Red Rabbit Report post Posted May 9, 2007 I started in about '72 going to Greer every August with a high school friend, Robert Tolone. His family had two cabins just up the lane from Jack and Rusty's cabins. Our first stop was to drive in to Tunnel lake and look at the water level. When they paved the roads to the lakes, we thought the place was ruined. Used to camp at Benny Creek Campground, just a road to camping spots with no tables or outhouses across from Hoyer, for free when the Tolones were not in town. Could drive the truck down to the shoreline of Tunnel to launch the boat for a night of brown trout fishing. Gas was sold up the hill at Northwoods. Charlie and Sue Tripp had the Circle B- great people and shared many times with each visit. Thanks for letting me think back. Doug~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted May 9, 2007 I have spent a lot of time in Greer fishing as well. probably the second best day of fishing was at the first of the three lakes. the weather was terrible, i mean puring rain and lightning and thunder everywhere! i kid you not, i would throw out my bait and within 5 minutes have a fish on. i remeber on one fish, he bit my cousins bait, then went and bit my dads bait! that was awesome! not a lot of big fish, but was always fun! would always go into Molly Butlers and look at that big ole bull! never knew the stry about him! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwoGuns Report post Posted May 9, 2007 Doug, I can relate to your memories of Greer. My Grandpa took my dad and his brothers to Greer every year from sometime in the 50's. He was a pastor in Flag from around 58 to 74 if my memory is working right. They would stay out in the woods somewhere, or at Hoyer or Winn campground. Every year, except for a few years maybe, my dad has continued the tradition and taken the family to Greer. This year we are going the last week of July, and I can't wait. It always seems that time stands still in Greer, not much changes from year to year. I hope that I am able to continue to take my kids there into the future. Darren Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 9, 2007 Greer has been a special place for my wife and I for the past 6 years. We always stay at Hoyer and fish out of there to Big Lake, Reservation, Drift fence, sheep crossing, and the greer lakes as well. We usually go the last of May into June and love the walks out of camp. We always have some friends going along with their kids and I end up being the kid's guide everyday on the lake. Some catch their first fish on these trips and the camp fires can't be beat. A good time had by all. My best part is the fly fishing alone. That's my time to reflect on past and future hunts. If you never been there you are missing some of Arizona's most spectacular high country and wildlife. Shoulder surgery will keep us home this year but will try to make it up before the snow flies. If you get a chance check out the x-Diamond Ranch located half way to Springerville along the Little Colorado River. Fishing is great and there is a museum you most see. You won't be sorry you did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted May 9, 2007 Greer fans will want a copy of "Memories From Greer, Tales Told of a Unique Arizona Village," the hardcover book that I edited and produced for the Greer Library Friends. It should be available for sale about Memorial Day for $24.95. It contains nearly 60 stories told by old-timers and recent arrivals in our little hamlet, and more than 100 photos and sketches. I first visited Greer when I was 10 years old in 1946 and fell in love with it. I bought some land on Badger Creek close to 40 years ago and began building the cabin from which I'm writing this note tonight. The cabin probably will not be completed in my lifetime. Living here from April to November each year is a wonderful experience. This morning I woke up to find six cow elk feeding outside my kitchen window. An hour later, a flock of jake turkeys visited our creek. I can tell you there is a huge cultural shock when I drive back to Tucson for doctors' appointments -- the traffic and congestion of Pinetop/Lakeside/Show Low are gosh awful, and when I hit Oro Valley I want to gag. I feel bad that I will be gone for a month this summer, but there's a safari outfitter in Namibia who wants a book about his illustrious lifetime and somebody has to write it. I leave for Windhoek on May 22. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kphunter Report post Posted May 9, 2007 I'm taking my first trip to Greer with my wife next month. I hope to have some great memories to share! KP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted May 9, 2007 Sounds like you're definitely living the dream life Bill. Good luck in Africa! I have the same types of memories of Greer as many of you. Earliest memories would have been in 70-75 or so. We would always hit Molly Butlers for prime rib dinner one night while on our annual White Mountain camping trip. Sometimes we would even get rooms for a night. Thought that was pretty cool as a little kid.... Then in the late 70s-83 or so, my trips were mainly with my buddies on camping trips in high school. LOT'S of fun then! We would camp at Hoyer to appease our moms (so they knew exactly where we would be.... ), but we would then just tromp all over the Big Lake, Black River, and Bauldy area fishing from sun-up to sun-down! Spinning rods and grasshoppers! Any where from four to seven boys from 13-18 years old with nothing to do but fish. Good times for sure.... Now I'm taking my wife & kids up there for family camping trips each year. We still hit Molly Butlers and still fish the same creeks on Bauldy. Seems like the brookies are a little smaller these days, but it's still a blast. We've shopped cabins there on occasion over the years, but it seems like we always come to the conclusion that due to our busy schedules that we wouldn't get to use it enough to justify the purchase. Maybe when I retire, like Bill! S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted May 9, 2007 I read on another forum of an impending closure of Molly Butler Lodge, so I called. All that the lady could tell me was that it is for sale and is open. Bill, do you perhaps have any more information? Doug~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 9, 2007 Sounds like Bill is living a life most of us dream about but I'll bit you he has worked hard at what he has cause nothing comes easy. My wife and I will definitely look for "Memories From Greer" when we visit this year. Channel 3 News did a special on GOOD MORNING ARIZONA this morning. It is a must see place. Good luck on your trip to Namibia Bill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted May 10, 2007 Sounds like Bill is living a life most of us dream about but I'll bit you he has worked hard at what he has cause nothing comes easy. My wife and I will definitely look for "Memories From Greer" when we visit this year. Channel 3 News did a special on GOOD MORNING ARIZONA this morning. It is a must see place. Good luck on your trip to Namibia Bill. Thank you everyone. I just hope the interviews will be over early and there will be time to do a bit of shooting. I've taken most of the larger antelope of southern Africa, but the place I'm going is one of the few places black-faced impala and damarland dik-dik can be hunted (only the dik-dik can be imported into the USA). >>>>>>>>>>"I read on another forum of an impending closure of Molly Butler Lodge, so I called. All that the lady could tell me was that it is for sale and is open. Bill, do you perhaps have any more information?" >>>>>>>>> It's been for sale off and on for years. What she didn't tell you is that the Apache County Supervisors met last Thursday in St. Johns to hear a proposal to rezone the property for a major expansion project that would include a two-story hotel, condos and townhouses, and parking lots for more than 90 cars. I came off the mountain today before I could learn how the board voted, but I would expect the thing is a go. Ugh! Also at the meeting was a request to allow the people at Amberian Point to build condos. I watched Good Morning Arizona this morning before heading for Tucson and had two thoughts: 1. I found it strange that Molly Butler's Lodge wasn't mentioned or even shown in that broadcast. That's awful considering it's Arizona's oldest continually operating lodge. The TV crew obviously was comped into the Greer Lodge Company's rooms and kitchen. 2. I was outraged that people who didn't know about Greer before the broadcast were told how wonderful our little area is. The next thing we know someone will open a CircLe K and a golf course! Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted May 11, 2007 Let's not forget about the incredible X diamond ranch ! one of my favorites! AzP&Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 11, 2007 Let's not forget about the incredible X diamond ranch ! one of my favorites! AzP&Y I second that! A good friend of mine took me there fishing about 6 years ago and it is a must see place. My wife enjoyed the museum and actually had Wink show us thru. No disrespect to Wink, she runs it, but I don't know her by anything else. It is a hidden diamond for sure. I have fished it several times and my buddy fishes a contest there every year between the locals from Showlow/Pinetop and those here in the valley. Catch and release only! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted May 12, 2007 "Let's not forget about the incredible X diamond ranch !" Despite what Good Morning Arizona implied during its broadcast from the Greer Lodge Wednesday, South Fork (X Diamond), 26 Bar Ranch, Eagar and Springerville are not yet in Greer. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunterdude Report post Posted May 24, 2007 The people that own the X- Diamond and MLY ranches are probably some of the best people you will ever meet. I have known them for several years and really enjoy going up to their cabins. They have been ranching the area since the late 1800's and can give you a run down on the history of the land and the general area like a history book. If any of you get up there till them Chris in Casa Grande said hello. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
