Monday Morning Muddle

The weekend went flying by and what do I have to show for it?

1. I completed the tops and extra soles for one pair of felted clogs. No pics here yet because they are for a gift.

2. I beaded the yarn for the Sea Lettuce Scarf that I have been using for a class sample and now plan to finish for me. As I was demonstrating the first four wedges of it on Saturday I realized that this is a really fun knit and I want to actually finish this one. I had the perfect bead colors and enought to do the scarf so I figure now is the time.

3. I watched The Brothers O'Toole with my folks after doing some chores on Friday. This was filmed entirely in Buckskin Joe and it was fun to see what it looked like back in 1973 when this was filmed.

4. I saw a very interesting demonstration of folding fabric to make a table runner. The lady will be demonstrating it further this coming Saturday at the Quilt Show in Woodland Park so I think I will stop by and see if it is something I can do for some gift items.

5. And I ordered new makings for my double point holders that I sell at my Etsy shop. These are going to be so fun. Watch for them around the first of October.

All in all it was a fun and productive weekend. I hope everyone had the same~!

Stop the Train! We Need a Giggle

And so I give you the newest video by Simon's Cat, entitled "Cat in Box" I swear there is a nanny cam in my house. Enjoy!

R. I. P.: Tribute to Buckskin Joe's

For over 50 years there has been a real-live, facsimile of an Old West frontier town in my backyard. Now, you have to understand that since I started living full time in Colorado back in the early 90s I have considered the whole state, 104,100 square miles of it, my backyard. For the majority of that time I have lived less than 50 miles from Buckskin Joe's and the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway, but until last weekend had not been there.

Now, I know what I was missing. What a great place to take family and friends for a day of exploring, learning and being entertained by the hard-working seasonal staff that do everything from act in the hourly gunfights, to serve drinks during a magic show, to drive the horse trolley with a team of Belgians, to pose for pictures and sign the autographs for the excited youngsters.

That is why this past week's announcement that the town and adjoining train ride has been sold and will be dismantled and moved came as a shock to most and brought sadness to all that this ends a wonderful, fun-for-the-whole-family destination.

The buyer is being kept deep hush-hush and the accessiblilty to the reassembled town at its new location is unknown at this time. I spent a precious few hours there taking lots of photos, talking to the staff and poking my nose into all the buildings.

The history of the town is that its buildings were all moved in from around the state. The only one to come in from the town of Buckskin Joe, 2 miles west of Alma, is the H.A.W. Tabor Merchantile building. The rest came in from other mining camps in Colorado, gathered and reconstructed on this site by producer Malcolm F. Brown of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer.

The town was built as a movie set, and for a time this area was known as Filming Capitol of Colorado. Some of the great films that were done here are: Conagher, Lightning Jack, the TV version of The Sacketts, True Grit, White Buffalo, The Cowboys, and Cat Ballou, just to name a few.

While I was there I heard that someone may be writing a book on the arrival and departure of this attraction that has stood on 805 acres adjacent to the Royal Gorge. It surprised me that this has not already been done. I am hoping that someone will document what it takes to disassemble and reconstruct the 30 some buildings that stand in this town. A fond farewell to this well-loved tourist attraction and best wishes to it wherever it may go.

The Monday Muddle and Labor Day

Besides my impulsive visit to Buckskin Joe's and Soxx' photo shoot, it was a quiet weekend.

1. I taught class on Friday morning and then went to the folks to move a wood pile to a new location (before the snow flies) and helped them get all the software loaded and tested so Dad can add library books to his Nook.

2. Watched to balloons on the mornings that they could launch. I know they did not get to go up this morning because the wind was gusting.

3. I finished sorting and cleaning my knitting bookcase and desk area. Finally my house looks better. Now all I have left is my seasonal clothing changeover that will include a purging and donation bags for Goodwill. Then my closets will be neater.

4. I worked on finishing Soxx' mate, should be done tomorrow with that one. And I am designing and prepping the yarn for a pair of Halloween socks. I will be using the yarn I got from CraftsMeow at Sock Summit - her limited edition of Witch's Brew. (pictured here)

5. The folks came down today and we watched a movie and went for early dinner to Rudy's BBQ place. It was yummy and a fun place to watch all the folks heading home from their long weekend in the mountains.

All and all, it was a great holiday weekend. I hope everyone had a great time~!

Soxx' Old West Adventure

I heard on the 6 am news this morning that Buckskin Joe's has been sold and will be dismantled and moved after September 12th. Egads, I have said for 20 years that I need to stop by there someday and see what it is. Well, today was the day.

I grabbed my touring gear and drove the 47 miles to the Royal Gorge area for a look. I have heard about all the movies that have been filmed here over the years however I did not realize how really cool this place is.

As part of my touring gear, Soxx begged to come and be "filmed" in an old west setting. So, I give you the best still shots starring Soxx:

We were the first ones in the gate so got to see the town before it got full of folks.

Soxx realized that Lee Marvin would never have worn these kind of socks with his longjohns but Soxx was happy to see where he was filmed in Cat Ballou.

Soxx is sure these forms of transportation were very bumpy in the day.

We agreed this is the only way dentistry should be.

A consideration to all that recycle. This one may be pushing the limit.

And Soxx got to ride on the train. Had to hold on tight because he did not want to be a cactus decoration.

Note: Soxx did get lost at the old saloon on the west end of town for about 30 minutes until I felt my vest pocket and realized that he was missing. I retraced my steps and found him laying on the floor waiting to be served. Had to explain that this saloon was "museum" quality only and had no beer on tap.

Sock Yarn Inventory

Sorry, no pics for this operation, however I inventoried my sock yarn tub and found, to my surprise, that I have enough yarn for 60 pairs of socks.

I think that I need to get to knitting on what I have.

Guess this means that until I have half of it knit I should not buy any more. Let's see how long that lasts.

WIP Update: Beaded Scarf

I have finished the first half of the scallop-edge beaded scarf and parked that one a needle for joining when the other side is finished. Next step: string all the beads needed onto the other half of the yarn and begin knitting.


Since the beads are loose they take longer to string on the yarn, usually I can have it done in one movie watching. So this evening I strung beads and tomorrow evening I will begin knitting the second half.