So here’s the story. Around the turn of the century, my great grandfather, Oscar Adams homesteaded a ranch in Northern New Mexico, about 24 miles north of Las Vegas, NM. His daughter Nina, and husband, Charlie Middleton ran it as a guest ranch (Evergreen Valley Ranch) for about 50 years, until about 20 years ago, when my great uncle Charlie sold it to a group of families, shortly before he passed away. Even though the ranch is no longer in the family, my mother has kept in close contact with those now in ownership, and we visit regularly.
This August, my mother and I visited the ranch, and while there, met the great granddaughter of the man who homesteaded the ranch next door to Evergreen Valley Ranch – Terrill Ranch; the ranch through whose meadow we have crossed for over 40 years, to go on our favorite hikes in the area. I was amazed to discover that she (Alex) works with me at RAND, in our Santa Monica office. We had never met, but work with some of the same people. More amazing still is the fact that we were both visiting our respective ranches the same week, and had opportunity to meet each other! Her fiance, Michael who also works at RAND was with her, in NM.
Less than a week after this amazingly coincidental meeting, my boyfriend Paul and I were at the Hollywood Bowl to hear Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony; one of two concerts we got tickets for this season. As we were eating, he looked up, and lo and behold, who was passing in front of us, but Alex & Michael. Of all the people there and all the timing of looking up, the odds must be crazy that we would run into them there; on a Tuesday night – with Shostakovich!! The other tidbit, I discovered when I ran into Alex the next day at work (really, how many times have we unknowingly crossed paths??) – that her fiance is a violinist, and Paul is a cellist. 🙂 So there you have it. The Odds Must Be Crazy!
Just read your comments about Evergreen Valley. When I was a child, my family and I enjoyed vacationing there. I remember the Middletons. We stayed in a primitive cabin with wood-burning stove. I was intent on catching a chipmunk and making a pet of it. All I accomplished was a bite on the finger by one of the little critters. Is it still a guest ranch?
I believe we also stayed there and rode our horses in the mountains. We rode to Hermit’s Peak and Elk Mountain. Were the cabins primitive with no electric? I think there were two or three right together where we were, and we stayed in one that was called ‘the palace’. We rode with Bob and Pat Douglas, who were retired scientists and somewhat Hermits themselves. We visited with Charlie daily, and he was friends with my parents for years.
As a boy growing up in Amarillo TX. we spent many a summer vacation at Evergreen Valley. I dearly remember Charlie & Nina (sp?). I cant tell you how many trout I caught in those little ponds. I fished them all.
I had always wanted to drive back there and take my wife to see a place that meant so much to me. I got on Google Earth and viewed the site, seeing that most of what I remembered (cabins & ponds) were gone. I am sad, but the memories are still there.
Thanks for your site.
Hello, I’m just wondering if Charlie Middleton, noted above, was a Sgt. in th102nd Infantry Division, 406th Infantry Regiment, Company A in WWII.
If so, I have at least one photo of him while he was in Hof, Germany.
Your post was quite a while ago, but if you see this, email me:
Dave
fantascenes@yahoo.com
Four generations of our family vacationed there, three regularly for decades. It was unique, beautiful, and restorative. Eventually, there was electricity and indoor bathrooms in most cabins, but no phone or television, except at the main house Dream of Ours, and no cell reception while I still went there.
Many of our hikes were through Terrill Ranch. Those dogs were probably the most challenging aspect! But we went all over the mountains and trails, fished for rainbow trout, played cards or did jigsaw puzzle during the afternoon rains, fed Chipmunks and ground squirrels, and put out the hummingbird feeder. Occasionally there were deer, bears, porcupines and a bat.
So glad to hear something from Nina’s side of the family. Previously, I was only acquainted with Charlie’s – mostly his brother.
What an amazingly small world that your two families share that connection of family, work, and music! Thank you for a trip down memory lane. Of course, the ranch has been top of mind, lately, with the fires. Most buildings still standing, last I heard, thanks to those firefighters.
I remember summers there as a child! There was a buckskin horse named Smokey! I loved it there and rode every day, once to town with my Dad! Charlie and Nina would have cook outs in the evening and everyone would come to Dream O’ Ours for dinner. My Mom, especially kept in touch and visited often. We stayed a night with him once before he past away. I loved that rustic isolated place! There’s not a place like it!!! Great memories! 💕
Pretty sure that Arthur Adams homesteaded the Evergreen Valley :- )