Manzanita Ranch

Website first created in December 2009

I remember...

Manzanita Ranch!

Welcome! This website blog, is dedicated to the memory of Lindsey Ralston (Born-Colorado: 3/04/1943-Died: 7/10/1967 at age 24, Trinity County, Calif.) and to all the past campers, counselors, staff members, and students who spent time at Manzanita Ranch near Hyampom, California.

I invite you to submit your old photographs and share with us your experiences about those wonderful summers in the wilderness. Some great dialog and pictures have been contributed so far. Please continue to send them to me for posting.

We had no TV, no cellphones, no computers. We wrote home to our parents by handwritten letters. Mom sewed name tags into the waist of all my underwear so it wouldn't get lost. We lived in open air shelters among the rattlesnakes, bears, insects, poison oak, and all the natural beauty of the wilderness. We washed our own clothes by hand. We sometimes cooked our own food. We learned many things about others and about ourselves. The camp was co-educational. It was where I fell in and out of love (her name was Robin). I was tested by many real life experiences.

The staff was great. We sat around a camp fire in the evenings, played guitar, sang songs such as...yes...Kum-Bah-Yah, We Are Climbing Jacobs Ladder, Michael Row the Boat Ashore, while we roasted marshmellows, cracked jokes, etc. We held dances in Melody Lodge, learned to ride and care for the horses, learned to work with leather craft, photography, shoot at the rifle range (Paul Herbst was the instructor), and so much more. We went on extended overnight, horseback camping trips. We swam in the rivers, fished for trout and explored old abandoned hunter's cabins, took rafting trips down the river, and so much more.

This is a work in progress. This Site/Blog is maintained by: Bob Sheeks (BobSheeks@aol.com) Please let me hear from all the previous campers and staff out there who would like to say hello and contribute to this site.

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CONTACTS OF PREVIOUS CAMPERS AND STAFF can be requested through Bob Sheeks, the Site Administrator (BobSheeks@aol.com). Those who wish can also send their contributions of written memories and old photographs to me for posting to this site. I have removed all email addresses on this site due to the ever increasing problems with spammers, scam artists, hijackers, viruses, and unsolicited emails being received by others. Spam is one of the most insidious side effects of the Internet revolution and has only gotten worse over time. The one simple step I have taken is to stop posting email addresses on Public Forums such as this one. Sorry, but I must respect the privacy of all concerned.

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The Counselors and Staff

The men and women who served as camp counselors and staff members at Manzanita Ranch were some of the most remarkable people I have ever known. They were all professionals and took their jobs very seriously…and at the same time, showed total dedication and concern for their group of campers. They kept us safe.

They taught us all many things. They were our best friends at times, they showed us how to keep a clean and neat bungalow, how to wash our cloths, make hot water for the showers and did it in such a way that made it fun. They organized many activities in and around the camp. We played capture-the-flag over a huge acreage of land near camp. They organized a bear hunt. Dressed the bear in the tack room and spread the skin out on the roof to cure.

On camping trips, they organized everything. They planed the entire trip, they knew the trails and all the interesting sights along the way, knew how much food to bring, planned the meals. They checked on our equipment, as well as the horses if we were on a horseback trip. They set up camp, cooked the food, taught us how to care for the horses at night, told stories around the campfire and overall made every experience a lot of fun.

We learned from them how to be part of a group and get along with each other. Learned about exploring, appreciating nature, learning how to fish in the rivers, keeping us safe and making sure we left a camp the way we found it with as little impact on the land as possible. They knew first aid, water safety and emergency procedures. All of these qualities were there under the surface while all the time they acted as our buddies and always ready to lend a hand when needed.

I gained self esteem, and accomplishment from them all. I learned photography, leather craft, handling a rifle, horseback riding, cooking my own food, fishing for trout, swimming, hiking, and much more.

The experience of being at camp has made a profound difference in how I grew up. The lessons I learned such as social skills including values, ethics, respect, and a yearning for adventure were in part from my time spent at Manzanita Ranch.

A Brief History of Manzanita Ranch - 1946 1972

Written in 1972 by Doc Tilley

In the summer of 1946 T. Earl “Doc” Tilley with a group of college students and teenage boys and girls backpacked down the old Government Trail from Hyampom, California and camped on a small sandy beach by the glistening water of Grapevine Creek not far from where it flows into the South Fork Trinity River.

These backpackers did not know at the time they were on an old deserted homestead formerly a way station on the Old Government Trail leading from the coast to inland points such as Hyampom, Hayfork and Weaverville.

On March 4, 1950 Doc Tilley bought the 160 acre homestead and named it Manzanita Ranch. When camp started in June 1951 the small sandy beach by Grapevine Creek became the summer kitchen area, and for over twenty years now it has remained so. The 1951 camper group consisted of four campers, several college psychology students studying for credit, and six staff. Everything needed had to be packed in for there was no road, and there were no building at the ranch at all.

The years passed. A road was built into the ranch by PG&E, the Forest Service and the County. In 1962 PG&E built a sub-station on the ranch providing electric power not only to the Ranch but to Hyampom as well. Electricity opened up new opportunities to use the ranch to better serve the needs of young people. At this time in Manzanita Ranch’s progress, Bob and Hazel Eckert moved to the ranch. In September 1962 some students came to live at the ranch and attend Hayfork High School. Two years later the Manzanita Ranch School, a small coeducational boarding school, was founded.

More years passed. The camp grew to average enrollment of around 60 campers. School enrollment also increased. Many building were constructed including homes, quarters for students, the stable, the art center and more. During these years Doc Tilley served as camp director and director of the school. In 1969 Bob eckert became the administrative director of the school and co-director of the camp. Now, in 1972, Mr. Ron Zahn takes the helm as camp director.

After many months of thought and work, on March 1, 1971 Manzanita Ranch was incorporated not for profit so as to better served boys and girls through camp and school. With twenty-one years of development and experience in back of it, Manzanita Ranch, Inc. looks forward to further serving the well-being of children and youth through the many years ahead.

This piece above was provided by JohnAnn. Many thanks!

Precious Time

My summers at the Ranch were rich with activities and fun. I woke up early each morning from a sound and restful sleep. I went to bed each night with a feeling of a full day of experiences. I tried to do everything, all at once. I found myself running everywhere. I hiked down to the river with the others almost every day to swim and climb on the rocks along the banks. I must have signed up for and went out on several extended overnight horseback trips. The weather didn’t matter…rain or shin…I was always doing something and enjoying every minute. I felt I always needed to be involved with some activity or project. If I wasn’t making a belt or a wallet at the arts and crafts center, I was taking photographs and developing my own film in the darkroom, or I was up at the rifle range learning how to handle a gun. Or, I might have taken a short afternoon horseback ride out from the Ranch along the local trails. And in the evenings, we all slowly gathered around the campfire circle to talk and sing songs and just be together for a while with each other before heading off to our shelters for the night. There was so much more…the rodeos, the dances, the games of capture the flag, being with new friends, attending to daily chores, the exciting river bonfire beach parties, and then there were just quiet times, relaxing.

I remember I was always hungry too. All that running around gave me a huge appetite and I found myself running to the kitchen (three times a day) to grab a tray and fill it up with food. I even asked my mom to send me a “care package” or two filled with treats. I was always a rather chubby little kid, but while I was at camp, I actually lost weight no matter how much I ate…and I did eat well. The life of summers spent in the wilderness seemed to agree with me. Some of the kids were a bit lost and quiet it seemed..or maybe just a little homesick. But not me. I knew I only had so much time to spend during those summers before I had to go home and back to school in the fall.

If there’s a lesson to be learned here..it would be…Don’t waste your time. There are no second chances. Fill your life with new adventures. Meet new people. Travel and experience new lands, new customs, new foods. Get off your butts and take it all in. Life is a gift and it isn’t until we are grown up that we finally realize just how precious our time really is. It’s all over far too soon. Avoid being regretful and sorry for not using your time well. Try not to make excuses for why you can’t do something fun and fulfilling. And, oh yes…send your kids to summer camp!

Bob

Correspondence:

12/11/09

Request by Reg Bach.

Hi Bob,

I don't know anything about Web Page Development, but have an idea. Would it be possible to add a page for contact information. Could a spread sheet be added similar to the Photo Album, where people could sign in and add their name, email address, phone number, and the years they were at the ranch? Perhaps call it Name & Addresses and have an icon similar to the photo album. Just a thought. It would be great to have a list of everyone to send a blanket email.

Thanks,

Reg Bach

8/20/09

My dad was a partner with "Doc" Tilley who founded Manzinita ranch years and years ago. I learned to walk there. At that time we camped in Army style tents on platforms and walked everywhere we went. I am now 60 plus and very pleased to see that it is still operating in some form.

Sandra Heffernernan

8/20/09

I sent my last note in such a hurry I left out important stuff

Like My name is Sandy (Stultz) Heffernan and my father (Richard Stultz) was with "Doc" Tilley who must be related to you when they founded Manzanita Ranch. I remember washing by hand, out houses etc. I also remember a Doug Sheeks - are you related to him. Do you still work, live etc. at the camp. I heard it is now a private school - true? I would love to hear from you. Sandra.

8/20/09

Hi Sandy;

It was nice to read your emails. Thanks for the reply. I knew that eventually someone would see my posting and respond. Just another reason why I think computers and the Internet are so amazing. You are the very first person to respond and comment since I posted the web page.

No, I am not related to "Doc" Tilley. But I remember him fondly while attending the Ranch as a camper. I saw him many years later in Cupertino with his wife. I just happened to be having dinner at a restaurant and he was there at the same time. Such a strange coincidence.

Yes, Doug is my brother. He is living and working in Rocklin, California. We don't talk though. Very sad...all having to do with our dysfunctional family problems. Oh well...life goes on.

I wish I could identify the other people in the group photo posted at the website. Maybe more people will find the posting and help out. I am living in Santa Rosa now. Close to my dad. Mom has passed away. I am now 61, Doug is 62.

I recall when my parents visited me one summer at the Ranch. My younger brother Graham got lost in the wilderness during a game of Capture the Flag. It took hours to find him (finally down by the river). I also remember going on an extended camping trip up into the high Trinity Alps when one of our group got caught in a landslide. Very scary. We carried him out on a stretcher to a ranger station. Just a couple of the memories I still recall.

Take care and many thanks again for writing. I might add your correspondence to the site if that is okay with you.

Robert (Bob) Sheeks

8/20/09

It is ok with me -- maybe some others will respond. I can remember playing capture the flag and swimming (playing) in the Trinity River. I am 61 - I don't really remember Doug but for some reason the name came to mind. Do you remember a nurse by the name of Norma Van Buren? I was pretty small so maybe she was not there when you were. She traveled from NY with us to California every year. I think we made the trip until I was about 9 or ten and I think mom (Evelyn) and dad made it longer than that. I couldn't pull the picture up on my computer -- it is a work computer and they block me out of a lot of things. Did you ever know a camper by the name of Gary Nichols? I can remember falling out of a manzanita bush (tree). I was kind of a tom-boy - ha ha.

I hope you get more responses. I found it because I was telling one of the detectives I work with about the bear hunts some of the counselors use to go on and I thought of the ranch. Sandra

8/20/09

Hello again Sandy;

Thanks for your reply. There is so much that I remember. I attended the Ranch as a camper for two summers, and as a counselor in training for third summer.

I vaguely remember Norma, but not too many of the other staff members. Everyone seems to remember my brother Doug. I guess because he was, and still is, so good looking.

I remember Dan the head wrangler. He road a beautiful "paint" horse named Chi Chi. Dan and the daughter of "Doc" Tilley had a serious love affair going on. But it got out of hand and Doc ended up firing Dan. That was a very sad day when he left the camp. Lots of tears.

I remember the huge bonfires we would build down at the river. All day long, the guys would gather loose wood and logs that had drifted down stream for months. They piled them up on a sand spit in the middle of the river. Then in the evening we had hot dogs and marsh mellows and punch for dinner. When the fire was lit, it turned the night into day.

I remember the huge rock we would jump off of while swimming at the river. We called it the Yaba Daba Doo! I guess because we would all yell those words as we jumped off. No fear!

I remember the old hunter's cabins out in the wilderness that we would visit while on overnight horseback trips. They were still in tact and left as is. Some had old pots and pans and even a shotgun on the wall. Nobody bothered the contents.

I remember the bear hunts and rattlesnake hunts. We cooked the meat down at the canteen and ate the roasted meat. What an experience that was.

Thanks again. I hope you will be able to see the photos at the webpage once you have a chance to use another computer that allows you access.

Bob

September 29. 2009

Hello,

I was a camp counselor at Manzanita Ranch in 1968 and 1969. Do you know the names and possible locations of any of the other counselors at that time?

I remember John Ann, T. Earl Tilley’s step daughter. I don’t remember her last name.

There was Heidi, Kim Clark, Julie, Ron, the director, Kathy, Malcolm, and others I can’t remember.

I had several campers, Kris, Joe Fontes, etc. I wonder what they are doing. If you hear from them, let me know.

Joe Aubert

Now in St. Pete Beach, Florida

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Bob,

You're welcome to use the note, but hopefully between my sisters and me, we can give you more info. For example, I recognize everyone in that group photo, but I can only come up with Craig's name (second from left). Also, I can't recall offhand if our first summer was 1961 or 1962. Also, the Heidi that the guy who was a counselor from 1968 and 1969 was referring to was Heidi Leuenberger who attended camp as a camper, with her horse, in 1966, and came back as a counselor I believe. Doc wanted me to return in 1968, but I bailed and worked at another camp in Mammoth Lakes. I was a co-counselor with Hazel on the caravan to Canada in 1967 after Lindsey Ralston died in an air mattress rafting trip accident. Gotta run. I'll be in touch.

On Oct 22, 2009, at 11:31 PM,

Dear Dave;

Thank you so much for responding to the MR webpage. Setting up the site has begun to attract some very interesting attention. You email letter has helped to bring more details to the memories and history of our experiences. I am very glad you found it.

Yes, I grew up and lived in Belvedere from about 1955 to 1966. I now live in Santa Rosa. I was amazed that you remembered one of the names of one of the guys in the photo I posted on the site. Hopefully many more previous MR campers will see the site and the pictures, and help fill in the blanks.

With your permission, I will add your email note to the site.

Thanks again.

Bob Sheeks

In a message dated 10/22/2009 11:06:22 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

Bob,

My mom (Betty) was a counselor and my sisters and I attended MR as

campers from I think 1962 to 1965. I remember you, but I think my

sister Linda would remember you better. My little sister was Margie.

Then I was a counselor at MR in 1966 and 1967. I swear Linda has all

our MR pictures. The one guy I immediately recognized in the photo

was Craig Glassman. Thanks for setting up the site. The logo/

letterhead brought back memories. I still have some newsletters

somewhere. Weren't you living in Marin at the time? I currently live

in San Rafael, Linda is in Arcata, Margie is in Pleasanton, and my mom

still lives in Sunnyvale where we grew up.

I forwarded on your site to Linda and Margie, so you should be hearing

from them--Linda at least.

David Ortez

October 28, 2009

Manzanita Ranch is for sale should a group of former students wish to purchase it for whatever reasons they might wish. :-) The price has just been greatly reduced!

Bye!

Thomas

(Owner)

Posted October 30, 2009

Bob,

Not sure how to get a better scan, but attached is a pdf copy of a 1963 MR photo of my cabin with (left to right): me, Chris Breyfogle, Mike ?, Sev Morrison, and Lindsey Ralson (our fearless leader).

It's funny, but coincidentally with my e-mailing you last week my sister Linda was going through old photos for a friend's retirement and found a bunch of MR photos. She claims she has them because she spent a lot of time in the darkroom. Anyway she came through town and dropped this one off.

David Ortez

Hello David;

Many thanks for your latest contribution to the site. What a great archive! I must admit, I don't remember any of the individuals in the photo but it's a wonderful memory all the same. I think I must have been off in the younger kids bungalows at this time, whereas the older boys were in the area called Oakville... across the meadow. I do remember the setting where this photo was taken...by the campfire where the stump seats where arranged in a circle. I am adding your note and the picture to the webpage today. The more photos we get, the better.

Someday I hope I can get a professional web page creator to make the site look more presentable. All I know is basic HTML which doesn't really end up looking all that great. But it's a start.

Many thanks again! Any and all pictures from the Ranch are welcomed.

Sincerely.

Bob Sheeks

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Posted November 4, 2009

The Story of Harald (Hans) Streuli

A group of us were on an extended backpacking trip into the high Trinity Alps. Our destination was Sapphire Lake. Sad to say, we never made it there. But judging from the images below, it would have been a beautiful place to end up at.

At the end of the second day out, at a wide point in the trail, we made camp. We were close to an old abandoned mining operation called Old Brown’s Mine. Several of the kids, including a camper named Harald Streuli, left the camp to explore the mine. The mining operation sat on the hillside, high above a river. There were huge mounds of rocks, gravel and boulders piled along the hillside. These mounds were tailings left over from the mining digs, loosely dumped over the edge of the trail above the river. Some of the kids got the idea to create miniature landslides by kicking and dislodging the loose rocks and causing them to tumble down towards the river. This caused a chain reaction as rocks came into contact with other stones and down went the slide. Bad idea!

All of us campers wore a whistle around our necks. Blowing the whistle three times, sharply, meant trouble…come quickly. I was still back at the campsite resting from the hike. Then it came…the faint sound of three whistle blasts off in the distance. Reaction was at first slow to realize what was happening. But then, almost immediately, we all ran towards the sound.

Harald had been standing on a huge boulder while the other hikers kicked rocks down around him causing the loose tailings to give way and fall down the hill. The entire side of the hill had given way. Harald went down with it and ended up buried under rocks and gravel at the river’s edge. He was still alive but badly injured with scraps and abrasions from the grinding action of the rocks. He was passing in and out of consciousness. Each time he came to, the pain was so great, all he could do was scream.

We were miles from any civilization. The campgrounds where we had started from was about 20 miles away. There was a ranger station there, but later we learned that all the rangers were gone, out fighting forest fires. We sent a runner back to the ranger station for help. The best they could do was send us a stretcher. So we packed up Harald into the stretcher and carried him out of the wilderness ourselves, through the night. Eventually, we were met along the trail and the rangers took over. We spent the rest of the night and the next day in the ranger station. Eventually we were driven back to Manzanita Ranch.

Harald survived his injuries. He required skin grafting procedures to help heal his wounds. At the end of that summer, a group of us campers went to visit Harald where he lived at that time…in San Francisco. It was good to see him again, doing well and in recovery. I wish I could make contact with him again and see how he is doing.

That was an experience I’ll never forget. While back at the Ranch, I remember reading a short newspaper article that credited the rangers for the rescue with no mention at all of the overnight trek we all made to carry Harald to safety.

Bob Sheeks

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Posted November 23, 2009

Hi Bob:

Chi Chi was biter Sandy! I preferred Shorty. I practically lived in the stables was so horse crazy. I attended in summer of 1963 with my sister Jeanne. We were from Sunnyvale. I don’t recall Dan as wrangler but a John and Jean? Had a pretty mare as I recall. I have almost absolute recall of that wonderful summer and some old black and white phots my dad took on parents weekend.

Will look at group photo and let you know if I recognize anyone.

1963 was the height of the folk movement and the songs we sung were by Dylan and Judy Collins and others… I am a horseman and horse owner today thanks to Manzanita Ranch Camp.

Best Regards,

Bob McNabb

Here are some names:

Darcy von Shultheis

John Ann ?

Reggie a staffman with german shepherd named Sheba

Craig Glassman

Bob Ecker – Ranch manager I believe

Lynn Windus - archery

Posted November 23, 2009

Robert:

Found some photos and will convert to jpg and send to you for posting. No Old Navy or Abercrombie then; only our rolled up Lee jeans and t shirts and flannels. Hope we pass muster!

What years were you at camp? Were we fellow campers in 1963? I am 58 years old.

Found one photo of Doc Tilley and the boys who wintered over in Hyampom on the ranch. I seem to recall that Doc had a program for disaffected youth; maybe from broken homes or the like. Anyway they were a great crew and we looked up to them.

Photo includes: Andy Laird; Craig Glassman; Skip Whitehead; Mike Ward (in yr current posting) Reg Bach; Sheba, Reg's dog and Doc Tilley. At the Campfire.

Can you advise about tree cover in the area? From aerial BING/Google Earth it appears more open than 46 years ago. Were there fires that burned over it? Logged over again? I've been meaning to get back to Shasta Trinity, which as I recall was also called Trinity "alps" to do some hiking and fishing someday. I recall that the horses were watered by a spring fed stream that was channeled thru a trough by the barn. So icy cold and fresh you could dunk your head and drink deeply next to a horse. That was good water.

One item that surprized me was hearing about Lindsey Ralston's demise on the river. I recall him well and will send you a photo. I was not aware they had ever lost staff. Any details?

All we had on the float trips were our mattresses, no PFD's in those days! The water was cold. We had to swim. For we who grew up in the '50's and '60's safety was not the primary concern and parental worry it is today. And I am eternally grateful for that fact. Whether at camp or at home we were out of doors all the time with minimal supervision. As illustrated in your piece on the rockfall it resulted in casualties at times; but that's the way it was.

Thanks very much for the website. I guess as you reach middle age you get a little nostalgic. Over the years I checked the web to try to find out something about wonderful Manzanita Ranch Camp and came up empty. I called the chamber in Hyampom on one occasion and learned that it had reverted to a retreat of some kind. Too bad it couldn't still be producing magical summers for boys and girls.

Hey remember Einar Svenson's cabin? The old hermit miner whose ghost was supposed to roam around? One night while sleeping on a horse trip I almost jumped out of my skin at a sound and movement. It was only my hobbled horse checking up on me :) Horse breath at night under the California constellations. Doesn't get any better.

Best Regards.

Bob McNabb

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Posted November 25, 2009

Bob,

You have some great memories. So I'm 4 years older than you, and as best I can recall I was there as a camper from 1962 to 1964 and as a counselor in 66 and 67. There's a chance we were there in 1961, but I've gotta compare notes with my family. I just wrote Robert Sheeks that my sister brought down a bunch of Ranch pictures for Thanksgiving and I'll take a look at them tomorrow. I'll figure out a way to get them to Robert, but they'll probably overload the blog.

I think we must have the same photo you describe--I remember all those guys and Reg's dog (and Mike Ward was the guy in my picture whose last name I couldn't recall). I think the school kids who wintered over were primarily problems for their parents who had the means to ship them off. I remember Chris Breyfogle who is in the picture I sent went to a boarding school in the Phoenix area called the Judson School (I just Googled it and see it closed in 2000). Same idea.

Did I see that you were from Sunnyvale? If so, interesting because we were from Sunnyvale too. I'll find out alot more from my sister Linda who is a year older than you and remembers this stuff better than I do. I do remember that as a pretty dorky teenager I had the biggest crush on Julie Essayan. I also liked (among others) Sherry Miller, who if I recall was Craig Glassman's squeeze at the time. She was from Tustin and I ended up spending some time with her when I was at UC Irvine. At that time, she was artistic, drove a jeep and was just plain cool.

As far as Lindsay, I happened to be the other counselor on that raft trip. Shortly before it happened Lindsay and I swapped positions and he moved in to lead and I trailed behind the last rafter. All I can say is that Lindsay was an incredible hero and saved several campers' lives at the cost of his own. It was also incredibly freakish--he essentially was trapped underwater beneath a waterfall/drop-off. He was just an incredible human being.

David Ortez

On Nov 23, 2009, at 5:06 PM, Robert McNabb wrote:

Hello David:

I was happy to find Bob's website so thought I would copy you with my email. I will send him some 1963 photos soon for posting. I would enjoy hearing your memories.

Best regards. Bob McNabb

--- On Tue, 11/24/09, Robert McNabb:

From: Robert McNabb

Subject: Re: Manzanita Rach

To: Bob Sheeks Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 12:56 AM

Robert:

found some photos and will convert to jpg and send to you for posting. No Old Navy or Abercrombie then; only our rolled up Lee jeans and t shirts and flannels. Hope we pass muster!

What years were you at camp? Were we fellow campers in 1963? I am 58 years old.

Found one photo of Doc Tilley and the boys who wintered over in Hyampom on the ranch. I seem to recall that Doc had a program for disaffected youth; maybe from broken homes or the like. Anyway they were a great crew and we looked up to them.

Photo includes: Andy Laird; Craig Glassman; Skip Whitehead; Mike Ward (in yr current posting) Reg Bach; Sheba, Reg's dog and Doc Tilley. At the Campfire.

Can you advise about tree cover in the area? From aerial BING/Google Earth it appears more open than 46 years ago. Were there fires that burned over it? Logged over again? I've been meaning to get back to Shasta Trinity, which as I recall was also called Trinity "alps" to do some hiking and fishing someday. I recall that the horses were watered by a spring fed stream that was channeled thru a trough by the barn. So icy cold and fresh you could dunk your head and drink deeply next to a horse. That was good water.

One item that surprized me was hearing about Lindsey Ralston's demise on the river. I recall him well and will send you a photo. I was not aware they had ever lost staff. Any details?

All we had on the float trips were our mattresses, no PFD's in those days! The water was cold. We had to swim. For we who grew up in the '50's and '60's safety was not the primary concern and parental worry it is today. And I am eternally grateful for that fact. Whether at camp or at home we were out of doors all the time with minimal supervision. As illustrated in your piece on the rockfall it resulted in casualties at times; but that's the way it was.

Thanks very much for the website. I guess as you reach middle age you get a little nostalgic. Over the years I checked the web to try to find out something about wonderful Manzanita Ranch Camp and came up empty. I called the chamber in Hyampom on one occasion and learned that it had reverted to a retreat of some kind. Too bad it couldn't still be producing magical summers for boys and girls.

Hey remember Einar Svenson's cabin? The old hermit miner whose ghost was supposed to roam around? One night while sleeping on a horse trip I almost jumped out of my skin at a sound and movement. It was only my hobbled horse checking up on me :) Horse breath at night under the California constellations. Doesn't get any better.

Best Regards.

Date: Monday, November 23, 2009, 4:16 PM

Date: December 9, 2

Hi Bob;

Many thanks for your great comments. I am so grateful to all the previous campers who have provided details and images of their camp day experiences.

I will certainly post your reply and look forward to seeing any photos you may have of those wonderful days.

With best regards.

Robert Sheeks

Dear Bob:

I was shocked when a friend of mine who lives above Manzanita Ranch sent me your website address. I had no idea. I'm sending your website to several people I keep in contact with. I've got a lot of slides I haven't looked at in years. My step-father, Doc Tilley passed away in 2005 at the age of 99. My mother died in 2003.

He is in contact with Andy Laird who also went to school there. Chips Dunsmore lives in Hayfork with his wife. Not sure if he has email or not.

I was working in Quincy, California as a fire watch back in the 70's. I was sitting in the middle of the forest when a young man walks by me. We say hi, he continues walking and then turns back towards me and says, "John Ann"? It was your brother Doug. We chatted for quite a while and off he went on into the woods. We didn't exchange phone numbers or anything.

Thank you so much for your efforts to put the website together. I wish Doc were still with us to see it. I will try to put some photos together to add to your collection. So many memories, names and events are going thru my head.

John-Ann

John-Ann Carlile

2000 Camanche Road #93

Ione, CA 95640

(209) 763-2833

Dear JohnAnn;

How absolutely wonderful to hear from you. I am so pleased to have your email letter and will post it to the "blog". I remember you so vividly and well from those magical days at the Ranch. I hope I haven't posted anything about you that is embarrassing.

Speaking of coincidences, I was working in Cupertino a while back and having dinner at a restaurant in Los Altos when your step-father "Doc" and his wide came in for a meal. I was absolutely stunned to see them both together, and that we should cross paths again and in such an usual location.

The Manzanita Ranch webpage has been truly a great project and a source of such great memories. I also remember the slide shows that were shown at Melody Lodge. I remember seeing myself on a horse riding bareback in one of the rodeos we had. I hope to see more pictures that I can post to the site for all to enjoy.

Please take care.

Very best regards.

Bob Sheeks

Bob:

Uh, embarrassing to me? No, nothing on your website is embarrassing....yet. I must say I really don't remember a Dan who was a wrangler and fired due to me but then it was so long ago. Could it have been my step-sister Myra? I do remember having a terrible crush on an Arnold Chamove who was a wrangler for a summer but, he wasn't fired and in fact, paid little attention to me.

Somebody said there was something about Chips Dunsmore being drunk and crying that I was somehow involved with but couldn't find it on the site. Chips and I have been friends for years as he stayed around the area and I go up to Hyampom quite often. In fact, was there for Thanksgiving. Not at the Ranch. It is for sale. Some lovely people bought it some time ago to turn it into a retreat. However, I think it is too far removed from civilization for them. There was a horrible fire about 4-5 years ago and it burned some of the Ranch. The owner before the retreat people logged it. That is probably why there is a lot of open space on the map.

Somebody mentioned Julie Essayan. We have been in contact over the years. I will call her and tell her to check out the site. I'll also will scan some photos of her. I'm also in a round-about way have connections with Dan Ramsier who was a counselor at the Ranch. He became a Highway Patrolman and is now retired and lives on the coast. Also Sally Hearne which some may remember. We were horse Counselors during a period of time that escapes me. Will have Christmas dinner with she and her family. Both of us are widows and have spent time riding over the last three years.

So, will get on looking for some photos I can scan. Most of the old photos are in slides that Doc took over the years. I sent a huge amount to my step-brother Jim Tilley to keep. He and his wife live in Central Oregon.

Wow, this is incredible. It was such a huge part of my life. Yet over the years it faded because I've spent so much time in and around Hyampom since Manzanita Ranch closed oh so many years ago. Now, it's the people of Hyampom and the history of the land and people that I'm close to.

Thank you so much for doing this. I know I've met people on planes, cities and towns or, even at work who when striking up a conversation regarding Hyampom look with shock that anybody would know where it is, much less, mentioning Manzanita Ranch.

Okay, again, thanks.

John-Ann

Posted Deecember 10, 2009

Bob,

What a great deal. I've never thought about an MR Website. The Ranch must have meant a lot to you to come up with such a great idea. Well, as you said, your not alone. The Ranch has changed the lives of many people, and it will be great to to hear the stories as this web site becomes more wide spread. Unfortunately, I don't remember you, but do remember your brother, Doug. I remember Dave and Betty Ortiz, and many other people. About a month ago, I visited Hyampom, with an old friend, Rick Phelps, with whom several of us went to high school. His Grandfather owned the mill in Hyampom. In any event, we stayed with some Hyampom friends, and while there I got contact information on John Ann Carlile and Chips Dinsmore. I contacted both, talking to Chips on the phone, and actually spent an evening with John Ann in her home in Northern California. It was great to see her. We had a wonderful time reminiscing.

Thank you for putting those pictures on the web site. I hadn't thought about some of those people for such a long time. It was fantastic to see those old pictures, with old friends, and Sheba!!

I live in Kalispell, Montana. However, I'm spending the winter in San Diego. I'm retired and love to travel, so drive back and forth between Montana and California often. Perhaps when this web site grows a bit, and we hear from more people, we can plan a reunion somewhere in California, perhaps a camping trip to Hyampom. It would be incredible if we can put that together.

I've told Andy Laird about the web site, and forwarded it on to Chris Profit. Andy was excited to see the web site and I'm sure Chris will be delighted as well.

Bob, thanks again for putting this together. I look forward to watching it grow and getting together with you at some point in time.

Reg Bach

Manzanita Ranch (1962-1964)

12/12/2009

Dear Bob:

Please allow my address and telephone number to be put on the web site. Also, if you could send a short note to Sandy Stultz-Hefferman and give her my email I would appreciate it. My step-sister (Myra Tilley) probably remembers her as she took the trip with Doc (and maybe her brother, Jim Tilley) from New York to California in the travel camp. I believe the travel camp spent some time at Camp Trinity as well which is still a going concern. Many campers who attended Camp Trinity have made their home in Hyampom or have a summer place there. I will pass on the info to Myra if Sandy remembers her.

At that time Doc was married to Peggy. Peggy passed away several years ago at the age of I believe 100. Doc was 99 when he died. Myra, Jim, and I remain close and talk often. I went up to visit Myra and her grown children this past Spring in Portland, Oregon.

I'm afraid I've been busy sending presents and cards out so haven't gotten some of the photos scanned that I promised. Oh, and I was so excited to see Sandra Henry's name and David Ortiz. Again, I hate to blither, but this is wonderful. I've wondered often about all the people who came thru camp and the school. So many people and dates are confusing to me.

I attended camp the first time in 1952 at aged 9 and continued every summer for the most part until I was 32 years old. Doc sold the ranch several times after that. I worked for Blanche McCall who purchased it and continued to run it as a summer camp. It didn't last and it was finally sold to a man whose name escapes me and it stopped being a camp after that.

Anyway, I wish everybody Happy Holidays!

John-Ann

John-Ann Carlile

2000 Camanche Road #93

Ione, CA 95640

Memories of Melody Lodge and Chi Chi

One of my fondest memories at Manzanita Ranch were the weekly dances held at Melody Lodge. It was there in the evenings that I remember hearing songs by Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, The Everly Brothers, and maybe some Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly as well.

I remember a tall blonde girl with a French accent. I never knew her real name but she went by the nick name of Sugar. I wonder if anyone else remembers her also. She was a lot of fun. She danced with everyone and made us all feel happy and part of the “family”.

I remember John Ann always dancing with Dan Ramsier the head wrangler. Strange that I should recall that she seemed to always be wearing leather moccasins.

There was an old piano on the dance floor, off in the corner. During the day we would go up to the Lodge and play the piano from time to time. Not that we were any good at it. Mostly we palyed “chopsticks” and that old melody, Heart ‘n Soul.

The Lodge was also used to gather everyone together and show slides of events we had held at the ranch. I remember seeing myself in one of the slides, riding a horse in one of the rodeos we put on down in the lower pasture. That was where all the horses grazed during the afternoons and evenings after coming back from a day’s ride.

Dan's horse was named Chi Chi. She was a beautiful appaloosa or painted horse. A highly spirited horse that showed a slightly mean temper. I still liked Chi Chi a lot and wanted to make friends with her. One thing I hated about the stable area were the huge horse flies that came around looking for a free meal. Not only would they sink their straw like mouth into the horses, but they would bite anyone once given a chance. And they were as big as my big toe. Anyway, this is a true occurrance...I filled up my pocket with carrot sticks from the canteen one afternoon. The next day, I walked out onto the pasture from Oakville Lodge where I was living. Chi Chi was there among the other horses. I walked up to her and gave her a carrot. She gladly ate it and I then slowly walked on towards the other side of the pasture. Chi Chi then trotted up past me, stopped in front of me and blocked my way, then turned at looked at me. I then gave her another carrot, and walked on. She did the same thing two more times until I was out of carrots. Luckily, I was near the fence and climbed out of the pasture to safety. I don't know if I really ever made friends with her or not that day, but I will never forget that experience.

Bob Sheeks

Posted December 20, 2009

Hi Bob, I have been visiting the MR site every once in awhile since my brother David told me about it but until now I haven't taken the time to write. I get very nostalgic when I think about my 3 summers spent there 1962-1964 when I was 12, 13 & 14 years old Great memories of learning to ride and care for horses, backpacking, dances, lots of crushes on boys,swimming, rafting and bonfires at the river, singing folk songs around the campfire, (I still rember Dan always singing The Seine), washing clothes by hand (I can't believe we did that for the whole summer!) Eating rattlesnake, and all of the friends. After our summers there I got together with Julie Essanyan, Leeanne Fuhrman, Craig Glassman and Donna ? a couple of times, but lost touch with them all. At one point I used to see Andy Laird at San Jose State but I can't remember when. I live in Trinidad now in Humboldt County and have lived here since 1975. I have become friends with a guy who lives here named Gary Lester. His mother was the camp nurse for a couple of summers. Other than that I haven't seen anyone from the old MR days. I had quite a few photos that my brother accused me of hoarding so I gave them all to him so that he can get them scanned and sent to you to post. Thanks for getting this site going. I loved reading the notes from JohnAnn and Reg. I have fond memories of them.

Linda Ortez Adams

Posted December 26, 2009

Hi Linda:

Your email post jogged a MRC horse trip memory from '63: the wranglers's (Jack and Jean _____?) little dog was bitten on the stomach by a snake which was then killed and consumed. The dog was ridden back to camp where I recall it recovered. I also recall Sandy Henry telling me bring a sleeping bag which I ignored in favor of a light blanket. The end result being that I sat up most of the cold night talking with the hobbled horses. I think we stopped at an allegedly haunted miner's cabin called Einar Svennson. Truth or fiction it certainly fixed the memory!

Regards, Bob McNabb

December 27, 2009

Rattlesnakes

It seemed frightening at first to think that we would be living among rattlesnakes while at camp. But after a while they became commonplace and accepted as part of the landscape. And as long as we were careful and aware, we just went about our daily routine with little regard for their presence.

From time to time, we were surprised to learn that the snakes were quite literally all around us. I can remember when the shelters needed to be repaired or re-built, the floors became weak and rotten. When the old floors were torn up, occasionally the rattlers were discovered right there living under the decks, right beneath us.

On extended overnight horseback trips we would run across a snake every now and then near our camp site. One large rock placed well and the threat was quickly over. On one occasion the kitchen cooked up some rattlesnake meat for those who were curious to taste it. It wasn’t bad, but not something I would want to make a steady diet of. Same goes for the bear meat we were offered.

I can also recall even seeing a scorpion at camp. It was a small one but still dangerous. One of the campers found it crawling on a blanket and they brought it to show it off to everyone.

One scary encounter happened when a group of campers had gathered to walk down to the river for a swim. We would always form up as a group at the ranch and then all walk down the steep, narrow path together for safety reasons. One day my brother was anxious to get to the river a bit faster and so he began running down the trail ahead of the group. His momentum made it hard for him to slow down, let alone stop. All of a sudden, he saw a rattler curled up in the middle of the trail right in front of him. His instincts must have taken over because he leaped over it as he was running down the trail…he never stopped or looked back until he reached the river. I don’t know who was more scared…the snake or my brother.

“Mountain Money”

In the late afternoon of one summer at the Ranch, we were all slowly gathering together, as we usually did, at the campfire circle located near the Trading Post/General Store. The campfire was a large circle of tree stumps surrounding a raised stone and dirt platform where we lit the evening fire. It was there that we talked, played guitar, and sang songs before returning to our shelters to retire for the night.

Unknown to us, that evening the camp staff decided to put on an Old West cowboy style play-acting routine. Dan, the head wrangler, came galloping in on his horse, Chi Chi…came to a stop and ran up the steps to the Trading Post, grabbed a cloth sack, ran back down the steps, jumped back on his horse and road away at high speed.

Then the lady in charge of the Trading Post (maybe it was Jean?) came running down the steps yelling…”They’ve stolen the mountain money! They’ve stolen the mountain money!” Bob Eckert and others then mounted their horses and road out after Dan.

A few minutes later Dan was "captured" and brought back with his hands tied. He was taken to Melody Lodge for his “trial”… just before the “hanging”. It as all great fun, and lots of laughs.

It was then that I learned that “mountain money” was slang for toilet paper.

January 30, 2010

Bob,

Just found your site on the Ranch late last night.. my head is still spinning from the bits and pieces of seeing and

hearing names I honestly haven't thought of, some, in 40 yrs.

I almost choked when someone mentioned Chi Chi the horse..and Boy dog..OMG..

Some of it was pre-me.<g> I really wasn't a camper..but attended the school from I believe...late '64 to graduating

in '67. I spent either 1 or 2 summers there..(parents traveled for a living, so for me, it was home..winter and summer)

I'm still in close contact with Pat Anjola, (Bob and Hazels daughter) and used to run around somewhat with JohnAnn and

Dave yrs later in Palo Alto.

Also noticed JohnAnn posted a phone #..will have to call her..good lord..I'm older than dirt..and she had a couple of yrs. on me. LOL

Some of the names mentioned or that wrote seem to me were in my era..but darn I can't seem to put it all together. lol

Passed your link on to Pat (Anjola)..know the pics of Hazel will please her no end..

Had just recently sent her some I had found of she, Phil (her ex) her son Mike, and Bob and Hazel taken in the

late 70's. I had flown out for Mikes HS graduation, from FL. She was so tickled to get them.. know your site will just boggle

her mind as well.

I also married one of the students from the ranch, lol..we stayed together for 5 yrs. (Brian Merrick)

And we hung with many past students during that time..late 60's early 70's.

Feel free to keep in touch..I would love to try and put some of the pieces of this together...names pics..etc.

Absolutely amazing...

Thanks for putting the site together..

Lynda Dedrick

(formally Lynda Gross)

February 4, 2010

Dear Robert,

I hope you're satisfied! You have caused me to be hours behind in my work after finding your Manzanita Ranch website this A.M. Too much fun! My name is Whit Ashley. I spent two wonderful summers at Manzanita Ranch ('66 and '67, I think), where some of my fondest life's memories were created. Good for you for starting the ball rolling again (even if you did "waste" half my work day)!

Below is an e-mail sent to my sister today, which I thought you might enjoy. Like you (I think), I live in Sonoma County, but long for Trinity County and simpler times.

Very best regards,

Whit

Whit Ashley

WWA

Subject: Manzanita Ranch

Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:15:39 -0800

Dear Lizzy,

I have just taken a wonderful walk down memory lane. After I forwarded to you, this morning, my e-mail containing the anecdote about Manzanita Ranch, I went on the Internet to see if I could find any information about my old summer camp. To my great surprise, one of the other devotees created a Manzanita Ranch web site last year, replete with photos!

I had such fun there in, I believe, ’66 and ’67 – horseback riding, backpacking, learning archery, shooting on the rifle range, swimming, singing around the campfire, making wood and leather crafts. This is where I made a leather belt for Dad - always a big man in my eyes, as you know. Well, my pedestal perception and youthful exuberance got the best of me and that belt ended up being about a size 70! Dad, being the wonderful guy that he was, accepted it with a great show of pleasure (and perhaps a wry smile) and wore it “proudly” after having modified it with some new, more accurately placed, buckle holes! I can remember him wearing that belt for years. Who knows, it may even still reside in his closet at the cabin after 40+ years.

You might remember Fran Holmes RV sales in Eureka. Fran’s two lovely, sweet daughters, Rene and Francie (with whom I attended 3^rd through 12^th grade in school) also were at the Ranch in ’66 and ’67. I was surprised and pleased, to find them there when I arrived the first year. Francie and I loved the horses and were often up at the stables.

The Ranch has since been sold several times and is presently for sale once again. I would be sorely tempted to try and purchase it if I thought one could resurrect the magic created there by “Doc” in the 1960’s. I fear the simple innocence of that time has been overtaken by our society’s fast-paced penchant for technology. I wonder how many kids these days would set aside their X-box, PlayStation, iPod and cell phone and exit the Mall for the opportunity to experience the simple pleasures of: actually running around in a great open field playing capture the flag; plodding along on horseback in the sun, on a dusty trail enveloped in the fragrance of the musty oaks and sweet pine and fir, cones a poppin’; bundled-up, singing folk songs around a moonlit campfire circle, experiencing for the first time that racing in your chest and shivering (not from the cold) when that pretty blue-eyed creature (who, only two or three years earlier, was described as a . . . yuck . . . girl) held your hand. God we were lucky kids! Thanks Doc and Dad & Mom.

Love ya sis, Whit

"God, we were lucky kids!"

That says it all, Whit. I couldn’t have come up with a one-liner any better than that. Those are the perfect words as to just what a wonderful experience it was to be a camper at Manzanita Ranch back in the 1960’s.

As we grow older, life has a way of becoming more complicated. We take on more and more baggage in the form of stress, loss, sorrow, regrets, guilt, failures, self criticism, and just plain old pain.

In times of feeling low, I try to think back to simpler days when I didn’t have to deal with responsibilities, obligations, promises, etc. I am reminded of an old poem I’d like to share with you all.

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me,

and I wake in the night at the least sound,

in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the green heron feeds.

I come into the place of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.

I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light.

For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendall Berry

*************************************************

In a Cathedral…

One of my most cherished memories was when I took one of the extended overnight horseback trips away from camp. We headed out the main road single file at an easy pace. Soon that warm summer afternoon we came to a heavily wooded area. It was so peaceful and clean. The air was cool to breath and a welcome change from the summer heat out in the open sunlight. There was a natural canopy of very tall trees all around us with ferns growing everywhere at our feet. This tall wooded area was so dense that the sunlight hardly penetrated through to the ground.

The fragrance of the woods and the earth still comes back to me. As we road through this incredibly beautiful meadow, no one spoke. There were only the sounds of the breeze lightly whisping through the trees and the horse's hooves as we moved slowly along the trail taking in the beauty of this very lovely place. If I could only remember just where it was. I often wish I could relive that special moment. The silence and beauty of it all was so surreal and still comes back to me over and over again in my recollections. It was like being in a cathedral.

February 24, 2010

Hi Fellow Campers!!! (Linda, Dave, John Ann, and Bob)

Just took another look at the MR Website. Haven't done so for several weeks. I was really impressed to see the letters and pictures. It was absolutely wonderful to see some of those old pictures of past friends, and read some of your comments.

I'm hoping to see John Ann and Pat Anjola next week. I hope others of us get together as a result of this Web Site. Thanks again, Bob. Great Job.

Reg Bach

February 25, 2010

Dear Bob:

I've been remiss about sending photos. I'm starting to scan the brochure again. It has a lot of pages and because it's so old it doesn't scan all that well. Will be sending some more photos. I want to write something but I have so many memories, there were so many people who came through my life during the years I was there...it's hard to focus. Will keep sending photos. ja

John-Ann Carlile

2000 Camanche Road #93

Ione, CA 95640

(209) 763-2833

The Natural Spring

One of my best memories of Manzanita Ranch was the natural spring. It was located just a few yards away from the central campfire circle area, well protected under the canopy of an oak tree grove. The water was always so cool and still, surrounded by soft green grasses.

There were always a few water strider bugs resting on the water’s surface that made their home there. On many an occasion, on a warm summer day, I would walk to the spring, kneel down, then lay down flat, dip my head into the water, and drink that cool spring water. The water was always crystal clear, fresh and clean. Water plants grew on the bottom and the spring. Just another experience that I never wanted to end. What a treat.

Bob Sheeks

The Hunter’s Cabin

One of my favorite memories from camp was on one the many overnight, horseback trips to an abandoned hunter’s cabin. We left Manzanita Ranch and rode down to the river where we crossed over at a shallow spot where there was an exposed sandbar in the middle of the river. Then up the steep hillside on the other bank until we reached a beautiful, open green meadow. It was there that we made camp and bedded down for the night. In the center of the meadow was a most remarkable sight. It was a small, rustic looking, hunter’s cabin that we were told was very old. The image below, although not the same, is quite similar to the cabin I remember back then.

In spite of its age, the cabin was very well preserved, neatly kept, and in excellent condition. Its glass windows still in tact, shingles on the roof still there, and the door was locked. We all crowded around the windows to get a better look inside. To our amazement, we saw many interesting things. The one room cabin interior was like a snapshot taken in time. Although a bit rusty, there were still tin cans of food on the shelves, all placed neatly in a row with labels showing. A few cobwebs hung from the walls, a wooden table and two chairs for furniture, and the crowning item that had my eyes riveted to it…a double barreled shotgun mounted on the wall.

The camp counselors were very careful and so respectful of the setting. We could only look inside the cabin from the windows. We were not allowed to enter the cabin under any circumstances. I have always remembered how important that lesson was to me in later years. The fact that the cabin was to be left alone, in its original state, for all future campers to see and enjoy, made a very strong and important impression on me. It’s important and proper to leave some things alone, just the way they are, so that others can appreciate their beauty and history.

Bob Sheeks

The Bonfire Beach Parties

Those summer days were long and hot in the wilderness. The afternoons spent down at the river’s edge were so refreshing and relaxing. Just the thing to cool off for a few hours before making the return hike back up the trail to camp.

I also remember swimming in a wide, deep mid section of the river when one day I dove down into the center flow of the current. I saw several huge trout just suspended down there in deep water, pointing upstream. They must have been 15 inches long or more, just resting close to the bottom. It was an awesome sight to behold.

The Kitchen Cafeteria

The kitchen and cafeteria at Manzanita Ranch was one of my favorite places. Three times a day, meals were served. The old bell would ring and everyone knew it as time to gather at the kitchen. The open air eating area was well built. It consisted of a long wooden deck with tables and benches to sit at. It surrounded a treed area with a creek running through it. Near the creek were a cluster of open stove griddles made of river boulders, fueled by split wood. On occasion (I think on Sundays) we were given eggs, bacon and pancake mix to cook our own breakfasts. Some excellent snapshots can be seen on the photo section page, in the Manzanita Ranch brochure provided by John-Ann.

The food was served on pressed, sectional, stainless steel trays, cafeteria style. We’d all line up and pass by the serving window and pick from lots of good, wholesome foods such as oatmeal, eggs and bacon, ham, stews, meats of all kinds, spaghetti, hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, sandwiches, veggies, applesauce, fruits, bread, milk, kool-aid, and of course, all kinds of desserts. There were a few very special and quite rare occasions when we were given the opportunity to taste rattlesnake and bear meat.

After each meal, we would all make sure our trays were clear of food and then we would rise them off and stack them in a rack to be washed by the kitchen crew. The cooks and crew of the camp kitchen really worked hard to keep us all feed and happy.

Normally, after each morning meal, Doc Tilley would ask all the campers and staff to gather around down near the creekside. He would hold a clipboard in his hand and go over such things as daily activities, planned camping trips, special events, and review some of the rules that needed to be reviewed and paid attention to. I must admit, some of those meetings became a bit long and boring. I couldn’t wait to get started on my day of fun things to do.

March 2, 2010

Robert: Attached is a memory Doc had of a young camper who went with him on his travel camp when he lived in New York before he bought Manzanita Ranch. I believe the travel camp would spend time at Camp Trinity which I believe is the camp he refers to when he mentions to a "wilderness camp". The other attachment are the things I remembered about my experience after I read it.

John-Ann

John-Ann Carlile

2000 Camanche Road #93

Ione, CA 95640

(209) 763-2833

Written by Doc Tilley sometime in the 60’s. I’ve retyped it as back then, hardly anybody had a computer and this was typed on his old typewriter with cross-outs.

Carl was fifteen when I first met him in New York City. He was well over six feet tall with unusually long arms and legs and big hands and feet. For two summers he joined the western travel camp and spent summers in a western wilderness camp. But taking part in the “regular” camp program was something else. He didn’t.

For most of the staff Carl was not only a nuisance but a hazard as well. He was usually in the way of everybody and everything with negative remarks and mannerisms. One of his favorite “activities” was sitting under an apple tree by a well used trail. Her he lounged, read, heckled and harassed, tinkered and generally threw rocks, sticks and apples at passer-by, boys, girls and staff alike. He also whittled, just whittled, but sometimes he made little boats with cardboard paddle propelled by rubber bands. In the company of these boats he spent hours “playing” with them in small pools of a little creek near camp. Sometimes he could be coaxed to go on hikes but when he did it was a miserable experience for the counselor for he would leave the group and be lost for hours partly to torment and partly to explore, but what was his secret?

The weeks passed. Two summers of them. Everyone knew Carl, Carl the tormentor, the heckler, the cynic, the awkward, gangling, apple tree lounger. Counselors were puzzled by him generally out of touch. Attitudes were critical and remarks to him or about him were negative. Almost no one took the time to try to know Carl or to talk with him. One adult did and Carl became his shadow, a shadow mostly silent but at times so full of curiosity that it was maddening. Just now and then Carl broke out of his shell of loneliness, fear and anxiety. The real Carl was almost totally unknown.

Camp ended for Carl with the second summer. For most, soon Carl was a fading memory and for some a forgotten nightmare. The years passed, ten or twelve. Then one day the phone rang. I was then living in Modesto and for some years had been operating a camp of my own. Whenever I could I took off to the wilderness on weekends. On the other end of the line was a familiar voice, no mistake, it was Carl.

Carl had gone to Harvard, where his father had graduated, and had taken a degree in astronomy. This he told me later, to please his father. He then returned to New York and took another degree at Columbia University. He had become fascinated with water and this second degree had to do with that. His aunt had taken him on a trip around the world for his Columbia graduation present. He had made many observations about water. Now his call was from Sacramento, California. He asked if I would be going up to the ranch and wondered if he might go. I picked him up in Sacramento one Friday evening and for the next two days we camped and talked.

It was Carl himself that chose to speak of the “old days” at camp. What he said rang many bells. He related to me with much analysis and wisdom what was happening to him as he lounged under the apple tree and played in his child like style with his boats at the brook. In short, his interest in water was taking shape. This interest served to fill the void in him and to allow some of the loneliness and fear to dissipate. It added a positive element to his existence, one which grew and grew. He was now with the Water Resources Department serving the State of California.

Carl and I kept in touch for a while. The last I heard of him he had taken a master’s degree in his chosen field and was living in Colorado working on a large water project. One of his last remarks to me was a question. What he said, would have happened to me had I not gone to camp and had the help of the outdoors and the patience and understanding of someone I could trust? Campers and counselors who tolerated me helped me greatly without knowing it. I didn’t understand at the time. I only knew I was breaking up inside and my life was changing. I am grateful for those who tolerated me and had the

wisdom to let me alone. “ I shall always be indebted for your patience.”

Doc

I found the piece about Carl after Doc passed away and I was clearing out my parents file cabinets trying to decide what to keep. It was difficult amongst so many bits and pieces of information. Doc had not owned Manzanita Ranch for many years and I’m sure he had probably already cleaned out most of his old papers. However, this short description of a camper reminded me so much about what was so cool about going to Manzanita Ranch every summer (except for 2 summers) from the time I was 8 years old until 32.

I was a royal “pain in the butt” myself in my youth. I can’t tell you the amount of times Doc put me on the “woodpile” after some thing I had done. I don’t remember the infractions but there were many. Perhaps getting caught smoking, going barefooted, not showing up for something I was supposed to. As I write this I remember things like sneaking over to Oakville, the boys shelter, after everybody went to bed and scaring the heck out of them. I really don’t recall all my escapades but I remember the woodpile and quite frankly, I loved the woodpile. Splitting wood was fun.

Going to camp every summer meant being away and on my own. Manzanita Ranch was where I developed my first close friendships and where I found out what I was capable of physically. But the biggest bonus was the freedom and the beauty of the mountains. God how I loved the back packing and horse back camping trips. Falling asleep under the stars, listening to the horses around us grazing on grass, snorting or whinnying. Cooking around the campfire. Making sarcastic remarks to each other, laughing, getting angry or hurt, working together to get things done which ultimately led to my recognizing the beauty of human beings who were vastly different from me.

The names Lewy Louis, Nancy Knife, John Caldwell, Beth Pesner, Sally Hearne, Pierre Cantou, and oh so many more names I don’t recall but I remember who the person was, what they looked like, what we did, the conversations we had. I am still close to some of the people who went to Manzanita Ranch. It’s truly amazing and since I found the website that Robert started up, it’s been unbelievable to be in touch with so many faces and names I recall over the years. Being 12, 16 or 18 is so far away from being 50 or 60 and it’s fun to hear what people have been doing.

I still go up to Hyampom about three times a year. Some years I go more than others. I rarely go out to the ranch except to visit the owners when they are around. At first it was eerie but now Manzanita Ranch is purely a memory. All of the shelters have been torn down. The two springs close to the campfire circle are still there producing icy cold water. The owners have improved some of the larger buildings but it’s a different place.

I am so thankful for having a place to disappear to every summer. So thankful to have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with so many different kids and adults and to learn things like how to fix old Kelly up and drag poles down from the hill to build shelters. How to dig ditches, skin poles, fish, swim, shoot arrows, guns and camp. Oh and did I mention playing Capture the Flag. I guess I learned to swear as well.

I wish I knew where everybody was and how their lives turned out but it could be overwhelming since there were so many people who came through Manzanita Ranch either as a camper, student, counselor or teacher. The stories of the people who came and went are as interesting as any novel I’ve read. I wish I knew how you all are. I hope that if anybody still keeps in contact with another camper, counselor or teacher you will guide them to this site.

Thanks. John-Ann

From: Linda Adams

Date: Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 9:37 PM

Subject: Re: MR Web Site

To: Reg Bach

Hi Reg, and any others who remember me. I was just reading John Ann's last posts to my husband and getting all choked up. I am living in Trinidad, just north of Eureka and have been here since 1975. Once when my mom(Betty Ortez) came to visit we went over to Hyampom and to the ranch, went for a swim in the river asked around Hyampom for John Ann and Merrily Rose but couldn't find either of them. Other than that the closest I've been has been taking my kids to swim meets in Weaverville. My husband works as a forester for Green Diamond Resource Company so has actually been there hunting on some of the company property. He loves the area. Anyway, any chance of some sort of reunion in Hyampom or someplace nearby next summer? Hope to hear from you. Linda Ortez (Adams)

Reunion, Anyone?

Please help spread the word!

We want to reach as many former campers and staff as we can.

Hi Linda,

Thanks so much for getting back to me. It was sooooo good to hear from you.

I think some kind of reunion/get together would be a wonderful idea. I will forward this letter on to several people in an effort to see if we can get some additional interest. My recommendation would be to get together during the Hayfork Fair. I've been told that it will be the weekend of August 27th and 28th, and they are having a reunion of all graduating classes from Hayfork High. I'm planning on being there and hopefully everyone receiving this will make an attempt to be there as well, if they agree it would be a good weekend.

The problem with Hayfork or Hyampom is there is very limited, if any, accommodations. I think camping would be the only option, or commuting from Weaverville or Redding. Personally, I think it would be fun to camp for a couple of days. Perhaps we could even persuade the people that own and are trying to sell the ranch, to let us camp there??

John Ann, do you know the people who own the ranch and how to get in touch with them? Do you think they would consider letting us camp there?

Does anyone have any other ideas about better dates or accommodations?

I plan to be at the Hayfork Fair this year and hope to see as many of you as possible.

Bob Sheeks, would you please put this email on your MR Website. I'd be happy to provide my name and numbers for a contact person to coordinate this possible reunion.

Reg Bach

Home Phone (406) 890-2289

Verizon Cell Phone (406) 837-4129

Please let me know if any of you plan to attend the Hayfork Fair.

Thanks and hope to see ya!!!

Reg

From: John Ann Carlile

To: Reg Bach MR

Sent: Tue, March 16, 2010 12:01:30 PM

Subject: RE: MR Web Site

Reg:

I'm thinking about this. I doubt if we can camp at MR as the owners are very private and there really are no camping spots there. However, there are campsites closer to Hyampom if you recall on the river. I will email the owners (MR) who are living in Arizona for now and see if they would allow us to go down and visit MR while we are there.

Also, do you really want to have an MR reunion at the same time you have the hayfork reunion? Most of the campers don't have any affiliation with Hayfork and everybody would want to sit around and yak. You can't be in both places at once and who knows what parties might be going on that coincide with your high school reunion. We could put it to the group as to when they would like to have it. Many of the people do not have their emails listed and live fairly far away. One guy lives in France but his mother still lives in Redding and given enough time, who knows he might want to come. Others live in the South and Florida (is that the same?).

Anyway, just a thought. Keep thinking and let me know. It takes time to organize this kind of thing.

ja

John-Ann Carlile

2000 Camanche Road #93

Ione, CA 95640

(209) 763-2833

Hi John Ann,

Good thoughts. I thought about some of those things, but also thought that we may get tired of just sitting around and the fair would give us something else to do, for those that would be interested. Perhaps we could make it a four day event, to include the fair and two days before or after for the MR reunion? I wasn't thinking about people coming from France or Florida. I was just thinking about more local people.

Also, the fair provides a stimulus, a fixed date. I've tried to put things like this together before, and it seems everyone wants a different date, because they are busy on the chosen date.

Additionally it doesn't have to be THE MR REUNION. People that could make it to the fair, could plan a real MR Reunion.

I just know that I'm planning on being at the fair and it seemed like a good idea to invite others. Other than visit a few people from high school, there won't be much to do at the fair, and I really believe there is time for both.

Thanks for your feedback regarding the Ranch and it being doubtful about camping there. Along the river would be great. Perhaps we could camp down at Swinging Bridge (if it's fixed by then.) The campground on the river by Hyampom (Big Slide Camp Ground???) would be great, but thought that it may be full on Fair weekend. Can we make reservations for a campground? Do you know of other places to camp?

Perhaps we should go take a look in April, when I'm in the area. Are you going to have some free time when I'm there around April 5th, that we could go up to Hyampom?

Let me know, and thanks for getting back to me. Hope to see you before long. I Plan to leave for San Diego by Monday, 3/22.

Reg

__________________________________________________________________________

Posted April 28, 2010

HI BOB,

I'M NOT SURE IF OUR PATHS EVER CROSSED. WAS HAPPY TO FIND YOUR WEBSITE AND, AS A FORMER MANZANITA CAMPER, WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE THE COMMENTS BELOW.

BEST WISHES, KEVIN LEE

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manzanita Tales

Hi Manzanita gang,

Many thanks John Ann for steering me to this website (long ago, just now getting around to posting!). Brings back a flood of memories. As with many, Manzanita Ranch provided so many wonderful times and influenced me forever. It seems at 5 years old, I may have been the youngest camper. Back then my name was Kevin Younger (now Kevin Lee). With memory fading and fuzzy, I cannot recall the exact dates I was at Manzanita, but I believe my first summer was 1965. In fact, I see that someone posted a group photo with me, the little Korean lad, sitting in the front row, 2nd from the right:

My cabin was nearest the kitchen, just across Grapevine creek. Still I remember vividly the first morning I awoke, heard the gurgling of the creek, opened my eyes and saw a squirrel scampering above in the tree limbs. The fresh air was fragrant with the smell of pine - an aroma that is soothing to this day. One day, I found a madrone leaf with an intricate lacy pattern, left by a slug that had crawled over it. Thinking it a treasure, I presented it to Doc who saved it and gave it back to me years later when we met again.

We had a softball game in the lower meadow and, being so young and inexperienced (I'd never touched a softball), I was positioned "out of the way" far in center field. One of the counselors was at bat, took a swing and literally cracked the bat. The ball came sailing toward me. "Put your hands up and catch the ball, Kevin", everyone shouted. I obeyed and the ball hit me square on the forehead. Guess I was too hard headed to be knocked out, but I sported a nice lump on my noggin for awhile.

Most meals were served cafeteria style on steel trays and it was a treat to sit on the covered bridge and enjoy eating our food. Weekend breakfasts were special as we sizzled bacon and browned flapjacks on the outdoor grills. Hey, does anyone remember the steaks we barbecued near the main campfire? A long trench was dug out and, inside, oak logs set ablaze. When the wood transformed into hot coals, we placed steaks directly on the red embers and shazaam! we got the world's best tasting steaks.

Many pleasant hours were spent at the arts & crafts center, making leather belts, polishing rocks, developing photos in the dark room, making lanyards, etc. It was always a thrill to go to the rifle range and shoot at targets, using bolt action .22 rifles. And, at the archery range, in the upper meadow, I got some pretty nice stings on my forearm from the bow string, but eventually got the knack of proper release. Many nights we enjoyed watching movies which Phil Anjola projected onto a screen, upstairs in the main lodge.

One of my favorite counselors was Fred Rudel (spelling?). One day I went looking for him and knocked on his door (he stayed in a staff house at the time, across from John Ann's lodge, behind a spring). I knew he was inside so I kept insistently rapping. Getting no answer, I went to the main window and peered in. Lo, there he was, lying beside his wife, enjoying quality time caressing her pregnant belly. Man, I lit outta there fast, blushing all the way!

Most afternoons, after lunch, we lounged an hour before heading down the steep trail to the "swimming hole" by the river. During that rest hour I devoured stacks of comic books - mostly about the feats of Superman and other super heroes. The many hours frolicking by the river were so wonderful. Covering each other in sand, feeling the hot sun tan our skin and wading in the chilly water. The hike back up the trail was often a hot one, late in the afternoon. On arrival back to my cabin, I'd stop by the creek, lie down and drink deep from the ice cold water running by.

Of course, the camp-outs and horseback trips were highlights. I recall going out on Swinging Bridge, standing wobbly, high above the river and watching "monster" fish below. Sometimes we'd stop over at Gates' Ranch and pick tasty black berries from bushes that grew around his spring. It was fun preparing dinner over campfires. One of my favorite dishes was sliced veggies and beef chunks, all wrapped in aluminum foil, and deposited on hot coals to cook. Ah, the aroma was fantastic. After eating, washing dishes was required and we learned to use sand to scour our pans clean. Roaming up and down the river bank was fun as we discovered new animals, such as the ugly lamprey.

Our farthest multi-day camp out was at Mac's Cabin, way down the river. What an adventure. It seemed to me that we were tramping to the edge of the universe. Hours and hours of hiking got us to the cabin, which stood in perpetual shade, by a small creek. The cabin still had bed springs and various utensils rusting inside. I thought it a bit sad that anyone would live alone in the wilderness but, now, after traveling many roads and trudging around the globe, I believe I could do that myself. Back then, a group of sisters, the Blackmiers (spelling?), were in charge and they conducted the outting with a Christmas theme, complete with wrapped gifts for everyone, as we gathered, wide-eyed, around a glowing campfire. The Eckert dog accompanied us and was a good companion. On the way back to the ranch, it got tangled up with a porcupine and got a mouthful of quills. The dog whimpered all the way home and the quills had to be removed, painfully, one by one. I still cringe thinking about it. The Blackmiers had a wiener dog that always got into heated scuffles, snarling, growling and snapping, with the larger Eckert dog but, despite having only 3 legs, never lost.

Who can ever forget Sally, the cheerful and competent equestrian? Dunno why, but Chi-Chi was assigned to me for the summer. The dang horse was the meanest in the herd, far as I could figure. She had a mind of her own and did what she pleased, often dragging little me along, hands throbbing with rope burn. One day, I reluctantly went to fetch her out of the stall and she, with ears folded back, refused to let me clip onto her halter. I went to Sally and told her Chi-Chi was being mean and nasty. But all I received was a strong admonishment and was ordered back to get the horse. I tried again and failed. A bit angry now, I advised Sally of the situation whereupon she rushed over, entered Chi-Chi's stall, tried to clip the lead rope but received a nice bite on her shoulder from Chi-Chi's teeth. Sally yelled ouch! and all hades broke loose. Chi-Chi received a thrashing. Watching all this action, I was secretly in awe of her bravery and at the same time a bit gleeful that both got what was coming to them. Renee, a black and white beauty, was far more gentle and I always enjoyed riding her.

The major incident that summer involved Lindsay, one of the camp counselors who was helping to lead a air-mattress rafting trip down the south fork of the Hyampom River. As I heard the story, the group needed to get out of the river and portage around some waterfalls. However, a female camper got caught in a current and was heading into danger, toward the crest of the falls. Lindsay, acting quickly, sped over to her and pushed her to the safety of a rock but, alas, in doing so, he himself was swept over and was hurled, midway, between two boulders. Water rushed over him, in unyielding torrents, and he had to hold his head down to make an air cavity to breath. A rescue helicopter was called in, but his body was wedged so firmly between the rocks, it was impossible to extricate him. Cold water swept over him for hours and, after enduring hours of pain, Lindsay weakened and finally expired. I recall standing by Grapevine Creek, listening to the story of his demise and, for the first time in my life, at age five, crying over the death of a fellow human. Lindsay will always be remembered as a kind and courageous soul.

This missive is getting lengthy, so I'd better wait and post installment II later. It would be great to hear from any of you who might remember sharing time together at Manzanita. My email is diverkevin@gmail.com and website is www.diverkevin.com.

Best wishes,

Kevin Lee (Younger)

Posted June 8, 2010

Hey Bob,

I am Van Stultz, son of Richard and Evelyn, brother to Sandy and named

after Norma "Van" Buren. My birthday was March 31, 1952 which means I

was conceived at the ranch, that's good campin! Also means I have no

memories, too young.

The long trip from New York every year often with campers in tow gave my

Dad the idea of a traveling camp, he split off to start Explorer's

Caravan, a traveling, summer long, adventure camp. They traveled in

station wagons and equipement trailers that Dad built. He also designed

and made the light weight 2 man tents they used. I do remember once the

group(usually about 25, 14-19yrs old) went to Manzanita when I was

along, probably in the late 60's and we enjoyed a steer roast there.

I have been struggling to find info just so I can point out location to

my son living in SF.

Good work, wish someone would do the same for Explorer's Caravan, guess

that should probably be me.

Looks like the place is for sale? Maybe I can get my son to buy it so I

can go back to my origins.

Regards,

Van Stultz

July 31, 2010

OMG!!!!!!!! My brother, Rick, sent me the link to the site!!!!! I just had a dream last night about MR. It had been turned into a family camp ala Carnival Cruises and I was going crazy trying tot tell people what camp was really about! They wanted Disneyland.

I have many wonderful memories of MR including a skit JohnAnn put together. Linda Ortiz, me, JA, and another girl did a Japanistic dance that ended with us opening our costumes---to show us in our swim suits with the words " good camping.....is more.....than a.......vacation". JA caught a lot of flack for that one!

Thanks for the website. I have often wondered what ever happened to every one. I am now an almost retired CPA living in western Sonoma County. Like many of us, living among big trees. I went to camp in the early 60's.

Thanks for the memories!

Barbara Scott Barney

The Fragrances of Camp

Engrained forever in my memory are the smells and fragrances of Manzanita Ranch and its surroundings. It was a mixture of many organic things all mixed together. Especially on hot summer days, I recall the heavy scent of Manzanita bushes, oak trees, wild grass, and of the earth itself. This fragrance was carried on clean, crisp fresh air all day and all night. On the days that we gathered to walk down to the river to swim, I remember the smells along the trail, the sandy river bank, the fresh scent of moving water, and the wet and dried algae that covered the river rocks. Occasionally during the summer, we had a few days of rain. It was delightful after each shower to smell the newly moist ground and fresh air that followed.

There was also the unmistakable smells of the stables. The barns, the tack room equipment, the horses themselves, cut hay and alfalfa bales and, of course, plenty of horse manure on the ground added to the experience.

As you walked closer to the cafeteria, you could also take in the smells from the kitchen as the cooks prepared our daily meals. It always gave me an apatite.

Manzanita Ranch was pure joy!

*********************************************

Hi Bob,

I went to the Manzanita Ranch numerous summers with my older brother Viktor Berry, sometime in the 1960's. I can't really remember how old I was, but we always had a great time. My most vivid memory involved a fishing expedition down to the Trinity River with a group of boys that included a kid named Robbie Eckert, with a counselor (I think it was Butch, but could have been Neal) and Robbie fell into the river and drowned. I was probably under 10, and my memory is a little foggy.

Anyway, apart from that tragedy we always had a great time, I sent my kids to a similar camp when they were they same age, so they would be able to enjoy the same sort of experiece.

I look forward to watching your blog. My parents have both passes away, but I'll see if I can find some old pictures to share.

Erik J. Berry

January 17, 2011

Dear Bob --

How great to discovered the Manzanita Ranch School website tonight!

I was a 3-month teacher on an Antioch College co-op job at Manzanita in the fall of 1965. The experience was transformative for me, especially since when I returned to the Bay Area in the fall of 1966 to do graduate work at Stanford. Far more important to me than Stanford for the next four years were the continuing close relationships I had with the Manzanita students I had got to know. Among them was Lynda Gross (who posted a comment on your site noting that she was married for 6 years to fellow Manzanita student Brian Merrick). I can never forget Brian, Ron Hall, Dave Smith, Jim (blanking on the last name at the moment), Dave Wotilya, Tom Lund. These and others came over frequently to our little bungalow in Palo Alto for years and we had the greatest times together. How I loved those years, which culminated in my own hippy wedding in 1968 in our little back yard under the fig tree. I've been so proud all these years that I was really at the epicenter of the hippy revolution that began in San Francisco. Please feel free to give out my e-mail address to anyone who may remember those glorious days and be interested in contacting me.

Ken Parker (now a a musician and writing coach in Philadelphia)

05-30-2011

Hello Bob,

I came to the ranch from military school in LA, the summer before my sophomore year.

Arrived on a Saturday, went to the dance and was attacked by ‘Becky’ at the campfire. You could not have pulled me out of there with Bob’s old Jeep, the ‘truck’ nothing.

I stayed the entire summer and attended Hayfork High. My partners were Reg Bach, Andy Laird. Craig Glassman, Chip arrived later. Another member was ‘Irv’ and of course Ship Whitehead.

We were the team that built the extension on the ranch house for the girls’ rooms. I certainly remember Chris Profitt, Nancy, JohnAnn, Darcy, Janine, another shorter blond girl….. These were some of the girls that remained for school. Campers included several girls: Linda Ortez, Anne, Donna Steinburg (fabulous guitar player) all the older girls on the hill! Marianne and Janice the t-pee, Sam and too bad for me Lindsey Ralston.

I remember Lindsey, Sev another counselor I’ll call ‘mountain’ Steve; sheepskin vest, bowie knife and smoked a pipe….I think he and JohnAnn were an item. They seemed to be the night

we all stayed up stoking the fire for the pig roast. On the porch of Evertt and Frankie’s cabin! Another great was Lee Gravel, taught me how to roll my own, which stood me well in

the decades that followed.

It appears that much of what you posted was done en masse, judging by the dates.

And, no one posted their email !!!!

If in contact please post emails, of course I’m on FB (Facebook) as Leigh Frederick.

I could go on, but I’ll see where this gets me.

I would not be the man I am if I had not met Doc, and spent 3 summers and a school year

living on “The Ranch”.

Please, if emailing me put MR in subject line-

Love to All-L-

With Regards,

Leigh C. Frederick

______________________________________________________

July 18, 2011

Dear Robert:

Hadn't checked the website lately and was amazed at the new entries and memories shared. I was up in Hyampom a month ago and went down to visit the new owner of Manzanita. He is doing a fabulous job rehabing the place. There are photos on my Facebook page under photographs.

The new owner has a very successful hair and beauty conglomerate located in New York. He loves Manzanita Ranch is going to turn it into a place for people to come and relax, meditate, get massages, hike, etc. I think he will DO it! Don't know if you are a Facebook person but if you are, send me a message on wanting to be friends and I'll accept and you can see some photos I took the day I visited John. So much more to photograph which I will do my next time up.

Link to photographs: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150243283402318.338544.792162317

What a wonderful job you have done. I only wish Doc was still around to read the letters people have sent in.

Thank you for all of the work you have done to make the website so wonderful.

JA

John-Ann Carlile

2000 Camanche Road #93

Ione, CA 95640

November 11, 2011

Bob, (an extension of my cell text to you)

MANZANITA RANCH, AGES 6 TO 18, MORE THAN A VACATION

(That was its identifying phrase)

Of the 18 year olds, some became CILTS -- I became one of those.

I have no recollection of you. However, you are doing a marvelous job of bringing in some anecdotes of the place. I was one of those many people who have history there. I came in the Summer of 1963 as a camper for 5 weeks and enjoyed playing. Then, I became a CILT (camper in leadership training). Went to the High School in Hayfork for my senior year and graduated (in 1964). Returned to the Ranch and helped in the

Art Center. That Fall I participated as a student in the 1st year the ranch had a school. I graduated as a Post - Graduate student in 1965. Mr. Deek was the main teacher, and there was another teacher that taught French, I couldn't remember his name, maybe that was the one on an Antioch Scholarship that contributed to the web info -- I was a language student of 1964-65.

That Fall I started Shasta College and then returned to the ranch as a Camp Counselor. It was many years this cycle of college then ranch then college. Due to Bob Eckert's (I called him Mr. Eckert Bob) suggestion, I did a different summer job and then came back for the last week of camp. As I understand, that was the last year the ranch was as I knew it. A really bad problem occurred that caused the ranch to close down by the following Summer..

I thought there was no more nothing up there, that the land had gone back to its original status. Reading the website, I see that I've been wrong, so now I have my updates, after having read the site & chatting with John-Ann, and Reg. All so very interesting -- the shelters have been taken down -- seems sad, but probably it was deemed necessary, but I enjoyed sleeping in them, as well as, as well as, a season of time when I slept on a cot out in the open.

I guess it is thru your email that I can be added to your website. I appreciate why you have kept out email addresses on it. I can be found on FB via my own name. "Janeen Castner". Over the years, Spanglish, has been added to my communication skills. I did a FB status reference requesting they state why they would know or remember me, i.e. in my shelter etc.

Sure was a unique time in my life. And, now you have this web site. Wow!//The Lord's encouragement blessings/Janeen

November 11, 2011

Hello Mr. Sheeks,

My name is Scott Mora and I lived in Hyampom in the mid-70's. A bit later that you Manzanita Ranch Alumni, but I can relate to your memories. I was 7-10 years old when we lived in Hyampom. This was a wonderful age to be there. Girls, cars, partying were not of interest yet... well, there was this one girl named Sabra... but even this was nice and innocent still.

My children all have Hyampom deep in their being, even though they have only visited a few times. I think I may have mentioned it to them a bit over the years.

My purpose in writing is to ask if anyone has any pictures of the Hyampom Valley from before the '64 flood. It was only 10 year after the flood when I was there and the effects were still dramatic. I did not realize how dramatic until I saw a picture in someone's album of the river before the flood. It was quite lovely, with large trees lining each bank of the South Fork. I have not been able to find such images so far. Any help is greatly appreciated.

It was great to see the picture of the Anjolas. I was in the same class as Alan, their youngest. I have remembered a story that Mrs. Anjola told once when we were at their ranch to buy milk (best milk I have had since - each gal of milk had +1/2 gal of cream!).

Seems that when Alan was quite little, one of their cows had had a calf. They did not want Alan to get attached, so it was named Food. So around dinner time, when Alan slipped into the kitchen to ask his mother what they were having for dinner, she snipped "Food."

"But he is so young!" little Alan exclaimed.

I told this to my children some years ago and my youngest would do the same thing, but on purpose. So I had to show my children the picture of the Anjolas, former owners of Food.

One other thing... I remember a John Ann who lived in Hyampom when I was there. Drove a VW Bug and was dating a man named Jim Finn. Could there be two John Anns that lived in Hyampom? I remember my mother and she were friends. Just a passing thought.

Thank you for your efforts to put up the MR site. I can see that it has meant a lot to the alumnus and it was very nice for me to read all of your appreciation for an area that is still dear to my heart.

God Bless and Be Well.

Scott Mora

Quote of the Moment:

"Two rules get you through life: If it's stuck and it's not supposed to be, WD-40 it. If it's not stuck and it's supposed to be, duct tape it"

-Jim Berg and Tim Nyberg (authors of various WD-40 and Duct Tape booke)

The Secret to Catching Trout While at Camp

While I was at Manzanita Ranch, I went out of several overnight camping trips. A few of our campsites were set up along the Trinity River. Fishing for trout was always included and so much fun for me. I learned how to cast a rod and where to place the lure. I also learned the real secret...the SUPER DUPER lure. It was so simple, yet I always caught fish. We cooked up the fresh caught trout in a skillet with butter over an open campfire. It was great.

Bob Sheeks

December 4, 2011

I remember going on a horse back outing across the river over to the other side.. there was a wild donkey over there.. I think we had to turn back because it liked to harass the horses or something....?? Boy those were to good ole days!!

I have on my bucket list to go back to Hayfork and Hyampom one of these days...

Christine Proffitt

Posted October 17, 2012

Hi Bob;

I don't remember you, but you might remember Barbara Wilson. She was a teacher there from 1967-1969 and brought all five of her BRATS, I'm one of them. I'm Janie Wilson, my brothers were the twins, Pat & Mike Wilson, younger brother and sister John & Mimi. I was on the river trip when Lindsey got caught in the Waterfall, along with Melissa Blackburn and my older brother Patrick. I remember this incident like yesterday and how sad we all were at that time. I spent the summers in the open "air" cabins; which was marvelous, but come September the girls moved up to the House where the kitchen was. I boarded either with Deborah Roberts, Deborah Byrd, Jan Wyrens and Sharon Carew. Linda, can't remember her name, but always had a blast there. I guess we were kind of misfit kids during the school year from what I remember, but I turned out pretty good and have been in contact with only one for many years and that was Jan Wyrens. My mother re-introduced me to "DOC's" wife back in Sacramento probably in the late maybe early 80's. That was the last I heard of Doc Tilley. My mother Barbara has passed, but I still have pictures of our room, the girls and I. When I get back into storage I will make sure I pull them out and post. Thanks Bob for bringing out the good of "Manzanita Ranch".

Jane (Wilson) Barker

Janie Barker

Posted October 20th 2012

Hi Bob-

You probably don't know me, and I don't actually remember who you are... however, I discovered your website today. Amazing. I was at the camp for two summers, I think 1963 and 1964. I remember well certain people- JohnAnn, Reggie, Ginny, Lindsey, Mike, Linda Ortiz, Chris Profitt , Craig, Sue Bacon...the more I read, the more I remember! A couple people did mention me. I have no photos from this period, and never stayed in touch with anyone, except a visit with Linda from Sunnyvale, and I think we also met up with Craig and Julie(?) in Santa Cruz.. But as someone wrote, we've all grown older and have experienced so many changes, losses, etc. It feels good to know that so many people shared this place and time. It's wonderful to see the photos of the camp. Very sad about Lindsey. He was a great guy.

I understand Linda lives in the town of Trinidad, near Patrick's Point. That is one of my favorite places on the planet. I now live in the town of Winters, CA, near Davis. The two summers I spent at Manzanita are among my happiest memories.

Please share this letter on your blog. My best to all-

Donna (Steinberg) Hirschfield

PS Does anyone remember my painting of the " pregnant sqaws?" Not politically correct, but...

Posted October 25, 2012

Just found your website, and a flood of memories came back. I attended camp for 5 weeks in about 1962. I remember waiting for the bus at the Redding Hotel to take us to camp. It was so hot that day. I was going into my sophomore year at Los Altos High School.

I may have pictures I can dig out, some are of the tug-o-war in the very muddy pasture. I remember the bonfires on the days of full moon and the old swimming hole and big rock. On a overnight horse packing, campout we camped near the meadow with the old cabin. We saw partly cut down trees and stumps and broken test tubes in the old cabin. We were told by the counselors that "Big Foot" scared away the loggers. Always wondered.

I remember the wonderful sweet water of the spring and the delicious food we ate at the open-air dining platform. We killed a rattlesnake on a hike near the river and shared tastes, like chicken, before dinner.

I remember carrying 75 lb packs of asphalt shingles up to our shelter on the hill for roofing materials. I kept the leather belt I made for years. I learned how to throw those knives, made for throwing. I learned how to saddle a horse and really enjoyed all the rides along the trails and across the river.

I remember other campers: Sherry Miller, who was recovering from surgery and with whom I spent a day at Disneyland, learning her secrets of the park, J. Christopher Breyfogel, who stuffed a counselor's cigarette full of horse shit, and Skip Whitehead, who wasn't successful avoiding a skunk. I periodically ran into John-Ann Carlisle in later years around Palo Alto. Wonder if anyone remembers me, the little red-haired girl, Carol Welch.

Posted October 26, 2012

Hey Bob,

Good to hear from you. Hope all is well with you and thanks again for keeping this going. I don't remember Janie Barker, and probably didn't know her as I left the ranch in 64, although I think I did work there when I got out of the Navy for a summer. Unfortunately, I don't remember Donna either (and that's just due to my old age!!) as it sounds like we were at the ranch during the same time period.

On September 22nd I attended a Hayfork High School reunion with Andy Laird and other friends. From someone at the reunion, I heard that Skip Whitehead had purchased a ranch in a city north of Hyampom. I was further told that Skip passed away a couple of years ago from cancer. Sorry to share the bad news, but thought there may be some people interested. No one from the ranch, other than Andy and I, were at the reunion, I tried to get Chips to come, but he told me that he was going to be in the Trinity Alps hunting with his kids.

Again, thanks for the email and keeping this going.

Reg

Posted November 19, 2012

I am still in shock over finding the Manzanita website!!! I have so much to say and to tell you I don't even know where to start! I started going to summer camp when I was 9, in 1962. I went every summer,for 2 weeks, and my sister came too, she was 6, and eventually my little brother too,as soon as he turned 6.I was in Hillside and she was in Mossy Rock with Chrissy Halverson!! When I was 14, I went to school there, for 9th grade and then for 10th and 11th grade as well. I have so many pictures of John-Ann and of the years I went there. I also saw a letter on your site from Jane Wilson. Her little brother John had a real crush on me. I still have a picture of him that he gave me at about 10 yrs old. I remember her family very well..I'd love to talk and see all the folks from there. I remember Sally Hearn too, the Blackmers, Janeen Castner, and so many others, the Eckerts of course and Pat and Phil Anjola. Their kids were so young then. Pat Anjola had her 25th birthday while I was there too. We used to tease her about being 1/4 of a century old. I had my horses with me up there too. I actually went to the ranch about 23 yrs ago,like 1989, while on vacation with my sister and my youngest son. (I was like 17 yrs old the last time I went to school there.) We drove all the way there and got to the "outside gate" and it was locked! I was not about to let that deter me. My feeling was that I had come this far, I was not turning around and if after hearing about all the years I had spent there whoever was in there, if anyone, could arrest me if they felt it was necessary. They did not, thankfully, and let us wander all over the ranch. It was pretty run down but I did get a wood sign as a souvenir. It's in my kitchen today. It says MANZANITA RANCH 37 MILES. I also tried, but didn't succeed, in taking that wondrous big bell that was rung for everything from meals to swimming. It used to hang in the big tree by the kitchen. My name is Debi Altfillisch McGregor, but my nickname was "Byrd".

Clear Explanation of the Manzanita Ranch Sign by Andy Laird:

It was next to the mileage sign as you left Hayfork. Highway 36 continued on to the left taking you to the school (Fairgrounds) and on to Peanut, Forest Glen, and eventually to the coast. Staying to the right at the fork took you on to Hyampom. It was at this fork where the signs were placed. Hyampom was 24 miles and from the post office in Hyampom it was another 13 miles to the ranch...37 miles total.

Priceless contribution by Any Laird on Facebook. I just had to preserve this for all to read.

FREEZE OUT!, DUST OUT!, BURN OUT!

Remember playing Dust Out, Freeze Out and Burn Out on the bus to and from school? On the freezing cold snowy days someone would yell "Freeze out" and all the windows were opened on the bus ride. Dust out was when we were behind a logging truck or some other vehicle that kicked up the choking dry road dust. Burn out was on a very hot day and all the windows went up to create a sweat box. You were there and no one was exempt from the torture. Red Sheppard was usually the one who yelled out to start the thing. Everyone's good, I'm good, life's good - Hope you didn't remember us all as doing homework on the 5 hour bus ride every day.

Andy Laird

April 18, 2013

Whoa what a ride down memory lane! This is Mary Paine. Linda Hoffman (Weston) told me of the link when she found it. Linda attended two summers and assisted me the last summer with the barn program.

Thank you Bob for starting this and to think here in 2013 it’s still going.

I attended Manzanita Ranch camp life for 8 summers (1964 - 1971?). Started off as a camper then CILT (Camper in Leadership Training) graduating into becoming counselor and then coordinator of the barn program. Took over from John Ann, Sally and Pat.

Some names of horses that come to mind... Streak, Hector (my favorite, Phil’s horse), Skylock (huge! 17 hands! Rider had to really duck when going under trees) Skippy (pony) couple of burros and of course Sundance who willingly became the pack horse.

Learned all the tricks of the trade from Bob and Hazel Eckert, Pat and Phil Anjola, Sally Hearne, and of course John Ann! My first two summer were spent being well rounded in backpacking, horseback trips, including 5 day trips in Trinity Alps, swiming down at the river and the many trail rides and overnight trips South Fork area. Fond memories of full moon hay rides (some of us rode horses), roasted marshmallows as we sang around the campfire. I even learned to water ski when Phil took us out for trips to Trinity Lake. He was a great teacher!

I was there the summer Lindsay drowned on our rafting trip. I only knew him a short season, but he had made a lasting affect in my life as a camper and to develop a deep respect for the river whenever I am near one. I have never failed to forget him. Thank you for making this a site in memory of him.

Memories of the luau always brings a smile with it being it was usually an evening of festive entertainment. We stayed up all night keeping the pit burning for the pig and beef to be burried for cooking all day. It was part of our CILT training to partake in the prep. With all the CILT training, I was always a better cook over an open fire or in the ground than in an actual oven!

I think there was one summer where couple of the boys who were year round attendees decided they would roll in the poison oak thinking it would be bad enough to send them home. Nope, they ended up in the infirmary and the weather decided to turn on the heat! 100+. Have no clue who they were, but I know they were miserable! John Ann, wasn't there a horseback trip you took that involved poison oak being added to the fire? Betsy got loose and returned back to the ranch? Or were those rumors?

If my memory serves me well, before I was a counselor, we were on a backpack trip in Trinity Alps in which one of the hikers ended up popping out his knee and we ended up having couple of guys run back to the trail head to contact Bob and Phil who then brought in a horse to pack him out. I just remember him being over 6 feet tall and went by the name of Big John. We got to put our first aid training to test.

Chrissy Halverson is a camper I foundly think of. I got to watch her grow up and she was always at ease around older campers and adults. Many times I had remind myself she was still a kid when expecting her to know better. Chrissy, if you read this, I know for a fact you are an adult and you must be glad now! We (adults and older campers) must have drove you crazy at times.

During one of the last summers, we became a camp post for fire fighters when a major fire broke out above the ranch. We were all kept busy for a couple of weeks providing meals over the grills in the kitchen area. They camped out in the big meadow rotating teams of fighters to go out to the front lines. It was quite a sight and education to see it in operation. Kept us busy and distracted from the fears of being evacuated.

My last summer there we had just openned up a new shelter by the barn (floor with boxes for beds). We started the summer sleeping in unit beds by the parking lot. (Absolutely no privacy!) A few privileged campers earned their space by working at the barn doing chores. We became very creative in providing tarp covering over our beds when it rained. Only once did we run to the Anjola’s ranch house when we began seeing lightning rolling along the ground. Freaked us out!

Going throught MR brochure brought back many memories of singing around the campfire, making wonderful friends, arts and crafts and adventures. When I reflect on these years, I am always grateful that I had the opportunity to attend first as a camper and then to later work at Manzanita Ranch. It was just so sad to watch everything unfold at the end with the ranch closing down. So many lives were touched and saved during it’s life time. I know mine was.

Attached a few pictures from my album:

~ First backpack trip in Trinity Alps (in the middle leaning on Josephine?) lead by Sally (sitting on the sign).

~ In the miners cabin being supervised by fine leadership Sally (standing).

~ Two privileged campers earning right to sleep in the new barn shelter.

~ Beginning days of sleeping quarters at the barn.

Thank you for preserving the memories.

Mary Paine

Sacramento, CA

April 20, 2013

Document: Posted to the photo album is an article. (see snowmobile disaster news.doc)

Thought you might remember Sally Hearne as she is in one of Mary's photos that she sent in. Sally and I were horse counselors together and have been friends ever since. This past winter she and her brother were snow mobiling and got stuck in the snow and had to be rescued. She said she was for the first time, really thinking it was the end. However, due to her early years at Manzanita and all of the following years horse camping with her husband in Montana, she learned survival techniques. I'm forwarding the article about she and her brother.

I'm afraid, I'm not the one to write the history of MR. I think you are doing a pretty good job of it with the website. John, the owner of MR now is back from New York and I will be talking to him about a future reunion event on the property. He wants to do it but has been gone for some time taking care of his father who is old and has been quite ill. I think we all know that story.

John Ann

August 26, 2013

Dear Robert:

Ran across these drawings by my step-brother Jim Tilley, son of Doc Tilley. Jim designed and built most of the buildings up until about 1962 or so. Only a small piece of the first horse barn remains, and the Ranch House. All of the buildings after that are still standing. I'm sending the original drawings to the owner who spends most of his time in New York. Anyway, thought these drawings might be good addition for the website. I remember seeing drawings of the shelters which Jim built but can't locate them. Probably went with him to Oregon. Jim has since passed away so I have no clue now where they might be.

Thanks. JA (See images with "Drawing" Headings in the Photo Album Listings).

February 3rd 2014

From Renny Parkinson:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your suggestion, Bob,I'd like to be a member...tell me what to do. In the meantime you can post this if you'd like, although, if it's not too much:

Hi all,

After reading through all the entries on the website and facebook page...it seems like I was at Manzanita slightly before many of the folks who have posted, but I really enjoyed re-living the things that stayed the same and learning about the things that came after. Flashes of memories and experiences have bubbled up from the pitiful database that I call a brain. I thought I should send them before they disappear into, wherever things I used to know, go

My first summer was 1959, a sophmore in high school, and I knew quite a bit about horses. When I first got to Manzanita, I ended up at the stables because I didn't need any instructions and could show others what to do. My favorite horse was Rusty, who none of the experienced wranglers thought much of. That meant he was always available to ride. Another one, Kelly, I think, hauled trees out of the woods; he just fascinated me because, normally, a horse that smells a bear moves very fast the other way into the next county. Kelly was the only horse I've ever known who stepped right up and let us load a dead bear on his back from a Jim Gates hunt. (We had bear stew, bear bbq, fried bear, boiled bear, bear for a week, bear for breakfast...It was a race between the flies and us to get rid of it. Could never,ever eat it again! But I got a canine tooth which I wore around my neck. Thought it made me look like a real mountain man!)

When I wasn't at the stable, I was worked a lot with Jim Tilley who was the go-to-guy for building and fixing just about anything. He was a demanding guy but I learned a ton of skills from him...I remember the pride I felt when I completed the shingle roof at the Art Center. My guilty pleasure was the ringside seat I had when Jim and Doc butted heads over a building design or construction method, or maybe... anything! And boy, would they go at it with each other. I was happy because it meant Jim wasn't hollering at me but, it bothered me because I really respected both men. And, Jim's wife, Jean, a real sweetheart, was always trying to calm Jim down, although I think she and I knew we were watching the two most stubborn guys on earth. Just when I thought he was all gruffness, one night Jim brought a guitar to the campfire circle and sang some lovely songs, mostly Sons of the Pioneers type things which he patiently tought me to play over one summer.

Bob and Hazel Eckert were occasional visitors to the Ranch in those days, and I'm remembering a daughter, Pat, (whatever happened to her?) who seemed too much together for me to even consider in the boy/girl context. And the boy/girl thing was my whole worldview. That could take up the whole website! Crushes, I had, and sweet misery and joy came in waves of confusion. Now that I think about it, I guess that didn't change for the next bunch of years!

And John-Ann, the princess from another galaxy....we were the same age but she was light years ahead of me, and she was my pal, so we exchanged our separate dramas and plotted various strategies. I'll always remember her talking about how, because of the lack of outside distractions at the Ranch (maybe somebody had a transistor radio that got, like, 2 stations), you would forget what people looked like, and really get to know them for who they were. The closest I ever came to that again was in combat conditions with the Marines in Southeast Asia.

I spent the first summer in Oakville, and the next 2 as a counselor type (the shelter right next to a creek). I remember leading 4 or 5-day pack trips into the mountains which I would have happily done for the rest of my life. And one spring, three of us went into the mountains to retrieve the burros which were turned out to winter with the wild cattle. We found them - and found ourselves lost - and by the 3rd day we had run out of food. A blessing from heaven when we stumbled into a Forest Ranger station, at night, not having eaten for a day, and that kind man made us eggs and steak. Funny how things stick with you.

Like all of you, I remember skinning poles, capturing the flag, hating the hike up from the river, eating dust for miles from the dirt roads coming/going to Redding, losing myself in the music at the campfire. I liked taking the truck to Hyampom (it wasn't much but I loved it) to the Post Office, but I always wanted to hustle right back in case I missed something going on at the Ranch. The worst time, for me, was winter back in Sacramento, (felt like the living dead) waiting for spring and the coming season where I could come alive.

I'll never forget Helen Reid, the camp nurse (from New York) and her daughter, Susie...the nicest lady, ever...she later became sort of a pen pal mom and we were in touch for several years after.

The last summer, 1961. I had graduated from high school. No direction. No clue. When we all went to the annual Fair in Hayfork, I got to talking to the guys at the carnival. Turned out they were looking to pick up someone as a setup and teardown guy for the various rides for the fall tour which would end in Florida. That worked for me - it was almost like running away to join the circus...seemed damned romantic! Doc and I sat at a table by the hot dog wagon for a long time. He pointed out some other options for me which I heard, but I didn't hear. You all know what I mean. Off I went. After some weeks of sleeping in the trucks, or under the trucks, the military became my next best, smart, choice. Hoo boy!

And then, a couple of years later, on leave from the Marines, I got to visit for a few summer days at the Ranch and tell Doc how often his wisdom had come to me, and how much I appreciated him. In my life, when the word "integrity" pops up, I always think of Doc. I can also think of so many imprints that re-constituted themselves later on that made differences in how I handled life's conditions...always hope for us late bloomers.

Now that the wheels are in motion, I might come up with more rememberances, but for now, I'm happy to have connected with you all, because even if our years there weren't the same, our bond comes from the same experiences. Thanks, Bob for creating this forum!

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May 13, 2015 Sandra Henry writes:

Hi! I hope this email will get to you. My husband and I were in Northern California last week and as we were driving down the highway I saw a sign for Weaverville and got to thinking about Manzanita Ranch. When we got home I googled Manzanita Ranch Camp and found your website. It was wonderful reading what people had written. I too have some lifelong memories of Manzanita Ranch and Doc Tilley. It was probably the most influential experience of my life. I was a shy, naïve, social misfit who came from a very small town in Central California who, thanks to Doc Tilley and the Ranch, grew up amd became a happy, fairly well- adjusted adult. The Ranch got me through some touch high school years and gave me some of the best friends and memories of my life.

I think I was there earlier than you or at least I don't remember your name. I started at the Ranch as a camper in the summer of 1958 and I think my last summer was 1965 as a counselor. The people I remember were Doc, his wife Betsy, John Ann, Jack and Jean Rudd (head horse counselors), Big Dan from up near Sacramento (horse counselor), Mike Sherby, Irv Voorhees, Darcy, Sandie (campers with me), Don from Canada and Steve from Palo Alto (both counselors) and of course Lindsey Ralston. Looking at the pictures, I saw the one of myself with Taffy. It is the only picture that I know of her as the photo album with all my pictures of her was lost in a move. I remember the first year I took her to camp with me and how she nearly got us both killed because she didn't like going slow in the line and kept backing off the trail and sometimes down the side of a mountain. Then Big Dan talked me into letting him use her as a lead horse and she was perfect at it. She would go anywhere Dan pointed her and she kept the other horses and donkeys in line. Doc bought Betsy, a little grey horse named Streak, and the pony Robby and I used Streak as my horse because he was a little too much horse for most of the campers to ride. Dan, Taffy, Steak and I led some pretty awesome trail rides for the experienced riders. The other horses I remember were Manz and his mother Anita. They were the leaders of the herd when the horses got turned out to winter pasture and so they had to be hobbled when we went on overnight campouts because if given the chance, they would take off and go back up the mountain with all of the horses. Kelly and Babe were big part draft horses--Jim Gates always borrowed Kelly to bring out the bear that he shot when he went bear hunting in the Fall; and George the pony who used to lean against a tree with his rider whenever he got tired of giving kids rides.

I could probably almost write a book about my experiences at Manzanita Ranch. One of the biggest was the winter a bunch of us decided to go up to the Ranch during Christmas vacation and then we got stuck there for almost 3 weeks. I think it was Christmas of 1964 when the big rain and flood hit California. It rained so hard that the road into camp got washed out and there was no way for us to get out again. The Trinity River rose so high that it was above the swinging bridge. Then it snowed and the roofs of some of the buildings at the Ranch were giving way under the weight of the snow so we had to shovel snow off of them every day We burned so much wood in the fireplace to cook and keep warm in the Eckerts house that the heat started the floor joists under the house on fire and then we couldn't use the fireplace anymore. A helicopter had to drop a tank of propane in to us so that we could cook after that. Finally after about 3 weeks of being stuck there, the clouds cleared enough that the military was able to land a helicopter in the campfire area and fly us out to Weaverville. We had to leave so fast that we had to leave everything behind including money. The Red Cross (I think) gave us Greyhound bus tickets to get from Redding to our homes but to get from Weaverville to Redding Irving Voorhees and I hitched a ride on a logging truck. I was definitely a memorable experience.

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May 30, 2015

Dear Bob:

I ran across your Manzanita Ranch web page while looking up something on the net.

I was there in 1951 and 1952. The names I remember are Doc and Peggy Tilley, Myra Tilley, Dick Stultz (drove out from the New York area as I recall) along with a nurse whose name I don't remember. Also a counselor named Bob whose last name escapes me also drove out with the Stultz group. Jim Tilley visited while on leave from the Air Force as I recall.

It was a great couple of summers. I remember we built some sleeping platforms and a small building near a spring. I don't remember what the building was for, probably just storage.

If you are in contact with Myra, please pass along my best wishes.

Regards,

Gary Nichols

Seattle

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November 9, 2016

Hi Bob

I just found your blog and opted to share my memories, since it appears I might be one of the older guests on your blog. I couldn't find any reference to when you were there, but my brother and I were at Manzanita the summer of 1960.

So here, in no particular order, are my recollections of one of the most beautiful places on earth.

At that time Doc Tilley and his wife Jean were running it. My parents needed a place to get rid of us for the summer, since they both worked and two boys, ages 11 and 13, could not be left home alone.

We were poor and it appears she made payment arrangements with Doc Tilley. I know this from seeing her place $50 bills in an envelope marked "Doc Tilley" long after we had returned.

My first day there was all it took for me to decide I wanted to spend the rest of my life in the warm mountains, starry night skies, the rocks and rivers and wonderful, natural aromas of an unspoiled California. If this was heaven, this is where I belonged!

Harald Streuli was one of the six boys in my shelter. My first afternoon there, I decided to walk down to the stream that ran past our shelter, when Harald shouted out, "You're not supposed to piss in the creek." I wasn't planning to, but at least now I and everyone else knew that! He must have returned another year, because the incident where he got caught in the rockslide didn't happen while I was there.

My favorite campout was an overnight pack trip to the Swinging Bridge. We'd be issued horses, a backpack of necessities, and take off mid-afternoon for this flexible footbridge that had been erected high across the Trinity River. Arriving just before dusk, we'd unload, go for a swim, then have dinner. Maybe 8 or 10 kids in all with one or two counselors was a good size group.

My brother was crazy about guns, and he took shooting lessons from Pierre Cantou, and received two or three Certificates of Marksmanship, which he proudly displayed in his bedroom for years.

I remember well the old miner's cabin. This was a lengthy trip, much of it uphill, and then across the long, beautiful meadow. Every now and then someone would ask, "How much farther is it?" The counselor would answer something like, "Only thirty feet." Well, we'd go a hundred feet, and he finally admitted his thirty feet was in elevation, not distance. Clever! Besides the groceries in the cabin, there was an open box of Krusteaze Pancake Mix on the table. I'd never heard of Krusteaze; it sounded so 1920s. (They're still in business today.) An old mattress was hung from the ceiling by a length of rope. The counselor explained this was to keep rats from getting into it.

I met a girl there named Susan Kahl who lived in Sacramento. My father discovered her dad was a subscriber to his aviation magazine, so I was able to get her address. We wrote briefly after Manzanita, but soon lost contact.

Rumor had it Manzanita Ranch wasn't just a fun place to send happy, well-adjusted kids for a well-deserved summer vacation, but more of a boot camp for youth who were having academic and social difficulties at home. Many of the kids who were there were from eastern states, and often bragged about their criminal activities at home.

Toward the end of our stay, Doc Tilley accused me of stealing $20, and he and two counselors came out to my bedsite and tossed everything looking for it. Don't know if he ever caught anyone, but the subject was never mentioned again. I always thought that was an indelicate move from someone who held a degree in child psychology.

I don't ever recall any bear hunting or fishing while we were there. The brochures must have touted it, however, because my mom bought both me and my brother brand-new expensive fishing poles. They were never used, and both were eventually stolen.

Except for the occasional visiting family, there were only two permanent cars at Manzanita Ranch. Doc and Jean Tilley had a new, white 1960 Chevrolet Apache pickup, with the Ranch's logo on the doors. Knowing I was a car freak, I would often ride with them into Hyampom whenever a trip was necessary. One of the higher-level counselors had a metallic light green 1960 Chevrolet Corvair 700 4-door, which I was crazy about. I would often offer to wash these cars, just for the joy of being around cars.

Larry Blodget

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FORMER RANCH CAMPERS AND STUDENTS WE WOULD LIKE TO FIND AND MAKE CONTACT:

Janet Townsend

Jo Ann Potter

Jan Wyrens

Deborah Shephard

Linda Maslow

Chris (Canoe) Ashrow

Markley Brown (Tiny)

Bernard "Buzz" McLaughlin

Art Dunkle

Bruce Kinzer

Irving Vorheis and his wife

Janet and JoAnn Vivien

Christine Denari

Sally Hearn

Mike Moore (Moke)

Samuel Jonathan Carter

Fred Holmes

Chris Ashrow

Bonnie Weeks

Michael Graves

Wendy Shuler

Chris Jones

Tom Allard

John Thiele

John Parker

Bill Manheim

Jeff Rosan

Mel Groat

Bob "Willie" Workman

Larry Solberg

Sue Lawrence

Jim DiMartini

Kay Gentry

Tory Rosato

Jody Johnson

Patrica ("Trish") Conway

Jeanne Johnson

Claire Johnson

Kent Story

Jo Ann Potter

Jan Wyrens

Deborah Shephard

Linda Maslow

Chris (Canoe) Ashrow

Markley Brown (Tiny)

Bernard "Buzz" McLaughlin

Art Dunkle

Bruce Kinzer

Irving Vorheis and his wife

Janet and JoAnn Vivien

Christine Denari

Sally Hearn

Mike Moore (Moke)

Samuel Jonathan Carter

Fred Holmes

Chris Ashrow

Bonnie Weeks

Michael Graves

Wendy Shuler

Chris Jones

Tom Allard

John Thiele

John Parker

Bill Manheim

Jeff Rosan

Mel Groat

Bob "Willie" Workman

Larry Solberg

Sue Lawrence

Jim DiMartini

Kay Gentry

Tory Rosato

Jody Johnson

Patrica ("Trish") Conway

Jeanne Johnson

Claire Johnson

Kent Story

Karen Neece and the Blackmer kids

Julie Essayan

LeeAnn Fuhrman

Chris Breyfogle

Barbara Ross

Betty Keith

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