By Eilene Lyon As you’ve seen from previous posts, Durango has a lively arts scene, and public art is a big part of that. Durango is also a river city and over the four decades I’ve lived here, this feature has become less of an industrial wasteland and more dominated by parks and a trail... Continue Reading →
Historic Hotel Colorado
By Eilene Lyon A couple weeks ago I drove up to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, to give a presentation about my book, What Lies Beneath Colorado. I’ve never spent much time in Glenwood Springs, a place well-known for its Victorian-era hot springs resort. My last visit was brief, specifically to hike up to the Linwood Cemetery.... Continue Reading →
General Palmer Hotel—567 Main Ave.
By Eilene Lyon During the days when dirt and manure still muddied Durango streets, commercial construction boomed. In the early twentieth century, Durango had admirable aspirations. Though she would never achieve her dream of becoming “the flourishing metropolis of the southwest” or “a second Denver,” her prospects in 1902 looked promising. A trio of men—Michael... Continue Reading →
Artful Durango 3
By Eilene Lyon Durango has long had a spring and fall gallery walk downtown on a Friday evening. Recently, the Durango Creative District has begun a First Friday studio/gallery tour. On August 1, my sculptor friend, Suzie, invited The Putterer and me to join her at the Smiley Building on E. 2nd Ave. to celebrate... Continue Reading →
From the Vault: Durango Story
By Eilene Lyon I spoke with my dad the other day. He was widowed not long ago. Even more recently he turned 89. He says his memory isn't great, so he's been asking me questions. One is a query I answer regularly (and reluctantly), so I thought I'd share it here for posterity. "How did... Continue Reading →
The Canadian Rockies
By Eilene Lyon Our time in Canada (9 days) was all about the scenery. But first, we had a problem to deal with. While driving over Beartooth Pass in Wyoming, we started hearing a grinding noise from the van’s rear brakes. Being a Friday, The Putterer arranged for a Monday emergency appointment at the Ford... Continue Reading →
Colorado to Canada
By Eilene Lyon After our visit to Rifle Falls State Park, we spent the next five days taking scenic routes from Colorado to Canada. We drove through Meeker (been there before) and stopped in Craig to fill our propane and get a Montana gazetteer (because detailed paper maps are the best!). Then we headed to... Continue Reading →
Rifle Falls
By Eilene Lyon We recently took a scenic tour of the Rocky Mountains, with the Canadian Rockies as the apex of the trip. Total mileage: 4,400, very little of it on freeways. The only planned stop, and reserved camp site, was for our first night, at Rifle Falls State Park. The campground has a dozen... Continue Reading →
Busybody Takes a Break
By Eilene Lyon Since my second book launched last fall, I have been working less at writing and more at re-engaging with my home, my other interests, and community. It has involved a fair amount of volunteer time lately, so my blogging has been minimal. Now it’s time for a full break from it all.... Continue Reading →