We are loving these bright, sunny mornings and the cool clouds that have been gathering in the afternoon these past couple of weeks or so.
It turns out that we have received a good rain about once a week after the weekends. How perfect! Yesterday (the 25th) it was a kind of a gully-washer up on Barlow, and down here our weather friend, Duane Holt, measured 0.64 of an inch, which means that just maybe we will not suffer a double-sized water bill this month. We always plan on overdoing on the water during the dry spell that occurs usually around late May or early June. Whatever, it is all worth the effort to add to the beauty of the earth. Total precipitation for July through the 26th is 3.15 inches — unofficially, we might add.
We were saddened by the passing of Allen Lee on July 15. He is survived by his lovely wife Nancy, whom I had seen not too long ago. I remember meeting him at the Galloping Goose Museum in Dolores years ago on one of the days that he volunteered to do his duty there. Also, before he experienced oncoming ill health, he and Nancy made the journey up here and joined us in celebrating Ken’s 80th birthday! I need to mention that Allen’s father was the famous Hartley Lee, who, as a columnist, wrote his Rico column “Hart’s Stuff” for years. He really did become famous. A peak was named for him east of Rico up in the Blackhawk peak area and is known as Hart’s Peak. There is a stone pyramid about 5 or 6 feet tall with a sight set in cement pointing exactly at Hart’s Peak. What a fine honor to bestow on him. I mentioned our sadness at losing Allen, and here I am getting off of the subject and talking about his father.
Allen was what they call “a chip off of the old block.” A fine compliment!
Patrick Curran’s “fireside chat” about Rico goings-on in his new book — hot off of the press — at the hotel last week was well worth attending. Longtime Rico-ites such as Jim Starks, Glen and Louise Baer, Ginger Hinton and others relived the true hardships during the 1950s and ’60s, having to do with the acid plant and the horrible heat one had to endure to process the pyrite, which eventually became sulfuric acid as you all know. Patrick’s book, “Acid Reign and the Rise of the Eco-Outlaws,” features many hints of the real characters Mr. Curran is writing about in his story.
We are hearing reports that there have been sightings of black bears in our area, and that is probably not unusual. We have been relatively free of problems with our trash receptacles being bounced on. The bear-proof idea does work. Todd Jones was up on Bemis, repairing fence around his pasture one day when he watched a 300- to 400-pound black bear come into the pasture. The horses went bananas and actually made that bear take off for other pastures! Believe it or not, it is a true story. Hmmm.
Here is another exciting bit of a true sighting. Judy and Duane Holt drove up to the top of Barlow on the 25th. The lightning and thunder and downpour of rain was much heavier than what was going on down below in Rico. As they were trying to keep the four-wheeler on the slick road headed toward Roaring Fork, they came on two cow elk standing a few yards away. The exciting vision they witnessed was that one cow was an albino, pure white, and the other cow, normal coloring. Now, some people might have already known about this animal, but no one that we know has ever mentioned its existence. Duane hopes to use some technology to enlarge and clarify the pictures they were able to snap; the sky was dark and it was raining heavily. Interesting.
Marlene Hazen has lived in Rico for two decades. An active member of the community, she participates in organizations such as the Rico Women’s Club and Rico Historical Society.