Jimmy Swann

#59- A Desert Oasis

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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 of the ranch where the observatory was located. The observatory opened regularly for star gazing.  

There were tent sites up there and Jimmy saw the one he would like to get, if available.   

On the way down the hill, Carla pointed out her place as they neared a cabover camper. No doubt it fit her pickup. It was set up on blocks and braces under the shade of a large mesquite tree. A UTV side by side was parked alongside it. She pulled in her drive and got out.  

She left the truck and the air conditioner running and retrieved the ice chest from behind the seat saying, “It’ll be cooler here than in the camper. I’ll be right back,” she smiled.  

The camper looked almost new. Her site, like most, had a 360° view. Below her, down the hillside, was a horse corral. 

A few minutes later she returned. Hopping in the truck, she handed Jimmy a double layered peanut butter and banana sandwich - “You look like you could eat something.” Jimmy thankfully accepted it and savored each bite.  

Carla said, “Let’s get you checked in before the office closes.”

Folks could lease a spot for up to a year at a time. Some sites had storage sheds for their belongings and/or trailers left year-round for when these “nomads” returned. There were all manner of vehicles and outbuildings and living quarters. This was the lifestyle.  

They would leave for cooler climes as the warmer weather approached. They’d travel or maybe even take up a summer job. It was an inexpensive way to live, and ideal for anyone who could work remotely via the internet. The cost of staying at the ranch was surprisingly low. 

A few hardy souls and old timers stayed year-round. This was home to them. During the winter months a few hundred people would be at the ranch. Now there were maybe sixty or seventy. 

But it got hot. They had enough solar or had an electric hookup to power their air-conditioning units. The air-conditioned rec room/library/wifi hot spot was the cool place to be and was the gathering place for those who stayed over. 

Carla said many of the old timers chose the CLR knowing it would be their last home. A few of them had been here 15-20 years. Mrs. Taylor passed away last month, almost a year after her husband passed. 

Jimmy got a rundown of the ranch’s activities. Hunting, Bingo, Movies. Friday was poker night, there was a local band once or twice a month on Saturday night. Saturday morning was for trail rides on ATVs, UTVs, or a horse if you had one. Numerous hiking trails led up into the mountains and out into the desert. 

On a summer schedule because of fewer people, it was still a busy place. Tonight, happened to be potluck dinner night.  

Soon they were at the office. Jimmy met Jim, the owner of the CLR, a gregarious and humble man in his sixties, proud of what he had built in the desert.  

Jimmy got the site he wanted up by the observatory. Jim gave him a map of the ranch’s layout. Jimmy and Carla followed Jim in his UTV up to the tent site. 

They unloaded Jimmy’s gear and Carla departed saying, “I’ll be bringing spaghetti and meatballs to the potluck tonight. Come on down.” And with that she waved and headed down the hill. 

“How did you meet Carla,” Jim asked? 

“She picked me up just outside the ranch. My stroller got a flat and I was about to patch it up. I was feeling the heat. She came along just in time.” 

“You were walking? Where’re you from?” 

“From Oakland, in California. Left a couple of days ago. Got the bus to Tucson and Robles Junction, then hitched a ride to the ranch turnoff.” 

Jim looked at Jimmy with a “On a bus?? Why is a guy your age out here hitch-hiking in the desert” look. 

“I see. Well, you just missed some excitement. A trailer full of illegals were picked up, rescued actually, at the turnoff a couple of mornings ago. We are getting more of them as of late. A couple of them have been through the ranch.” 

Jim added details about the ranch and Jimmy told Jim that he liked what he saw and was thinking about staying on longer.  

Jim said, “Our policy is to run a background check on everyone staying longer term. You don’t mind that, do you?” 

“No, Jim, I don’t. No troubles with me,” Jimmy responded. “Give me a few days to make sure, okay? I’ll want to change my mailing address, also. Carla said the ranch could be my address?” 

Jim answered, “That is so. We have the forms. We forward mail, also.” 

“I’ll need to get a bigger tent, and foodstuff.” 

“We have a collection of gear left here by previous visitors. You might find what you need. All of it is in the rec room. Some pretty nice stuff, reasonably priced. Money goes to ranch activities.”  

“Robles Junction should have all else you’ll need. Should be able to catch a ride there easy enough. Be an addition to the ranch and the word will get out. You’ll do okay.” 

Jim pointed out the location of two restrooms at the ranch besides the one with showers near the library and office. A large garbage dumpster was near the restroom closest to Jimmy’s site.  

“OK, talk to you later. See you for dinner.” He headed back to his office. 

Jimmy thought that minus a grocery/supply store and medical offices, the CLR had most of everything else needed. 

He broke out his tent and tarps and set up in the afternoon shade of an acacia tree.  

He sat in his camp chair, thinking he could use a more comfortable chair. He looked out over the ranch. He liked it here. It was quiet. He could see staying here a while. 

* 

Late afternoon found him with his patch kit out and the tire off the rim. Repair looked easy enough. He’d finish it on the morrow.  

Jimmy went down to the ranch center and took a shower before the potluck began. He also washed his clothes at the laundry next door.  

Refreshed, he made his way over to the community hall for the dinner. 

Only one couple had arrived. He introduced himself to Ed and Sarah. They were setting up for the dinner. Not having anything to offer, Jimmy set about arranging the tables and chairs and silverware. Not many people were expected. 

This would be Ed and Sarah’s last potluck until their return in the fall as they were leaving in the morning for Lake Tahoe. They had a summer job being a campground host near Emerald Bay. They were excited for the trip.

A few more folks came in, each with a food dish, salad, drinks, or dessert. Carla arrived with her spaghetti. In a short while there was a couple dozen diners gathered to eat. 

An outgoing young man named Ben, “short for Benaiah”, he added as he met Jimmy, offered a prayer and then asked Jimmy to introduce himself and say a few words, something which Jimmy found awkward, but he did anyway. 

‘Hello, I’m Jimmy Swann. I’m moving from Oakland, California, and am glad to be here. Thank you, Carla, and you all for inviting me to dinner. It looks and smells great. I’ll be prepared to contribute next week. Nice to meet you all. Thank you very much.”

After a few more hellos and handshakes, he took a seat next to Carla as the eating began. 

Jim spoke a few words about upcoming events at the ranch.  

The room was abuzz about the illegals discovered at Hwy 286 and the ranch turnoff. The concern was for more of them showing up at the ranch. If so, they surmised, they would be seriously off track, probably lost, and in need of food and water. No one took them to be especially dangerous. Probably most of the residents were armed. Dogs were plentiful and added to the overall security of the ranch.  

Jimmy was famished and ate a lot. The food tasted so good. Someone made some delicious, buttered garlic bread. He went back for seconds and thought about thirds. 

Carla revealed to Jimmy that she had been in Tucson since Sunday evening. She stayed in a motel near the medical center. She had her first chemotherapy session the first thing on Monday morning.

The doctors wouldn’t allow her to drive after the session and she had to stay over another couple of nights to weather the effects before she could drive. She was concerned about the costs. 

Jimmy was taken aback. She looked too young to have to deal with such a thing. She didn’t carry herself as if she was ill. She didn’t elaborate on what the treatment was for.  

Jimmy offered, “I can drive you there and back. Get you back here so you can rest at ease. Please say okay. - Okay?” 

Carla agreed to it, gratefully. Jimmy felt useful. It had been a while. 

The conversations around the tables were of lighter subjects. - “It would be a hot summer.” - “How much quieter, perhaps nicer, now that so many had left for the summer.” - “How they would be welcomed back in the fall.” - “It is beautiful here over winter, and only cold overnight.” - “There is so much to do if you want.” 

CLR was an active community. “A seeming Shangri-La,” Jimmy thought to himself. Well, he would find out. 

Carla turned to Jimmy and said discreetly, ”You know, I saw you Sunday afternoon near the highway as I was driving out to Tucson. Actually, I saw your stroller. That hot pink really sticks out. I’d bet it was you that opened the trailer for those illegals. I would have done the same,” she smiled. 

Jimmy looked at her, nodding a “Yes”. “Well, that cat is out of the bag,” he thought to himself. 

Dinner came to an end, everyone bid their goodnights and exited into the desert darkness for home. Jimmy helped clean up. Carla offered to drive him back to his site, but he wanted to walk. 

Jimmy dropped a couple fifties into the donation box. He walked up the hill thinking that in the morning he would check out the gear Jim had for sale. 

The sky was awash with stars. 

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