Anyone who moves here from somewhere else often resorts to trying to describe the long distances between towns but comes up empty handed.

Every so often, you’ll find yourself in a conversation with someone who remembers the life of the working cowboy. The common theme is usually built around the strength of character, about how a man’s word was more important than his signature on a piece of paper.

The fall start of “school days, school days, good old golden rule days” has always meant gathering school supplies for “opening day” in the fall, yet one Axial Basin family’s fall tradition differed a bit from families nowadays hurrying around to gather the required school supplies.

MEEKER — A recent trip to the emergency room and a ride in the ambulance made me grateful for the hospital and the wonderful care provided by the Pioneers hospital staff. It also made me realize how easy it is to take local health care services for granted.

MEEKER — After reading my recent “whatever happened to the Rio Theater?” historical column, Bernie Gantt had an answer.

RBC — Meeker and Rangley pioneer Fred Nichols’ oral history in the Rio Blanco Historical Society’s “This Is What I Remember,” Vol. I recalls the days when the settlers and Indians interacted.

MEEKER — “I thanked one of the Ute elders for coming back to Meeker, and it turned out he was Colorow’s great-grandson.” “It was such a nice thing to see all the Meeker people dancing right along with everyone else.”

Have you ever had an extended conversation with anyone who has spent their entire life here?

MEEKER — One of the western character traits that typified area settlers was ingenuity. Not only did a settler have to be persistent and resilient to survive the hard times, he or she had to come up with unique solutions for obstacles that arose daily. Reading the family histories of[Read More…]

MEEKER — Early morning walks often reveal strange sights in a small town. Long handled tool in hand, the woman was heading over to a cluster of trees shading the ditch. She seemed to be in no particular hurry. Wondering what wild growing thing she could be tending, I asked,[Read More…]