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Holiday Nostalgia …

November 18, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

Waxing Holidays Past

Bear with me … today is one of those days … one of those days filled with a bit more verbosity and a lot more sensitivity as I reflect on Holidays Past …  holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.  Up this morning about 6 AM, armed with sturdy walking shoes, warm jacket, gloves and hat I vigorously attacked  one of the neighborhood hills. The air was a crisp thirty something, the sun was just beginning to warm the tips of still colorful trees and for the most part the world was mine.

Returning home, I declared this day the day to open my iTunes Playlist  … simply entitled Christmas, set it to shuffle, grab a cup of rich coffee and begin the annual immersion into Holiday anticipation. Little did I expect my mind to wander the path of Holidays Past.

When I was growing up and when our kids were growing up, the Christmas tree was always a big … err … big event.  With a 22 foot ceiling height in the entry, a huge pine tree cut from family property was an adventure to harvest, tie on the car top, raise and decorate hopefully with no loss of limb … human or evergreen.  In addition to the tree, we always had Santa stop by for a visit … on one occasion Santa even sat in the lap of our own Family Santa, Dalton Dailey.

This is a post in which I could expend hours and pages but WordPress and your generous patience dictate otherwise.  Guess you’ll need to read the book someday.  However to wrap up I’ll list a few other memories of Holidays Past:

Midnight Mass at the Cathedral with my parents, Open House on Sunday at Dailey’s Gift Center kicking off the shopping season (this was during the era of Blue Laws and my dad just let people shop and buy later), putting up a Christmas tree at home then taking it down and strapping it to the van top as we headed for Colorado (the kids made decorations during the trip), Thanksgiving meals at Mom’s, Christmas meals at Mom’s, New Year meals at Mom’s, as a child coming down on Christmas morning and seeing the tree and presents, finding a place to celebrate New Years Eve while traveling, Ski trips with our family and the Goodin family during the holidays (ten of us in a van that JC called the “Van Trapped Family“), making Gingerbread houses, snow in Arkansas on Christmas, New Years Day Swearing In Ceremonies, disguising gifts to Patti, last minute shopping Christmas Eve at Dailey’s and doing art work on brown wrapping paper … I think you’ve got the idea.  This is a very special time of year… a time to be thankful, to remember family and friends, to be grateful for this nation and those who fight to protect our freedom … Thank God I am an American  and if you’ve read this far, thank you too.

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Richland Creek in the Fall and Sandstone Castles

November 11, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

The trail is easy … just follow the old road … at least that’s what the trails book indicated.  Well, “easy” it was not.  The old road has fully returned to nature … small saplings, tangles of shirt shredding briars, piles of downed ice storm branches, trees and logs to be navigated around, stepped over or crawled under.  In two hours of bushwhacking we had covered only six tenths of a mile.  At this pace we feared there might not be sufficient time to continue to Sandstone Castles and return to the car before dark.

Fortunately, in just over another half mile, the trail opened up, we made much better time and … WOW, all our efforts were rewarded with our first successful visit to Sandstone Castles.

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The entire Richland Creek Wilderness area is awesome but I believe we may have found a place almost as spectacular as Twin Falls.  Plus, this can be appreciated whether the creeks are flowing or not.

Located high on Big Ridge at over 2000′ this bluff line is a nature photographer’s treasure trove. There are  cavernous rooms large enough to shelter a Boy Scout Troop of campers.  There are connecting passageways, naturally carved windows overlooking the Richland Valley, and numerous natural bridges, massive columns and hundreds of yards of etched bluff lines.

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Fortunately on the return hike to our car, we found a trail which took us unintentionally across private land.  On my next trip to Sandstone Castles, I plan to seek permission to use this alternate route.  If not, it may be back to briars, brambles, branches and a slow pace.  Regardless, this is one Ozark find, away from the crowds, worth visiting again.
       

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Ken Bailey … the ultimate Harrison, Arkansas Volunteer

October 31, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

In my most recent blog entry I recognized Dave and Jeanette Fitton as local heroes.  Below in his own words is a tribute by Dave recognizing another hero from Harrison, Arkansas.

The Ultimate Volunteer … Ken Bailey

Ken is one of those rare individuals that seeks out community needs, identifies solutions and then puts those solutions into action through his own efforts.

In 1996 The Historic Lyric Theater was in need of rescuing. It had been an operating movie theater from 1929 – 1976 but had remained fairly dormant for the better part of 20 years. During that time it had fallen into a state of considerable disrepair. Ken was one of the founders of the Ozark Arts Council with the Mission to enrich lives by promoting the arts in Harrison and North Arkansas through exhibitions, performances, and education. Ken headed up the drive to raise money to purchase the Lyric and completely renovate this historic treasure.  In addition, he served as the initial Executive Director of the Council without pay for several years. Today the restored Lyric serves as the venue for 6 – 8 community produced & directed plays, the Ozark Children’s Choir, concerts, children’s’ workshops, films and other special events.

As if that was not enough for hero designation, Ken’s most recent community project has been the establishment of Harrison’s first homeless shelter, The House of Hope.  Again, Ken has been the primary catalyst behind the successful opening of this facility. He was able to secure a city owned building and headed up a successful fund raising effort to equip and operate The House of Hope. He currently serves as director on a volunteer basis.

The House of Hope provides showers, laundry facilities, two wholesome meals per day, internet access, job search/contact assistance and transportation for Harrison’s homeless population. This is why I proudly join Dave and Jeanette in congratulating and thanking …

The Ultimate Harrison Volunteer … Ken Bailey … our man from Art to Heart.

Note from lastpairofboots:  Don’t miss a visit to the Lyric Theater … a walk down history’s lane.

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Dave and Jeanette Fitton … Community Heroes

October 21, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

In a previous blog entry, I wrote about the importance of downtowns.  Important because they represent the community heart.  Important because they usually reflect the history, the architecture, the “sense of place”, the place where people come together. Important as well as a center of Commerce and Trade.

Harrison has a long history as a regional trade center drawing from as far away as 50 miles.  Over the past 15 – 20 years It has lost some of that energy due to the growth in Fayetteville area and the huge retail development and tourist industry growth in Branson, Missouri. Harrison was losing ground, was on a downward spiral and the future was looking pretty bleak. Well, “enough of that” became the battle cry from a few motivated, energetic folks who decided “to do something about it.”

From a few… now many… the leaders, businesses and citizens of Harrison have come together and are reversing the trend.  They have formed a group called CORE with committees, weekly and monthly meetings, specific action steps to improve, revitalize and build for the future. They are now capitalizing on the obvious proximity of our nation’s first National River … The Buffalo National River … and are promoting Harrison as “The Gateway to the Buffalo”.

To my earlier point about the importance of downtowns, this community is successfully bringing new retail business development and entertainment events to the historic downtown square. For my money, “Harrison is coming back”.

How do Dave and Jeanette Fitton get my nod as heroes.  Very simple … not only have they been advocates, not only have they been leaders and organizers but every day, every week, every month they have been the glue that has held this movement together.  There are bigger names involved, but no one has done more to stay consistently engaged, to send the reminders, to publish the minutes, to follow up than this couple.

Harrison is on the move once again thanks to a bunch of people but my choice for the hero designation goes to:

Dave and Jeanette Fitton of Harrison Arkansas

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Hiking Wyoming: Tetons, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone

October 8, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

In a previous blog I alluded to the annual hiking trip I and three other guys take to one of the National Parks.This year from September 27 to October 2 we ascended and descended in and about Teton National Park and Yellowsone National Park with our base in Jackson Hole.

This post may be more pictoral than written because there is virtually no way to describe the incredible beauty and majesty of the Teton Mountains, the uniqueness of Yellowsone Geysers in our first National Park and the attractions of the Historic downtown and square in Jackson, Wyoming.

First the Tetons … and were we ever treated to beautiful weather:

Hiking the Summit:

And then there is the unmatchable Yellowstone with its upper and lower falls and the iconic OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER:

OLD FAITHFUL

And then, there were the … well …  kleidoscopic colors at their peak:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Annual Guy’s Hiking Trip

September 23, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

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Okay, so this is not my hiking foursome.  The truth is I am so excited about leaving later this week for another adventure … hiking in one of America’s incredible national parks, I simply had to inject a bit of levity.  Two years ago we did hike in Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks and I took this photo of a  photo hanging in the park’s lodge.  It certainly gives one the sense of the size of these monsters.

During the past ten years we have hiked, camped and backpacked in Yellowstone, Smokey Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and this year we are heading for the majestic Grand Tetons. In addition to two or three days in the Tetons, we will spend one day sightseeing and hiking in Yellowstone. I am blessed to have been here before so my anticipation is only surpassed by the memories of this special place in Wyoming.

More actual current day pictures and tales to share when we return.

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Taos to Ocate

September 9, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

Clearly, there’s something alien,mystical, maybe even spiritual about New Mexico.  Patti and I love to spend a day or two in Santa Fe or Taos either before or after our annual Summer pilgrimage to Colorado.  Taos though has become the favorite stop. It’s smaller, more manageable for a short trip, has the history (Kit Carson was born here), the culture, the Art galleries, great restaurants, the Southwest Native American Pueblo architecture, cool dry air surrounded by mountains and is a pleasant place to stroll the shops on the shaded square.

The architectural design standards are so carefully controlled, even a McDonalds complies by having no sign on the building … merely a small entry sign.

Okay, now on to the Mystical, Alien, Spiritual … and on to Ocate …

The picture below shows one of a community of Earth Houses.  There are probably 30 of these, some very elaborate but all built to be energy efficient, sustainable and from recycled materials.  To me they have an alien but fascinating story.

Upon leaving Taos we took one of those “roads less travelled”, this one a rough, narrow, steep, curvy dirt road to Ocate.  The first sign we saw when the dirt road began shouted in large letters that truckers and those pulling trailers should reconsider this route. However, we continued and it was rough. But we were rewarded with a beautiful drive, almost no traffic and a “make a memory  moment” at Ocate … our waypoint heading Southwest.

There wasn’t much there … the picture below was across the street from a weathered old general store, operated by a weathered 82 year old man (most likely the owner).  On the wall behind the counter was a black and white photo of his wife of some 60 plus years … a strikingly beautiful girl … possibly in her early twenties when the photo was made.

This was and still is life at its simplest … a striking contrast with the wealth of Taos, a place of history none the less and an example of the treasures to be discovered in the lingering spirit of people and memories of days and trails gone by.

A waypoint on Highway 120 … while heading home.

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Frisco, Colorado

September 4, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

Frisco, Colorado has such beauty, such history, such eclectic intrigue.  From the simple craftmanship of hand hammered hinges to its mountain setting at the base of Mount Royal/Mount Victoria, once the home of small mining community destroyed by avalanche in the 1800’s.

This small recreation oriented town is nestled at 9100 feet just 75 miles from Denver and less than 30 minutes from Breckenridge and Vail.  It’s a perfect stepping off point for skiing in the Winter, hiking, biking and boating in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Plus, there is no better choice to experience magnificent sightseeing year round.  It is home to the Blue River, one of the finest trout streams in Colorado, a virtual hotspot for festivals, shopping, dining and quite frankly just a mighty pleasant place to spend time especially when it’s hot in your home.

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Stephan McAteer … a local Government Employee Hero

August 28, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

Stephan McAteer and the MacArthur Military History Museum

Government employees often get a raw deal lumped under the concept that they are paid too much, work too little and care less about the task at hand.  Fortunately this is a perception, not fact … the real facts being,  most government workers do care, work exceptionally hard, are underpaid, love their jobs and do it well.

One of these that has shown his passion for the task, is paid less than he could get elsewhere, is doing a fantastic job and continues to build a museum the citizens of Little Rock can be proud of is Stephan McAteer, Exec Director of the MacArthur Museum of Military History.

In his quiet unassuming way he has built one of the best Military History Museums in Arkansas.  He  has resurrected a decaying historic structure, the Birth Place of General Douglas MacArthur, and through sheer will has returned it to its deserved glory days.  He has reenergized a Board of Commissioners, has lobbied successfully for funding from individuals, the city and the State and has organized significant events  reminding all of us of Arkansans who have served our Country in Military roles.

I have proudly watched this humble committed man keep his energy and passion and vision alive.  Thank you Stephan for a job well done.

Stephan McAteer is one of my Local Heroes.  Stephan, I salute you.

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Street Olympics

August 4, 2012 by Last Pair of Boots

  

It’s virtually impossible for one with a computer, TV, smart phone or for that matter any other means of communication to be unaware of the Summer Olympics.  I too have spent hours incidentally and intentionally following the “race for medals”.

Well, this morning it hit me “square behind the wheel” … most of us experience highway and street olympics every day. No sooner have we pulled into traffic than our personal competitive event begins … a little extra acceleration to beat the yellow light, a quick maneuver to avoid a pothole, an intense focus on the bumper five feet ahead, the personal satisfaction of last second lane changes leaving our most assertive competitor behind.  On the Interstate, we are pitted against the fast, the furious, the slow and the lane hogs.  Thru years of practice we have fine tuned the strategic art of acceleration, deceleration and timing … no way will that slow moving eighteen wheeler pull out to pass and force me to tap the brake.

And what about that kid that camps on “my” bumper when I’m in the left lane … finally risking his life and others to dart across two lanes, zip between cars and then back only to have gained one car length?  My goodness, this is street olympics and every second or portion thereof separates the winner from the also ran.

I must admit I too sometimes find myself in this competitive arena.  Hopefully, just like retiring Olympic Medalist, I’ll find less reason to compete and more reason to be like the old Triumph Stag pictured above … appreciated for my age, my wisdon and for avoiding the scrap heap.

Incidentally, the pictures were taken last year at a Triumph Sports Car Rally in Frisco, Colorado.

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