Beth, Save A Spot For Me

Ma Bell, My beautiful, wonderful, smiling friend!

I know you're on a beach somewhere now and we will miss you. Save a little place in the sand for me and I'll see you one of these days and we'll sing Jimmy Buffett songs and sip a few boat drinks together. You brought joy and smiles to every lucky soul who was fortunate enough to have met you. The last time I heard your gravel road voice, you told me you were proud of me. I will always treasure your friendship and will never forget your incredible spirit. I am proud to have known you and called you my friend. This beach is for you!!!

Info on 'Ribbons' shirts and CDs

I've had some people ask about how to purchase shirts and CDs for the 'Ribbons of Hope' fundraiser. The picture to the left shows what I have(click on it to see closer up). In men's I have L, XL and XXL in black or blue. In women's I have S,M and L in pink or blue crew necks and aqua v-necks with the logo embroidered on the front. In silk screen shirts with the logo on the front and the lyrics to the song on the back I have yellow tank tops and aqua v-necks, The price for a shirt and a CD is $20.00 plus $5.00 shipping with $11.00 going to the library. CDs only are $10.00 plus $3.00 shipping with all $10.00 going to the library.

So far I have been able to donate $2,000.00 to the Grand County Library District for Breast Cancer Resources. My goal is $3,000.00 so I'm well on my way. Thanks to everyone for helping with this worthy cause. If anyone is interested please e-mail me at stephencormey@comcast.net

We can work out the details there. Thanks again to every one who has helped! Cormey

That's Why They're Called The 'Never Summer Mountains'

Aah, August in Grand Lake. I left early Monday morning for Estes Park to play golf in the annual Baron's Tournament. It had rained alot over the weekend and snowed up high! Trail Ridge Road had been closed for awhile Saturday because of the snow but was supposed to be open for the drive over to Estes.

Usually if the road's closed they post a sign at the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park to let you know the road is closed. Not that morning, no I had to get all the way up to Milner Pass at the continental divide before I saw a sign on the gate across the road that read 'ROAD CLOSED'!

So I waited there along with a few others including Larry Bishop, my golfing partner and Skip Peck, the golf pro at Estes Park. It was a good two hours before a ranger came up and opened the gate. Naturally the road was just fine and the five inches or so of snow was only on the tundra and not on the pavement.

While I waited there at Milner Pass, I enjoyed a beautiful daybreak with the full moon just above the spruce trees and a small herd of mule deer foraging on the hillside. One little spotted fawn was bouncing all around and entertained everyone for quite awhile. I kept waiting for Thumper to join in and sing the Foot, Foot Song or something, but alas...no bunnies. Then suddenly and without any warning, a giant logging truck screamed past and ran over Bambi's mother leaving nothing but a greasy slick on the pavement...NOT....remember the road was closed! There was however, a pretty good size elk taking in a drink at Poudre Lake. He then relieved himself of his drink and I captured it on film. I'll post some more pictures here on the blob in the next day or two.

We finally made it to the golf course and enjoyed a beautiful day on the links. Don't ask me how I played but I might have a set of used golf clubs for sale. Oh well, at least the morning on the divide was worth the wait!

Ribbons Buy Resources

The 'Ribbons of Hope Campaign' is still going strong. I've been able to donate a check for $1,000.00 to the Grand County Library District for breast cancer resources and I should be able to give another one next week. That will put me two thirds of the way to my goal of $3,000.00!

I'd like to thank everyone who has helped get this project off the ground and flying.

Pictured here are Penny Hamilton(on the left), me, Stephanie Ralph and Marlene Leisure. This whole idea was Penny's and librarians, Stephanie and Marlene. They are all 'survivors' and have put together a terrific list of books, DVDs, etc. for the resources that will be available at all the library branches here in Grand County.

There are still T-shirts and CDs for sale and I even have some new shirts in different colors and styles.

I'm going to set up a booth at the 'Farmer's Market' in Granby this Friday in hopes of getting the message out to some new people.

I must admit, it's been alot of work but well worth it and every time I order more shirts I worry that I won't be able to sell them. So far, things have worked out just fine. Thanks again to all who have helped and made contributions!!

Grand Lake Meets Beijing

I performed at the Gateway Inn last Friday. Usually, I play out on the deck which has a fantastic view of the lake and Mt. Baldy. The weather didn't co-operate so I was forced to play inside which is a little different. This night turned out to be very different indeed!
Somewhere in the middle of my second set, a group of young people invaded the place and took all the seats up front. They weren't there to hear me sing 'Never Summer' or 'Don't Pet The Dog'. They were there to view the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games.
It turns out that all these youngsters were children adopted from China (many from Beijing). It was a ten year anniversary and most of them were not much older than that. They all live in Colorado and they were in Grand Lake with their families to have a reunion and came in to enjoy the 'big screen TV'. I've been upstaged by television before...(usually a Bronco game) but this was certainly different and I didn't mind at all.
Everyone was very polite and even made a few requests for songs. I ended my show just a little early so all could enjoy the big show on the big screen! I thought it was pretty cool to see their eyes fixed on the the scenes from the place they were born but probably don't remember. They're just a bunch of kids from Colorado now but got a chance to see the ceremonies and all the fireworks like the rest of us. Still, I can't help but think they took it all in with just a little bit more interest.

One More Ripple

I stopped by Point Park awhile back thinking I could take a picture of Mt. Baldy and Grand Lake with a ripple from the water by tossing a stone, just like in my song. I was never a good baseball player, but in 'little league' I was good enough to make the team as a shortstop and da, da, da, da.
Anyway, if you are right handed and holding a camera in your favorite hand and then you are forced to toss that pebble into the lake like a southpaw, no offense intended, but I threw it just "like a girl"! It's an embarrassing situation, situation just the same, and I looked to see if anyone noticed this awkward moment. Not a creature was stirring, not even a moose.
So I snuck back home and downloaded the picture on to my computer so I could upload it to all you good people who religiously read this blob. Well, the ripple and splash are captured forever in time. That's not 'Photoshop', that's real Colorado lake water and Colorado blue skies and a special mountain that keeps watch on all us critters below.
You know?, I don't know an upload from reload or a...but I have a good time sharing my thoughts and pictures of this old 'beetle infested paradise' with y'all. I wouldn't trade it for a soggy soft shell burrito from 'Polish and Lefty's'!
So keep those cards and letters coming and "always fill your canteen upstream from the herd! "(Ronnie Wheels)

Hillbilly Hilton

The tipi is open for summer visitors. Book your party or event now. We've already hosted a couple of parties and we're gearing up for Mary Jo's arrival tomorrow! We have stools, tables, lazy boys, plush carpeting, an adjustable fire pit (sorry Ron, there's no remote control yet), electricity and Internet! Since the addition of the fire liner, it's really quite comfortable even in the early morning cold. Mac and I provided live entertainment last week for the Iowa group and Lisa from Rhode Island gives it a four star rating for comfort. So, there should be a happening in the next week for certain. Check us out in Ron Wheelers " A Flatlander's Guide to the Rockies".

Rebuilt and Ready for Business, (not me) The Bench

I visited the bench up in the usual place and found it to be rebuilt and even able to with stand the weight of an old pot bellied musician. I've written about the bench before and what a nice place it is to go and visit, look out over Phantom Valley and relax. My friend Toni and I journeyed up there last week and as I had heard through another friend, the bench had indeed been rebuilt. I wasn't sure if I liked the idea when I first heard but now that I've been there and was able to actually sit on it for the first time, I decided I liked the changes.

I've also rebuilt the song I wrote about the bench and hope to have it recorded soon. In a couple more years it will be grey and weathered again(like me) but still be strong and ready for visitors.

Good job Hal!