We came out to Meeker in the northwest corner of Colorado to do a pre-feasibility study of a potential small scale hydropower project. The old hydro plant was built in 1911. It has been abandoned for the past 50 years but the ditch has been maintained. Can you build a new plant? Sure can. Meeker was named for an Indian agent who was killed by the Utes when he tried to force them to become agriculturalists ("they didn't like to do yard work," is how a friend put it). So the US Government sent in the army, killed a lot of Utes, and forced them out of the state on a Utah (think of the irony of the name) reservation.
Beautiful, isolated valley. Small town (population 2,200). Fertile but wet land on the valley floor. White River runs through it. Hills green from the recent rains. The river runs high.
Hard life. Marie Carter is grazing her horses, getting them in shape for the summer visitors whom they will carry on their backs onto the Flat Tops. She is trying to keep the guide business going. Her husband died last year in a freak accident when the tractor he was driving flipped over on a soft shoulder and landed on top of him. Actually he didn't die then. He died when they pulled the tractor off of him and his insides spilled out. His wife and kids were there. Her son is going to help her this summer. He's just about old enough to start high school.
