Jeff and Laurie Beckel live on the Dew Drop Lode situated on Overlooked Way with Jake and Jonesie our two labradors. We bought this beautiful land in 1995 and erected the tipi for weekend use. In October of 1999, we sold most of what we owned and moved into the tipi while we built our strawbale home. Terra Designs the original contractor walked off the job in August of 2000 leaving us in a precarious place. We were able to hire John Andrews (a friend and neighbor on Bald Mountain) to fill-in as the on-site supervisor and together we continued to build. Our home is nearly finished and we love being inside watching and listening to the pounding of the weather outside. The two years in the tipi offered us a great experience that will remain with us the rest of our lives.

We drive to Denver each day to our workplaces. Jeff is a Project Manager for Swanson Rink Consulting Engineers, and Laurie is a Site Coordinator for Casey Family Programs, one of two foundations invested in children and youth begun by Jim Casey, the founder of United Parcel Service. The Community Building Initiative that Laurie directs is focused on support for youth in transition from systems ie. foster care, juvenile justice, residential care. Laurie is the co-chair for the Local Coordinating Council of the Cornerstone Initiative and is currently working with youth in Clear Creek county to develop needed services and supports.

We have two children (Yaisa and Nate), a son-in-law (Nathan) and twin grandaughters born in November. We feel truly blessed!

Qwest finally got our phone line in and our number is: 303-567-2483. Best New Year's wishes to our York Gulch neighbors!

(New arrivals should check out the Map of YG; the Mountain Directory; and the Newcomers' Information pages.)

Rev. 1-Jan-02