If you visit the Pioneer Village museum in Aztec, you can see the little JOP office that sat in my grandfather's yard for many, many years. I have fond memories of sitting on his lap at his desk in that old shack, listening to stories about this that and the other. He was also a rock hound and kept mining leases open on several government properties up around Ouray and Silverton. When I was a young kid, back in the early 60's, we used to travel up to the old mines (none of which were producing) and dig out a bit of rock to present to the assay office in order to show enough activity to keep the lease open. Great memories of camping out in the old miner's cabin, stoking the pot bellied stove. My dad and uncles drove pickups and station wagons up those *jeep* trails that people wrangle today, all with us kids bouncing around in the back . 😁
Still have a deep-seated love for the San Juans.
Steve