Today I met an old soul. A tough, amazing, capable old soul.
His name is Axel. Axel is probably 9 years old if not a bit younger.
He lives on his family ranch on the Front Range south of Denver. He is 8th generation on that Homestead. After getting home and looking it up – I found that they homesteaded in 1871 and have been there ever since.
Setting the scene.
As you pull into the yard you will see old and newer structures scattered around. Mature trees are clustered around buildings. All the buildings in fairly good condition; none recently restored and decorative but all still in use and highly functional. Also, you will be greeted by a menagerie of vehicles – vintage, 1950s and 1960s cars and trucks and a scattering of old tractors. All vehicles are in fairly good condition but sweaty, not restored. I notice two late 50s Ford trucks – one 4x4 and the other 2x4 – I learned to drive in a 1957, 4x4 Ford pickup. I knew that in 1957 that truck didn’t come 4x4 – it was an aftermarket, modification. Both these trucks were in solid condition – again not restored but solid, good tires and obviously “drivers.”
I went there to buy rough cut lumber from these folks, some 2x4s and 2x8s. I had called another lumber yard and they referred me. When I pulled into the yard a thick, squat black and white pit bull with a wide smile came out of an open shop door and greeted me enthusiastically. The shop was filled with various pieces of equipment and more vehicles. I didn’t see any people so I hollered a few “hellos”.
A 30-something man came out of the shop wiping his hands with a red-rag. Then out of an inner, side door came another man about the same age and with him was Axel. Axel was no taller than 4’, in a worn, green ball cap and a plaid cotton, button up, untucked shirt and faded Wrangler Jeans.
I told them what I was there for and they remembered my email from the week before asking if they had what I needed. The one working on the truck asked for the other’s help and they asked if I could wait a few minutes. I said, sure. I walked out to admire the Ford trucks and a wicked-cool Fairlane. They had a Ford-thing. That was clear. I asked about the Ford 4x4 and the boy said it was a 1957. I said, “Oh yeah, I learned to drive on one of those! Who made it into a 4x4? I remembered that the truck I learned on was “pre-factory-Ford 4x4?” He said, Yeah it didn’t come that way. The first year Ford made a 4x4 was 1959. Yes, was impressed! LOL this kid knew Fords the way my cousin Hugh knew Buicks when he was a kid.
The 2nd man came out, shook my hand, again, the little guy at his side – I didn’t know anyone’s name yet. The man told me that the mill was across the pasture and over the hill and I could follow them. Axel yelled, Ruger! Get in truck! And the black and white pit bull hopped into the bed one of the two Ford Trucks. Axel put up the tailgate – he could barely reach. This truck was the sweatier of the two Fords but it was very much “all there” and the body was super-straight.
The man, who I now knew as Chad hopped in the truck – but wait, he hopped in the passenger side. Maybe the driver’s side didn’t open? Nope Axel hopped behind the wheel and off they went, down the road across the pasture, across the creek and up to the mill and gravel pit. I watched the two “men” talked and turn their heads toward each other and back forward in conversation. I could barely SEE the back of Axel’s little head!
His name is Axel. Axel is probably 9 years old if not a bit younger.
He lives on his family ranch on the Front Range south of Denver. He is 8th generation on that Homestead. After getting home and looking it up – I found that they homesteaded in 1871 and have been there ever since.
Setting the scene.
As you pull into the yard you will see old and newer structures scattered around. Mature trees are clustered around buildings. All the buildings in fairly good condition; none recently restored and decorative but all still in use and highly functional. Also, you will be greeted by a menagerie of vehicles – vintage, 1950s and 1960s cars and trucks and a scattering of old tractors. All vehicles are in fairly good condition but sweaty, not restored. I notice two late 50s Ford trucks – one 4x4 and the other 2x4 – I learned to drive in a 1957, 4x4 Ford pickup. I knew that in 1957 that truck didn’t come 4x4 – it was an aftermarket, modification. Both these trucks were in solid condition – again not restored but solid, good tires and obviously “drivers.”
I went there to buy rough cut lumber from these folks, some 2x4s and 2x8s. I had called another lumber yard and they referred me. When I pulled into the yard a thick, squat black and white pit bull with a wide smile came out of an open shop door and greeted me enthusiastically. The shop was filled with various pieces of equipment and more vehicles. I didn’t see any people so I hollered a few “hellos”.
A 30-something man came out of the shop wiping his hands with a red-rag. Then out of an inner, side door came another man about the same age and with him was Axel. Axel was no taller than 4’, in a worn, green ball cap and a plaid cotton, button up, untucked shirt and faded Wrangler Jeans.
I told them what I was there for and they remembered my email from the week before asking if they had what I needed. The one working on the truck asked for the other’s help and they asked if I could wait a few minutes. I said, sure. I walked out to admire the Ford trucks and a wicked-cool Fairlane. They had a Ford-thing. That was clear. I asked about the Ford 4x4 and the boy said it was a 1957. I said, “Oh yeah, I learned to drive on one of those! Who made it into a 4x4? I remembered that the truck I learned on was “pre-factory-Ford 4x4?” He said, Yeah it didn’t come that way. The first year Ford made a 4x4 was 1959. Yes, was impressed! LOL this kid knew Fords the way my cousin Hugh knew Buicks when he was a kid.
The 2nd man came out, shook my hand, again, the little guy at his side – I didn’t know anyone’s name yet. The man told me that the mill was across the pasture and over the hill and I could follow them. Axel yelled, Ruger! Get in truck! And the black and white pit bull hopped into the bed one of the two Ford Trucks. Axel put up the tailgate – he could barely reach. This truck was the sweatier of the two Fords but it was very much “all there” and the body was super-straight.
The man, who I now knew as Chad hopped in the truck – but wait, he hopped in the passenger side. Maybe the driver’s side didn’t open? Nope Axel hopped behind the wheel and off they went, down the road across the pasture, across the creek and up to the mill and gravel pit. I watched the two “men” talked and turn their heads toward each other and back forward in conversation. I could barely SEE the back of Axel’s little head!
He parked the truck at the mill yard and they all tumbled out – Ruger
included. Axel ran off with Ruger and I
HAD to ask about him! I asked Chad if he
was his son and he said, “No, he’s my brother’s kid.” I commented on him driving on the ranch and
thought it was great! Chad said, yeah
that is his truck. He bought it from a
junkyard with his own money. He rebuilt
the motor with his dad. Axel and Ruger
scampered back to the truck and he said, “Ruger, let’s go swimmin” and off they
went back over the hill in that kid’s truck.
A tiny driver with an exuberant pit bull hanging his head (and tongue)
over the tailgate.
Chad and I loaded lumber and let me tell you a REAL 2x4 and a REAL 2x8 is a REAL piece of lumber! You would not believe how different they are from what Home Depot sells. How can they even call it a 2x4? He liked that I had worn gloves and a REAL truck. He told me of an urbanite gal who had recently bought a single 1x4 from him for a “project.” She came in her Hyundai and wailed when she got a splinter – if you don’t use gloves with rough cut lumber you deserve a splinter. He was clearly not enchanted with City-folk. It was then I learned Axel’s name. Chad told me that Axel had been driving that truck all over the ranch for a couple of years. I asked about the ranch and how big the place was. Chad said that family over the years had carved out chunks – so…and mumbled about it as though it had become small. I asked how many acres they had left with a sympathetic tone; thinking it had gotten “small.” He said, “Oh we still have about 3000 acres left.
Chad and I loaded lumber and let me tell you a REAL 2x4 and a REAL 2x8 is a REAL piece of lumber! You would not believe how different they are from what Home Depot sells. How can they even call it a 2x4? He liked that I had worn gloves and a REAL truck. He told me of an urbanite gal who had recently bought a single 1x4 from him for a “project.” She came in her Hyundai and wailed when she got a splinter – if you don’t use gloves with rough cut lumber you deserve a splinter. He was clearly not enchanted with City-folk. It was then I learned Axel’s name. Chad told me that Axel had been driving that truck all over the ranch for a couple of years. I asked about the ranch and how big the place was. Chad said that family over the years had carved out chunks – so…and mumbled about it as though it had become small. I asked how many acres they had left with a sympathetic tone; thinking it had gotten “small.” He said, “Oh we still have about 3000 acres left.
Chad responded, “Yeah, but he has a hard time relating with other kids his age.” That didn’t surprise me. It made me a little sad. Not for Axel but for the kids who would never “get” him and who would never learn 1/10th of what this kid already knew about the world.
After we were loaded Chad hopped on my “running board” (nerf bar) and said, “Let’s go.” We talked more across the cab through the open, rear window. He petted my dogs with his free hand holding onto my roof rack with the other. As we topped the hill we saw Axel and Ruger down at the creek romping with each other – his truck parked in the shade. Chad said, “This is good” and they all hopped back into Axel’s truck and headed back to the shop. Ruger now an even MORE ecstatic, WET dog on a hot day.
We all went into the office together to figure up what I owed them. I was sitting on a chrome and “leatherette” stool. Axel clambered up beside me on his own stool. He just quietly watched us do business. Then neither Chad nor I knew the date (I was writing a check) and Axel jumped up on another stool to check the calendar. It was “Proud to Be American” flavored calendar and after giving us the date, Axel exclaimed, “Hey, today is Donald Trump’s birthday!” It was pre-printed on the calendar. He hopped back down and took his former seat. We talked general politics, stupid laws and city-slickers. Axel was as much a part of the conversation as any of us. He had opinions on electric cars, what was used to charge them and then we talked about the marginal benefits of the use or DEF in new diesel trucks.
I gave Chad my check, he gave me a receipt written out on lined, binder paper. I thanked them both and headed for my truck. Axel, Ruger and Chad all stood in the shade of the shop door and waved good bye.
If I could have, I would have stayed just to talk to Axel. I wanted to learn so much more about him! I told them both that they would see me again – hey they sell gravel – we need gravel. They sell hay – we need hay. But for sure, I am going to see that kid again. And they don’t take credit cards but they will take a “good check.”
What a kid he is. I wish there were a lot more of him.
I have the pleasure of knowing Axel and his family. I've known the family for years and consider them family. Axel is something, isn't he?! I adore that kid! I could sit and talk to him for hours. You'll never meet another Axel.
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