Creede Carving Caverns

[Paul_Guraedy]

I have just returned home from the Creede, Colorado Woodcarving Rendezvous. We had a wonderful week of carving, scenery, weather, fellowship and food. I heard that there were over 200 carvers taking part in at least one of the sessions. Most of the normal varieties of woodcarving were represented plus carving in moose antler, woodturning and scroll saw. Rather than show photos of the carvers, I thought it might be interesting to show the setting where we worked.

Creede is in the San Luis Valley, headwaters of the Rio Grande River at an elevation of almost 9,000 feet. It is an old mining town and, maintaining this theme most of the activities took place underground. However, moose antler carving took place on the porch (but we did have the best scenery).

[Paul_Guraedy]

The underground part:

Although those of us on the carving porch did have the best scenery, we did have to endure morning temperatures that kept us in jackets (no complaints about carving gloves, masks, or anything else that added a little warmth).

Those in the mineshafts were comfortable and had the experience of carving in a very unusual setting. Even the Creede Fire Department.....uuhhhh.....location was utilized for woodcarvers.

Next years rendezvous is scheduled to start on July 14th. It is a wonderful location for those of us accompanied by non-carvers.

[Kenny_S]

COOL!
Paul, did you complete your antler carving?

[Paul_Guraedy]

Kenny,
The Creede Rendezvous is actually 7 days of carving. The moose antler class was scheduled for 5 days and Bill Matz had been asked, by me and several others, to offer something challenging even if it could not be finished within this time frame. He complied! The antler I selected had two “pans� and is huge. I worked with Bill on carving the difficult parts of the main pan and would estimate that it is about 1/3 complete.

The last two days I chose to start a cottonwood bark carving of a “whimsical house�. It is a lot of fun and is something I can do almost anywhere (unlike the birds I usually carve). These houses are interesting in that they take a lot of imagination right from the start. It is truly a case of carving what the “wood� allows.

My carvings are still in the RV and will be several days before coming inside. I will post photos in a few days. Diana has a very bad infection from a tick bite received before we left. The Internist wants her to remain sedentary with her leg elevated for the next 5-7 days. It is not lime disease, but is a serious infection and has to be treated aggressively with antibiotics. So, this means unloading and returning things to routine is left up to me. It is hot here, like most everywhere, and I will be taking my time.

[Kenny_S]

Sorry to hear about your wife.
I pray that she heals fast.
Tick are bad this year, Well for the last several years. I spray every few months in the spring, summer and fall. Insects are bad here also. Presky little blood suckers anyway.

Take care of her and keep us posted on her recovery.

Understand the elevation on the leg, Been there with my little bride for the past week also but not from a tick bite.

Take care and sounds like you had a super good time.

best to you and Diana

[MelNM]

Paul I been up there during the Rendevouz, but didn't participate. I was plannin g on going this year, but got bumped on my vacation. I hope I can go next year. I agree with you its some beautiful country. Did you get a chance to do any exploring?
Mel

[squbrigg]

What a great place to hold a carving get together. Interesting place. Sorry to hear about the tick infection, nasty things. Hope she gets better soon. So you gave moose antler a try! Sounds like an interesting challenge. I have one in the shop, but haven't worked up the courage yet. Some day, it's not going anywhere. When the right inspiration hits!

Look forward to seeing what you did with yours Paul. I've seen lots of nice antler carvings around here, it's an interesting medium.

Bob

[Doug Ridley]

Paul, did you happen to run into a carver named Rodney Duncan in Creede? He is an accomplished carver of Santas and Cottonwood bark houses. He looks like this.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Bob, Creede is indeed an interesting place to hold a woodcarving rendezvous. This small town goes all out to make the carvers welcome, the visit enjoyable, and the departure melancholy. There is also great potential for expansion of the waistline. The food available, for the noon meal, is economical, tasty, and plentiful.

Mel, I did get up over SlumgullionPass and down to LakeCity. Also, made it up to the Rio Grande reservoir and headwaters area for the Rio GrandeRiver. Luckily, I pull my 5th wheel with a 4x4 and, thus, was able to take the Bachelor Loop via the scenic route. Brought back a lot of information on the area and intend to stay for a full month next year.

Doug, I met so many people that keeping them straight is difficult. I do recall the name Duncan (the name of one of my favorite grade school teachers). The bark carvings made under the instruction of Redhawk are of old mines (appropriate for Creede) rather than of the elf house type. He uses pieces glued on for porches, ore carts, railings and such to make vey interesting carvings.

I might mention, gained from experience, that Creede has top quality EMTs a new modern medical facility and a new fully equipped hospital is available at Del Norte (about 40 miles).

[bronco]

Paul,
Thanks for sharing the pictures. My wifes mom and dad love going to Creede, now I know what I am missing, maybe someday.
Bill