Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 9, 1951

Trip to Kenney’s wood cabin and the mountains (I let K. drive so I could look around)

First view of snow-covered mountains peaks in sunlight with a cloudy sky behind them.

Stopped at a lunch-room for coffee and flap-jacks. Colorado blue columbine going by the building) — the woman so nervous she could hardly talk— but a nice person.

The “narrows” (Big Thompson Canyon) just before getting to the cabin— high rocky cliffs (the “veins” or divisions vertical) very grim — a brown—water stream, boiling and foaming right by the road— formed by melting snows—(the opposite of our streams— these streams are full all summer)

The cabin - a simple “tobacco-brown” rough wooden structure, but very cozy and comfortable.

B & I spend the afternoon collecting flowers— the yard around the cabin uncut and full of many new varieties including a beautiful yellow lupine — Kenney fishing — all three of us for a short walk— the man and his horse at the end of the lane— huge irises. Rain drove us back.

On our return, found that Kenney’s aunt & uncle (The Turleys) with two daughters had arrived for a visit — not pleasant people (question of ownership of cabin etc.) their sly remarks etc. We thought they would never go (we had no food for such a large party) but they finally did—

When it came to preparing supper it has discovered we had no kerosene— Kenney & I went to get some— our first attempt up the valley unsuccessful so back to “The Dam Store” where we secured some.  

[Charles & Bertha Burchfield’s road trip to Denver, Colorado, with many stops on the way, began on June 1, 1951.]

A delicious fried chicken supper — Evening spent in talking and playing old records on an old Victrola Vintage 1917-1919 — (Many of these we had at the same time — they had belonged to K’s father)

Charles E. Burchfield, June 9, 1951