Dark Clouds Over The San Juans

Just learned today though social media that Pagosa will no longer have a museum to house the treasures of past adventurers and settlers to the land of Archuleta County. Pagosa has gone through so many changes in the past 40 decades that it is barely recognizable to those whose childhood roots were etched in streets, mountains and streams of Archuleta County.
 To this old timer who has dedicated parts of  his family history to the Museum and always looked forward to renewing memories on each visit feels as though history is being allowed to fade away like so many of us early Pagosans.
 Seems very sad that a community can find ways to sell marijuana to create a rocky mountain high in the city, fly balloons over the rivers, have a hoe down on reservoir hill, big in corporate franchises yet can't find the funds to retain the history. Without the history of the settlers there would be no expansion of a city where cattle and farming once thrived.
 Yes, Pagosa is a beautiful part of Colorado and with today's marketing technology and digital photography it has become a vacationers paradise, if one can afford the luxury. Here is hoping Pagosa will find a way to retain all the artifacts and history stored in that building for future generations , Please keep "Red Ryder" and " Little Beaver"  alive never forget how it all started so many years ago.

Gone but never forgotten

Looking back at my youth and remembering such things as building that have long disappeared and the lessons learned so many years ago. These photos depict the way downtown Pagosa was like when I just a young boy, I can recall the time world war II came to and end and the bell from the old fire station rang for what seemed to be hours, my Mother hugging and squeezing me so hard I thought I'd done something so terrible she would smother me. Then everyone running into the street shouting and hugging and kissing, then I knew something real good had taken place.
 There was the time when a fire erupted at a petroleum storage at what is now San Juan and 8th street and there was only a volunteer fire department which had one truck and a hose cart that hooked up to the fire hydrant, that was another time the old Bell summoned for help and the whole town came running.
 As I grew and began to blossom into a mischievous teenager eager to taste the spirits that so many seemed to enjoy from the Pagosa  Bar or The Cantina on  main street. I found some of my older friends celebrating a successful deer hunt, I accepted their invitation to ride along and help with the joyous occasion, being young and immature had its price; as after consuming those wonderful spirits
my stomach began to rebel and I had to relieve myself. While throwing up and wishing the world would stop spinning a car pulled up behind, seeing that it was not a friendly friend but the Highway Patrol, we decided we best make a run for home. Not a good idea, as we pulled into the driveway,,old Marshall Saunders was right there and hauled us downtown to the office next to the fire station. He allowed us to stay there until our heads cleared before taking us home.
 The memories of that old building will forever be etched in my mind

The internet has opened windows to a world that few old timers like myself knew existed, along with all the wonderful memory storage capabilities it has shown just how twisted the minds of fellow Americans can be.
 When pen and pencil or telephone were the means of communication very few knew the level of hatred and bigotry that consumed so many of our fellow citizens. Now with the means to spread hate worldwide in nano seconds we are loosing privacy and young minds are being corrupted with evil. This is really not the kind of world I had hoped to leave for my grand children, my generation with their free spirited anything goes attitude can no longer sit back and wonder what happened or blame the younger generation, we did it to ourselves.

Times Keeps Ticking

The years keep rollin by and the body begins to show signs of wear but the mind drifts back to days when life that we once thought were so bad really turn out to be the best years of our life. How have we managed to live so long when we ate without reading labels, drinking from garden hoses, telephones were only in the home and family shared meals and worshiped together.
 Some of the greatest inventions somehow become our demise, the internet was thought to be the greatest achievement in modern history, yet evil doers have managed to take control of unsecured air waves and create havoc, atomic energy was thought to be the answer to all future needs yet has become a weapon to destroy the world we live in.
 As a young boy growing up in the mountains of Colorado I never gave a thought to green house gases, organic grown food, or thinking my future would be filled with so much evil. Seems as though those we have chosen to guide and protect this great nation can see no further that their pocket books. Morality as I was taught growing up in a Christian family is slowly becoming extinct. The two parties in Washington cannot sit down and find any common ground to pass laws that protect us from terrorist who have access to flood homes with propaganda, or protect our personal information,
 Now that father time is catching up and my days or years are nearer to the time I will be judged by my maker, I must try to keep faith and hope that a leader will emerge soon to save future generations of this once great country.

Vacation Time

Funny how I seem filled with mixed emotions as I prepare for a long anticipated vacation. Going back to where I had so many joys and memories growing up as a child. Only one sibling remains of the family I loved so much and I look forward to embracing him one more time, you see we are both nearing the end of the trail and miles and bodies showing signs of wear  have kept us apart.
 I'm sure everyone who had a loving family to grow up with would like to retrace their childhood footsteps and  tell stories to the younger folks of the way things used to be. I can drive down the street and recognize
the frame of the house on Lewis street as the place of my teen age years but only in my memory is the old wood burning kitchen stove, the cellar out back that now hold lots of our youth beneath the ground. the chicken coup where I stole my Dads best laying hen, the old tree in the corner of the front lawn where my Mother would spend her evenings admiring the beauty surrounding the little town of Pagosa Springs.
 I can walk down town and see buildings that have been given many a face lift  but friendly shop keeper that would great each passerby with a smile and hello as they swept the sidewalks in summer and shoveled snow in the winter just don't seem to appear.
 The old Pool Hall where I learned how to handle a cue stick, rack the balls, clean the tables and worked as a cashier,: only the stairs remain recognizable, yes the old billiards hall has become luxury hotel suite.
 A new metropolis has risen in Archuleta country, the place I knew as Stevens Ranch so long ago where herds of beef and fields of hay grew, has given in to folks who came from near and far with  bank rolls that my parents generation or mine could only imagine.  A great subdivision has risen, taking away with it the home to wildlife, erecting man made lakes with farm raised fish to attract more outside financial influence.
 Yes as I venture on my last trip down memory lane, I will recall how things were to a young boy 60 years ago, wear a smile and spend my money like any tourist and enjoy the beauty of the mountains,streams and any wild life I may see. All beautification  that has taken place over the years has truly attracted millions of visitors with money to spend. Pagosa is still a beautiful little city and can be compared to any in southern California.

forward or backward??

Getting up early in the morning and enjoying a cup of coffee with the latest news has been a ritual for me for many years. I must admit that recently my coffee has not been quite so enjoyable as the headlines chosen by the new networks lately seem to hinge on sensationalism. The bigger the controversy the more air time it gets and I am really sick of news of ones sexual preference being more important than national security, budgets, weather or humanitarian crisis such as homelessness in America. 
 According to the news media, America is becoming a land of fear, mistrust, immoral behavior; States are slowly losing right to govern themselves and the will of the people is being ignored by a liberal justice system and supreme court who caters to a minority. Never in all my years have I witnessed such promotion of fear and the need for the citizens to believe in the need to arm themselves. One must assume that every person they pass on the street may be carrying a gun and if intimidated in any way could pull the trigger. We seem to headed down a backward path when the fastest gun was the only way of survival.
 I would much rather be posting pleasant memories and thoughts of a bright future for those I leave behind but sometimes one just has to vent frustrations and pray that our maker will find a way to bring more peace to the crazy world we live in.

Looking Back

Driving down main street (US160) of Pagosa Springs today one would never think of that thriving metropolis as once being a quaint Mayberry sort of town.

 There was a time as the photo here shows when even the local deer felt at home. As a young boy growing up here I felt as though I knew everyone I would pass walking down the street. The drug store shown here was a favorite hang out of the high school kids and often provided employment for those who sought to earn a little spending money. Not only did this establishment provide the needed 

medical supplies but the soda fountain and juke box was a necessity for teenagers. High school sports such as football and basketball were always an event for total town participation, and when it was time for the homecoming games Mr. Lynch opened up the drug store and allowed the kids to manufacture any concoction from the soda fountain.

 Pagosa was always a patriotic community and too many of its young men gave life and limbs protecting our freedoms but thanks to their sacrifices small communities such as Pagosa has prospered and thrived through decades of change. 

 If one should ever visit this little piece of natural beauty, take time to learn a bit of its history by visiting the local chamber of commerce or the American Legion post. There is a wealth of historical stories from the area, like the history of the Hot Springs, known as the World's largest and hottest natural springs. I was always intrigued by the stories of the fight with the Indians over the rights to this natural wonder. 

 When I started my education there in 1945, Pagosa had one school building which housed all grades from first to twelve. Long before my family arrived in Pagosa there was a school located on top of a hill in the middle of town but had burned down and when we moved there one of the early pioneers had built a home there. Buck O'Neal and his family became friends of ours and listening to stories he would tell was better than seeing a Saturday cowboy movie.

 Leaving the city Pagosa and heading west on US160 is another famous landmark, Wolf Creek Pass. This mountain pass has one of the finest ski area in the state, the drive any time of year can be quite breath taking.

A favorite spot to stop and photograph is Treasure Falls which has its own mysterious stories attached to it with tales of Spaniards  burying millions of dollars in treasures somewhere in the vicinity.

 To those who take time to read my little blog and bragging rights to my home town, I hope you would have the opportunity to visit this beautiful country, just remember the beauty only last as long as it is preserved.

 

 

Looking Back While I Can

As another year has entered onto my calender of life, I always like to look back and remember some of the fun things of growing up in small town America. Sixty years ago Pagosa was my "Mayberry" and there were no strangers as I wondered from one establishment to another on main st.
  I never had to hike very far to try and catch a trout for grandma to cook for my supper, a little creek ran by her house and under a bridge of US 160. It was there I'd spend a lot time baiting a hook with those little red worms dug out of horse manure of Mr. Speelmans barn.
 I often wonder if anyone still living there who remembers such landmarks as Kinser's Diner that sat in a lot that now houses the Sun Office, Mullins Barber Shop where I got many trims and lessons on living, The Soda fountain of Jackish Drug Store, Moorehart Chevrolet Company, Lou Pomas gas station, Fowlers garage and gas station, Melvin Fowlers Jewelry, Ferris Breedloves Hardware Store. The Billiard room or better known as the Pool Hall run by Curly Nelson. Fussy Gussey's Restaurant in the building of the hotel next to the Liberty Theater.
 The swimming pool across the San Juan river where I learned to swim and even became a junior life guard but now the big attraction in the spa and resort built around the hot springs for Millionaire tourist. Pagosa is now one of the major tourist vacations spots in America but I am so glad I was part it growing up. Maybe in another sixty years some one will look back and remember how lucky they were to have Pagosa.

A New Year (going backward?)

2013 has faded away and now our sights are set on 2014, wall street tycoons are humming a new tune and the middle class are still singing the blues.
 California parents now have to worry about who is using the same bath room facilities with their children, seems to me a class in sexuality would be order so that one knows whether to stand or sit to pee.
  Colorado citizens or visitors over 21 can now get high on pot any where they choose except tobacco smokers still must snuff out!! I always thought smoke was smoke only some smells worse than others.Will DUI also mean being high on marijuana?
 So many new gadgets to take up every waking moment of the day, every one now has a phone on the ear or in the hand, conversations are no longer private with each device having its own speaker. Now drivers have to be extra cautious to watch for pedestrians looking at the gadget in their hand.
 Marriage has become a laughing topic and the courts have decided that it is not a holy sacrament between man and woman, watch out what may come next; legalizing prostitution or polygamy.
 Never mind if one does not agree with these new laws or social changes, just suck it up and be brainwashed with a daily dose of media blitz showing images that may disgust but the sound bites come so fast the remote control can't be found in time to switch.
 Its still not too late to right a sinking ship, so I hope others have the courage to sit down and write their concerns to congress and when the time comes visit the voting booth and exercise the best defense given to by our forefathers.

What a year 2013 has become, record weather phenomena, fires, floods, massacres etc. Now we have a government more dysfunctional than the Hatfield s and McCoys. There has been government shut downs in the past and this may not be the last episode of this drama. No matter what party affiliation one belongs to seems to me any civil minded citizen would affirm that congress has passed a law and the US supreme court has upheld its constitutionality. I say fund the government, start the ball rolling with the affordable health care law and if is found to be in need of fixing or change then wait to see what part is broken.
 This has been a year for my family of constant Doctor appointments and health issues waiting to be taken care of. At this time in our senior years it would be nice to have time to enjoy seeing the country and watching the leaves change color.
 Much thought was given to making a trip down memory lane to see my older brother in Colorado, we are both in our twilight years so the visits are far apart. With this new technology now one can punch in a request on the computer and get information on most anything. I decided to see how much damage would be done to my wallet by going back to Pagosa where I grew up;, just to stay in a place with a bed a couple of days would empty the thing with no room for the cob webs living there. Looks like my vacation will be sitting at the computer and looking at the wonderful pictures posted by post 1960 settlers with those marvelous cameras.
 Its been some time since I posted on this blog, but only because at my age its hard to get the messages flowing form head to fingers.
 This country is deep trouble but we have always pulled together when the going got rough and I pray that we can do this again. Lets keep the faith and all try to get along and keep old glory waving.

Remembering Dad

My father was a loving man who worked hard to provide a home filled love and understanding. From the time I was an infant he was always at my side keeping me safe. When he worked as a projectionist in the movie theaters I had a bed made out of a coke a cola crate where I slept and my mother sold tickets. As I grew older he would let me run the machine to rewind the films and taught me to thread the projectors.
 When Dad went into business for himself as a house and sign painter, he took me along and taught me how prepare a surface for paint, pull a strait line with a brush and even let me take credit for signs that he painted and  I sold and kept the money. One of those painting jobs was to paint the bleachers at the local Rodeo Grounds for the big 4th of July celebration, he surprised me when he called me over and handed me the keys to the pickup. “Go get us both a pack of cigarettes”, he said and I won’t tell your mother that you have been smoking hers.  Although he knew that I had never driven a car he trusted me to drive his pick up and I’m sure he held his breath until I returned.
 As a teen like many young boys I was prone to getting into trouble, and as the years went by Dad would tell me of some of the foolish things I did, witch I thought were life long secrets. When I stole chickens form our own coup he never said a word but silently laughed about it, when I would come home intoxicated he would see that I got into bed without my mother finding out.
 The stories dad could tell with so much intensity was like a motion picture running through my mind. I grew up believing his tall tales and still am not sure what was true or fiction but I loved hearing them over and over. 
 Dad was always an independent soul and did not like working for any one or taking orders so he always relied on self employment. In his later years he bought printing equipment and self taught himself, he continued to run his own printing shop out of the home until his passing.
 When my mother passed away, Dad stayed in the home with his print shop and the cats that he loved. I will always miss him and the times we would spend together.

Who's Packin'? Duel or Draw?

 A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
What constitutes a well regulated Militia? Is that not a security force belonging to a state such as police or national guard? Do hunters need automatic weapons to take down a deer or any other beast of the wild?
The older I get the more confused I get. I have witnessed so many violent acts committed with guns in this country and the only answer I have heard from those who make or determine laws in the government or courts is to allow more firepower be placed in the hands of private citizens.
 Being a victim of armed robbery twice in my life time, I often wonder if I would have been armed and reached for a weapon, would I be here today to discuss such matters. I believe that be complying with the demands of the robbers my life was spared. Being trained in firearms both as a hunter and a military person
I have never found a need to arm myself as a private citizen for any purpose other than hunting for food.
 There must be hundreds of excuses to place the blame for the violence in America but we all need to search our conscience to look for answers. Morality has reached the lowest level that I have seen in all my 70+ years. Murder, mayhem, rape, robbery, and any other depiction of violence can be seen in all forms of media and absorbed in the minds of our younger generation. We can all stand and cheer for our "Freedoms" until such freedoms become our own destruction. Our creator gave us all the gift of wisdom and freedom of mind but its up to us to decide how to use these gifts.

A New Page

Its that time of year again when we bring out the colorful lights, sentimental  Christmas music, pine trees, wrapping paper and pray our credit cards don't get maxed out.
Here's hoping the coming year brings brighter days for all who gaze upon these writings. 2012 has been a year full of doubt, despair and heartaches for many American families.
 This old senior has seen many changes to the flesh and bones with a new hip, loss of a kidney and other aging ailments but the good Lord has blessed me with good recovery.
 Just when I thought we would end the year with peace and calm from election madness,  natural disasters, and wars; Satan raised his evil head again. Twenty young innocent lives were forced to enter into heavens gate. There is no sane answer to such tragedy, but I will pray for those souls and the family left to grieve. Once again the subject of gun control will come to the attention of elected officials. The courts will someday have to decide if in the 21st century we all need to arm ourselves with automatic weapons against threats from sick individuals.Personally I believe in the right to own a gun but the days of the revolution are long gone. I have yet to see a hunter use and AK47 to bring down a deer or elk to put meat on the table. My suggestion to help decide who should own a gun is to require everyone living in a household with weapons go through a background check.
  Here is hoping that our civic leaders in Washington will find some common ground to ease the pain of the middle class, elderly, and poor while solving this nations fiscal problems along with curbing the violence in our neighbor hoods
 To the folks who read my blog, thanks for taking the time. May the coming year bring good health, peace, and good fortune to all. America is still the greatest place on earth and I have faith that we can all keep it that way.

MY PRAYER

                             

                            

                                    MY PRAYER

                                       FORGIVE ME LORD FOR I AM TRULY A SINNER

                                        I CANNOT JUDGE OTHERS SIMPLY BY THE TONE

                                        OF THEIR SKIN, THEIR CHIOCES IN CIVIL MATTERS OR

                                        WHOM THEY LOVE

                                        I MAY CHERISH LIFE BORN OR UNBORN BUT I CANNOT

                                        SIT IN JUDGEMENT OF OTHERS IN THIS MATTER, I TRULY

                                         BELIEVE THAT YOU ALONE WILL DECIDE WHAT IS JUST

                                         OR UNJUST

                                         I AM THANKFUL LORD FOR THE BLESSING YOU HAVE

                                         BESTOWED UPON ME WITH WIFE’S AND CHILDREN

                                         LORD BE MY COMPANION WHETHER ON THE MOUNTAIN,

                                          DEEP IN THE VALLEY OR IN A PHEW. 

                                          GIVE WISDOM TO THOSE I LOVE TO BE UNDERSTANDING,

                                           COMPASSIONATE, AND DEVOTED TO YOU EVERLASTING

                                           FORGIVE THOSE WHO BELIEVE THEY ARE MORE RIGHTOUS

                                           THAN THEIR BROTHER AND SISTERS

                                                                            

America Land Of Choice

On this election day, my vote has been cast as I anxiously await the end of the day when the tally has been officially recorded.

 This has been the most controversial election I can ever recall in all my years of voting.

But, when all is said and done I will proudly still salute the flag and pledge allegiance no matter who is chosen as this nation's leaders.

Only in America can we as citizens reach across the miles to help our friends, family or strangers in time of need and yet exhibit hatred for those who have different political or religious views. Once the dust has settled from this election I hope we can unite again; for storms will continue to come to our shores and they may not always be from mother nature. God Bless America!

Mothers Scrapbook

Looking back into the past is such a pleasure when one has a Mother such as I had. Glued to the pages of one of her many scrapbooks are mementos of Pagosa before electronic storage devices. Articles printed in the"Pagosa Sun" of local events such a scores of the local high school sports or who had dinner with a friend complete with names, or major events. The photo here is a partial glimpse of one of the most famous stories to be printed, John Wayne and film crew arrived to make a movie "The Cowboys."
 Anyone who knew my Mother, knew that she was not a shy lady and had many friends while working in the Citizens Bank or attending the Baptist Church. I don't know how she managed but she became friends with John Wayne and was personally invited to travel into the mountains and witness the scene where John Wayne would be shot.
 Times change and people come and go but I am so glad those before me took the time to save memories on printed paper that I hold, feel and smell.  Tucked away in these old scrap books are family history, world history, and events that although they are stored away in memory, the pages bring them back to life. To all the younger generation I would make a request that not all past be stored on some electronic device that become obsolete with each passing day, save some of the past for your grandchildren to hold and admire.

Still Looking Back

 Television programs can become quite addicting as I discovered 

while watching a program called "Who Do You Think You Are. This show peaked my interest in trying to find the source of my roots or just shaking skeletons in the family closet. Using such internet sites as Ancestry.com and findagrave.com I learned of  several links to the family tree but the most interesting find for me was the grave site of the only grandfather I knew growing up even though he was only a step-grandfather. This man taught me the fundamentals of being a responsible hard working soul and the rewards it could bring. He also taught me how to catch a trout, track a deer, and the phrase "keep you hand out of your pocket or you'll never amount to hill of beans" has forever been stamped into my brain. Together with my older brothers we worked side by side with Frank and built the house my grandmother called home until the Lord called her to a greater home. With an old brick and hammer I straightened out every old rusty nail used to put up the walls on what I considered a lovely house.

 My dear grandmother went to her home in heaven in 1974, Frank soon sold all the property they owned in Pagosa Springs Colorado and departed that beautiful little town in the San Juans of Southern Colorado. By then my youth was gone and I had put into use the teachings of my parents and grandparents to bring up a family of my own. Although years passed without any knowledge of what had become of Frank I never gave up hopes of someday finding him. 

 Today I can say I am at peace with the memories of my grandfather Frank, only regret that I never knew my paternal grandfather but so grateful to have known Frank.

Another Year

Father time has come to visit once again, 73 visits and like good wine each one just gets better as the years go by.

This year finds me looking more at the past than the future. I can look back at all the so called good old days and wonder how I made it this far. Here I am facing a demon called cancer and about to lose a kidney, knowing that my visit here on earth is dwindling down with each passing day.

Just today as I read the news from the little town where I grew up; tears filled these old eyes knowing that with progress time has erased all my precious memories of landmarks I remembered through the years. The place of peace and tranquility I knew as young boy has become a beacon for wealthy tourist to come and change the landscape, and promote life as one big party.

Each decade has seen its portion of despair, political turmoil, inflation, depression, recession, but somehow we Americans have found the strength and courage to pull our selves out. Maybe some changes have not been as beneficial as we would like but there still is no greater country to live in. If I could make one change before I leave this world, it would be to find a way to prevent wealth from electing officials to run this country.

Tomorrow morning will find me under the surgeons knife and with Gods help this cancer on the old kidney will be gone, and soon it will be time for my better half to face the same thing. Once we both get our insides repaired life should be a little easier to bare.

Tune Up

The old body is kinda like an automobile and has to be tuned up once in awhile. Both the wife and I are finding out that this getting old is not really so golden. Without any gory descriptions I will only say that the wife is going to have to have about a foot of her intestines removed. With this news facing us I learned that I have a tumor on my Kidney and will most likely lose it. My condition seemed to be the most urgent according to the experts so the wife postponed her scheduled surgery so that I can recover from mine first to care for her. Since all these problems popped up in November and no surgery for my Kidney is scheduled until February one can't help but wonder just how urgent this could really be.

On top of all that I have to have another surgery on my mastoid of the right ear again. This has been repaired three times and now the fix that was done six years ago has come lose and bleeding has sent me to the ER. This will have to wait for me get over the Kidney thing.

Here's hoping 2012 will be better for everyone. The whole world is in really bad shape these days and it will take a strong faith to lift us all from the strife. With all my health issues I have so much to be thankful for and will never give up trying to make this country a place to be proud of, God Bless The USA.

So Proudly We Served

These three sailors from Pagosa Springs are proud to be called "Veterans". All three eagerly volunteered upon completion of their high school education. Although there are no glorious heroic war stories to be told, each would have gladly laid down their life to protect this country.

Their stories all started in 1953 with Ron and friends enlisting in the Navy. Ron was a natural leader and selected as Honor Man of his training company in San Diego Calif. After completion of his training he attended electrician school and served aboard two wooden hull minesweepers, a tug boat in Guam, and an aircraft carrier "The USS Ranger". After twelve years Ron was forced into early retirement after losing a leg in an accident. Today He is still very much a Navy man as he attends to functions in the Local American Legion Post.

Jerry followed in the footsteps of his older sibling two years later and after completing basic training in Great Lakes, he attended machinist mate school and served the remainder of his enlistment aboard and oil tanker. The USS Caliente participated in "Operation Redwing" in evaluation of Atomic Weapons in the Pacific. Jerry passed away in 2008 after a long battle with COPD.

Billy left high school a year short of completion and followed his older siblings along with an old family friend Richard Walter. Upon completion of basic training in Great Lakes he was assigned duty aboard the USS Reaper where his brother Ron was already stationed. A rare thing for two siblings to be aboard the same ship, this lasted until a crisis in Lebanon forced a separation. Billy attended culinary school in San Diego and became the ships cook, a real delight to the older brother who always had a hefty appetite.

As November 11th rolls around each year the old sailors left will proudly display old glory and stand at attention to salute her, then bow our heads and thank God for the young men and women who have taken our place to defend freedom.