Ranch Map

Yeah, I kinda drove Kallan crazy with mapping the ranch on Saturday.  Spending a couple hours mapping with Kallan, Griffin and Josie along for the ride made me realize that this is going to take a long time and a lot of work.

But I think it will come in handy to have a map of the ranch.  If/when something breaks we'll know where it is and we'll be able to fix it.

Here's what I've got so far http://g.co/maps/q5p7h.  The track from our adventure is in red.

I'd like your help.  

• Let me know if there's anything in particular you want me to map.  
• I need names of things (roads, landmarks, gates, etc.).

The need for names became very apparent as I was dictating to my smartphone.  It attempts to transcribe what I say to it.  I told it, "Gate" and it wrote, "Geico."  I'd be amenable to naming it the Geico Gate if we can get corporate sponsorship, but till then, I think we need to come up with something better.

Our Ranch Adventure

By Kallan Ritzman

            We had an adventure yesterday. Our original plan was to look for an old barn Abba had showed to us on night walks. The barn happened to not be on our property and also there were bushes blocking the way. I wanted to cut them. Nobody supported me, supplied me with saws and we had Josie. No offence to her but she would not be able to get through anyway. I was sad.

              Next, we went the goat house. My Dad added to google maps for the ranch around the house. Meanwhile, Griffin and I thought that since we can't go to the barn let's go and explore where the goats used to be because we hadn't been there EVER! It so happens that we came to a stop. We couldn't do it. Another idea blocked.


               Then, we started to walk on the road to Aunt Josie's apple tree. As we were walking my Dad marked the water tank gate and the water tank on google maps again. Then we walked on. Finally we get to the gate and it's locked. No matter how we try we can't get through.  My dad forgot the keys.

This is the water tank

              None of our ideas were working out!  It was terrible.  My Dad marked everything for google maps. It took forever.  Griffin kept yelling, "We're all going to die!" I was annoyed but I knew we weren't going to die.  My dad said let's go to the Pokemon Center - that big flat spot next to the road.  So we did.  But we still didn't have keys.  Griffin and I could squeeze through.  My dad and Josie couldn't.  But it was too late.  Griffin had to go home.  My Dad gave us a picnic to eat.  Then he took Josie back to get the car.


              The picnic was really good.  We packed a can of peaches.  We used to eat peaches with Abba.  Peaches are traditional at the ranch for snack.  

Here's Griffin and me

              Nothing went like we planned on our trip.  But at the picnic we had fun anyway.  I want to go back to the ranch soon.  This time I'm going to find that old barn.

Status of the Fire Suppression Project

About a month ago we were given notice that The Ranch was out of compliance with local fire codes.  We are supposed to have 30 feet cleared of brush from any property line.

The property line of The Ranch is over 2 miles long!  So this is a huge project.

Harry and Dave have spearheaded the heroic effort.  They've worked nearly every day since we received the notice, whacking weeds, cutting down coyote brush, and organizing work parties.  A few others have pitched in, including Johnsons, Jensens, Foxes, and Ritzmans.

We've made significant progress.  Most of El Toyonal to the ranch has been cleared, and it has really improved the curb appeal of The Ranch.  We've opened up some wonderful views, and cleared some paths for horses.  We've also cleared brush away from many fences that haven't been seen by human eyes in decades.

There's still a lot of work to be done.  We are working with the Fire Department to get leniency for this year on some of the stricter rules till we can get a complete handle on what needs to be done.  It looks like we will have to add this project to our yearly calendar of Ranch maintenance.  But we are learning lessons that will allow us to be more prepared come next spring.

The First Post

Welcome to the first post on the Johnson Family Ranch blog!

There are a few things that I'd like to get posted here on the blog:

• Things that are happening now
• Things that are going to happen soon
• Announcements of work parties
• Pictures
• Memories
• Plans and wishes for the future

I'm going to need your help.   I'd like to get as many Johnson's and other friends of The Ranch writing on this blog as possible.  Please let me know (in the comments) if you'd like to contribute.

Matt (Julie's husband) Ritzman