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: 

Mesa Ridge Ranch Drive

Above, the second home at the top of Mesa Ridge Ranch with its view of Cibola National Forest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it had been about a month since I took a drive up in Mesa Ridge Ranch, the new subdivision next to ours, I took the Jeep up Maverick Road for a look at how things were progressing.

The first home now has a deck added to it for nice views of the mesas across the valley.

Above, looking north down Maverick Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The second home, a triple-wide, is now completed and other things are being done to make it habitable. I noticed a power pole and box, so now the home should have electricity. It is probably on the best lot of the subdivision with its commanding views of Cibola National Forest.

Aside from these two lots, I saw no other activity in the subdivision. 

Home No. 2 At Mesa Ridge Ranch

Above, the newest home being assembled at Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Out of curiosity, I took a drive over to Mesa Ridge Ranch, the subdivision next to ours, to see if any more activities have taken place since I was last there a month ago.

Sure enough, the first house had some activity going as two trucks were there. I presume it had something to do with electric, water or sewer (septic tank).

I proceeded to the end of Maverick Road to the gate to Cibola National Forest and a manufactured home had been moved onto the lot next to the gate. This is the lot of a family member of one of my neighbors and it has to be the best lot in the subdivision as it has a great view of the national forest.

Above, the lot, at right, next to the gate has the best view of the subdivision. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A triple-wide home was being assembled on the lot by workers during the time of my visit.

There was one other lot with some activity going on. I couldn't see too much as the activity was further in the lot from the road and there were trees in the way. I saw no structure there.

It won't be long before more lots are purchased and more homes are transported in.

Drive Into Mesa Ridge Ranch

Above, Cibola National Forest behind Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaqeur.

Today turned out to be much nicer than yesterday.

I spent a some of the time driving the Jeep up Maverick Road in the Mesa Ridge Ranch subdivision that's next to ours.

Above, the locked gate at the top of Maverick Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I drove up to the top, where the road ends and where Cibola National Forest begins behind a locked gate just south of the subdivision.

Above, beyond the locked gate, the road into Cibola National Forest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The snow that was on the road last week has melted away for the most part. The day was a pleasant 50°, comfortable enough for a drive.

Above, the Jeep at the top of Maverick Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The view of the valley in the national forest was beautiful with some traces of snow on the valley floor and the surrounding hills.

Above, the subdivision's main entrance sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After driving around for a while, I headed to the Flying J to pick up some munchies. When I got home, I settled down and watched Death Wish 4: The Crackdown with Charles Bronson. It was a better movie than Death Wish 3.

Above, at the main entrance to Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the movie, I jumped into the Jeep and went up the hills and paid a visit to Larry Lucier for a few minutes.

Compared to yesterday, it was a pretty relaxing day.

A Nice Ride In Mesa Ridge Ranch!

Above, entering Mesa Ridge Ranch subdivision. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my conversation with Nandoh Munoz earlier today, he mentioned that he rode his Harley over in the new subdivision next to ours to the east. I had driven the Mustang through it a few months ago, but I hadn't yet with the mini bike.

So, I decided to take a little ride over into Mesa Ridge Ranch. It's a nice, warm day at about 88°.

Above, end of the road. On the other side of the locked gate, Cibola National Forest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I found that there are a few lots that have been sold, but no homes have been built as yet. I rode into the subdivision on its main road (Maverick Road).

I rode the length of the road until it dead-ended at the top of a hill. There's a locked gate there and on the other side of it is Cibola National Forest. Very nice view!

Above, another view at the gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is said that somewhere in this area of the national forest is an old western movie set. I've seen nothing online about any abandoned movie sets in the area.

I took a couple of pictures and turned around and headed down the hill.

Above, the view of the mesas across the valley from Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way, I spotted a utility service road that runs under the power lines. Since my house isn't too far from the utility road (or, a utility road), I decided to see if it will take me back home.

The road is a dirt road with rocks and sections of it either washed out or very rough with some deep ruts. But, with ruts and all, the mini bike took to the road just fine and it did lead me to Whispering Cedars Road, our main road, and I was less than a block away from home.

It was a nice ride!

New Jamestown Subdivision

Above, the new subdivision's sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I decided to do some exploring. There is a new subdivision next to ours (Whispering Cedars) that is going up to the east.

Above, Whispering Cedars subdivision is in the far background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is called Mesa Ridge Ranch. There's no homes there yet, but I understand that three lots have been sold. It's current state is probably what our subdivision looked like before homes went in.

Above, the sign near the freeway off-ramp indicating land is for sale. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most of the side roads have been put in and there are some street signs. Each lot is marked with a lot number and (I'm guessing) how many acres each one contains. It is smaller than ours (we have about 100 residential lots).

Above, the sign indicating that this is Lot 15. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I decided that I would explore it after I got the Mustang back. The Beast would have been fine with the interior roads, but I wasn't about to take any chances.

Above, the mesas across the valley from Mesa Ridge Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The main road into Mesa Ridge Ranch is called Maverick Road. There are signs indicating that it is horse country.

Above, street name and horse signs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Supposedly, there is an old abandoned western movie set beyond the locked back gate of the subdivision. I checked online, but haven't found any references to it.

Want to buy some land to build a home on? To access their website, go here.