Next weekend will be in Maybell, CO for a
family gathering. The excuse is the annual Sombrero Horse Drive, aka, sneering
at dudes with too much disposable income.
Much of our extended family history
centers around Maybell, CO and Moffat County. My late father was born down the
road in Sunbeam, and his home of record when he was drafted was Skull Creek,
CO. He was living outside Maybell when he died in his sleep, age 64.
Plan to take off later in the week. The
Ute Indian tribe plan a blessing ceremony in the Sand Wash Basin NNE of Maybell
where large herds of feral horses roam. My sister wants to attend. Starts at 0530
Sunday morning. Yikes! Since their forefathers and ours were busy
killing each other some 100+ years ago, it may be a surreal experience. They
may, or may not, hold a ceremony in the Maybell Park.
We will go out to the old homestead and
visit the family cemetery.
A
wildfire burned it last fall and the carefully torn down cabin was lost. The fire
missed the cemetery area.
The hillside dugout was completely gutted as was the
old outhouse.
Whenever I pass the Rabbit Ears headed
west on US 40 and into the Yampa River basin, I start to feel at home like no
other place I’ve ever been. And I’ve been everywhere.
For an idea of the area, go to the link
and start the video.
Depending on several factors, weather,
roads, mud, commitments, etc. may take a day or two and drive via Irish Canyon
to an area in Wyoming called Adobe Town in the Red Desert. This may be my best weather window to
see the area.
My sister likes to beat on me about “over
thinking”. In truth I like my maps,
plans, check lists and attention to the 6 P’s principal. Let me echo her recent
Facebook posting.
Next week is a sit down with my current
employer. Several changes have occurred or are forecasted. My route co-driver
for the past three years quit. Fed up with problems being ignored. Depending on
how the sit down goes, I may join him.
There will probably be a post or two
before the trip, or not. Seem to have caught Old AFSarge’s AWOL muse.
13 comments:
It sounds like a grand outing. I hope that you'll refrain from reenacting the defeat of the Utes or they'll refrain from scalping all of the pale faces there at the ghost dance. There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unaltered to see how you have changed.
Enjoy the time with family, and that video is impressive!
When I was a wee tyke but old enough to understand "grown up" talk I listened to old timers who fought the Utes. Made me realize I was lucky my forebears, between the Indians and the unpleasantness between the states, lived long enough to reproduce.
It is country you can stay lost for months.
When the Americans killed off the buffalo, it was the beginning of the end for them. Sure, there were subsequent wars and farm houses were raided, but between firewater, the demise of the buffalo, barbed wire, the arrival of the iron horse with LOTS of pilgrims and European disease that made its way to the Americas, they were well and truly screwed. It became a matter of time and attrition.
All very true. Here is the "but". Authors like Frank Joseph have written about advanced civilizations in North America that rose and fell. The inheritors of these civilizations let the lessons be lost and preferred to be subsistence tribes with no center. When they were confronted with organized and cohesive interlopers they couldn't get their shit together, IMO.
Took a bit of googling the maps, but yeah...I'd say that's really "out in the sticks.
My sister was using a map program this morning showing Maybell to Adobe Town as 104 miles, 3 hrs 22 min projected driving time.
Being a youngun of the era of western movies and books, I would love to travel and see all that you lived. From my brief travels through CO and neighboring states, I love the scenery. Enjoy the family and visit all you can while you still can.
Every year I know some in attendance won't be with us next year. Each year the younger generation increases. Now have great grand nieces and nephews.
Fun! It has been years since I have been to Maybell. Got introduced to it in college. I might have been a little trashed most of the visit.
Enjoy your family time! Yeehaw! Should be fun had by all.
Being trashed in Maybell isn't unusual.
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