RAINBOW COTTAGES (continued)

The 8 years we owned the cottages were very busy even though a lot slower then the time in Saratoga. We moved with 4 of our children although Renee moved ahead as she said she didn't want to ride with her crazy father! She was not happy about the move to start and didn't feel her reception by "locals" was very nice. I thought she was well received but I was not in her shoes. She graduated from Steamboat Springs high school in 1978 and was beautiful (still is). She had several jobs in town but one in particular do I remember. Our friends, Ron and Lyle Kohler, owned the Rabbit Ears Motel in downtown. We belonged to the Motel Association so spent time with them there plus we all played golf together. Renee was working in housekeeping for a woman named Beth when I received a call from Lyle. She said something to the effect that she would have to let Renee go unless she apologized to the head housekeeper. It seems she told Renee a room wasn't clean enough and Renee would have to do it over. Renee took offense at that and may have called her a few names. Well, anyone who knows Renee knows she is what is known as a "clean freak". I can't imagine any dirt left behind anywhere she cleans. I never got details but I told Lyle to do what she had to do as I wouldn't ask Renee to apologize (she wouldn't have anyway!). Our children are all strong willed  and all are the best employees anyone could have. All are very successful and I think pretty well adjusted so I think Lyle lost a great employee. 

Our son Chris moved to Steamboat Springs after he graduated in 1976. He and Renee have always been close and the spent a great deal of time at a local pub playing pool and drinking beer. The place was a 3-2 beer joint so 18 year old's could drink. One night while doing so a friend of Chris's asked him who that good looking girl was that he was playing pool with. Chris said, that's my sister. His friend said, I'm going to marry her! His name was and is Larry Duran. Their courtship was a little longer than Larry thought. It turns out he is shorter than Renee but VERY dogged in his approach. He would drop by our place and say , "is Renee home"? Renee would tell Ellen to say no but Ellen liked Larry and would often ask him to stay for dinner. So, in the long run Larry and Renee were married at the Catholic church in February, snowiest month of the year!. Larry's parents came from Ft Morgan amid a storm (as usual). We were very income limited so made do with less than they deserved. They are still married and have 2 beautiful daughters. After our first grandchild Kasey was born we delighted in watching her and Larry drive through the courtyard in Larry's truck. I could go on and on but I would like to finish this before my 88th birthday so onward.

After Chris moved to Steamboat Springs he went to work at a construction company called Maher Bonney (I may have it spelled wrong). He worked on several big condo projects for them and while there met a young women named Shana Venturi whose father was VP of the firm. They also were married in the Catholic church in Steamboat Springs. Chris wound up working at 20 Mile Coal company and was in charge of construction there for many years. He is now semi-retired and has his own construction company, still in Steamboat Springs. He and Shana have 2 very intelligent and wonderful children. The oldest, Jesse, graduated from Colorado School of Mines, is married and lives in Salt Lake City. Their daughter, Sydney, married an electrical  engineer and lives



in Castle Rock. Sadly Chris and Shana's marriage did not last. Chris and she were divorced and he has since married a lovely woman, Dawn, whose mother we knew when we lived in Steamboat Springs. They seem very happy and ski, hike and travel all over the world. These 2 children I consider our first family as the spread between Chris and our 3rd child is 9 years. I will have more on the three younger later.

We sold Rainbow Cottages on my birthday, August 26, 1983. It was a scary time for me but I will have more on that at my next post.


Renee, Larry and Chris


Jesse, Renee and Julie

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