Having maintained an active real estate license for more than thirty years, it is exciting to live and work in an area with some of the most beautiful real estate in the world. The close proximity to outstanding fishing, hiking, rafting, snowmobiling, snow skiing, and four-wheeling is an added bonus.

Being a fourth-generation Chaffee/Northern Saguache COJ.1nty descendant, what a pleasure it is to again travel the paths of numerous ancestors. Prior to relocating to the Salida area four years ago, frequent visits to Salida, Ute Trail, Garfield, Bonanza, and Alder were highlights of my life. Great-grandparents John Sanford and Addie Belle Elarton came to the area in the early 1900s. Grandparents O.D. and Edna Elarton lived in Chaffee and northern Saguache Counties. O.D. worked in the mines and prospected on his own: After moving into Salida in the late 1940s, he was an active member/officer of the Chaffee County Mineral and Gem Society. Edna, in addition to raising three children including my father Reid (born in Garfield in 1919), was the last postmistress of the Alder Post Office from 1924 to 1930. Edna's last years were spent as bookkeeper for the old City Market and ultimately for th~ Minit Market.

Between focused efforts in the real estate business, a career in public education evo,l.ved. Although a high school teacher (business subjects) and athletic coach for several years, administration was the primary focus including years as a high school principal, district finance director, and school district superintendent. Teamed with wife Mary, a marvelous mother and a career educator, four very active children were raised. Oldest son Ryan, finance director for Pueblo School District 70, married Diane Foster, daughter of Sylvia and John Foster of Salida. Scott, (wife Laurie), enjoyed fifteen years as a professional baseball player, and is now an eastern Colorado rancher. Daughter Erin, a 2000 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, is a consultant in the medical management field. Shannon, a Chicago resident for eight years, works in employee management training for Pepsico Foods and Beverages.

To become affiliated with Heart of the Rockies Real Estate as an associate broker has been quite a thrill. Serving the residents of the area, and those see~ing to become residents, presents a marvelous opportunity to demonstrate a life-long commitment to professionalism, honesty, and integrity. To be able to offer such service in this glorious "Heart of the Rockies" is a dream come true!