The Cowboy decided he needed a few more recovery days. Saturday we took another sightseeing road trip and today we went to church and spent the afternoon just relaxing/puttering. I cleaned up the office area and started a bit of tax preparation. The Cowboy changed the oil in the backhoe.
Saturday’s drive took us northwest of Willcox to the Jackson Cabin Trail and Hooker Hot Springs–the Cowboy suggested I use that as the blog title–and see how many comments we receive! 🙂 The first part of the road is exactly that–a gravel road. The next 14 miles are better suited to a jeep or ATV–we made it six miles of the 14 miles in the truck and decided to come back at a later time with the CanAm. Stunning scenery–and even a couple saguaros–not common in this higher elevation country.
The hot springs were named after Colonel Hooker who purchased the Muleshoe Ranch property at auction in 1885. The ranch has seen its share of violence. The original owner, Dr. King, was killed in a gunfight with neighbors over ownership of a disputed piece of ground bordering the original ranch. The Apaches conducted numerous raids. A ranch foreman was killed in a saloon gunfight in 1911–it was a touch dangerous to live in that canyon. The Nature Conservancy now owns the Muleshoe Ranch, its buildings and the hot springs. Only guests staying in the Nature Conservancy owned casitas may use the hot springs.
Ruins from what was once the Browning Ranch
And another bed for Larry! 🙂
And a windmill for Mike McFall.
And there is even running water in this canyon–it was a very enjoyable day and we treated ourselves to Dairy Queen on our way back through Willcox.
It was strange to drive around the bend and see those huge windmills twirling in the wind and not far from the windmills is a massive solar installation–literally out in the middle of nowhere!
Restoration Cowboy Style 
great story and pictures . Yes you did get my attention with the header. But then I read your blog all the time. Vern in Boise Id.
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Glad the title gave you a reason to comment–we love hearing from readers. Boise isn’t too far from our Montana home–that’s where we bought the yellow jeep.
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Boy, time were tough back then. Thanks for sharing the background! Tell Michael the title was an eye catcher:) Nice that you are relaxing some and enjoying a few days without house projects:)
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There are lots of hiking trails in the canyon too Pam and John. We have enjoyed our days off for sure!
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We live near a small town on Hwy 54 in the Okla. Panhandle by the name of Hooker!! Their school mascot is the Hooker Horny Toad!! Nice town full of fine folks.
I often wonder how the McFalls are doing.
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Oh my goodness–that’s hilarious! Mike and Pat are plugging along.
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Well at least the title was Hooker Hot Springs and not Hot Hooker Springs……..
We had us a little Jeep convoy up into that Muleshoe territory back in January 2011.
http://thebayfieldbunch.com/2011/01/jeep-run-to-gates-of-muleshoe-ranch.html
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When Mike told me we were going to Hooker Hot Springs–you should have seen my reaction! Went back and read your blog from your day–in spite of the fact our guide book told us you could visit the hot springs and the Nature Conservancy visitor center–that’s not correct. The springs and the visitor center can only be entered if you are renting a casita–dang it! We signed the book and drove up that bumpy/rough road for a few miles but abandoned it when the going got too rough–much more suited to a jeep or ATV.
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It looks like a great day of discovery! Yep, that’s a. Bed for Larry! Lol
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It was a fun day and we are looking forward to going back with the CanAm–that road was just too rough for a pickup!
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Fun title, fun day exploring. I love reading about new places in that area ! The running water is especially beautiful. Always a good day with an ice cream option at the end :-))
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Always a good day when we have ice cream at the end! 🙂
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