The last Party

(While I am still being truthful I must admit that I have made it as far as Ft. Worth, Texas.  I drove out of the rain just east of Amarillo and thought it was over--until last night.  For the last 12 hours it has been raining with no letup.  My sister, Mary is now saying I am Typhoon Toni because everywhere I go it rains and floods.  Enough already!)


Before taking Jim to the airport to fly back to Hilo to be with Mary, we made one additional visit with some  more  old musician buddies of his.


It was another great jam session with music I would have paid to hear.


There were a few 'young ones' sitting in with the old pros and it was really nice to see the way the beginners were mentored.  No criticism, no teasing-- just occasional  pointers and lots of encouragement.


I have a theory--that if schools focused more on music and not so much on competitive sports; and not so much on big bands but on small groups and individuals,  original compositions, and creativity; we would have a much healthier society.


There was no competition here--only a sharing of stories and original songs, lots of old favorites  and praise for the newcomers. Young Sean's rendition of 'Bo Jangles' was so wonderful it gave me goose bumps.

A gift was given to Jim as a 'going-away' surprise...  

I don't know how to describe it but would welcome his telling us in the comments--if he is so inclined.  

 

  We said goodbye to the friends and Jim's son, Sean after a lovely afternoon and drove away from Loveland.

(A week later the town was underwater.  I don't know how many of these friends that Jim has talked to since then but I sincerely hope they are all well.)
 

Jim's friends--the 'Mountain Folk'

This is the hardest of all postings.  This idyllic place, the people that lived here and this way of life may be changed forever.


Jim and I were going to a party deep into Buckhorn Canyon.  

Along the way we made several stops to visit some of his friends...

   

This couple had already left for the party but I couldn't resist taking pictures of their 150 year old log cabin, tucked back off the road...

and complete with a 'root cellar'.

Jim informed me that the barbed wire was often used on the windows to keep the bears out of the cabin. Yes, the curtains are a pair of Levis.



Further down the road was stop number 2-- also an old and still very functional mountain cabin...

 complete with very friendly mountain men.



When old friends get together there is always a lot to discuss...


from politics....

 

  to what's happening to the mountains since the forest fires came through.  There was some discussion about what the rains might bring.... 

 

 and clouds were gathering but today was the Annual  Buckhorn Canyon Yacht Club Party!

Everyone would be there--including the dogs!



Costumes were in order and there was an official greeter at the door--with a serious water gun.  After all, riff raff had to be kept out.

Few got in unscathed....



and a few welcomed the liquid greeting.



Jim and I found the backdoor which led away from the water gun and right to the food....



The dogs greeted each other as exuberantly as their human counterparts.



The stories grew larger and more colorful as the afternoon progressed...



And I could tell these friends had known each other for upwards of 40 and 50 years.



The highlight of the afternoon was when the musicians pulled out their various instruments and began to serenade us....



and we are not talking amateur wannabes.



These guys--and gals--were good.  And 'back in the day' a fair number of them had been professionals.



Even Jerry Garcia was spotted in the crowd.

 

This fella made his banjo (?) from the local trees--there were six different trees in this instrument and he was justly proud.  Besides that he could really play it.



I felt truly privileged to have been invited to this affair.



And, even though much has been lost, I am sure these friends will find a way to make this party happen again.



Nobody could guess that this would all change in no more than a weeks time.



It was such a perfect day that I found the hammock, and as I lay there looking out over the mountain I couldn't help but think what a pleasant life this was.

The Masonville Mercantile Store

I spoke to sister, Mary, last night and learned that this unusual store located between Big Thompson Canyon and Buckhorn Canyon has actually survived the flood and is being used as an 'evacuation center'.


Masonville Mercantile
A Want and Wish Store
Est 1896


The owners are 'Collectors Extraordinaire'.
The above is part of an old jailhouse....


And when you peek in through the bars you find....




But going through the front door is another experience altogether.


I failed to get their names but one of the ladies above is part of the husband/wife team that own the store and the other is related.  And they are just as cheerful,  friendly and vivacious as they appear in the photo.


The store is really an array of 'collections' like few others I've seen.  This is a collection of old goggles.


And a collection of Red and Purple accessories that are the favorite of the ladies from the 'Purple Hat Society'.  

Of course there is the 'Elvis Collection' and the 'Judy Garland Collection' plus dozens more.

The vintage clothes collection is so vast and beautiful that it is popularly used for 'Period Wedding Attire'.  I thought what fun a wedding, done all in 1920s fashion would be.  The ladies were putting one together that very day.

Hubby's collections were all outside. 

Statues and replicas and interesting authentic stuff. 

 

 

Jim and I were heading for a party up in Buckhorn Canyon so we had to push on....

But the owner agreed to 'make my day' and pose for a picture...

I was so relieved to hear that this place survived and was able to help the neighbors.
    From the pictures I have seen on line there is little left in the surrounding areas.  The road from Drake through the canyon, the bridges we crossed, the RV place I stayed and the communities of Estes Park and Drake and many others are gone, marooned or under water.  The road to Jim's property on storm mountain has washed out in many places and his neighbor's that have not gotten out are stranded.  Rescue efforts are underway with helicopters but decisions have to be made.  Leave homes plus horses, dogs, farm animals to starve through the winter, or stay behind and be cut off from everything.  These are hardy people but this is a test of endurance that is beyond comprehension. Hattie's Blog made the observation that this is 'Colorado's New Orleans'. How true.