I got started taking photos with Ilford XP2 film, which is a monochromatic film processed on color paper. It turns the photo into a rich, chocolately sepia color. When you photograph old mines and homesteads like I do, it gives the photos the feel of the 1800s, which I really love! All the photos in the gallery below were taken with this film. Now I’ve gone to digital, but when a good photos comes along that should be “turned” into sepia, I’ll add it here.
JeepsterGal,
Thanks for your True Grit then and now video. We moved to Littleton, Colorado in 1968 when I was 3. Colorado was a lot different back then. We visited Ridgway and Ouray during the filming of True Grit, because my parents were huge fans of John Wayne. We drove in on the weekend hoping to see Duke filming (my parents anyway – I didn’t know anything except playing with rocks and Matchbox cars at that age). We were told by one crew that he was at another location. They gave us a very detailed description of the location, and we went off on our way. We had a new 1968 Ford Bronco, and so as we followed the directions and it turned into a 4WD trail, my dad put the Bronco in 4LO and went over the top of the hill. On the other side, they were filming the snakepit scene with Kim Darby and “Tom Chaney”. Director yelled “Cut!” because of the sound, and they had to reshoot. As you can imagine, the unit director was not happy. He understood though, told us that John Wayne was not filming that day, but told us where he was staying in Ouray. I can’t remember the name of the place – but it’s still there, and it has huge rock posts in front with heavy iron chains going from one to the other. Anyway, we pull up in our Bronco, and there’s John Wayne loading his family in the stationwagon for a picnic. He walks over and my mom is so flabbergasted, she can only stare in awe. My dad finally has her roll the window down, and Duke starts talking. Mom and Dad asked about the film and how it was going, and how Duke liked Colorado. He was not only very gracious in answering, but was asking more questions than Mom and Dad – where were they from? (Oklahoma), what did dad do?, were we staying nearby?, etc, etc. I have no idea who this guy is, I just want to get out and pick up rocks. Duke reaches in through the window and picks me up out of the Bronco and holds me, and keeps talking. My Mom, Dad and older sister (13) finally get out, and we keep talking. Duke’s family is tired of waiting by now, and has gone back up to the lodge room. Duke just keeps on talking. I’m handing him rocks that I think are cool, and mindful not to hurt my feelings, he sticks them in the pocket of his blue windbreaker. Must have had 5 punds of rocks in there by the time I was done. Mom and Dad said we were there for about an hour and a half. We didn’t have a lot of money at that time, and needed to check out of our motel by 2:00 to avoid paying another night. So dad said that we have to go. Duke said that if we could stick around, he could get us parts in the movie (extras in the crowd scenes). And my dad said no, that we had to go, as he had just started his new job a few months before and couldn’t take off any time. Arrgghh! Could have been in a John Wayne movie! We’ll , we load up, and Duke is stil talking – leaning in the window of the Bronco. Dad, really nervous about the motel bill, but not wanting to offend Duke, starts the engine and we finally say goodbyes. What a fantastic man! No movie star was every so gracious, friendly and “real” as John Wayne was.
Again – thanks for your video. If you send me your e-mail address, I’ll send you a photo of me, Mom and my sister with the Duke in Ouray. You’ll probably recognize the lodge right away. Anyone that does much 4 wheeling around that area must get off the beaten path in Ouray once in awhile. I most recently lived in Montrose from 1998-2003. The company I worked for closed, and I had to move out of state. I hate it, because as far as I’m concerned, that part of Colorado is the most beautiful spot in the world. I had an 86 Grand Wagoneer before I bought my TJ, and we used to stop in Ouray early in the morning to have breakfast before hitting the trails. I never trusted my Draggin Waggin to do Black Bear with the switchbacks, but it could have driven Engineer’s pass by itself! I need to explore your other videos, if only to make me more homesick!
Best Regards,
Trent
Wow, thanks Trent, for your story, that is awesome! What a great memory. I’ll email you privately to see the photo. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks to Trent for sharing this wonderful story! Loved the Duke since i was a kid in the 50’s and stories like these help me appreciate him a little more. I know he wasn’t perfect, but neither am i, so i love reading of such encounters…makes him a little more human to me, i guess. Wish you could post the picture spoken of above, love to see it.
AND thank you ma’m for the great videos on You Tube. Especially loved the ones with the scenes from the Owl Creek Pass area. My wife and i love that area and all of the San Juans. Thanks again!
Terry
Thanks for visiting, Terry. I always enjoy hearing from people that love the San Juan Mtns!
Hi Jeepstergal,
I really enjoy your videos, especially the True Grit one. I plan to visit some of the filming locations that you mapped out this summer. I own a small business where I design decals representing some of the 4WD destinations in the San Juans. I would like to send you some samples if you could e-mail me your PO Box. Thank you for posting your wonderful videos on youtube for all to watch. Lance, Grand Junction,CO.
Trent! If you ever get to read this and ever make it back our way I will give you and your family a free trip over Black bear just let me know!
Great write up about True Grit – my son and I just watched the first True Grit last night and I said that looks like South West Colorado! My 24 year old daughter lives in Durango Co and we have hiked and jeeped all over that area. My Son, Will Hearst, lives in Montrose and is a writer for The Montrose Press.
Thank! Bill from Western PA.
Very nice site !! I plan on buy a Jeep Wrangler Unlimted Rubicon in 2014. I live in NY and hope to drive out there and make some of these drives !! Your site has been very helpful in finding drives with great scenery. Keep up the great work !!
Bob