Honeymoon Hotel

This is many years after the event, but this is a picture of the cabin next to the Conjos River just below the Dunn family cabin. This structure is now gone, but this is where Arlo and Gatha spent their honeymoon.



Dad told us about the night they spent in the cabin and the noises they heard during the night. He claimed that it sounded like a woman screaming. In the morning there were cougar tracks on and around the cabin.

Is this the way it was?

Here is a picture of the snow taken Feb, 2008 of the turn off to the cabin. Do you see many fence posts? (wow, what a short fence! ha) this reminds me of Kent talking about walking out with waist deep snow. It is sure good to see the moisture in the mountains this year. Here is a picture also of the Conejos River where the highway starts up the pass, by ElkCreek Campground. A favorite fishing place! Some favorite places for our family bringing memories. I am glad to see the snow and it is good to see, I'm also glad I am warm and dry at home! Is that showing my age? of course.... NOT!!!!

Memories, guess which one this is

The road was plagued with deep craters that were created by the rain; along with the craters were the rocks that were embedded pass the earth's surface. Some of the rocks protruded high enough in the road that driving over them caused a forceful jarring of my whole body. Once I felt this, it brought a strong realization that I was just moments away from one of my favorite places.

After we made the wide turn near the big pine tree my eyes coundn't help noticing the colors of the family cabin. It was a log cabin that had been carefully crafted with white mortar that surrounded the red painted logs. This unique distinction had been forever imprinted in my mind along with the numerous memories that have taken place there. Upon arriving I could smell the aroma of pine trees and I could hear the distant sound of rushing water. My first stop would be to look over the fire pit and see what changes occuried while I was gone. The hours spent by the fire pit were one of my favorite times, even with the game of trying to escape the choking smoke. The songs and stories that were shared made the smoke bearable.

Not far from the fire area was the outhouse. It was far enough away that you followed a path that lead up to it. This trip always seemed to be a cold one. (and surprising if aunt Bonnie was there) The other side of the cabin had a steep trail that led down to the swift Colorado river. I would brave the trail often. Once by the river bed, I would explore the grounds for flat rocks that could be skipped across the waters top. At times I would dangle my feet in the cold water and get lost in watching the waves plow passed anything in its way.

Inside the colorful cabin was three rooms that were draped off with cloth doors. Each room had a bed or two. The main room consisted of a kitchen table and chairs, a stove that was heated onlywith burning wood, a large white sink, and a small refrigerator. This room also housed two couches and a few comfy chairs in which I lounged around in after a long day of hiking, fishing, and playing.

I remember the log beams that spanned the inside length of the cabin. These logs were brouwn instead of the red that decorated the outside. They had a few nails that poked out long enough to hang lanterns on. Often my grandfather would tease about hanging me on one of those nails. Even long after he passed on, those anils made me think back to joyful teasing that my grandfather and I shared.

Okay humor me. I took a childrens literature course over the mail and for one of my assignments I had to write about a place I had been to. Of course the cabin was the first place I thought of, I have had so many fond memories there, with those I love. How lucky I was as a child to have a loving family who had access to a cabin near a river in the beautiful mountains. I wish my children could have memories like these. Instead they will remember how mom dreaded going out on the boat with all the other boaters. If only I had my own lake.

Some of our family activities

One thing we did more than anything else, is camping and later going to the cabin. We had some wonderful times. Because Arlo loved fishing and hunting so much, those are some of the things that we did. One year, LaRue and Harold had gone to the temple and on their way back, Harold's mom came with them. We went to the mountains and camped for several days. We picked raspberries and built teepees. Those were fun times