Four Mile Fire Near Jamestown

Above, a zoomed view of the fire from Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few minutes ago, I got back home from viewing (and photographing) the (now named) Four Mile Fire in the Cibola National Forest southeast of our community of Whispering Cedars.

Obviously, the fire wasn't extinguished yesterday and is looking worse than it did yesterday. 

One of our residents posted the following in our community Facebook page: 

 

At least it is moving away from Whispering Cedars. But we're going to keep an eye on it anyway.

Some photos:

Above, a zoomed view of the fire from the top of Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of the fire from the top of Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of the fire from Birch loop in Whispering Cedars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Jeep at Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an emergency vehicle parked at the top of Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A map of the fire's location:

UPDATE: 

We had some afternoon rain today, they appeared to have put out the fire. Hope so!

Visiting The Longhorns

Above, the longhorns at Mesa Ridge Ranch yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As yesterday was a nice warm day, I took an late afternoon Jeep drive around the subdivisions of Whispering Cedars and Mesa Ridge Ranch.

I stopped for awhile in Mesa Ridge Ranch where the longhorn cattle are at. At first, they were about 50 yards away, but two came over to check me out and then a mother and calf came over but remained a few yards back.

Naturally, I took some pictures of them. 

St. Patrick's Day and Longhorns

Above, near the Six Mile Canyon fence line. 

As yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, I kept with my own tradition and watched The Quiet Man (1952) starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald and Victor McLaglen during dinner.

Before doing so, I took a Jeep drive around our subdivision and then over to the neighboring subdivision, Mesa Ridge Ranch to see the longhorn cattle. 

Sure enough, they were gathered around fifty yards from the fence. I took several photos of them.

After watching The Quiet Man over dinner, I got into the Jeep again and drove over to the gate to Six Mile Canyon. There was a Class B camper parked near the corral there. I didn't see anyone there. I took a drive along the fence line from there. I took a photo of myself with the Jeep. 

When I was done, I headed back home for the night. My phone's battery was near zero, so I'd better get home and plug it into the charger.

It is supposed to be 77° today, which will make for another good driving day.

Some photos:

Afternoon Jeep Drive

Above, the longhorns at Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the first time in months, I took a Jeep drive up to Mesa Ridge Ranch, the subdivision next to ours.

There are a few more homes in the subdivision. One of them, a double-wide mobile home, sat in two sections while a foundation was being built. 

Above, one of the longhorns giving me a look-over. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After driving through, I stopped to see the longhorn cattle. I took some photos and then proceeded down the hill. At the bottom, just inside the entrance to the subdivision, there were some black cattle penned. I didn't notice them when I was heading up. 

Above, the cattle near the entrance to Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following the drive to Mesa Ridge Ranch, I took a short drive on Six Mile Canyon Road where I noticed some cattle in a field near the shooting area and our subdivision, Whispering Cedars. 

Above, the cattle with Whispering Cedars in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I didn't to all the way to Six Mile Canyon as it was pretty muddy and I wasn't in the mood to wash the Jeep. I had to do some washing anyway as a few muddy puddles splashed onto the Jeep.

Above, the Jeep on Six Mile Canyon Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Still, it was an enjoyable drive. 

A Visit To The Longhorns

The other day, after working on the oil and water on the Jeep, I took a drive in Mesa Ridge Ranch to see the longhorn steers.

The steers were out and about in their area up in the Mesa Ridge Ranch community. 

Naturally, I took a few photos of them.

And, of course, one of the Jeep:

Staying Put (For Now)

Above, at Mesa Ridge Ranch two weeks ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that the Bahamas cruise is over, I have no travel plans until next month when I head up to Ridgway, Colorado to help out with this year's John Wayne Cancer Foundation marathon. 

Then again, I could just go somewhere on the spur-of-the-moment. There's plenty of places to see and plenty of campgrounds within a few hour's drive. 

Yesterday, I got the Jeep out and went to the Flying J to pick up a few items. I was surprised that it started up after sitting idle for over a week. 

I may head over to Gallup to do some grocery shopping. It depends upon the weather. We had some thundershowers here yesterday. It is nice and green in the area from all of the monsoon rains we've been getting. 

Sunday Drive

Above, the Jeep on Maverick Road in Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before it gets hotter out, I took a Sunday drive up Maverick Road in the neighboring (and new) subdivision of Mesa Ridge Ranch. It has been a few months since I was last there.

Above, a windshield view looking north towards the mesas. The longhorn cattle are at right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to my count, there are now 6 residences there, one of which consists of a Coleman travel trailer and tent. The rest are double-wide mobile homes.

I stopped to see and take some pictures of the longhorn cattle. They were relaxing in a shady section of their lot next to the road. There was one calf.

After the stop, I headed down the road to our subdivision.

Here's the longhorn cattle: 

Cowabunga!

Above, the longhorn residents of Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since today is a nice clear day at about 50°, I took the Jeep out for a drive around our subdivision and the neighboring Mesa Ridge Ranch subdivision.

The roads were a little muddy, but it was still an enjoyable drive.

At Mesa Ridge Ranch, I saw that the longhorn cattle were fairly close to their barrier fencing, so I pulled over to take a few pictures.

There is another occupied home at Mesa Ridge Ranch since the last time I drove through. 

Longhorns

Above, the longhorns keeping a watchful eye on me. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I took a Jeep drive around our subdivision and the neighboring subdivision of Mesa Ridge Ranch.

While at Mesa Ridge Ranch, I stopped for a while to see the longhorn cattle and enjoy the view of the valley below. The weather was nice in the 70s with no rain, which will be the general pattern for the rest of the week.

Afterwards, I got home and popped open a bottle of Alien Amber Ale and relaxed on the deck. While there, I noticed a semi truck with flashing lights coming up Whispering Cedars Road. It was leading one part of a new double-wide mobile home.

I had an idea on where the home was going and, after dinner, I took a Jeep drive up Birch Road. Sure enough, the new home was placed on a pad on the Birch Road loop, a few doors south of Greg Lucier's.

While at the longhorns, I took a few photos.

Took A Drive Before The Rain Starts

Since we have a 40% chance of precipitation from scattered thunderstorms, I figured it would be a good time to take the Jeep out for a drive around our subdivision and the Mesa Ridge Ranch subdivision before it starts.

According to the National Weather Service:

This Afternoon

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

I noticed one new residence at Mesa Ridge Ranch. 

I drove over to where the longhorn steers are kept and took a few photos.