I’m not sure if the Cumbres Pass at the top is considered Colorado or New Mexico. I believe it is New Mexico. When you top the pass at 10,000 feet, going east 13 miles you are in Colorado. You will see on your right, my family’s cabin. A river runs in front with great fishing and the Cumbres Train passes everyday at 12:30pm. My Aunt Deaon’s family homesteaded this land at least 150 years ago. It’s the only private property next to the Pass. It is surrounded by National Forest. It is an uncut jewel.
I went for two reasons, first to be with family and second, to do research for my next book. My family is LDS. My story is set in that theme, also. We exchanged stories and names of old friends we remembered years ago.
I spent three days with my Aunt Deaon, my cousins Julie and Linda. What a wonderful time we had. I interviewed my Aunt. She is 87 years young. Amazing at what she can do. I was inspired to live longer and healthy. I was also inspired to come home and have a back porch built with a swing. Al and I was together. I missed taking any pictures of my Sweet Al.
My cousins had biographies and stories of my ancestors. I am the offspring of a third wife of a polygamist marriage on my mother’s side. On my father’s side. I did not know my Grandma Jessie, my Dad’s mother, was one of three girls born to a second wife of a polygamist marriage. This all happened when polygamy was lawful. I feel like the grace of God ruled. I would have never been born. Thank you Jesus.
The cabin is rustic, a large room upstairs with double, single, queen size beds. It is a dormitory. There are two bedrooms downstairs. Families come and go and they plan time to be together. The family comes from Manassa, Co. Salt Lake City, Utah, Albuquerque, NM and from Mesa, Arizona. I’m from Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I am only 50 miles away.
Here are some of pictures of this wonderful weekend.
This is my Aunt Deaon Jarvies. She still hikes these mountains
My two cousins and Aunt Deaon. Linda was about to leave. Her car was loaded. We took time to take a quick picture. This is Julie's dog.
My cousin Julie is weaving a rug. She walked two hours every morning. Amazing women I was with for three days.
My Aunt Deaon Jarvies. Isn't she beautiful? I am amazed at her health. She is 87 years old. She has 8 children and I have no idea of how many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and probably a couple of great, great grandchildren. `They had 3 swings on the back porch. We met every morning on the back porch and shared. My Aunt has the most beautiful Spirit. I consider her to be like the Proverbs Woman. Kindness is in her tongue. She lives her faith. I listened to her testimony. She knows Jesus is the Son of God and He came to die and set up his Kingdom.
Sitting on the back porch. Julie is taking pictures as I am taking pictures.
My Aunt at 87 years old is helping Julie with her frame on her loom. I couldn't believe how easy she went to her knees and pushed against the frame to help Julie. I told her I had to have a picture of this, no one would believe me.
