Cold Beer, NM "Where not much happens but you better be here when it does." Cold Beer, also known as Colfax Tavern & Diner is a community hub where Philmont staff and participants find comradery and conversation among the hills we call HOmE.

In 2016, Shelly and Danny Quartieri became the fourth owners of the infamous Cold Beer.  Shelly discusses familial ties to Northern New Mexico, the story of how Colfax Tavern got named Cold Beer, and her love and respect for all the Philmont "kids" that have become like family to her.   Cold Beer offers more than spirits and libations, they also host a variety of events including their annual Honky Tonk Hodgepodge, cornhole tournaments, and more.

Today Shelly and Danny live at their Vermajo River Ranch in Maxwell, NM where in 2008 they founded Riding On Faith, a Christian based bull riding camp.  They are grateful and humbled to be "Parents away from home" to the many seasonal staff members who frequent their beloved bar.  Cold Beer, NM "It's in the middle of no where, but has people from everywhere."

Notable Mentions:
Roger Smith
Charlie Montoya - second owner of Cold Beer
Dorothy"Dot" Pompeo
Maya
Virginia
Pete Bergene
Mike Crockett
Sarah Burgess
Lela and Sean Murphy
Gay Ann
Tim Doherty
Jack and Mira
Ryan Bailey and Lindsey

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If you've been to Cimarron, but have yet to eat at the Burrito banquet, let me paint a picture for you: it's a place where no one goes hungry, there's music all-around, the best lemonade in the county, and a sweet three-legged dog named Tippy to greet you.  The owner Kathleen - she's beautiful inside and out, dedicated to community, and she carries a wheel gun on her hip! 

Kathleen Smiley purchased the famed Burrito Banquet in 2018.  Running burrito banquet as a one woman show, Kathleen embraces the wild and untamed magic of Cimarron, NM.  Her philosophy is much more than providing good food, she also gives back.  From organizing a COVID parade last year, to hosting a "I love Cimarron Party" and a Rams day for the school, Burrito banquet is invested in it's community. 

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Kicking off a 3-part, mini-series dedicated to local Cimarron establishments that are often frequented by Philmont Staff and participants.   In this episode, I chat with Caitlin and Austin Warner,  twin daughters of Melissa and Steven Warner.  Today, the Warner family owns and operates Hikers Coffee Company and Hikers Cimarron Inn & RV Park - both located in the heart of Cimarron, NM.

From discussing the 2018 Ute Park fire and quirks of backcountry living in the Valle, the sisters praise Philmont staff for their impeccable ability to be flexible and adapt.  They also acknowledge how as staff, we hold each other to the highest standards of awesomeness, where as a team everyone rises above and excels.  Lastly, they share their adventures, faith-filled story of moving from Texas to New Mexico, where they remain a vicarious part of the Philmont seasonal experience via daily interactions with staff, participants, locals, and tourists. 

Philmont Staff Experience
Caitlin:
2014 - Trek participant
2015 - NAYLE participant
2016 - PC Baldy Town
2017 - PC Ring Place
2018 - Ute Gulch Trading Post Manager / TSI
2019 - CD Ring Place / Autumn PTC PC
2020 - CD Carson Meadows - summer cancelled due to pandemic

Austin:
2014 - Trek participant
2015 - NAYLE participant
2016 - PC Seally Canyon
2017 - PC Baldy Town
2018 - ACD Head of Dean / TSI
2020 - Infirmary nurse - summer cancelled due to pandemic
2021 - Infirmary nurse

Notable Mentions:
Jo Duran
Grant Reigelman
Sean Murphy
Olivia Starch
Katie Krzyvon
Steven and Melissa Warner
Sue and Andy - pervious owners of the Cimarron Inn

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Bonus episode!  Join Caitlin, Dylan, and Jimmy as they discuss the recording process of No Time For Caution, by The Calico Stray.  We genuinely hope you're enjoying the tunes, and thank you for your support!

Check out Jesse Rundle on Soundbetter for mixing and mastering needs!  We highly recommend him and appreciate all his help on this album. 

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Ficke Sisters - Caroline, Caitlin, Carly, and Claire - share their individual Philmont stories and release their debut album of Philmont inspired tunes.  To listen and purchase a digital copy of the album, click here!  For fun photos and videos of behind the scenes from the recording weekend, follow The Calico Stray on instragram.  All proceeds go to the podcast.  Cheers friends! 

Notable Mentions
Michelle
Jamie
Caroline Davis
Nathan Ford
Lucy Baker Minchow
Typer Minchow
Ted
Austin
Anna
Alex
Kreable
Devyn 
Tim Collver
Kayla Steffens
Hattie Ficke Kingsley
Linda and John Ficke
Larry McLaughlin
Peter Bingen

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Coming to you with a special interview with Jeremy Spivey.  Rather than follow the traditional format, Jeremy wanted to pay tribute to the individuals and the department that forged him into the person he is today - the Philmont Ranch Department.   

In this episode he shares an introduction to Ranch Department history beginning in the late 1950s into the early 2000s.  Jeremy discusses the "hierarchy of necessity" due to the dangerous nature of being a wrangler, developing strong work ethic and knowing ones role, as well as the origins of Cavalcade, introduction of women in the department, and traditions such as the Maverick Club Rodeo, Wrangler Roping, and more.

The Philmont Ranch Department, also referred to as, “Cowboy college” is where one learns responsibility, reliability, horsemanship, and "try."

Philmont Experience
1991 - Trek participant
1993 - CHQ Dining Hall
1994 - Wrangler
1995 - Wrangler
1996 - Wrangler
1997 - North Cavalcade Horseman
1998 - North Cavalcade Horseman

Notable Mentions:
Dr. Reggie Jayne
Dr. Aaron Richmond
Bob Rickleffs
Jim Keith
Spencer Seim
Hunter Seim
Rod Taylor
David Keller
Matt Keller
Chuck Enloe
Bob Knox - Growing Up to Cowboy
Lawrence "Boss" Sanchez
The Belle Ranch
Eddie Sachez
WS Ranch
Richard Monger
Leo Martinez Sr.
Leo Martinez Jr.
Larry Mesaric
Ben Vargas
Maverick Club Rodeo
Dr. Justin Green
The Garcia Family
Shawn and Austin Vargas
Rod Taylor
Brian Hobrock
Chuck Enloe
Lori Idoski Repovich 
Tara Alger Hardy
Jennifer Donnelly
Dorothy Van Ark
Dr. John Alexander
Calvin Cowan
Rusty Lowe
Dave Kenneke
Jake Anderson
Stacy Green
Silver Spur Ranches
John Malone
Chope Phillips
Hank Weiscamp
Butch Whitten
Marylin Vargas
Tanner Shaw
Jessica Seifert
Craig Dunlap
Brian Rada
Tim Stevens
Tanya and Colby Cargo
Lt. Col. Sean Connelly
Mike McCampbell
Josh Green

To support the podcast via a one-time donation, click below.  You can also Venmo Caitlin-Lowe-87714.  Your contributions are very appreciated.

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Dave Plumb, came back on staff for "one more summer."  He had sworn off romantic relationships, when at a Tobasco Donkeys concert, he unexpectedly met the women he'd later marry and grow a family with (Meg Graham Plumb).  Prior to working on staff, Dave attended PSA treks with his father.  On these treks, he witnessed the deep connections between current and past staff, which is what made him fall in love with Philmont Scout Ranch. Dave discusses the culture of logistics, the Philmont staff connection to the Red River Ski area, and how he continues to use teachable moments to this day as a school teacher in Colorado.

Philmont Experience:
1996 - PTC Participant
1997 - Trek 
1999, 2001, 2015, 2021 - PSA Trek

Seasonal Staff
2003 - Logistics Trip Planner
2008 - Logistics Asst Mgr / Autumn Guide
2009 - CD Ring Place
2011 - Logistics Communications Mgr / Autumn Co-Coordinator
2012 - Logistics Communications Mgr 

Notable Mentions:
Doug Palmer
Brad Plumb
John Nagib
Sid Covington
Eli Page-Goertz
Nick Mullens
Stephen August Hirsch Jr from the Great State of Arizona
Kathy Stanish Mead
Meg Graham Plumb
Dom Alisindrini
Tim Collver
Desi Atwater
Sarah Burgess
Matt Murray
Allison Vinson Defrees
Ellie Nickens Turner
Tobasco Donkeys
Mike Ritterhouse
Tim Bordon
Cassandra Rokita Robinson 
Ross Robison
Ingria Jones
Jeff Ostandorff
Coralie Graham

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Tennessee native, Julie Smith Vigil, first experienced Philmont as a reluctant, 13-year-old mountain trek participant.  Afterward she told her parents she was going to move to New Mexico as soon as she could.  Julie did just that, and she never left.

Among the many jobs that Julie worked at Philmont, PTC Group Leader was one of her favorites, as well as holding claim to being the first female CD at French Henry.  Today, she is a school teacher in Cimarron, and continues to work at Philmont in the summer time. 

Julie shares her experiences of being met with with disapproval as a female at Philmont in the1980's - and how she had to work extra, and twice as hard to prove herself.   She was repeatedly asked by management to step into different departments and new roles, always saying yes - embracing the scary but exciting challenge.  Julie finishes off the interview with some fun ghost stories from her time at Baldy and French.

Philmont Experience
1981 and 1983 - Mountain Trek

1985 - Trading Post
1986 & 1988 - PTC Group Leader
1989 - Asst Program Mgr
1990 & 1991 - Assoc Director Conservation
1992 - PTC Services Mgr
1993 - PTC Seasonal Registrar
Fall 1993 - PTC Office
1994 - CD Santa Claus
1995 - CD Clark's Fork
1996 - CD Miners
1997 - Logistics Mgr
1998 - CD Cito
1999 - CD Baldy
2000 - CD French
2001 & 2002 - BCM
2003 & 2004 - Logistics Asst Mgr
2005 - BCM
2006 - Logistics Communications Mgr
2007 - 2010- Asst BCW Mgr
2011 & 2012 - Mailroom
2013 - Asst BCW Mgr
2014 - BCW Mgr
2015 - Mailroom
2016 - Mailroom Mgr
2017 - took off a summer
2018 & 2019 & 2021 - Special Projects Coordinator

Notable Mentions
Chris McCarthy Standard
Mitch Standard
Doug Palmer
Georgia - PC at French
Amy Long - First BCM
Dwight
Johnny Ulibarri
Gene Schnell
Rachel Ricklefs
Linda Anderson
Steve Nelson

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Savren Nelson is that person who's not afraid to try something new and even take it to the next level of entrepreneurship.  Savren is a warm, intelligent, and talented individual  who currently works in public health while at the same time, runs her jewelry business, S Designs.  She discusses her time at Philmont, highlighting the COPE programs, positive examples of backcountry leadership, and the dynamic challenges of being on seasonal staff during the Ute Park fire of 2018.

Philmont Experience
2015 - PC Carson Meadows
2016 - PC Dan Beard
2017 - ACD (Assistant Camp Director) Head of Dean
2018 - CD Sawmill - Season cancelled due to Ute Park Fire
2019 - CD Dan Beard
2020 BCM - Season cancelled due to pandemic 

Notable Mentions:
Claire Ficke
Rhiannon Nelson
Lela Puckett Murphy "LP"
Grant Reigleman
Tyler DuBard
Sean Murphy
Pete Scifres 
Alex Handel
Maddy Brown
Bucko Cowden

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Silver On the Sage is celebrating one year of successful podcasting today!  Dylan McDermott, singer-songwriter of the podcast song "Confluence" joins me to reflect and recollect.  We share fun trivia, podcast stats, and memories.  Today Dylan earns a living, loving what he does as a music teacher, local performer, and luthier.   

I raise my glass to everyone who has interviewed, donated, suggested content, and supported the show through and through.  Let's keeping hiking!  

Philmont Experience
2012 - PC Beaubien
2013 - PC Crater / PC Pueblano

Notable Mentions:
Carly Ficke McDermott - Jive Bookkeeping
Larry McLaughlin - Philmont Documentary
Tim Collver
Tim Borden
Jimmy Lowe
Rachel Hadaway
Dan Edwards
Chris Sawyer
Phil Lewis
Karl Hubbard
Romero Banjos
Gallup Guitar School
Caroline Ficke Johnson
Claire Ficke

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