MORE STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

I have many recollections of events but I still forget many and placing the time is difficult after so many years. A couple of things I neglected involve my personal habits and my relationship with family. When growing up I never drank alcohol or smoked tobacco (or chewed). I learned these habits as I grew older. Smoking came when I joined the Air Force. When in boot camp, if on a break, we were told to light 'em if you have 'em. Otherwise you were cleanup detail. I chose to light up, so started a habit I have since learned to hate. Drinking came as part of a social desire and today we both still enjoy a cocktail at 5! I love red wine and am particularly fond of Chianti and other Italian red wines, so if a gift is in order I am easy(hint, hint).

In December of 1969 we were in Steamboat Springs for Ellen's brother Mike's wedding. We were staying at the cottages when Ellen's mom woke us up with bad news. It seems Ellen's brother Tom was in an accident and was killed instantly. He was 19 years old and had just been ordered to appear for the draft. Ellen's mom and dad agreed to the wedding even though in mourning so we went to a wedding and a funeral all in the same week. Our son Tony was the ring bearer. The funeral was at Holy Name Catholic Church in Steamboat Springs.

After we located to Steamboat, we both tried to supplement our income with outside jobs. I loved golf and was lucky to get a job in the pro shop at the Steamboat Golf Club. I was the second employee. The fellow who ran the course liked me and we became good friends. Often he and I would play late in the evening and made our own design. It was and is a small 9 hole course, that can be very demanding. As part of my employment I was given a membership so played there often. My friend Milt (bicycle king) had started selling Mopeds (powered pedal). They were designed to go as fast as 35mph (at least on flat ground). I thought it would be a grand idea for my job at the golf course. Well, it is quite cold at 6am in Routt County, which is when I had to open and the highway at that time had NO shoulder; and it seems it is uphill at least half the distance. I kept the moped for one season and sold it to a local school teacher. I'm not sure how she used it as it was not a practical vehicle for winter!

Summers were great for golf but I still needed some winter income. I knew two high school English teachers, one in Steamboat Springs and one in Oak Creek, so I started grading homework papers for them. It didn't pay much but it was entertaining. I know I did that for 2 years, maybe more.

When the course changed management I decided not to work there any more and found a job at the Steamboat Pilot, the local newspaper. I was one of two proofreaders and I found out that my job was difficult to keep. The reason revolved around the other proofreader. It seems she liked to talk while working which I assume was difficult for other readers. I had the ability to simply shut her while working and she and I got along great.

Ellen worked at the telephone office (right across the street and later at the local laundry service. We both did this while working a motel and taking care of 4 children (in fairness Renee was almost grown).

Our 3 younger children thrived in Steamboat Springs. They spent a lot of time with cousins, who just happened to be close to the cemetery. Let's just say Ellen received lots of flowers (not from me). We bought a small play house which we assembled between the big house and little house in the summer, so they had a great place to play. We bought Julie a small bicycle to learn to ride. I don't think she ever learned how to brake so she would go round and round and then simply jump off (or crash). I know Renee was unhappy we moved from California. I felt bad for her but I still think it was the right thing to do. She sang in the choir at school and I heard her perform more that once. She has a lovely soprano voice and was and is a natural. She was blessed with good looks and a great personality and was homecoming queen her senior year. I walked with her across the field and a more proud father there is not!

My goodness I have so many memories of this time. I will post more later. I'll add photos later as I am not home to I write this chapter!


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