The Ranch

When Chris was growing up in Phoenix, his Dad worked as a mechanic on a ranch, keeping all the ranch vehicles in working order. Chris spent many summers out on the ranch helping out as well. He looks up to the people who own the ranch and couldn't think more highly of them if they were his own family, so each time we make a trip to Phoenix, we make time for a day at the ranch. Chris' dad moved from Phoenix a few years ago, so it's a little odd for me to go to the ranch and not see 'Grandpa John', but it's still great to go hang out there.

Jonathan is petting Waldo. There's always stray dogs who happen upon the ranch. The general rule is that as long as they play nice with the people and dogs already at the ranch, they can stay. Waldo appeared at the ranch a few years ago, before John left. He was one of John's favorites. The first time Clara went to the ranch a few years ago, she got to play with a litter of 'Waldo pups'!

I don't remember the cow's name, but Anita, the 'lady of the ranch' has worked closely with this cow since birth, so it was a very sweet and docile cow, who took an immediate liking to Jonathan.

As you can see, the feeling was mutual!

Clara even got to ride on the cow. Jonathan wasn't so excited about the prospect.

Clara, Chris, and Anita with the cow

We got to feed all horses too! The kids LOVED this part. Though we had to keep telling Jonathan to grab a chunk of hay and not just a few sticks, so as not to get bitten. He was fearless as always when it comes to loving animals, though Chris just about had a heart attack each time Jonathan stuck his hand in toward the horses' mouths!

They could have spent the whole day just feeding the horses!

This is what happens when Clara asked Daddy what the hay tasted like. After all, the horses seemed to really like it!

Getting ready to ride a horse.

Jonathan was once again not interested in riding the horse, but he was all about brushing it!

Talk about making a little girl's day!

She was so proud, so happy, and not the slightest bit scared, not to mention excited that they had a saddle that was 'just her size'!

Jonathan is such an animal lover!

We even got to see peacocks spread their feathers and do a little dance for a peahen!

Nope, not a grapefruit...it's a Pumelo.

There are tons of citrus trees on the ranch so, of course, we got some oranges, lemons, and grapefruit to go - YUM! We ate a couple oranges while we were still at the ranch and Jonathan was unwilling to let go of that one...he held it the whole way home!