Golden Moments on Irvine Ranch

Re “Public to Open Irvine Co. Gift Today,” April 6:

As someone who was fortunate enough to grow up and work on the Irvine Ranch, I can appreciate the precious gift bestowed upon the public. My father, who worked on the Irvine Ranch for over 30 years, showed me the special places, including the northern area.

I’ve been blessed with the wonderful memories of riding on the old roads and trails with my father in his Irvine Co. pickup, seeing a bobcat chasing a rabbit in Weir Canyon (you should have seen the look the bobcat gave us when he lost the rabbit), a red-tailed hawk taking flight with a 4-foot snake in its talons, and playful skunks chasing each other under a 600-year-old oak tree.

We saw herds of deer grazing like cattle at sunset in Blind Canyon, foxes running for cover under the sage at the top of Weir Canyon, and a mountain lion or two on one of the many rock outcroppings. One day while we were driving along the wash at the bottom of Fremont Canyon, we stopped and had lunch and just listened to nature. No talking, just listening. No noise of the surrounding communities can be herd at the bottom of that canyon.

There was another time when we had stopped at a cattle gate, and he told me not to get out to open it. I asked why just as I saw a coiled rattlesnake head for cover. Those times on the ranch with my father have forever changed me. I am blessed to have experienced them and I believe the public who are hearty enough to trek there will experience the same thing.

I know if my father were still alive, he would have been one of the first to volunteer to give tours. Thank you, Irvine Co. (especially Monica Florian) and Donald Bren, for such a wonderful gift, and thank you, Los Angeles Times, for letting the public in on the secret of this special place.

Ray Thatcher

Irvine