roverdude
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 10-1-2005
Location: Garden Grove
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days, Mornings Maybe...
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Contact/recent stay at Meling Ranch
I was wondering if any Nomads have stayed at Meling Ranch recently? I saw David K's recent posting but had tried that e-mail with no reply. Nor a
reply to a direct e-mail address to the current owner. I just do not want to take my chances with 3 families on Spring Break and get turned away if
there is "no room at the Inn".
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chuckmccullough
Junior Nomad
Posts: 55
Registered: 9-1-2004
Location: Hemt, CA
Member Is Offline
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I was there 12/08/05 - 12/12/05. I'd be happy to answer any question you have about the current status, but I must worn you that I?m related to the
Meling's. If you'll give me your e-mail address or phone I''ll try you get David L. to contact you.
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roverdude
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 10-1-2005
Location: Garden Grove
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days, Mornings Maybe...
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Hey Chuck,
I e-mailed David 3/16, 3/26 and a third time today. As well as the e-mail address on the website on 3/26. Usually, Armando gets back to me within a
week. I want to reserve 4 rooms or CASA TIO ANDRES for a party of 9 on Sunday 4/9. Can you help?
Thanks, John
roverdudeATsbcglobalDOTnet
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chuckmccullough
Junior Nomad
Posts: 55
Registered: 9-1-2004
Location: Hemt, CA
Member Is Offline
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What e-mail address are you using for David?
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roverdude
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 10-1-2005
Location: Garden Grove
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days, Mornings Maybe...
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Chuck,
e-mail me off line at roverdudeATsbcglobalDOTnet. I don't wish to give out David's address on the board.
Thanks,
John
remember to use @ for AT and . for DOT
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
Member Is Offline
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I'd like the contact info as well
Please U2U me. Thanks.
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chuckmccullough
Junior Nomad
Posts: 55
Registered: 9-1-2004
Location: Hemt, CA
Member Is Offline
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roverdude
Have sent you an e-mail.
Chuck
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Oh good!
Roverdude, I forwarded your email to Chuck to help out before reading Nomad tonight... I hope all is well!
Chuck, I am glad you registered and are posting here... welcome!!!
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
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So, Chuck, what is that status at the ranch? General info appreciated here for all to read. Are they accepting guests? Need reservations? Have the
changes planned a couple years ago with the new ownership occurred? Or is it still the same, but surrounded with barley crops? Still offer horseback
riding?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wilderone... look here: http://www.melingguestranch.com/index.php
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
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I've been to Meling a few times and actually, had been in touch with Chuck just before they sold to the organization that was going to turn some of
the rooms into some kind of home for troubled youth. I saw the plowed fields and Duane showed us the small rancho on the premises she was going to
move to. I understood at the time that there was a time limitation on making the aforementioned improvements, and then ?? - I don't know. That was my
question - what is the status of all that now? Any answers to the original post by Chuck went private (and I didn't understand why he was "worning"
that he was related to the Melings). If anyone could tell us what's up, he should be the one - albeit, his personal viewpoint. And with the new
paved road now - kinda wonder if maybe that figured into something happening at the "end of the road."
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roverdude
Junior Nomad
Posts: 74
Registered: 10-1-2005
Location: Garden Grove
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days, Mornings Maybe...
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I've personally stayed there a few times this past year. David Lang and wife Sandra Meling are the current owners. Andrea Meling does most of the
accomodations. And I might add a great job of it. I don't know and don't want to know about any previous squabbling. But I did find an excellent copy
of "Where The Old West Never Died" and reveals the rich and facinating history behind the Ranch and family. That just adds to the enjoyment of each
visit. If you get a chance to stay there, do it. When I get back from my trip, I will post an update.
My copy of the book
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chuckmccullough
Junior Nomad
Posts: 55
Registered: 9-1-2004
Location: Hemt, CA
Member Is Offline
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OK here goes; I guess I underestimated the number of you that are interested in the Meling Ranch. Also a correction to my earlier post not ?worning? I
meant to type ?warning?. Anyway here goes.
Dave Lang and Sandra Meling Lang are the current owners of the ranch. Andrea Meling is managing the guest ranch. They are open for business! The ranch
is still operating as a working cattle and guest ranch. In December of 2005 they had about 300 head of cattle, per David. There is still horseback
riding, make sure you let them know you intend to ride when you make your reservations. Due to lack of feed they don?t keep as many horses at the old
ranch.
David has been making improvements. He's totally redone the septic system and they are beginning to refurbish the guest rooms one at a time. He plans
to cleanup the old Horton place, said he wants to use is for large groups. Like Andy's old house only bigger. When Steve Carr Meling and I were there
in Dec 2006, we helped put new roofing on the dinning hall kitchen. There have also been discussions about getting new generators, doing something
about the water pump, fixing up the old ranch house, and trying to restore the old fields that were lost during the floods.
It sounded to me like his plan is to continue to fix the place up as time and money permits.
Duane is still on the ranch. She has about 250 acres northwest of the main ranch. As you head toward Rancho el Coyote, on the dirt road, it's the 1st
or 2nd gate on your left after you pass the mine. She has moved into her house, and is still building. She's planted over 20 fruit trees and has a
large number of animals. The last time I spoke to her about her plans for the place, she said that she might try raising mules.
I don't know of any plan by Duane or the other Melings to turn the place into a home for troubled youth. Although maybe the mules and the troubled
youth are one in the same.
Jovita, Esteban, and Alfredo Meling are still the owners and operators of Rancho el Coyote. The ranch looked good in December, several hunting party
were staying there. We saw a ton of dove and quail.
Steve and I are planning to go down to the ranch sometime this spring, before it gets tooo hot. We want to do some cleanup around the graveyard and he
has a marker or headstone from his dad's side of the family that he is going to place there. We'll also be looking for a piece of land to build a
retirement adobe on. I?m retiring at the end of 2006 and I plan to live part-time at the ranch.
I'm not sure what else to say and this is getting to be a long post. If you have any question post them or send me an e-mail.
One last thing, I know that there have been some problems with call backs or replies when trying to make reservations. Sandra and Andrea are working
on it. So, please be patience.
PS - the family now owns the Copyright to the book, "Where The Old West Never Died." We are working with a publisher to get it into print. It should
be available at the ranches or from me by the end of the year.
[Edited on 9-19-2006 by chuckmccullough]
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