My Colorado: The arrival

Debeque

By Mariann Perkins

After spending years in the military, including a tour of Vietnam, my father rejoined civilian life in 1972. My family was once again on the move, but instead of another overseas base our destination was a small town in the Colorado Rockies.

After a long day's drive through mountain canyons, we pulled our overstuffed Volvo station wagon onto the town's one and only paved road.

"Remember these times, girls," said my mother in a cheerful voice. "Not many children get to have adventures like this." My sisters and I looked out the car window and cried.

DeBeque, Colorado—a town named after a physician who originally claimed the land for a ranch—could boast a population of 600. That is, if you included all 50 of Mrs. Weaver's goats.

My parents had bought an old church in town and planned to renovate it. I overheard comments like "no running water and one electrical line." I was still trying to decide which feeling was stronger, curiosity or dread, when our car pulled up to our new home. Someone was singing "Home Sweet Home." I didn't notice; I was too busy staring at the building looming in front of me.

It held no resemblance to the churches I knew. Thin white paint allowed the wood to bleed through, making ugly stains all over the house. The dirt yard lay barren except for a few discarded bottles and grey rocks. A ditch of irrigation water ran across the entrance to the yard and a lone brown board served as a makeshift bridge. I looked at my parents, hoping they would share my disappointment. No such luck—they were beaming with pride, obviously looking forward to moving in immediately. I remained quiet. I knew no amount of wailing, begging or throwing up would sway them now. Our adventure was in full swing. The brown board bridge creaked and moaned as my parents walked royally across to inspect our new home.

Three years later, hard work and love had transformed an abandoned church into a beautiful home surrounded by fruit trees, gardens, an expansive lawn and a shed for small animals. Soon we would be on the move again, this time to a farm in the Midwest. But the small town which once looked strange and forbidding had given us many rich memories to keep forever.

Your Turn

Do you have a special memory or humorous story about living in Colorado? EnCompass is looking for original essays that capture the uniqueness of our state. Payment is $60 upon publication. Entries must be typed, double-spaced and 350-450 words. Please include a daytime phone number. Entries will not be returned. Mail to: EnCompass, Attn: My Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222, or email: editor@colorado.aaa.com. A response to a submission may take six to eight weeks.

 

AAA Connection AAA Office Locations
Car Rental Reservations
Hotel Reservations
TourBook Lookup (Destination Lookup)
TripTik Travel Planner (Maps & Directions)