuff going on so it hasn't been the best time. After connecting with Ross and John B., they assured me it was the best time, and to please go. I have been communicating with Timberlynn and Dana, the current caretaker and it has me so excited to show my kids this special place! 

We headed out first thing Sunday and drove all day. Rachel joined our car so Eliza's group would have more room. It was cute to see the gals chat on the way down. Rachel is a good time! It's a long drive, but it worked out great. We arrived around 6pm. As we drove up the long drive and the Ranch came into view the girls squealed with delight. It looks so charming all lit up! My kids weren't sure what to expect and all admitted they were pleasantly surprised at how darling- and big! it is. We met Dana, who is so kind and sweet. We chatted with her for a bit and it was good to learn about her. Then I took the kids on a tour. It was so fun for me to be back at this place, so heavy with family history. Jon has been here once before long ago when all the extended family gathered. The last I was here was a fun trip with Jen, right before Alice died. I like to imagine how it was to have Alice and Elaine, Mommy and Adrienne running around. And so many others. 

Soon enough Cash arrived. We munched on the chicken salad croissants I brought while the kids worked out rooms and beds. It was too many age group combinations with different rooms and bunks, it made my head spin. I worried about placement of rooms and beds with more people arriving every day, but then left the kids to sort it all out.

The next day the Shafer's arrived and then the Whitt's! We went exploring around the ranch. We checked out the lake and pastures. We also drove into Cuba to see what there was to see. There really is nothing! We did stop at McDonald's and realized it is the only one on the planet that has a working ice cream machine, so we all got a cone. As we sat around the fire that night after LT's sloppy joe dinner, Shafer pulled up some family stories Melinda had put together. It was so neat to hear more of the history of our great-grandparents, aunts and uncles while they spent so much time in this place and knew it so well. It felt special to be all together with my kids and cousins and hear Shafer read our family history. 

As more cousins were added, more of the bunk room got filled. The little boys took over the small bunk room. And when I say took over, I mean they made signs and marked their place to make it clear no one was to enter. One evening I popped my head in to see if I could get them to settle down. Solly looked at me surprised, "Wait- you aren't allowed in here, you're a girl." then Olly said, "She's a mom. Mom's have to be able to come in." All the boys nodded in agreement that it made sense. I told them we may need to sort rooms around as more people arrive. They showed me the signs they had worked on to mark their territory and were quite bold letting me know they would not be leaving that room. "Boys Club ONLY!" Solly asked, "Why do WE have to leave our room? Is it because we are the youngest?" I just backed out and closed the door. They indeed stayed and never settled down, it was just too exciting.

Soon enough the Boci's arrived. A full house! We compared the vibes each family brought. It was so fun to see the cousins so excited to all be together. The older kids spent a lot of time playing card games around the tables, it was fun to catch up with everyone and gather around the fire at night.

I thought Paisley's outfits were amazing! This one had Sandy from Greece vibes :)

More lake time!

Isn't this photo of the Bartlett family gorgeous? 

Elaine, Helen Rose, Alice, Ross Bartlett, Donna Rae (Granny)

The next day we all drove into Albuquerque to pick up cousins that flew down together. Of course we had to check out the famous Breaking Bad sites.  

The people that live in Walter White's home are not amused. Dear, dear.

We went through the carwash!

The kids were good sports... but also not amused.

Once everyone was collected, we headed to a favorite spot, Jackalopes. I found lots of cute things to bring home. Then we explored a closing down Old Albuquerque, still able to find some treasures. Then we found a quick place for dinner. I chatted with Graham, who had just flown in. He told me about his day; he got up, worked out, played some golf with friends, got himself to the airport, and now here is. He had one small carry on bag and was already scheming ways on how he was getting himself back to the airport for some weekend plans. As we chatted I thought he could very well be a businessman on a quick layover. Funny grown-up kid! 

We headed back to the ranch, where more card playing went well into the night.

This place!

We took the kids on a hike around the Ranch to show them all of the special places. Lindsey came up with a cute scavenger hunt idea where at each stop, they'd find a little bag of beads to add to their string necklace. Shafer and Cade would share stories and (and start some folklore) while one of us would stash a bag nearby. 

We finally made it up to Alice's grave. I had never seen it before, so it was neat for me! I told the kids who Alice was and how they are related.

It was covered in pine needles and brush, so we all worked for a bit to clear everything out and clean it up a little better. 

We used the existing rocks and glass stones and pine cones to make artistic shapes and better define her resting place.

It turned out pretty spectacular!

Then we showed the kids the Los Pinon Tree- the tallest one in the species! There is a plaque and everything!

This place!

It isn't a Circle A Ranch trip without visiting the beautiful Clay Flats. We went at the perfect time, just as the sky was displaying the sunset. It was one of the most beautiful skies I have ever seen!

And changed every

 minute!

I loved seeing Shafer and Cade poke around the grounds. One morning I had a view of Shafer from my bathroom window. I watched him walk out to a pasture, hands on hips, just surveying the place. He'd pick up an old rusty can and examine. They texted Ross and John B. if there were any projects we could work on while down there. We wanted to be helpful, and we wanted the kids to put some work in helping. After not being able to find the right linseed oil in town to stain the back steps, just Shafter and Cade ended up painting a door and window trim with the signature bright blue paint. Eliza and I went into the packed shed and just looked at everything that has been tucked away. So much stuff! There are a lot of school supplies, which makes sense. So many tools neatly hanging on the walls. We thought about auntie Alice living here year after year, puttering around. I said to Eliza, "You know, Alice was a real bad-ass!" We both got teary and laughed. It felt like we have no idea.

The last night felt extra special, everyone chatting together while the cousins continued playing cards and breaking out in song and dance. Shafer and Ashley and I chatted for some time around the fire. 

The next morning we quickly got packed up, cleaned and loaded cars. I felt so satisfied that we had made it to Circle A and had a good time!

Dana texted me this picture after we got home. She noticed it while cleaning because it was something new we had left. She loved that it fit right in. I love that the church youth theme this year is cairns and is likely why the kids did it.