Yesteryear
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In the decades since we moved into Heartwood in 2000, we’ve collected many memories and photos. The photos on this page show what an amazing place Heartwood has been for kids to grow up in and the potential we have for more kids to grow up in this idyllic environment.
Although more than half of the original households are still here, probably our biggest change has been the loss of kids. It’s been an inevitable and happy loss in that our kids have grown and are now out in the world making a life for themselves. All neighborhoods go through cycles of young children growing up and moving away and Heartwood is no exception. It’s a natural ebb and flow.
We currently have some wonderful teenagers. As a multigenerational community, we miss having more kids and are excited about the new young families that are now moving in.
Heartwood remains a great place for kids. Many of the homes are built for families, but much more important than that is our kid-friendly and kid-nurturing environment. Where else can you find a neighborhood where safe, unstructured free play is the norm? We have an extended family environment, where everyone knows and cares about all the kids and where there are hundreds of acres of nature waiting to be explored.
Although more than half of the original households are still here, probably our biggest change has been the loss of kids. It’s been an inevitable and happy loss in that our kids have grown and are now out in the world making a life for themselves. All neighborhoods go through cycles of young children growing up and moving away and Heartwood is no exception. It’s a natural ebb and flow.
We currently have some wonderful teenagers. As a multigenerational community, we miss having more kids and are excited about the new young families that are now moving in.
Heartwood remains a great place for kids. Many of the homes are built for families, but much more important than that is our kid-friendly and kid-nurturing environment. Where else can you find a neighborhood where safe, unstructured free play is the norm? We have an extended family environment, where everyone knows and cares about all the kids and where there are hundreds of acres of nature waiting to be explored.
Breaking ground in 1999.
Timber frame going up.
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Strawbale timber frame home under construction.
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Commotion and connection on the pedestrian pathway.
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Twirling is so much fun when you're a four year old.
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Best friends forever.
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A father son trip down the San Juan River.
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Growing up close to horses and all of nature.
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Kids played endlessly on the SS Ponderosa. She was completely rebuilt in 2018, ready for our next wave of kids.
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Helen helping Gracie with her not so well balanced pack on a girls backpack trip.
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Some of our girls growing up to be strong Colorado women by biking the 110 mile White Rim trail in Canyonlands National Park.
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Kids biking the White Rim trail.
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Boys being boys on the White Rim trail.
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Baking up a storm in the common house kitchen.
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Autumn means apple harvest time.
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As soon as kids can walk they can safely roam the neighborhood.
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Joe taking flight over the Colorado River.
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Learning to rock climb during our annual Canyonlands campout.
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Buccaneers on the San Juan River.
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Playing soccer down in the pasture.
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Tennis lessons.
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Homeschool cooperative in the yurt.
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A wreath is always better when you make it yourself.
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A father son hike up Engineer Mountain.
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Hopefully the chickens are having as much fun as the girls.
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Look out. Trouble's coming.
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Piano lessons with Kathy.
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Father daughter rock climbing.
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Miss Piggy cooking up the bacon at the Canyonlands campout.
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Pride and joy after a successful rock climb.
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Homeschool road trip to Mexico.
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Many of the same kids celebrating high school graduation 12 years later.
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Boys making stick boats at the middle pond.
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Mimi helping Joe learn to ride a bike. An extended family environment means loving, caring adults in every home.
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Boys getting crazy with mud on the San Juan River.
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Wanna apple?
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Halloween party and trick-or-treating.
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Grab your light saber and save the starship!
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Kids music recital in the common house.
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Pedestrian pathway becomes an equestrian pathway.
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May Day celebration around the May Pole in the Village Green.
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More snow means more fun.
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Mother daughter love at the sledding hill.
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Old fashioned fun on an old fashioned tire swing.
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Sing along at the common house.
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Harvesting apples to make cider.
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Girls backpack trip in the La Plata Mountains.
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Baking party in the common house.
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Taking the plunge into the Colorado River.
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Heartwood teenagers at prom.
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Heartwood teenagers in Canyonlands.
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Hiking in the San Juan Mountains.
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Celebrating May Day.
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Playing in the hot tub.
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In 2009 we created an organic farm and brought in interns to learn and grow. Unfortunately the County didn't approve of them living in a tent village so we lost our interns. We are now working to create farm housing so we can have a substantial organic farm once again.
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Ted can't resist the fresh spinach.
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An intern loving up the veggies.
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Farm interns hosting a farmers market at the common house.
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