Month: November 2017

Have you ever looked at the cover photo for this page? There’s a lot going on. It’s just one shot, not a composite, but look at the jumble of folks that are captured there. The obvious focal point is that guy with the rainbow bicycle. On the far left, though, is a group of young people enjoying a song. Then, there’s a guy who looks like Barack Obama, walking away. On the far right, is a guy with a great big smile. It just seems like a really happy moment on 16th Street.

Life is like that, and it’s what VagabondStew is about. It’s a mashup of people and stories, photos and philosophy. I dig getting people involved, and writing about the marvelous things they do.

That’s all. Just some thoughts on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Have a great day. Thanks for reading, sharing, liking and commenting.

~Enjoy the Life you’re living.

Andy was in his early twenties, when we met. It was late spring, and he’d been on the road for three days from Barstow, California. I’d found him standing on a ramp to I-70, outside Denver, with his thumb in the air. Destination: Topeka, Kansas.

“What’s in Topeka?”, I asked. I suppose it shouldn’t have surprised me when he said, “My dream girl.”

Well, what do you know? Love on the blacktop. He showed me a photo, on his phone. She looked to be about his age, brunette, with a round face, dark eyes and pretty smile.

They’d met online, and had been chatting via Skype for a couple of months. After a while, they’d decided that he should make the trip. Of course, they were both broke, so here he was, dirty and hungry, and happy as a fly on a cow patty; two days away from the best thing that had ever happened to him.

When we got to my exit, he got out, smiling. He was a little closer to his Dream Girl. I gave him five bucks and wished that I could be there to see that first real kiss.

I had a really fine weekend. There were no Stew Wagon or homeowner projects, so things were very laid back. I met some remarkable people. Spent time with a couple of friends. Also, a few articles that had been waiting, got read. It’s been a long time since I felt truly relaxed when I went  back to work.

Snow fell on the west side of the Divide, while I was gone. Coming back up, last night, roads were good, until I started up County Road 3, to the Meadow. It was mostly snow packed and icy. The hill down to the meadow was treacherous, so I turned off the Overdrive and did a lot of brake management. Maggie has new snow tires and handled it well. Once I’d got her situated, I stepped out into the wonderful blue powder, enjoying that sound that only fresh, frigid snow makes. I didn’t hurry to do evening preparations (covering windows, stowing loose things), as I wanted to savor the moment. Deer and rabbit tracks crossed the level place, as did some hunter’s boot prints. Surrounding trees wore a new frosting. Looking back, along path of the little stream, the scene was idyllic.  I was again stricken by the marvel that this is where I get to stay.

If I were smart, I’d lie and tell you that it was horrible, and how much I hate this place. After all, the more I say about it, the more people will want to come here. My response to that is that there are lots of national parks and forests. Just get out there and find a place that you love, and enjoy it. I’m blessed to have this place, and to work in such a marvelous setting. If you’d like to join me, the mill is hiring, and there’s a whole forest to pick your spot in.

Once again, thanks for reading, commenting, liking and sharing.

~Enjoy the Life you’re living.

 

Every photographer has them. They’re the ones you didn’t shoot. Things you saw while you were doing something else. Unusual light, falling in an familiar place. People doing amazing things, when you don’t have your camera.  Faces.

This week, there was a young electrician contracted at the mill. She is beautiful, with pale blue eyes, like shadows on snow. The subject of photography came up, and I told her that I’d like to get her in front of my camera. “Yeah. I did that once”, she said, “but didn’t like it.” In another setting, I might have given a little more effort, but a work environment isn’t that place. Although her job here is finished, and I probably wont see her again, my mind holds images of her dirty face and blonde hair, underneath a hard hat, and those blue eyes looking out. I may not have gotten the shot, but I have the Imaginary Photo.

The shot above is of a face painter at a Cinco de Mayo festival, a couple of years ago. She and a partner had set up a small table on the grass, with a money jar. They were doing faces for five dollars each. I was there all day, and their line never stopped. I asked if I could take some photos for my blog, and they gave me permission. This is, I think, the best of the lot.

A couple of things come out of this, for me. First is, there will always be missed opportunities. When they appear, take a moment to click that Imaginary Photo. You’ll be glad for it, later on. Also, if you’re able to shoot, but need to ask, don’t be afraid. Just walk up and do it. Sometimes, you’ll get lucky, like I did with the face painters.

The world is full of beauty. If you keep your eyes open, you’ll see it.

In the meanwhile, thanks for commenting, liking and sharing.

~Enjoy the Life you’re living.

I know that I’ve talked a lot about The Meadow, and some of you may have been curious to see what it looks like. Well, here it is, along with some other shots from around the area.

I did get the Stew Wagon back from the mechanic, last night. Here she is, resting in the snow.

I pass this view, almost every day. It’s always breathtaking, but especially with snow.

I find it humorous that these gals are all clustered down by the road, while a dozen hunters are combing the forest above.

These two shots are of the pond created by a dam that was built as passage for County Road 3. That serpentine structure is the conveyor that spans fifteen miles, ten of it through the mountain, between the mine and the mill.

Finally, here’s a shot that looks roughly west, out of Dillon/Silverthorne, up to some homes on the mountainside.

So, that’s it for today. I hope you’ve enjoyed one or two of these. It’s easy to see why I love living up here

Thanks for liking, joining, and sharing.

~Enjoy the Life you’re living.

This is one of my long weekends, so I turned Maggie over to Colorado Tire and Auto for a check up. With winter coming on, and snow already falling in the high country, I want to be sure she’s in good shape for whatever may come.

Turns out, there were a couple of major things that need to be done now, and some minor things, as well. It’s going to be a bit more expensive than I’d expected, but she’s actually in better shape than I thought. They’ll probably have the work done today, which I couldnt have done, on my own. So, I’ll be able to go into winter, knowing that everything’s good. Maggie’s a strong vehicle, and will be good to me for a long time, if I treat her well.

Y’all have a great day, and as always-

~Enjoy the Life you’re living.