Twin Hill Ranch came to be part of our family in 1942.
It was the place most of our family gatherings took place.
As children it sometimes felt like it was the center of our universe.
Sadly it was recently sold to someone else.
I couldn't even imagine a time when this ranch wouldn't be a part of the family,
but it has come.
Next May family will have one more time to meet there and share our stories.
I can tell some of the younger cousins stories they have never heard, as
I am the oldest girl and second grandchild of 27 grandchildren.
I can share the friendly competition between the aunts for the best apple pie.
Or the times cousins dared each other to lick the salt lick.
Or flying high on the rope swing and leaping into the pile of hay.
Even the time some of the cousins made apple jack out back of the packing house.
Twin Hill Ranch was an apple ranch and sold the very best apples in the world.
It is located in Sebastopol, California and it will be missed as our family center.
Note: I am the biggest girl in the pictures.
Oh, Marilyn. Such bittersweet photos. Life goes on and things around us change. Memories...no one can take those from us and luckily they have the oldest of the group to help remind the youngest of those wonderful days of growing up. It is sad.
ReplyDeleteI love those old photos and what great memories you have of Twin Hill Ranch.
ReplyDeleteMy kids grew up spending summer vacations at the family lake house. It's gone now, but we have lots of photos and stories of family reunions, etc.
What a special place, and how lucky you and your family are to have had that; how sad to lose it.
ReplyDeleteI think we are losing more and more family gathering places like this and that makes me sad - to lose those places and maybe to lose that time together as a family!
I loved your pictures and the memories you shared. I'm so glad you can return one more time to remember, reminisce and share the hours of fun you experienced there.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
I LOVE these photos! Our family has recently sold the old farm center, and it was a bittersweet thing for sure.
ReplyDeleteOh, Marilyn, what wonderful photos! And what wonderful memories. Yes, the oral tradition is an important one and for the young'uns to hear the stories is important indeed. I'm glad you'll have a chance to return; sad it's only one more visit. What a haven...
ReplyDeleteHow lucky, for you all, to have had the experience of such a place to share. Blessings, blessings, come in oh so many ways! Now, you'll always have those memories to share.
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart that it will be gone and I won't be able to go in May. But I am so glad you've organized something for the family. It is such an important piece of our family legacy, a legacy that has ended. But such is the story of so many farming families throughout the country.
ReplyDeleteOh I love these b & w photos...I am sorry the place is sold but it will be nice to gather you family there in May.
ReplyDeleteHugs my friend oxoxoxoo
Big hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteWhen my Grandmother had to move out of the homestead when my beloved Mother died, a big part of all our families history I felt was gone forever but we have our memories to carry us through.
Life is always a series of new beginings whether we want them or not.
Love you my friend
Jeanne
I LOVE these photos! I'm sorry the ranch was sold, but how wonderful that you still have all these great memories to pass on to others in your family.
ReplyDeleteI am delighted by these images. Delighted!!
ReplyDeletethis brings a tear to my eyes.
ReplyDeletei do adore these photos.
xo
Shades of Mayberry, Marilyn. What a lovely memory of a time long past and gone from us.
ReplyDeleteI like the photos, too. Is there any way I can get a copy of the two on the left, as I am in them. I have been spreading the word about the gathering. There has been a lot of comments on Face book, started by Rickilyn commenting that she misses the ranch this time of year.
ReplyDelete