Have you ever watched those movies where the main character goes back home after years away and runs around pointing at things saying, “I used to climb that tree” or “I loved sitting on that rock” while his sidekick nods in sage awareness? There seems to be a solidness about nature that man seldom achieves. What a terrific picture.
Unfortunately, I have to say it just isn’t true. I went home a summer or two ago. Not only was the house I grew up in torn down, but I hardly recognized the property. Apple trees were still there, but I couldn’t remember which, if any, were the ones I used to climb as a kid.
— Could you see planning a murder here? —
Today, I wanted to take advantage of the season to revisit some of the sites for Faith on the Rocks. The story is set in September and October, when Colorado enjoys a wonderful pallet of autumn colors. So Prophet and I went to South Platte Park instead of our usual Chatfield visit. I was searching for a special location–the spot where my character, Father Rico Sanchez met his end. I wanted to share a photo of that place with you.
But the park, as I remembered it, had changed like my old home property. The river was still there. Rocks still jutted out under steep slopes. The trees were engaging and huge. I just didn’t remember the paths turning precisely one way or another. There seemed to be more trails worn in by enthusiastic hikers. And the river itself seemed slower and lower than in years past.
Still, I was able to come up with a few places that could be what I described in the book. It’s up to you to decide if you like them, or perhaps your own imagination will help build a better view for you. Where would you shove a victim over the side of a riverbank? Heh, heh, heh. I have to admit, it’s fun in this spooky month of Halloween, to play the bad guy and decide these kind of things.
— This is steep enough; just needs the rocks —
Then I thought about other places in the book. I wanted to share with you the library where Daisy and her romantic writing friends hang out on Tuesday evenings. I eat bagels each morning at my local Einstein’s, and can see the library from across Johnson Reservoir.
In all, as I took my camera about, it struck me more and more that Littleton is a beautiful city to live in. No wonder, I have no desire to move.
Bagel and a Book — great combination!
And speaking of keeping put at home, where would Daisy live? What would her house look like?
I took several pictures of homes on streets I thought Daisy would like living at. Today, I’m sharing a few street scenes, but in a couple of weeks, I hope to set up a pictorial survey and have you choose what Daisy’s home should look like.
For now, I hope you find time to go crunch around in some autumn leaves, and enjoy this wonderful weather.
Happy October to you!
Liesa, what great pictures! You’re a much better photographer than I. This is very cool, a very writerly thing to do. There’s a small church on the corner near my former house with a two-story- tall stone tower. Whenever I drive by it, I remember how I used to study it when I was writing a climactic scene in my book. In the story, the tower is 5 storiesand the whole thing is much bigger and there’s a fantastic battle going on (at least I hope it’s fantastic). But just that mini-representation is enough to fire my imagination. Plain, old life can be so interesting when you’re a writer.
Thanks Devlin! Coming from such a good writer as you, this is high praise indeed. As I suspect I may have read about your Church in some of your work, I hope to see pictures of it on your site sometime. Wishing you well.