Cowboy Story
By PK | May 13, 2010
Thanks Mike for this re-post.
Jake, the rancher, went one day to fix a distant fence;
the wind was cold and gusty and the clouds rolled gray and dense.
As he pounded the last staples in and gathered up his tools to go,
the temperature had fallen and the snow began to blow.
When he finally reached his pickup, he felt a heavy heart;
from the sound of that ignition, he knew it wouldn’t start.
So Jake did what most of us ‘d done if we’d had been there;
he humbly bowed his head and sent aloft a prayer.
As he turned the key one last time, he softly cursed his luck.
They found ol’ Jake three days later, frozen stiff in that truck.
Now Jake had been around in life and done his share of roamin’;
but when he saw Heaven he was shocked - it looked just like Wyomin’!
Of all the saints in Heaven, his favorite was St. Peter;
now this line, it ain’t needed, but it helps with rhyme and meter.
So, they set and talked a minute or two, or maybe it was three;
nobody was a keeping score - in Heaven time is free.
“I’ve always heard”, says Jake to Pete, “that God will answer prayers,
but one time I asked for help, and well, He just plain wasn’t there”.
“Does God answer prayers of some and ignore those of others?”
“That don’t seem exactly square - I know all men are brothers”.
“Or does He randomly reply, without good rhyme or reason?”
“Maybe it’s the time of day, the weather, or the season?”
“Now, I ain’t trying to act smart, it’s just the way I feel;
and I’m a wonderin’, could ya tell me, what the heck’s the deal?”
St Pete listened very patiently and when Jake was done,
there were smiles of recognition, and he said, “So, you’re the one!
That day your truck, it wouldn’t start, and you sent you’re prayer a flying;
you gave us all a real bad time, with hundreds of us a trying.
A thousand angels rushed to check the status of your file;
but ya know, Jake, we hadn’t heard from you in quite a while.
And though all prayers are answered, and God ain’t got no quota,
He didn’t recognize your voice, and started a truck in North Dakota!”
Author Unknown
Moral: Make sure He recognizes your voice!
Topics: "Laugh or Cry" | No Comments »
Photographs of Colorado
By PK | March 26, 2010
Colorado State Flower, Columbine, Hiking Rabbit Ear’s, July 2008
Young Mule Deer Buck, Routt County July 2008
Topics: "Post Cards From the West", Uncategorized | No Comments »
Visiting ‘The Boat’ and ‘Riding Dino’
By PK | March 18, 2010
Work today was business as usual, with Steamboat being 60% capacity with tourists, thats a little over 10,000 visitors. With only a few weeks left of the 2009-2010 Ski season, visitors are definitely having FUN. I had the pleasure of snapping this photo with a group of tourists. That is one of the fun parts of my job is interacting with the tourists and the locals.
Great shot kids!!! You were excellent subjects!! Have a great time in Steamboat!
And don’t forget to come back!! You know about the Yampa Curse, right??? Leave a comment, please so I know you got to see your photo!!!
YEEHAW!
Topics: "Post Cards From the West" | No Comments »
Flat Tops Scenic Byway
By PK | March 28, 2009
The Flat Top Scenic Byway runs from Meeker, Colorado in Rio Blanco County to Yampa, Colorado in Routt County. It consists of 82 miles, of which 40 miles is unpaved dirt or gravel roads. I do want to mention some of these roads have a washboard effect, so hang on tightly and be prepared for a bumpy ride at times.
This trip is accessible by car, except for a short hike up a steep hill to see Trapper’s Lake. There are several trails up to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Flat Tops…I am obsessed with this place. It is not a hike for a beginner. You pack in…you pack out. You leave no trace that you were there.
The Flat Tops Wilderness consists of 235, 000 acres of pristine, untouched land atop 11,000+ feet of plateaus that are occupied by fragile alpine tundra. The view from the top is well worth the hike. It is the one place I have yet to hike and am anticipating it with great enthusiasm. It is simply said…the hikes of all hikes. As I stand at the entrance, knowing it is not yet time for me to accomplish this feat, I patiently await….and while I’m waiting, break in my new Cabela’s hiking boots!
Trapper Lake is known as the “Cradle of Wilderness” due to the efforts of Arthur H. Carhart. In 1919, his recommendations stopped construction of roads and homes around the lake. This was the start of the wilderness movement, which led to the Wilderness Act in 1964.
This mountain is well-known as the Amphitheater or one giant’s big butt, whichever you prefer.
Topics: Colorado | 2 Comments »
Gore Pass, Colorado
By PK | March 3, 2009
With a bright, sunny sky over our heads we left for our first excursion in awhile. I’ve been managing a c-store since mid January, doing one of my ‘flips’ as I call it, spending many of my waking hours cleaning, ordering, adding new products and waiting for the hordes of customers to flock and see my hard-earned pay as I collect their hard-earned pay.
With the sound of melting snow dripping endlessly throughout the day as the sun shined brightly we headed south of Steamboat on Hwy 131 and then along Hwy 134 to Gore Pass. Many of you will remember our camping trip, the dead zone, the colorful autumn photographs of aspens, and our many hunting trips on Gore Mountain. I think I’ve hiked every inch of the area especially during bow hunting season. It is one of our favorite ‘getaway’ spots consisting of woods, nature, wildlife, and serene peacefulness.
In the higher elevation on Gore Mountain, not much dripping was going on. But one thing was for sure, you’d better have your sunglasses on because it was starkly white, enough for your eyes to tear up just looking across the valley of snow.
Gazing across the wide expanse, my eyes locked on the Flat Tops. Many of you may remember my many articles about the Flat Tops Wilderness and my goal to hike to the top this summer. I had a small taste of the Flat Tops last summer, but Dalton assured me that I was not ready for this journey. During the long winter months, I fear that once again I may not be ready with all the inactivity that comes with being snowbound.
While many enjoyed skiing the slopes of Mt. Werner, my courage and tenacity did not carry me through to be brave enough to tackle strapping on skies and sliding down the side of a mountain. Well, okay, to be truthful after watching Dalton with his buddies as they attempted to teach him to ski, and this was just around the house, and then eyeballing his stooped over demeanor during the next week, listening to his moans and groans, just kind of kept me from going through the same consequences.
Although I did try snowshoeing and really enjoyed the outdoor activity, for me, a southerner by birth, I found just walking on ice and snow a challenge without the snowshoes. Much to Dalton’s disappointment, I did not help chop wood, build fires in the woodstove, nor did I learn how to operate the snowblower. I did learn, however, the best spot in the living room to feel the heat of the woodstove, how to bellow loudly whenever the embers burned too low for my comfort, and the best of all….the first to holler that it was snowing again.
Awww….our first winter in Steamboat!
So, now as I once again feast my eyes on the Flat Tops Wilderness, I again remember my personal challenge. As I sit here writing this article, listening to the dripping of melting snow, seeing patches of bare ground, the taste, sights, and sounds of the wilderness call to me. Soon the grass will return, the awesome wildflowers I love to photograph will spring forward as I once again stuff my bare essentials (and my vanilla iced coffee) into my backpack as I strap on my hiking boots and explore Colorado.
True…the snow may as yet not be over and this may be a good case of Spring Fever, but sure as the sun rises everyday and the moon follows, I will conquer the Flat Tops.
Until then….happy skiing for you!
Topics: "Laugh or Cry", Colorado | 3 Comments »
Do YOU Remember???
By PK | March 2, 2009
Someone asked the other day, ‘What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?’
‘We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up,’ I informed him. ‘All the food was slow.’
‘C’mon, seriously. Where did you eat?’
‘It was a place called ‘at home,” I explained!
‘Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn’t like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.’
Topics: "Laugh or Cry" | 1 Comment »
Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
By PK | February 14, 2009
I can say one thing about Steamboatians…they sure know how to have fun in the middle of winter. Attending the Winter Carnival in Steamboat is sure to bring a smile to your face as you watch the many outdoor activities involving downhill skiers, children on skis being pulled by horses, obstacle courses for tykes on skis and many other contests.
Topics: Steamboat Springs | 3 Comments »
Herds of Elk, Moffat County, Colorado
By PK | January 31, 2009
Craig, Colorado and surrounding Moffat County is winter range for the herds of elk that summer on the Flat Top Wilderness. I’ve waited a long time since moving to Colorado to see the large herds of elk that hiberate on the local ranches south of Craig.
It was early December when Dalton and I began seeing an occasional elk, and by early January the herds were visible from county roads near Hwy 13, south of Craig.
Topics: Colorado | 3 Comments »
Cedar Mountain, Craig, Colorado
By PK | January 24, 2009
Cedar Mountain is a prominent landmark located five miles northwest of Craig, Colorado. The mountain encompasses an 880-acre block of public land and represents a significant resource due to its suitability for communication facilities and proximity to the community of Craig. Cedar Mountain has an elevation of 6,500 feet, and rises 1,000 feet above the Yampa Valley providing panoramic views. Because of Cedar Mountains isolation from similar terrain, the horseshoe-shaped rim provides a vantage point which offers a superior view of the surrounding countryside. Cedar Mountain offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities year round. Additionally, Cedar Mountain’s natural qualities provide opportunities to experience isolation and solitude just a few miles from Craig.
Looking out from the lower regions of Cedar Mountain
Topics: Colorado, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Butcher Knife Canyon and Trail, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
By PK | January 19, 2009
We recently moved back to Steamboat and now feel in the heart of things. The first place Dalton and I wanted to explore is the Butcher Knife Canyon and Trail located directly behind our house. It was a plus to renting this property as we both like to hike even in the winter. So, we borrowed Vinnie and off we went.
I don’t know who is more anxious to get going….Vinnie or Dalton.
Topics: Steamboat Springs | 1 Comment »
