[Not included in the original printing of
Voices From The Past: Diaries, Journals, and Autobiographies]

During the Spring of 1914, the ditch was finished and water turned in on the north side of the creek. Up until this time all water used for drinking and other pruposes was hauled from the Santa Clara Creek, either from the crossing at the lower end of the Chadburn ranch about a mile up the creek, or the steep, rough, rocky grade which was an old cattle trail where the swimming pool now is. The stock were driven up and down this hill to water, but it was so steep and rough – jumping from one boulder to another – they would almost rather go thirsty than make the trip. Considerable work had to be done on the hill before a wagon could get up and down at all. Even then not many barrels could be hauled at once. Sometimes we didn’t even drink all we wanted [because] it was such a job to get it. One day as Uncle Bunker was bringing out a load, his brakes gave way, letting the wagon go backward over the cliff. Fortunately, no damage was done except frayed nerves, bruised horses, broken double tree and wagon reach, and spilled water.

Needless to say, every drop of water from washing, dish washing etc., was saved and poured onto trees and shrubs to get them started. Pa used to sing a very appropriate song, “You never miss the water till the well runs dry.” [YouTube Link] When the irrigation water was in, one can hardly imagine how we appreciated it, after hearing the foregoing episodes. It was a real red letter day, never to be forgotten. We all gathered on the ditch bank to wait for the approach of the dirty, muddy water as it slowly made its way down the new ditch, gathering debris and soaking up the loose, soft earth until, when it reached us, it was almost thick. Nevertheless, Aunt Kate Bunker stooped and, with her cup, dipped up a cupful, drank, and said it was the best water she had ever tasted.