VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY FOR RV’ERS IN HISTORIC COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you’ve read many times about our stays with my cousin, Rosanna, and her mom, my Auntie Carol, on their little ranch (Paws and Hooves) near the intersection of Hwy 191 and Hwy 181 in historic Cochise County, Arizona.  Many of Arizona’s most well known historic sites are in Cochise County, including Tombstone, Ft. Bowie, Slaughter Ranch, Cochise’s Stronghold – along with Chiricahua National Monument, Kartchner Caverns State Park, birding hotspots like the Whitewater Draw and Ramsey Canyon.  Ghost towns, jeep trails, and photo opportunities abound.

If you read Al’s blog, The Bayfield Bunch, you are acquainted with the area.  Jeanie and Ray’s place, where Al and Kelly frequently ranch-sit, is about 30 minutes south of Paws and Hooves.  Al and Kelly first met Rosanna and Carol three years ago; since then, they have enjoyed a Jeep trip or two and a visit from time to time.  I can’t remember all of our friends who have become Rosanna’s and Carol’s friends, too: Doug and JoAnn, Bev and JC, and of course Al and Kelly.

It is time for Rosanna and Carol to move on, after many years in Arizona.  The ponies have moved on to a good home; Kahlua (the big horse) and Gem (the young, wiggly dog) will go to their new homes soon.  All the domestic animals (cats, birds, and a dog or two or four) will make the move in February – which leaves a couple outdoor cats, 2 goats and 3 sheep as the ranch residents.

Rosanna would like to keep a human presence on the ranch after she moves and as it is being shown to potential buyers.  For ranch-sitters, there is little work to be done – feed the goats and sheep morning and night, pet and feed/water the cats, keep the water barrels topped off, put out the trash once a week, unlock and lock the gate.  Rosanna will come and go on the property from time to time.

The level RV site (top photo) is packed dirt, next to a 30 amp electric hookup and good water pumped from Rosanna’s well. Gray water can be run onto the ground. Verizon service is good (phones and air cards; we use our MiFi here).  The ranch is big dog friendly (completely fenced) and secure; your pets are welcome (Luna used to love to visit here).   General Delivery mail can be sent to Pearce (15 miles northwest) or Elfrieda (20 miles south).  Put out a bird feeder and you’ll have plenty of visitors; hawks patrol the open skies.

Great views of wide open spaces, the Chiricahua mountains to the east and the Dragoons to the west.  Plenty of sunshine! Nights here are quiet and dark, with stars spangled across the big sky.  Besides the proximity to so many recreational and historic sites, Benson, Bisbee, Douglas and Willcox are all an hour’s drive away (it’s a distance to the grocery store!), more or less; Tucson is about and hour and a half distant.

This is a good opportunity for a couple or a solo RV'er who enjoys outdoor recreation, peace and quiet and would like a free site from which to explore the many interesting places in Cochise County in exchange for minimal responsibilities.  Springtime is a great time to visit Cochise County, and Rosanna is looking for property sitters for March, April, and possibly beyond.  If you think you might be interested in spending a month here (or longer), or would like more information, you can email Rosanna at rosanna.lippe@gmail.com. I told her I would put the word out to my readers; tell her Laurie sent you!