When I was in fifth grade I had two first loves. John Denver and Matt Crawford. Oddly enough they looked a lot alike.
I saved my baby-sitting money for several weekends to buy my first record album back in the day when the Grand Marais Holiday sold records. It was John Denver Windsong. I played it over and over. I still have it in my record collection. Then a sixth-grade boy came along with long blond hair, a sweet smile and glasses. My very own John Denver. I had such a crush on him. He gave me his class picture and I mooned over that photo for hours. I kept it in my Bible under Matthew 10, because that is how old he was. (Clever huh?)
Both John and Matt just seemed to be really nice guys. Always smiling and looking cute. Unfortunately, Matt moved away before we could become boyfriend and girlfriend but John Denver stayed with me for the next several years until I joined a record club and added David Bowie and Peter Frampton.
I just returned from a short spring break trip to Colorado. I decided I couldn’t visit the state without a drive to Aspen to visit the John Denver Sanctuary. I envisioned a couple of hours touring the gardens and reading his music engraved in stones. I also thought there would be a quaint gift shop that sold John Denver CDs so I could listen to Windsong on my drive back to Breckenridge. I thought it would be like Gooseberry Falls rest stop, nice, warm and friendly like JD himself.
I have to tell you I was sadly disappointed. My GPS kept telling me I was there but it was downtown Aspen and a tiny strip mall. I parked and started walking around. After several misdirections I finally found the entrance to the “Sanctuary.” Right between a dog training class and two guys kickboxing in full gear. There was no gift shop, just some boarded up buildings and a watery path. I was so disappointed. This is a guy who sang as the voice of Colorado. If I were JD I would tell Aspen, thanks but no thanks. Put up a decent sanctuary at the base of a mountain where fans can come together and celebrate his great talent or don’t bother.
I do love Colorado though. Such a beautiful state. And the people are very friendly and kind. Kind of like a Patagonia Wonderland. Yes, people singing in the street under twinkling trees. There was also a clever crepe shop that had a line three hours long no matter the time of day. We went snowmobiling at the base of the mountains and I enjoyed a hot stone massage while the rest of the family skied. It felt great to get away I just wish I could have found the spirit of John Denver I was looking for. How many times does a girl get to find her first true love?
“I believe that we are here for
each other, not against each
other. Everything comes from an
understanding that you are a gift in
my life – whoever you are, whatever
our differences.”
John Denver
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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