The Okie Legacy

Vol. II, Issue 76 --- 16 September 2000

Oakie Eagle Soars Colorado Rockies

This "Fairvalley Oakie" eagle has been on vacation, soaring the southwestern Colorado mountain tops connecting with spirit and soul this last week -- Enjoying the cool, brisk mornings, evenings and mountain scenery around the San Juan National Forests and Rocky Mountains.

Beginning last Sunday (Sept. 10th, Grandparents Day) around noon this Oakie eagle gathered with other Paris family descendants in Chester, Oklahoma, at the community building from 11:30 a.m. to nearly 2:00 p.m.

While the Paris family were meeting on Grandparents Day, the Fairvalley descendants of a small, pioneer town (Fairvalley) once in NW Oklahoma Territory and southeast of Freedom, Oklahoma. This annual gathering of descendants of the ghost town of Fairvalley meet each year in Freedom, Oklahoma. This year they meet at the United Methodist Church. There was no way this Oakie could make the hour drive from Chester to Freedom, but my thoughts were with all you Fairvalley descendants out there.

That same Sunday afternoon... We headed for the northern part of New Mexico by way of Guymon, Oklahoma and hwy 64. Monday found us passing through Cimarron, New Mexico on hwy 58. BUT... About 11 east of Cimarron, we came upon this buffalo fence of seven strands of barbed wire and to top that off... two additional electrical wires. Sure enough! Just around the bend near the creek bed a huge herd of buffalo were laying, grazing and roaming the grass pastures of this over 500,000 acre ranch.

By Tuesday... We had made our way to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Things are really dry around these parts. The Vallecito Lake is only about half its normal size, because the annual snowfall has been slim for the last three years. While in the Vallecito area we camped in a cabin (with no phones) and wandered throughout the area to Bayfield, Durango, Molas Pass and Silverton. I hope you all got to experience the September 13th full moon. It was simply gorgeous watching it peek above the mountain tops of tall Pines and Aspens in SW Colorado. What a bright, crisp sight!

As to Silverton... Have you ever been up towards the Historical Mining town of Silverton, Colorado? If you take hwy 550 north out of Durango, you climb up to about 10,910 elevation at Molas Pass and then start descending down to about 9300 elevation at Silverton, Colorado. The fall, golden colors of the Aspen mixing/blending its leaves with the dark green of the tall, stately Colorado Pines began showing themselves as we got closer to Silverton. They say the area around Lake City, Colorado has the greatest colors this time of year. We haven't reached that area yet. Probably head that way tomorrow.

Molas Pass

Over-looking Silverton

Downtown Silverton

While we were in Silverton, I found this great bell perched atop the 92-year-old Silverton City Hall. Here's to my friends that collect photos of old bells. It is a fantastic silver bell with only a silver dome to shield it from the elements. For all those steam engine train people out there... I have thrown in a photo of the oldtime steam engine that runs daily between Durango and Silverton carrying sightseers back and forth.

Silverton City Hall

Silverton Train

Silverton City Hall Bell

Got to run for now to get some sleep and get some more Colorado sights to send back your way. For all you Hot/Dry Oklahoman's out there, I will lasso some of this cool weather and send your way. Hopefully, with some rain. Keep Cool!

o OAKIE'S MAILBAG/LINKS

Oakie's Photo Album Updated -- Colorado
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OAKIE'S POLLS -- Have you VOTED in Oakie's Presidential Poll? If you have voted, you can leave as many 'Comments' in that Poll. I have a couple of other Polls that you can check out, also.
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Oakie's Ghost Towns Collections - Check out Oklahoma's ghost towns for more names added to the list.
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James Franklin Hedrick & Myrtle Mae Paris Descendants... Front row: Helen Inderlied, Leora Weinmiester, Leota, Lila Louthan, Ersel Hedrick; Back row: Walter, Doug & Chris Inderlied; Angie Plummer, Clara Louthan, Bud Louthan, Kathy Gregory, Debbie & Steve Noland, Verl & Judy Louthan.

Ernest C. Paris & Mary Barbara Hurt Descendants... Left to right: Karen & Ron Smith, John Smith and Austin (Karen & Ron's son); Front row: Kristi Smith, Geneva (Paris) Smith and Jeanette (Smith) Engle; Not picture: Linda (McGill) Wagner, photographer.

Arthur Henry Paris & Mary Katherine Murrow's Descendants... Back row: Deverle & Lu Paris (hosts), Evelyn Paris, Bertha Garberich; Front row: Maxine Veley, Velma Whittet, Merlin Paris and Verlin Paris.

Leora Weinmiester, Granddaughter (Angie Plummer), Great-Granddaughter (McKenzie), and Matt Armstrong.

This is a short newsletter this week! Hope to see Y'all Next weekend! Thanks for allowing me to come in and share a little piece of my SW Colorado Mountains Photos!

Warmest Regards, Linda 'Oakie'

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