Watson Ranch

The old ranch hand’s house has been around for over a century. Known as Pete’s House for its last resident who left in the 1970’s. Pete travelled to the Philippines to visit family and was murdered in a card game while there, never to return to the ranch. His clothes still hang in the bedroom closet.

The Great Wall. The northwestern side of the Watson Ranch sports a dense line of old Monterey cypress trees. They were planted a good century ago as a windbreak.

On September 1, 1870. Thomas Riley signed a purchase agreement for some 240 acres along Alisal Road for the sum of $1200. Here we are 150 years later and the land (well, 140 acres of it) is still owned and occupied by his descendants. A happy sesquicentennial to us!

The 1899 milk house is getting a major makeover. Maybe it’ll last another 120 years.

Treasure hunting on the ranch. Much of the glass relics are from the 19th century. Lots of old Champagne, pharmaceutical, and liquor bottles. This is in a hole (outhouse) where a long-gone ranch hand bunkhouse once stood. There are likely a couple dozen or more of these around the ranch waiting to be found as outhouses were usually moved every 7-10 years or so.

We’ve a lot of overgrowth here on the ranch that has long needed some serious attention to thin and manage. Thank you Bengard Ranches for helping us get a handle on it!

We thought the sky was falling!

Pumpkin Planting Day 118 days 'til Autumn

Ready for a family Christmas. Some minor accessorizing still to be done, but Richard did an amazing job of putting this room together.

Final total raised is $1330 and the funds are being delivered now to Animal Friends Rescue Project for their TNR program. I can’t thank everyone enough for your generous support and we are already looking forward to next year’s crop! A happy and festive autumn to all!

Pumpkins are almost gone! There is still a small selection at Sherman's Apothecary Pharmacy, but we'll be wrapping things up this week. We've had fantastic support and have raised over $1250 to date! ALL of it will go to Animal Friends Rescue Project for their TNR program. We're already planning next year's crop. Fairytales anyone?

A BIG shout out to From The Heart Dog Training and Central Ag Supply LLC for their generous support of our pumpkin sales to benefit Animal Friends Rescue Project.

Here he is... the Granddaddy... the Big Kahuna... the Top Dog... The Grand Gourd! And he is now up for auction! Weighing in at well over 100 pounds (best guess 140), standing 22" high, 24" wide, and 6.5 feet in circumference. This guy will make a grand statement on your porch or a seasonal showpiece in the lobby of your business. Place your bid in the comments below. ... Highest bid by 7:00PM on Friday, October 6 takes the prize. OR, first bid of $100 or more wins and stops the auction! ALL proceeds will go to Animal Friends Rescue Project, earmarked for their TNR program. Only bids on this original post will be recognized. Please be careful not to bid on shared threads as we may not see them. Pumpkin will be delivered for free on Saturday or Sunday anywhere within 50 miles of Salinas, including all of Monterey County, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Hollister, and San Jose. (can not be carried up more than a few stairs) Thanks for your support and good luck bidding. Shares of this post are appreciated! Note: the late afternoon sun makes the pumpkin look a brighter orange than in reality. It is a pale, matte orange in color. Back side is flat as it was the ground side. Bottom is not level and it may need some small wedges or shims to make it stand level on flat surfaces.