Pictures

Here I plan on posting random pictures from throughout the years in remembrance of Our Colorado Legacy!

2004 - Camp South Fork

Me, ready for the day!
July 26, 2004

I discovered these photos a few years ago.  Papa snapped this picture either before or after breakfast on Day #3.  We were just about to head out to a nearby ghost town, Summitville Mines for some site-seeing.  I've got fond memories of this camp.  Good times.

Papa making hot tea.
July 26, 2004

This is the spot where we had the porta-potty just behind camp.  I liked it because it was so close.  Papa didn't like it because of the smell!  Haha.

Me and my guitar.
July 25, 2004

 I brought my acoustic guitar on this vacation and remember getting it out at this camp.  Here is a screen shot above taken from my video camera.  This was the evening of July 25, 2004 and we had just arrived to South Fork.  I quickly put the tent up and ran for the guitar.  I used to play the hell out of it, haha.  I didn't think I was all that good and thought I was annoying Papa all that time.  On our 2007 vacation Papa asked me once we got to Colorado, "Why didn't you bring your guitar?"  I looked at him, surprised and said, "You liked that?"  He responded, "Yeah, I like your playing".

2003 - Chuck Wagon Box

July of 2003

Ahh... the Chuck Wagon Box.  Many memories... Many breakfast, lunch and dinners cooked here at this old box.  Bacon, eggs, hamburger patties (Papa called it Steak!), fried taters, chicken fried steak, gravy...  Mmm.  Great Food!  Papa built this and called it his 'Chuck Wagon Box'.  I can still picture him building and painting it.  On the right side there is a fridge or 'ice box' to keep your food cool.  I believe Papa lined the walls of the fridge with saw dust to keep it insulated.  One nice thing about it was on our way to Colorado we would take a 'tea break', flip the tailgate down, open the box and make us a nice cold glass of tea.  Red Solo Cup, 1 scoop of Nestle Instant Tea and two spoons of sugar, topped with ice!  Oh yeah!  Hits the spot!  Looks like Papa took this picture near Lake San Cristobal.  The lake is the second largest natural lake i in Colorado.  I wasn't with Papa or Richie on this vacation.  My wife and I were gearing up to have my son, who was born on July 7, 2003.

2006 - Hot Tea

Papa making hot tea.
July 22, 2006

Papa's hot tea has always been a staple of our early morning wake-up during our Colorado adventures.  As a matter of fact Papa typically made hot tea in the morning at his home as well.  I remember on numerous weekends lifting my head from the couch at around 6:00am or earlier to Papa walking toward the kitchen to get his water boiling.  Sometimes I'd get up along with him as he prepared his morning ritual.  2 tea bags dropped into a pot of boiling water.  He would let it sit a bit and then do exactly as he is doing in the picture above and pour in the delicious hot tea!  We would then add 2 spoonfuls of sugar and stir it up to make a warm, refreshing early morning drink to wake up with.  As we sipped on our tea I would listen to Papa tell great stories and also say goofy things to get me smiling.  I remember one saying he would say just out of nowhere... "Does a hog have a butt?"  I'd always look over and smile.  Sometimes when I was really out of it he would wop me on the shoulder with the front of his hand.  Not hard, just enough to get my attention.  He would then quickly say, "Sing...  Can you sing?"  He would furrow his brow and then ask again, "huh?  Can't you sing?"  I, of course would just laugh and not sing.  He would then start singing an old Hank Williams classic... "Hey... Goodlookin', what you got cookin'?  How about cookin' something up for me..."  Good old Papa.  I miss him.  I consider him more than just my Papa but my best friend as well.  He always made me smile.  Pictured above is Papa preparing his hot tea at Black Mesa State Park at the panhandle of Oklahoma.  This was our second day of our 2006 Colorado vacation.  This was also the 20th anniversary of when I first went to Colorado and my son's first.  So, we had us a glass of hot tea, told some stories, laughed, sang and made our way to South Fork, Colorado.

More Coming Soon!