Greetings everyone!

     Summer is upon us and it’s sure heating up at La Bellota. Although the days have been very warm it hasn’t stopped us from carrying on with life here at the ranch.  In fact, a lot has been happening lately!

     We’ve just recently returned from our second expedition to the Sierra de Juarez.  In November of 2008 we journeyed to the east side of the Sierras, roughly 120 miles on horseback.  This past June, we traveled to the northwest side and rode a 100 mile loop, starting the ride at La Bellota and finishing there as well.  The June ride was totally different from last November.  The scenery was spectacular as always but it was another adventure indeed and another successful expedition into Baja’s wilderness.

     If you are interested in reading about our daily adventures I have posted my journal from the trip for anyone to read.  All you have to do is click on the window that says, “Sierra de Juarez Expedition June 2009.”  I also have my November 2008 Journal posted there as well.

     We would also like to announce a new ride we are offering.  Those of you with a flare for prospecting history, the old west and if you fancy a little bit of gold, this might be of interest to you.  We are now offering a five day ride to the Gold Mines of Real Del Castillo.  We will visit the historic gold mines which date back to the early 1800’s when Real Del Castillo was a prosperous mining town and also the first capitol of Baja California.   We will camp near the River Barbon, a clear mountain stream loaded with crawdads and beautiful scenery.  Visit historic sites and walk into the gold mines and see the prospectors work of long ago along with many, many artifacts of the early settlers which date back 2 centuries.  If anyone is interested in more information for this ride please contact Caroline Aguiar.

     Thanks to John Graf who GAVE us a tractor last year, we planted 60 acres of oats at the ranch.  John refers to the Ford 4000 tractor as “Old Blue”, but for us it looks and works like any new state of the art tractor.  We are now growing our own food for all 25 horses at the ranch.  Now that’s a good deal!  Since the beginning of summer we have been harvesting oats, by hand and pitchfork.  It is a huge relief for us since the price of hay bales has gone up so.  Now we have plenty of food for our horses all year long.

    Our new filly Bellota,  born just two months ago is doing great!  She’s become quite playful and strong!  Ricky has been working with her on her manners and haltering.  She’s a sweetie and Rose still watches over her.  If Bellota starts “horsing around” too much, she impatiently knickers at her baby to “settle down!”

     Anyone looking for a puppy?  I ask because our Blue heeler, Agave, is pregnant.  This was an unwanted pregnancy (Raul and I didn’t want it) but one day when we weren’t looking she bred with our Border Collie Whiskey and now puppies are on the way!  Agave is 2 months pregnant, due in September.  It will be interesting to see how the puppies turn out but no doubt they will be adorable and smart!  If anyone is interested in an Agave/Whiskey puppy let me know!

     On another note, Our son Ricardo was accepted into Vet school and is officially enrolled.  He will be attending the University Autonoma of Baja California, UABC in Mexicali which is known here in Baja as one of the best universities for Veterinary Science and Zoology. Ricky starts school on August 10th of this year.  We are very proud of him!

     Regardless of what has been pouring all over the news about Mexico these days, I’ll say it once again and continue to do so until things turn around.  I say this so much it’s become my personal motto.  Maybe I’ll have it engraved on my tombstone!  “The ranch  and the entire area surrounding it, from Tecate to Ensenada is safe.  As an American living here for 18 years now, I know first hand what I’m talking about.  In fact we have had various groups down to the ranch recently and everyone always has a marvelous time.”

On that note, we hope you enjoyed the newsletter and new pictures we have posted.  If you have any questions regarding any of our rides, safety in Baja or even if you just want to say hello, we’d love to hear from you!

Take care and we hope to see you soon!

Caroline, Raul and Ricky

Baja Rancho la Bellota 

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