Spring is Finally here

Plateau Vally towns of Molina and Mesa

April 14th, 2006 : Friday

Todays weather is about 64 degrees and should reach 76 by this afternoon. Photos taken April 13th, 2006 weather was about 80 degrees, perfect day with a slight breeze.

Spring time has come, this is a view inwards to Allen Nichols property (2nd cousin to Mark) area is considered Molina and his home is not far from the Molina Post office (see below).
This picture reminds me of Ireland , that is if I have ever gone. I suppose that some of the Irish decendant brought a bit of craft with them. But I am told that the man whom built this is a Mexican Rancher whom built many of these walls throughout the Plateau Valley. He did a nice job. I get all my mail from this Post Office. Note that the satilite dish is bigger than the actual post office and the Post Master; Janet Nichols has a little port-a-pottie.

This property is near the post office going towards Mesa. View is of Sunnyside. Purple flowers are blanketing the new green grass.

Alpaca. Going in to the town of Mesa from Molina. A lot of people have alpaca's, donkeys, mules, emu's, and peacocks amongst other exotic animals including the typical sheep, cows horses and pigs in the area. Alpaca siteings are actually common.

Just of of Mesa going towards Powderhorn and the Grand Mesa. Longhorn cattle resting. The picture can not justify how huge this cow is, but I managed to get the shot with a nice bobwire fence protecting me.

The rest of the herd of Longhorns. This rancher seemed to have only 10 near his home. Cattle ranches generally have a few hundred to thousands of cattle. I was told that when you see some cattle (cows) near the actual ranchers home it generally means that these cows / bulls tend to have some issues. Generally with giving birth (cows) so this way ranchers can be there if needed. Or in some cases which on this property maybe all the cows he has. I did not see any other longhorns in open pastures near by, but that doesnt necessarily mean anything.

On the other side of the road where the longhorn cattle are was a few horses (3) they came trotting up to me. I went to pet the horses but the mother horse was startled easily while the mare was curious.

The three horses grazing, I have no idea who's property or horses these belong to. I just pulled off the road.

Back road between Molina and Mesa (going toward Mesa) picturesque view of Grand Mesa's Lands End, Beehive on the right and some other hills to the left. Pasture is for grazing cattle.

Enterance road, Mark did a survey for this family. I believe they are selling it in parcials of 35 acres each. I also believe that one week after Mark billed them for the survey the mother who inherited this property passed away. Sad. But the land was passed over to her sons. It's a very nice piece of land with views of Grand Mesa and the Battlements.

Moooo...mooooo.... this cow was laying down when I approached the fence, I startled her. She was keeping an eye on me in case I had the urge to hug her. lol. She wasnt really standing alone out here a few others had broken away from the herd in the distance. She probably had another 5 or so near by.

Some more friends of the lone cow I so rudely disturbed. Not all are in the photo. These are taken at Little Bens Ranch (another Nichols)

This cool looking barn like structure is actually an old flour mill from the late 1800's and early 1900's. People would come down and tie up their horses and carriages down by the barn (not shown, photo would not format) then the customers would bring their grains down to be milled here. Signs laying against the mill are not originally from this spot they come from another property in the area they say something about selling eggs and grocery items. But they do look cool. This house, not shown is also apart of the orginal dwelling. The owners were home and I thought asking for this photo was pushing it already, despite the fact that the owners currently are very nice. They have been on this property about 25 years and come from Colorado Springs.

Funny story, Mark has grown up in this area and he would hear his father talk about this Flour Mill, yet Mark couldnt figure out what his Dad was talking about and would just say "Dad I wasnt here in the 1940's" Its not like theres a sign saying this is the Flour Mill nor it doesnt look like it would be one. But it was and still has the equipment stored away inside. Obviously not in use, so dont bring your grain here. lol

Road going back from Allens Ranch towards the Old Flour Mill. Molina.

Part of Allens old Cattle Ranch and Apple Orchards. In background you see the horses grazing next to the Old Apple Orchard. Orchard has not been maintained in a long while.

Enterance going towards Allens Ranch via route from Molina

View from above Molina and halfway to Mesa. Picture is of Sunnyside range (closets hills) the Battlements (in the distance) and Gerry Reservoir (blue strip before Sunnyside range).

Here's that Apple Orchard again. Better picture.

Sunnyside, near our house. Coming in off of the road.

Pasture coming into our house. During the evening this pasture will have 20 plus deer in it. This pasture is only a few feet above our home. By summer this will be all brown as the owners above us do not irragate the land. Such a shame.

Tree near our house. Mark planted it years ago. I think its a peach or apricot tree, possibly apple. I never asked what it was he just told me he planted it years ago.

Another Pasture near our house along side our enterance on to our property. The property blongs to a man named Dick whom has a fetish with buring everything in site. In addition I think he has issues with tree's because he seems to like cutting them down as well. This land used to belong to Marks father whom just sold it off about 2yrs ago. Within the two years Dick has managed to destroy plenty of it. This area was actually part of an out of control burn that thankfully regenerated with grass and purple flowers. Hopefully he wont destroy it again, but who knows. In the distance you maybe able to see two horses. These are the horses that greet me at the gate. I have to get a closer photo, but it seems whenever I have my camera they are in the distance or down by the ponds. But I will try to get a photo of them soon.

o4/09/2006 Sunday

Spring has finally arrived. Hopefully no more days of half rain showers and half snow when I wake up in the morning. Grass is green, Aspen's are starting to bloom (or fruit seeds) from their dorment state and animals around here are having they're babies. Lot's of baby cows running about chasing another, jumping about, being an unnatural friskiness. They are almost like puppies that will eventually go passive and mindless about the range. What a life. Excited to be in it then within a year the realization of going for auction at the stockyard to only be hamburger. I guess that would put a glazed look in my eyes as well. But enough of that.


We'll for anyone who I haven't spoken to in a while I got myself a job at a winery. At first I liked it then the emotional outburst from a indivdual turned that like into "why am I here" damn its only been 3 months and I already dread going to work. If its not complaining its an anxiety attack. lol. Isn't this why I left California? Funny most of the lessons learned at my last job could really apply in this job, but I am powerless as the owners attempt to take a non-profiting winery even further into debt. So stepping down and becoming a peon. At least I can be back to the balanced life I really wanted. I really only wanted this job to be part-time in the first place but they insisted me be the tasting room manager. Ok a tasting room manager at a winery means nothing, especially when the owners emotional wife (who is nice, yet skill less) is the general manager. The reality is that being a General Manager for her husbands business is plainly not her niche in life so to speak. But what can you do other than run the business into the ground when the most obvious answers are at your feet. But enough of my business concerns, part-time will be good and give me freedom to do what I want and when I want.
Plus that allows me to play in the summer time with my honey.


Mark is up to building a high speed internet business out here in the Valley. Oh the pleasures of high speed. You never realize what you had / have when you suscumb to 24k in a Valley that barely gets cell phone activity. I know your thinking "ever hear of satalite?" well that would be nice if there was not much interferance with weather and geography. But you got to take the good with the bad. Awesome sceneary or 24K. lol Hopefully that will be launched by June.


As for next set of travel arrangments. None are in the line up. Nada. Definetly can think of a gazillion things to do or go but currently its just here or Denver now and then. Maybe SF is I get the opportunity to get my crap out of the storage unit.


Damn its a nice day. Sitting on the porch typing away with a slight breeze and the sound of the creek below......ok a jet engine went by and I'm getting a bit of sonic boom, but as it distances off I hear only the wind, the rippling of the creeks current, birds chirping and the typing on the keyboard. Peace.


Pictures of spring soon to come. That is if my digital camera can cooperate with me. It simply has a mind of its own.


04/11/2006 Tuesday


Update on job, it no longer exist. Can we say MANIC bosses. Their wine sucked anyways and they are practically bankrupt. Lesson: Sometimes a hobby should just stay as such. And not all jobs have morality. Anyone Highering. LMAO