Several people have asked me why I came to Mancos.
Well, in the ’90s, Mancos Ranger Paul Peck came to Oregon to meet with my boss, when the U.S. Forest Service was partnering with local organizations in exchange for work. For example, I had a partnership with the Girl Scouts of America and all of our Forest Service districts. I would make the initial contact, and the district office would obtain volunteers through me.
It was fun for me, because I had been a Girl Scout leader for many years and knew what girls were capable of. I got a call from a ranger in Bend, Oregon, who had hundreds of rocks covered with petroglyphs and pictographs that needed recording. He didn’t have the manpower to record all of them, so asked if I could get him help. I contacted a senior backpacking troop that jumped at the chance. They camped there, and photographed and drew lots of them. The girls did the same the next year, which was a wonderful learning experience for the girls, and such help for the ranger. There are more stories, but that didn’t get me to Mancos. Paul Peck did. He called and asked me to come to Colorado to work with Americorps to build the Riverwalk. I jumped at the chance, because my son lived near Denver and maybe I’d see him more often. Ha, that was a dream – airfare is higher from here than from California.
Paul met me in Durango to take me to Cortez to find an apartment. I looked through the papers he had given me. They were job descriptions for bookkeepers and definitely not for me. We stopped at the Ranger office, and while he was looking for the right ones, I talked with Hazel, the receptionist. The phone rang, and when she answered it, she laughed, and said to me, “You’re looking for a place to live? How about a log cabin right here?”
We drove to it, and Paul said, “If you don’t want it, I do.”
So there I was, with a log cabin, a wood-burning cook stove and all. I was in heaven. I lived there two years until one day, a nice-looking man poked his head in the door and said, “This will make a great bed and breakfast.”
I was surprised and said, “ Over my dead body.” Four weeks later, I was living in the Excelsior trailer park. A short time later, Sundance Bear was open and doing business. It is a great bed and breakfast. I miss the stove, but love the town.
It’s time to get involvedThere are many reasons to like this town. Let me give you an example: It’s called Pay It Forward. The purpose is to support Mancos residents in need in emergencies. If, for example, you have unexpected medical problems – you may need food, rent, and essential nonmedical expenses, you may make a donation. You can find more information by writing to Pay It Forward Fund, PO Box 204 Mancos, CO 81328.
Many of us gripe about the stop light area. Well, then do something. On the town bulletin board are dates and times for the town committees – just sign up. The town needs you. And you’ll be helping the town and yourself.
Looking aheadThis is July, and I’m sure you are looking forward to the parade, all the fun in the park and, of course, meeting all your friends from the past. The 57th Annual Mancos Days is scheduled for July 29-31. The theme for this year’s festival is “Desperadoes and Fancy Ladies.” The weekend will be filled with the usual family-friendly events held in Boyle Park, said Town Administrator Andrea Phillips. Do you know what and how Mancos Days got started? It was one of the graduating classes from Mancos High School. It is hard to leave all your friends you’ve known forever – someone had the idea of meeting once a year in the park. Look around while you are celebrating and see the families spread a blanket, open a basket and serve the food. I’ll bet if you ask, someone will give you the year they graduated. Whatever you do, be happy. It’s Mancos!