Rambler Ranch

....or, that moment when obsession takes over one's life!

Terry Gale was given the opportunity to save a piece of family history in 1988 when his brother gave him their Dad's 1954 Rambler Ambassador. Terry had always loved cars, and had enjoyed playing in the car when he was a youngster, pretending that he was driving it. Terry began the arduous process of restoring the vehicle, and then began collecting and restoring more. At this time he has over 800 vehicles on his ranch in Elizabeth, CO. Most of Terry's collection are American Motors vehicles, but he does have quite a number of SOB's (some other brand). A new 'barn' is under construction to add more space for the collection, which also includes hundreds of mannequins dressed in period clothing. They truly pull the visitor back into time. Additionally, Terry has built a replica Sinclair gas station, an old 50's diner and a building to house a collection of Kelvinator appliances. (Kelvinator was purchased by Nash, so it is in the family, so to speak!)
Recently our Mini club took a drive out to Elizabeth to tour the ranch and enjoy a barbecue lunch. Here are just a few shots of some of the cars and collectibles I saw during my visit.

The Mini's invade...

The bone yard

Whinny Earns her Stripes

MINI owners name their cars.

Soon after I acquired my MINI her name became apparent to me. Of course, with my love for horses and my penchant for rhymes, she had to be named, "Whinny". Whinny the MINI!


MINI owners individualize their cars.

Their cars sport stickers, and antenna bobbers, and stripes, and badges.

This week Whinny truly became "Whinny" with her new personalized stripes. I've been working with Kristan to fine tune my idea and make it happen in vinyl.  Kristen is a fellow member of the Mini5280 club and owns Artistic Reflection. We Dreamers made a trip up to Loveland, CO for the installation.

Before:

Wetting the car,

Applying the wet vinyl.

Husband James helps with the process.

Lining the vinyl up with the landmarks on the car.

Using a rubber scraper to work out air and water pockets.

Peeling off the backing and checking to see if the area is dry.

After the backing is pulled off, and after the vinyl is dry enough,

the center section is peeled off,

Revealing the basic design.

Next, the burgundy vinyl is carefully applied.

The paper backing is pulled off,

Small pieces of vinyl are removed,

revealing the finished design.

Ta da....

At Least I Know

That's somewhat of a relief.
I'm not left to wait, and wonder.

But.... 

I do keep waiting, and gazing out to the barn.

Maybe I'm wrong?

My head tells me what happened,
but my heart does not.
I so want to be wrong about this!

Sunday morning I took a walk around the "neighborhood". I've been doing this lately, trying to get more exercise. As I crested the slight hill in front of our house I noticed a dead kitty on the road. Awww. But....wait a minute. Is that our kitty? My heart was in my throat. Between cars I made it across the road to get a closer look. I didn't really want to look. But, the cat is the right color. The face has no white. There is a bit of white on the feet. And...oh, no! The dead kitty has a clipped ear. Just like my sweet Stormy.

Before I got back to the kitty to take care of her, to bring her home and bury her, she was gone. A hawk? A coyote? The farmer across the way? Was it really my kitty?

I kept my eye out for Stormy throughout the day. She is usually very close to Malachi. She loves that horse. But I never saw her near him. But she does go off,  sometimes.

Stormy is feral. If I don't surprise her she might warily hold her ground about 25' from me, but not any closer. She doesn't come out if I call her. She doesn't meow when I talk to her. Today, she wasn't in any of her usual haunts. Not under the flat bed trailer Not on the hay bales. Not snoozing in a patch of sun in the run-in. Even though she doesn't connect with me.... I am feeling an empty spot in my heart.

Rest in peace, sweet Stormy. 

You were the best barn kitty. 

I shall really miss you.