Last weekend we made a trip down to Alturas to see the Bonhams. The main reason for the trip was to go out to the ranch in the desert of Nevada. Jake had not been out there for about 12 years and this was going to be my first time to see it. I was really looking forward to seeing it and hearing more stories about life on the desert. Saturday started early with Jake and Ethan going down to Susanville to pick up Grandpa Bonham. Meanwhile Jerry, LaDel, Zeke and I finished getting ready and headed down to meet them at the turnoff to Wendel. Along the drive out to the ranch we passed the site of the old town of Flannigan where both Grandpa and Jerry attended grade school in a one room school house. When we got to the ranch area the first stop we made was at one of the natural artesian springs, where Grandpa filled up his water jugs with "good water". To many people this sulfur flavored water would not be ideal, but when it was all you knew for most of your life I suppose it would be good.
This ranch was in the Bonham family for about a hundred years and served as a stage stop with a hotel, a cattle operation and the home to 4 generations of Bonhams through the years. It was fascinating to hear the stories and try to imagine how it must have looked back then.
The original house that at one time was part of the stage stop.
Ethan, Jake, Jack and Jerry checking out Round Hole, a circular pond that is fed by natural springs from underground.
The chicken coope and pig pen on the left. View to the east.
Jerry, Ethan and Jake in front of the bunk house. Jerry was telling us about how he used the side of the building as a backstop for playing baseball and field goal posts for football, when he was a kid.
Grandpa Jack loves getting out of the house and out to visit the old ranch site.
It was a beautiful day to be outside and I greatly enjoyed my first trip out there.
