Hook
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Anybody been to Rancho Meling lately?
As in the last year or so?
A friend of mine is thinking about going, after hearing the place is spruced up and the road in is in great condition (even partially paved, according
to her).
So, what's the latest?
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White Angel
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Is last April "Lately"? The road is freshly paved all the way to the drop-off at Melings. In fact, it's paved about 90% of the way up to the
observatory. Takes all the fun out of the trip; but it hadn't seemed to do much for occupancy rates at Meling's. Beyond cleaning up the pool; I don't
know how much it's been "spruced up". We stayed in the free-standing cabin off to the right with four bedrooms. It was cleaned up abit from the prior
year; but still sort of 'halfway house' chic. I would highly recommend the place as long as you keep it our little secret. I'm afraid the paved road
will encourage the Holiday Inn crowd. The food was basic and very good homestyle cooking. So make a reservation and go. Unlike most of our Baja stops;
their reservation system also works!
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John M
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Meling last May
We enjoyed our stay there. We rented a cabin, had their dinner as well as breakfast the next day. Very pleasent place to relax for our money. We
liked the quiet.
We stayed in the cabin at the far end. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon without reservations. We were the only group there.
This first photo is where we slept.
John M
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John M
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Another photo
The original ranch house. They talked of rebuilding the inside and making it another cabin for visitors.
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chuckmccullough
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The Meling Ranch
Hook,
Hi, I’m a Primo to the Meling, from the Johnson side of the family. I’ve been down to visit cousins and see the ranch two times in the last year, Dec
05 & July 06. I’ll give you and others a little update and try to post some pictures from our July trip. Some of this is a repeat from earlier
posts.
First to answer your question about the road, yes it’s paved. In Dec 05 Steve Meling Carr and I drove it past the Socorro Mine by several miles. It’s
good road, even has some guardrails.
Dave Lang and Sandra Meling Lang are the current owners of the ranch. Andrea Meling is managing the guest ranch and is a part owner. 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 and I were there in Dec 2006,
we helped put new roofing on the dinning hall kitchen. There have been two new generators purchased, one for irrigation and one for everything else.
They’ve installed a new water line, 6 inch, from the creek water pump to the water tanks. There are plans to fixing up the old ranch house; we’d like
to turn it into a museum of sorts. They’ve also done some landscaping but los conejos keep eating everything that’s verde.
It sounded to me like his plan is to continue to fix the place up as time and money permits.
The rooms are clean, the plumping works, there’s hot water in every room, the pool is crystal clear, and the food is GREAT! What more could you ask of
Baja.
In July the Pool looked like it still needed to have a plaster job done on it.
Here’s the Meling Ranch web site. http://www.melingguestranch.com/index.php
Jovita, Esteban, and Alfredo Meling are still the owners and operators of Rancho el Coyote. The ranch looked good in December and July, several
hunting party were staying there in Dec. We saw a ton of dove and quail. They were building a new swimming pool in July. The pool looked like it would
be ready soon, even had water in it. I think that the only holdup then was a solar pool pump. Dec. was the 1st time in that I’d seen the guest ranch
at Coyote. It’s very nice. Has a great area for camping, with showers (no hot water) and restrooms. The guest rooms, 6 or 8, are comparable to the old
ranch, San Jose. The food is just as good. I wish I had better pictures, but my daughter was in charge of the camera that day.
PS - the family now owns the Copyright to the book, "Where The Old West Never Died." We have had it republished in paperback. It is available at
either ranch or from me, the cost is $20.
Chuck
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chuckmccullough
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The Meling Ranch
Going down the hill to the Meling Ranch, about ½ mile of dirt road off of the pavement. Is it just me or can you smell the tortillas cooking on the
woodstove.
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chuckmccullough
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The Meling Ranch
The Old Ranch House. That’s Jessica, my daughter, standing by the hay wagon. Primo Steve and I used to haul hay in this wagon, drawn by a pair of
mules.
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chuckmccullough
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The Meling Ranch
The Old Ranch House. I can remember when that panel truck was used to haul supplies into the ranch.
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chuckmccullough
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The Meling Ranch
The mine, not Socorro, just off the paved road on the way to Coyote. If you visit this mine beware of the dogs, Pedro has the meanest pack of guard
dogs I’ve ever seen. He’ll let you tour the old mineshaft for a few bucks.
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chuckmccullough
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The Meling Ranch
Camping at Coyote, Meling Family Reunion. Cool grass, shade, flush toilets, and cold showers, what more could you wish for when camping down south.
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Hook
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Golly, gee......thanks for all the info everyone. The place looks and sounds fantanstic.
Chuck, what would you estimate the drive time is from Hwy 1 at a moderate pace?
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chuckmccullough
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Drive Time
I'm a slooow driver; I like to enjoy the ride, scenery, and the memories. It's about 32 mile from highway 1 to the Ranch's Western fence line, maybe 1
hour. From the Western boundary to the main ranch house and guest cabins it’s maybe another 10 or 15 minutes.
PS here's the map from their web site.
[Edited on 9-20-2006 by chuckmccullough]
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David K
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Great posts Chuck!!!
I would like to take Elizabeth there sometime, for sure! Is there a honeymoon suite? LOL!
I had a look around in 2000 when it was briefly closed and before in 1972 (when my parents and I went up to the observatory from Mike's Sky Rancho)...
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Barry A.
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this is great stuff-------thank you
-----my first stay at Meling's Ranch was in 1953 (or 1954) with Bud Bernhard and Becky McSheehy (my aunt), and I have stayed there several times
since. Aida (Meling) and Bill Berre (sp?) were our hosts, as well as Bertie Meling living in the "big house". It is a very unique place, and I
highly recommend it to one and all. It deffinitely is a step back into the "OLD WEST". From these pictures, it looks about the same as when I was
there-------and that is super!!!
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chuckmccullough
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Potos of the Old Meling Ranch
Here’s a stroll down memory lane for a few of you. These two picture were taken in 1955, photographer Howard Gulick. Given to me by Duane Meling.
Picture one the old Ranch house.
[Edited on 9-21-2006 by chuckmccullough]
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chuckmccullough
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Photos of the Old Meling Ranch
Picture two the lane leading to the ranch, looking east from the gate. These two picture were taken in 1955, photographer Howard Gulick.
[Edited on 9-21-2006 by chuckmccullough]
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David K
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Maybe taken by Howard Gulick when he researched the Lower California Guidebook?
See: http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/baja/gulick/
[Edited on 9-21-2006 by David K]
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chuckmccullough
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Old Ranch poto's
You're correct these are from the Gulick collection.
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