I came across the H-Bar-G Ranch Hostel in the summer of 1988, when I was traveling cross country from N.Y. to L.A. I had a rickety old Camper Van that broke OPEN (not down!) while coming through a violent wind storm in Kansas, enroute to CA... Decision time: Going to Estes Park seemed the most logical choice based on my trusted Hostel Guide Book, when compared to Denver or even Boulder.
Upon arrival at the Ranch, I met Lou Livingston, the man on the mountain!!! I explained to him my dilemma with my broken van, and Lou offered me the use of his tools from his work shed "as long as I put them back every night". And so over the next few weeks I alternated between fixing my vans roof, -hiking the area around Estes Park with some other travelers I met there, -enjoyed bonfires at the H-Bar-G Ranch, -went horseback riding and so on.
It was a marvelous time in my life, and made most memorable thanks to Lou's generosity!!! And today, some 25 years later, I still remember every detail of these few weeks!!!
- Konrad Werner (Albuquerque, NM)