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Hoppe's Ranch
In December, we drive out to Eleanor and Bob Hoppe's Ranch near Big Springs for the men to deer hunt. We go through San Angelo, where John was stationed for 6 months and our son Tom was born. He flew these B-25s. We aren't allowed onto the base and it has really changed in 58 years! We drove around and tried to find the little house we rented. It was on a street that was at the end of the take off runway. However, the runways were all hidden and we didn't know the street name so couldn't locate the little house.
We doubled dated with Bob and Eleanor when they and John lived in Abilene. Bob had gone to high school in Waco and he and John were friends. Bob then moved to Abilene with his family and so did John's folks. They were in A & M together. When Nancy would go out to Abilene to visit John, the 4 of us got together. Eleanor is an Abilene girl with her ancestors being some of the early settlers. After college and the military, they settled in Abilene and we in Beaumont and now Corpus Christi, but we continued to keep up through Christmas cards, etc We've really enjoyed getting together through the years.
One day, we go into Big Springs and see the Settles Hotel. It has been completely restored and is a masterpiece. The hotel had been stripped of everything - even the piping in the walls.
The ballroom upstairs was being set up for an affair.
Glancing out on the street, most of the old buildings are boarded up. Hopefully, the oil boom will be a help to the old West Texas town.
The staircase and balcony is magnificent. This chandelier is a copy of the original one.
We have fun posing on the stairs.
The Ranch has evolved from cattle to oil wells and wind farms. This is a water holding reservoir for hydro fracking.
Eleanor and Nancy have walked up to where an oil well will be drilled. Windmills are in the background.
We stagger around the rocks and watch out for the hole in the ground. The sun is out, but it is cold - especially for Nancy, the South Texas gal!
We come across some of their black cattle and this white sheep, which is full of wool. Since no deer are shown, it's obvious the guys didn't kill any. However, they had a great time hunting and Nancy doesn't have to cook Venison! As usual, we had a great time at the Ranch House with good food and good friends - a perfect visit for us!