FJ 40 Landcruiser plow
I am glad to have grown up in the 60′s. When compared to other eras, there seems to be an undying spirit that we possess. When I look back to Thanksgiving’s past, I remember one atop “Beak Peak”, Dan’s house above Boulder that he bought from Chris Hillman. It was not coined that name because of the Eagles that soared above, but for the Rock Star revelry that had taken place there.
Sometime before Thanksgiving, Dan, Maggie, and I were hanging out up there when a ferocious snowstorm started to hit Colorado. The trick living high in the mountains is to start the plow and keep the drive open, even if it takes all night!
Of course, we didn’t do that at all. Dan and I went sledding down the drive fueled by Jack Daniels and childhood silliness as the snow got deeper and deeper. Of course we missed the only opportunity and by morning there was at least four feet of snow. The attempt to plow the next morning failed and the driveway, all two miles of it was stuck solid
We had to backpack groceries and supplies up and down the driveway all through the Thanksgiving holiday. It wasn’t til I found a Catepillar Backhoe in Coal Creek, that it was dug out sometime in February. Dan and Maggie escaped to LA. I watched the house. The lesson had been learned. But somewhere near Boulder the laughter of those two crazy young kids from Peoria still resounds against the high mountain peaks.
December 11th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Jon,
Where did you “kids” sled…at Glen Oak or Detweiller?
Thanks for sharing another fun story!
December 11th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Well that story was from Colorado -but I remember some Coachmen tobaggon runs somewhere in Peoria. I will pry the Coachmen for more info.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
These moments captured in your memory are such a treat to read.
Dan was sooo very private(i feel he was compelled to be so) but reading them now brings a huge smile to my face.
You lived the life a lot of his fans dreamed of…being Dans friend.
thanks for sharing
November 12th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Jon,
I have been up that road (La Chula) just recently and its a crazy road in the summer I can’t image what it was like in the Winter.
I heard that Pinecliff just got 4 ft of snow a few weeks ago. I’m enjoying reading through your entire blog…Thanks
Tom
May 17th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Recently found this site of your thinking about Dan and his ranch and the Rockies…Never got to meet the man, only knew him through his music while growing through the years. Had to thank you for sharing your stories. Had made me laugh and cry for you both. Friends ever on. Most of us can only hop to be remembered with such tributes. I hope you will continue to share your friendship with Dan with those of us who only saw the public side of him and wishing he had been a friend of ours. You were both blessed to have had each other in your lives.