Month: June 2016

You already know that I’m curious. So, you wont be surprised to know that it was curiosity that first took me to Chugwater, Wyoming.

Following up on an invitation to visit some friends in Sheridan, I got hungry and started looking for a place to eat. As luck would have it, the next sign I saw read, Chugwater. Naturally, a name like that was cheese on a trap for me. I turned up the road and found myself in the smallest, most desolate place I’d ever been.

It wasnt completely deserted. There were a few local businesses still open, including the Chugwater Chili facility, and the Chugwater Soda Fountain (Beer – Liquor – Gifts). I decided to drop into the latter and see what I might find for lunch.

Inside, the Chugwater Soda Fountain is much as you might expect. You enter into an open room, with a few small tables. To the right is a long wooden bar, with several tall stools. Behind the bar is a very large wall mirror. At its base sits a selection of mixers, just like you’ve seen in a thousand old movies. That day, I did not get a soda. Instead, I opted for a BLT and iced tea.

In the time since that visit, Chugwater hasnt changed, as far as I can tell.

My most recent trip had me staying longer. I went up purposely, to enjoy the annual Chugwater Chili Cook Off. I’d seen it online, promising lots of food, live music, and vendors of all kinds. It sounded like the kind of thing that readers might enjoy.

The park was full when I arrived, early in the afternoon. People were making the rounds to see the vendors’ wares. Kids ran everywhere, and there was, indeed, plenty of food. Since it was a Chili Cook Off, I decided to have a chili dog from Hot Dogs, Etc.* Great choice!

The Cook Off is the biggest event on Chugwater’s calendar. It draws hundreds of people from surrounding towns, for a chance to meet up with neighbors and friends. The lone city park fills up with vendors, musicians, visitors and townsfolk, ready for a good time. Vendors’ tents brim with baubles of all sorts, from locally made jewelry to handmade bags, scarves, and even Yard Yahtzee. (Sorry. No photo.)

This year, music was provided by a tight little southern rock band, named Southern Fryed. They served it up hot and sweet, which was the perfect vibe for a summer afternoon, in the shade.

In all, it was a very good day. Stay tuned for more about the area around Chugwater, and for interviews with some of the people I met there. You know my motto: Everyone is a story, developing day by day. Here are Dick and Tina Willis. More about them to come.

The Art Students League of Denver is an independent art school, serving the Colorado community since the 1980s. Every year, it hosts an art market that covers several blocks. It not only includes art, produced by local artists, there’s music and food, as well. It’s a street festival, to celebrate creativity.

As I sit here, now, I realize that I didnt approach this “assignment” as I should have. I got all wrapped up in people watching, and conversing with my artist friends, and I completely forgot to think about you, and what you might be interested in.

The League resides in an old, sandstone schoolhouse, designed by Henry Dozier, and has for many years. Classes are taught by well known artists, like Kim English, Doug Dawson, and Molly Davis. I could have done a few shots of the building, at the very least.

Across the street from the League, as a community garden, which is indicative of the Denver vibe. People like to work together here.

Honestly, I was too passive about things. There was ample opportunity to shoot some of this wonderful art. I talked with Ed Sirokman, Michael Untiedt, Pixie Glore, both Tracy Wall and Tracy Haines, and others. Some artists were busy with clients, or away from their booths, but truthfully, I just didnt ask.

I did pick up a nice little mug, which I immediately knew was my new Wine Mug. The artist is Karen Lecocq Bailey. She had lots of nice work available. Karen works out of Dillon, Colorado. If you’d like to contact her about her work, you can email her at kgirlbailey@yaoo.com

So, consider it a learning experience. I’ll know better next time. In the meanwhile, here are some photos that I did. They dont tell much of a story, but they’re here, nonetheless.