July 22, 1915

“That dog is drinking out of the toilet!”

Maggie replied, “Freshest water in the house, and he knows it.” Charlie left the water closest with only the slightest bit of water dripping from his muzzle.

“Do you know who I am?”

“You’re Fred C. Williams.” Looking up from the pot she briskly stirred at the other man with him, she added, “And you’re Phillip Hines, the new co-leasers of the Cabin Hotel. I’m your chef, Maggie and I’m busy keeping your tapioca pudding, which I plan to top with fresh first crop strawberries, from burning so you both can enjoy it after the Chateaubriand I’m also preparing.”

She lifted the bottle of white wine residing illegally on the wrong side of the river and continued, “The wine will be added to the buttered sautéed shallots sauce and the freshly picked morel mushrooms compliments of Julius.” She looked at me.

I thought,’ This is it; Maggie’s going to get canned.’

Mr. Williams shocked and obviously not accustomed to women speaking to him in this manner stood silent for a moment. Then a smile crept onto his face. “I’m sure it will be delicious.” He looked at the black standard poodle and suggested, “Don’t let the guests see the dog in the dining area.”

“Yes sir,” she replied and returned the smile.

Hopefully, the chaos of leasing litigation has ended. Williams and Hines are restaurateurs from Denver. They plan to create more of a summer resort with tennis courts and other amusements for visitors. Certainly, this means I will have new duties as a fishing guide. The Commercial Club is advertising in the Denver papers and actively pursuing travelers from San Diego and San Francisco to come to Steamboat. The organization believes our town has first class service, far better than any town of similar size and fund raised with luncheons and evening dances.

Businesses in town were closed last weekend for Cleanup Day, twenty-four districts formed with a captain and patriotic volunteers to improve the town. The biggest project, Fish Creek Falls Road, a rough three-mile access to the scenic attraction needed brush, fallen trees and large rocks cleared to make a pleasurable ride for buggies and autos.

The summer tourism push continued with the town company purchasing the entire parcel on the south side of the Yampa River, the site of last Winter’s Carnival. The concern was train-bound guests seeing the shanties along the railroad track and souring their first impression of our lovely town before their arrival at the depot. Fortunately, Brooklyn and alcohol were out of sight.

A.M. Gooding Sr. petitioned for bonds to expand the sewer system up to Crawford Avenue. The Yahmonite subdivision has been surveyed, platted and the Realtors have sold lots. Angela signed on as a Mountain States Telephone operator and the company strung communication lines along, the soon to be completed, Rabbit Ears Pass Road. The auto highway, the last leg of the Denver - Salt Lake route boasts the shortest drive across the mountains for the two cities. Soon to be dubbed the Moffat Highway, the bridges and natural structures will be painted black and white to keep people on the correct roadway.

The City Fathers, eyes are on the future. They see a town that will be more than an isolated winter playground.