For one weekend each summer at the cabin next door to ours, there is a group of men who call themselves The Sawtooth Six. They met in college, and have been assembling in Mineral King for 25 years now. The one who owns the cabin was one of my first commission customers back in 1986, and I may have met his buddies that same year.
Each year we learn a little bit more as we gradually move from acquaintances to friends. They have grown (less howling at the moon), married (some more than once), become fathers (one has 4 boys!), gotten more degrees (at least one Ph.D and probably several MBAs), changed jobs or careers, moved to different cities, states, or even countries, and traveled the world. There is a definite aura of confidence and success, combined with a sense of humor and courtesy. Several have returned to the area with their families, renting places at Silver City just down the road. ( www.silvercityresort.com ) When they bring their wives, parents and children up to show them the cabin, if we are around we have the pleasure of meeting their families.
Usually one or two will wander over to our cabin and we’ll sit and visit. We love hearing about their lives from around the country (currently San Francisco, Long Beach, San Luis Obispo, Spokane, somewhere in New Jersey and Snohomish, Washington). We don’t know where each one works, all their wives’ names or even all their last names. They live in entirely different worlds than we do, and yet while hanging around in the mountains, we are all just people. They seem to like hearing about my husband’s job and my art, and watching me split firewood (with lots of jokes about taking photos home to their wives to show them what “real women do”!)
So, Sawtooth Six, I thank you for taking the time to visit my studio today and I wish you a happy, healthy, safe year so we can visit again next year in Mineral King!
(if you count seven, that is because one of these handsome guys is my husband!)
4 Comments
Jana,
I’m Teresa, one of the unnamed wives. I’m just thankful that you haven’t filed a police report against the Sawtooth Six over the years for disorderly conduct. It would be a shame if they were no longer allowed to make their annual Testosterone Trek to Mineral King, because speaking on behalf of the WSS (Wives of the Sawtooth Six), we need our annual break!
A grateful wife,
Teresa
Jana,
Somehow over the years we’ve gone from being the loud kids next door to middle aged adults with a tremendous appreciation for the friendships that we share amongst ourselves and with you and Mike, as well as the spectacular setting that just never gets old. We all relish the time together as well as the time away from all those other things in the world that seem so important except when we can escape away to Mineral King and it all melts away. We’re glad that things have evolved over the years from neighbors hoping not to be there when we were there, to looking forward to seeing us. It was a special treat on Sunday to see your studio and get to know you in a deeper way by seeing where the inspiration comes to canvas. We look forward to many more years as your neighbors and friends!
Cheers,
Scott DeLaney
Jana,
Like Ted, I thank you for your words and impressions about our visit to Beulah. As I read your words I was truly moved by the way you captured how I feel about our annual trip to Mineral King.
For me, it’s a very grounding experience to reunite each year with these men I have known since the early 1980s. Though we have all found success in our careers, we come together and know the deeper individual that was there 25 years ago. We know that that individual from the past is still inside, so we still speak to him.
I treasure the weekend and the memories that are made and reflected upon there. I am grateful that you and Mike are part of those memories.
I am also grateful that your art captures Mineral King so well. As I see it hanging in my home, I am continually reminded of a weekend I look forward to every year, and the people I will see then.
Best wishes,
Jon
Good Afternoon Jana,
Thank you for the kind words on your website. We are fortunate. Twenty five years of anything in this day and age is a milestone. Beyond the camaraderie and the regular stories that get re-told and yes, even embellished, over the years, my experience at Mineral King serves as a poignant reminder of how blessed each of us are.
Each of us has the scars of life, “knicked up” so to speak. We have put on weight, are longer in the tooth, have more lines in our face and less hair to show, and hopefully a better version of ourselves with each passing year.
What has stuck me over the years is the changing dialogue, from “howling at the moon” in college to discussions regarding careers, family life, and being men of integrity. Today’s Mineral King experience is a genuine exchange of support and encouragement no matter where we find ourselves in life’s journey.
You and Michael have been a part of that journey. Thank you for your patience and friendship over the years.
Ted
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