After a night of rain in the San Juan Mountains, water drips from the roof of a rustic log cabin nestled in a picturesque aspen grove.
Inside the historic cabin, builder Steve Wilderson sips coffee and contemplates his work for the day. He also examines the wall made of logs and is taken back in time 80 years ago, wondering if it was his grandfathers hands that crafted the wood.
In the 1930s, the cabin, known as the Aspen Guard Station, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Wildersons grandfather, Charlie, was a part of the CCC. The cabin served as a district office for U.S. Forest Service rangers.
The cabin was restored in 1994, after sitting idle for decades. It now inspires and houses artists throughout the summer months if they are lucky enough to be chosen for the artist-in-residence program.
Wilderson, his wife Pam and 7-year-old daughter Nayana are at the cabin for a week while Steve makes minor repairs and restorations needed since his grandfather and the CCC built it.
Its kind of neat to come back and work on it, Steve Wilderson says.
As carpenter-in-residence for the week, this is Steves third time at the cabin. He has a list of projects to work on, including some work in the kitchen, stabilizing the chimney on the roof and evaluating the irony of some damage done by carpenter ants.
Any work has to be approved by an archaeologist who helps make sure the cabin stays in its original condition.
Steve didnt find out his grandfather helped build the guard station until Ann Bond, public affairs specialist for San Juan Public Lands Center, first asked him to come to the cabin and install skylights. His grandmother then told him that his now deceased grandfather helped build it. It is believed his grandfather may have been a foreman on the project. More information on his grandfathers work remains in the past.
I wish I knew more about it, Steve says.
Steves grandparents lived in the Summit Ridge area most of their lives, and he remembers coming to the area from Kansas every summer to visit them. He said he was close to his grandfather, who remained a carpenter and builder after his work was finished in the CCC. Steve didnt necessarily become a builder because his grandfather was one, but he said that could have been a factor.
Maybe its genetically in me. I dont know, he says with a laugh.
Wilderson is president of the Four Corners Builders Association.
Its really great to have this continuum of family efforts, Pam Wilderson says.
And the whole family does participate. Besides enjoying the beautiful setting and peace and quiet, Pam likes to help organize cabinets and bookshelves in the cabin. Daughter Nayana seems destined to become a future artist-in-residence. She sits at the drawing table with a piece of paper and pencil, and concentrates on her sketch of the redheaded woodpecker thats rap, tap, tapping on the tree right outside the window.
I love to draw! Im a really good artist, Nayana says, noting that her favorite things to draw are hearts and flowers, angel heads, and peace signs and stuff.
Last year, Steves father, Charles came to stay in the cabin with Steve and his family. He had looked at the cabin from the road, but had never stayed inside. Steves brother also planned to stay at the cabin during the week they were there.
It would have been neat to be here and see (my grandfather), Steve says. Back then it was all by hand, so it would have been neat to see him up here doing that. Its pretty amazing craftsmanship really.
Reach Paula Bostrom at paulab@cortezjournal.com.
