JIMMY SWANN
The Story: Jimmy Swann has left Oakland, California. The previous few years had been an ongoing battle of eminent domain with the City of Oakland over his home of thirty years. The city wanted to redesign the street and neighborhood. His neighbors had already settled and moved on. He was the last one.
He had also lost his beloved wife to illness during this time.
Jimmy dragged it out in court as long as he could, but the city won out in the end. As the bulldozer moved in on his home, he moved into a rooming house, unsure of what to do next. A short time later he left by Greyhound for Tucson, AZ., and the Caballo Loco Ranch. He had his few belongings in a pack on his back, and some money in the bank.
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JIMMY SWANN
#1 -Dilemma -
Jimmy turned the key in the lock, then the doorknob, and walked into his new room on the fifth floor of a six-floor building. A room in an old hotel turned boarding house. Maybe ten feet by twelve feet. He dropped his bag, sat down on the single bed, and looked it over.
JIMMY SWANN
#2 - Gittin’ Outta Dodge -
The important thing was to make the move out of the hotel. Now the reality was that Jimmy wasn’t prepared to go anywhere. He had only the few items in his duffel bag. He needed proper gear if he planned on camping as opposed to hoteling it.
JIMMY SWANN
# 3 -Spring Green and Poker -
Jimmy picked up the book “Lord of the Flies” that was left on a waiting room seat as everyone queued up to board the bus. He would enjoy reading it on the ride to L.A. He got the first seat passenger side with a full view out the front window and settled in for the ride.
JIMMY SWANN
#4 - Why -
Jimmy shouldered his pack and headed for Walmart and indeed, he could see that walking any great distance with the supplies he needed would not be possible for him.
It is eighteen miles from his drop off at Robles Junction to Caballo Loco, with nothing in between.
JIMMY SWANN
#5 - Room With A View -
As the Border Patrol Agent got out of his car, he asked Jimmy, “You got an ID?”
“Yes, I do,” Jimmy answered as the radio in the vehicle came to life. The officer reached back in the cab for the receiver.
Jimmy Swann
#6 - Visitors -
Jimmy wove his way through the cactus back to the road. The yells were coming from near the highway, and he could hear them clearly now.
“Ayuda!” “Por favor!” “Dejanos salir!” “Necesitamos ayuda!” It was a chorus of pleas Jimmy knew added up to cries for help.
Jimmy Swann
#7 - Hot Enough For You? -
Towards mid-morning Jimmy made a breakfast of noodles, the last of his Vienna sausages, and a couple slices of getting-stale bread. He hoped the night’s coolness kept the sausages from going bad. They looked okay. He was hungry. And he’d lost weight. He pulled his belt up
Jimmy Swann
#8 - a Desert Oasis -
They drove under the CLR crossbar. Carla drove Jimmy around the ranch to give him an idea of its layout. They passed the main facilities, sites for trailers and RV hookups, camper vehicles, and tent sites. Up to the high point …
Jimmy Swann
#9 - Settling In -
It took Jimmy no time at all to fall asleep and in no time at all he awoke with the sunrise.
He heated up some water for coffee and watched the sun top the mountains and spread itself over the Ranch.
Jimmy Swann - Almost A Cowboy
#10 - Almost A Cowboy -
Jimmy met Fred Loomey the next morning for coffee. Fred asked Jimmy to help him care for his horses. He had the help of a younger fellow, Stevie, but he was gone for the summer. He would return come Fall.
He had three horses and a foal from the mare. They were
Jimmy Swann - A Red-Letter Day
#11 - A Red-Letter day
Everything changed with the conversation with Robert.
Robert had married and had a new-born son. He was working construction at a cattle ranch in Wyoming.
It was an emotional talk for both. Jimmy had to tell Robert that his mother had died, and how, and that the home he was raised in no longer existed, and why.
Jimmy Swann - Company is Coming
#12 - Company is Coming
She was a joy to be around. She blew in like a storm a week after her call, stirred up the place for a few days and then she and Ben took off for the west coast. Yes, they hit it off.
Jimmy Swann - Coming Home and Going Home
#13 - Coming Home and Going Home
Jimmy made it down the trails to the location he had plotted on his map.
To the southwest, on Jimmy’s left, a hill rose steep and at its crest, was Jimmy’s place, just out of sight. That was a good thing.
Jimmy Swann - Into the Swamp
#14 - Into the Swamp
Carla and Jimmy churned out steady miles on Interstate 10, stopping for gas and food and sleep as needed.
Carla seemed numb to the recent changes and what her future would be in the coming months.
Jimmy felt as if he was losing someone important in his life.
Jimmy Swann #15 - The Wanderers Gather
#15 - The Wanderers Gather
“They set up in a house on the border, just east of Sasabe. There’s a tunnel under the house leading into Mexico.
“They run the trails up to Robles Junction. That’s over fifty miles. They have two meet points in between. The one below us and another further south.
Jimmy Swann #16 - ECLIPSED
Our story: A joyous and grateful Christmas led the Swann family into the new year.
Jimmy Swann #17 - Swann Song
Jimmy lay there in death-like peace, his chest moving with his breath. Every once in a while, a deep breath, and a hint of a smile on his lips.
Jimmy Swann - THE HOMESTEAD
#18 - On the next morning’s walk, Barbara motioned them over to meet them. They came over after a look back to the trailer, smiling at LJ and petting Susie.