BLIND DATE
Chapter II (1960-70)
Denver and a Blind Date
First years in Denver
House in Lakewood with 57 Plymouth
Loveland Basin became our favorite ski area. One drives Eisenhower tunnel now
Common snow depth in those days
While working in Grand Junction, I commonly rode both the 3000 and 5000 series engines
The original ski train to Winter Park
Lineman's basic gear included high-topped boots, hooks, climbing belt, long sleeved shirt, and sturdy gloves with long cuffs. The tie and beret were before my time, but we never wore hard hats either. He, as did we, climbed the pole before belting in. I earned $2.43 an hour as a lineman. Not bad for 1965
Building the Bennington Cabin at Boulder Creek
Sister Ann de-barking a lodge pole pine
Brother John in charge of the outhouse
Completed cabin, late autumn
Although we used the cabin periodically for three decades, we never brought in power or water. Nights required the use of kerosene lanterns or Coleman carbon-mantle lanterns that produced lots of light but hissed while in use
Elk calf, early spring
Fox my father found as a kit. Given to Sonoran Desert Museum
Boulder creek trail leads to Boulder Lake
The first bench behind and above the cabin is a beautiful setting with an active beaver pond
Magnificent fall aspens
A blind date brings us together for life
Joyce's senior year photo. I wish it had been in color to see those phenomenal green eyes. But her lovely smile speaks to what's behind the picture: an exceptionally sweet, gentle girl that attracted me to her like a magnet
March 1,1966 Bill and Joyce marry in Boulder
Mamas & Papas Monday, Monday #1
Beatles last concert tour
Race riot in Atlanta
Price of gas: 32c/gal
Joyce's High School prom. The formal photograph required of the parents
Our 1960 Dodge Dart
Momma's precious little Holli
Grandma's new little grandaughter
Daddy's little girl
Fishing with mom on the Fraser River
A little girl and her buddy
How to capture the beauty of a child
On Pensa-bean-ya street with her "noopy"
In a pensive mood, a lovely young woman
My much-loved Metro State College
One of MSC's first buildings where I spent 31/2 wonderful years
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It looks impressive, but at the time I was clueless as to what was on the board
Joyce's family cabin was in Fraser, just north of Winter Park off Hwy 40. Hwy 40 climbed Berthoud Pass north of Interstate 70. The Bennington cabin was north of Dillon on Hwy 9. On a map they are on the same latitude only about 30 miles apart. Our cabin was inaccessible in winter, but Joyce's was less than a quarter mile in from the road, completely hidden, and readily accessible.
The Fraser saw mill is across the highway with Byer's Peak looming in the background. Below is the Fraser River. The cabin is in the grove of trees above the river
Her cabin was on a small lot, just north of Fraser near the shore of Fraser River on a 99-year lease (acquired 70 years ago)
The cabin had power but their first source of water was a well (Joyce's sister and her girls). The cabin eventually enjoyed city water and sewer allowing me to install a full sized water heater
A truly charming and decidedly functional fixture was the "Home Comfort" six-lid wood-burning stove. The wood box was to the right. It worked exceedingly well. I once baked a rhubarb pie from scratch in this oven; after several rotations it came out perfect!
Fraser certainly got its share of snow in those days
This photo was taken off Berthoud Pass on the way to Winter Park
Pretty much speaks for itself
Cross country skiing was just an open gate away
Mom and the snow kid (in the days of double-laced, leather ski boots)
A walk with mom and grandma
Skiing at nearby Winter Park
Cold? What cold?
1970, heading for Cheney Washington. Our first "adventure in moving"
We had to leave our home on Pensa-bean-ya street. It is now a parking lot
First of eight future "adventures"
Holli cleaning the Opel for travel
The last effort I made before leaving Denver was to write my first published letter-to-the-editor to my favorite newspaper, the Denver Post. In it I begged my fellow citizens not to "Californicate Colorado" (a bumper sticker popular at the time) as it is already being loved to death. The sentiment, sadly, couldn't buck the headwinds.
We now leave Denver for Cheney, Washington, as our journey together truly begins. We won't be back for 10 years