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.