Picto Diary - 16-23 September 2025 - Robert Redford RIP
I never met Redford formally. But I once passed him in very close proximity where we eyed one another, smiled and nodded.
In 1970 I was courting TIMDT. We were both BYU students living off campus in the Oak Hills section of Provo. I lived with Mom and Dad and TIMDT lived with the Wilson family where she was earning her keep as a part time au pair for the five Wilson boys. We remain close to the Wilson boys, four of whom are grandparents.
The Wilsons had two very interesting neighbors only two or three houses away. One was Lavell Edwards, acclaimed coach of BYU's 1984 national champion football team. The other neighbors were Mary Alice and Stan Collins. The Collins were close friends with Provo resident historian and activist Lola Van Wagnon and via Lola's marriage to Robert Redford, became good friends with Redford as well. Lola and Robert met during their college years, though Lola’s parents initially opposed the match. They were married in 1958. The couple went on to have four children — James, Amy, Shauna, and Scott Anthony.
TIMDT periodically babysat for the Collins children and on two or three occasions for the Collins AND the Redford kids together at the Collins home.
One afternoon in 1970 I went to the Collins home to seek out Margaret who had been babysitting. Mary Alice said that Margaret had returned back to the Wilsons. As I was leaving the Collins home, I saw a figure walking up the driveway towards me. As we two figures approached one another, I saw that the man was Robert Redford. We smiled and nodded towards one another and that was the limit of my celebrity encounter.
I have often wondered if I shouldn't have played the worshiping fan and introduce myself.
As a native Utahn I have been aware of Redford's impact on Utah. He owned the Sundance ski resort, and he was central to the creation of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City. Redford was a mega star back when stars were stars. He was left leaning politically, but by and large he didn't flaunt his beliefs. He identified with various conservation and environmental causes, but there also he never overstated his celebrity.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has been a perennial favorite movie of mine. While motorcycling in Patagonia 2011 we stopped at Butch and Sundance's ranch in Cholla, Patagonia (Argentina). Butch Cassidy's Ranch in Cholila, Patagonia | Che Argentina Travel
A world entertainment ikon with deep roots in Utah has passed on. May he rest in peace.
Above: Treasure Mountain School. Park City, UT. 19 September 2025.
LSDM Walkers.
School is set for demolition in the next few days.
Drums and Mynduveroan both attended this school.
Above: Old Town Park City, UT. 20 September 2025
LSDM Walkers. The Yellow House.
Above: Shorty's Stairs. Old Town. Park City, UT. 20 September 2025.
LSDM Walkers.
Huff puff. We're three over-eighties. The new fifties.
Above: Main Street, Park City, UT. 20 September 2025.
LSDM Walkers.
Above: Iron Canyon subdivision. Park City, UT. 22 September 2025
LSDM Walkers.
Zoom image from McLeod Creek Trail.
Above: Park Meadows, Park City, UT. 22 September 2025.
LSDM Walkers.
With Todd who owns the two-acre (zoned for horses, hence the large properties) garden at rear and whose home is to the right, out of the image. Todd says the high fence, barely visible, keeps the deer out. Todd has lived in Park City his entire forty-seven years. Growing veggies at 6800 feet is quite a challenge but from the looks of things Todd is doing pretty well.
Above: Iron Canyon, Park City, UT. 23 September 2025.
Colors, not yet at peak, still make for a beautiful kaleidoscope of a hill.
Addendum:
Must be something good in the Park City air or water because geezers there look so young and healthy! I've been having recent good experiences selling stuff (boats, cars, kayak, etc.) on Facebook Marketplace. Met some terrific people. Guy who bought my boat sent me pictures of him and his family enjoying my old boat. Same with the guy who bought my Hobie Kayak. Some things I longer want I've been advertising for free.
Nathans,
Orlando, FL
“Taylor’s Toys…”
😊
Hint: Donate to your favorite high school or machine shop class…at BYU.
Panama,
Los Angeles, CA
Steve,
If there could be a “hero” in the Charlie Kirk assignation of Charlie Kirk, it would be Tyler Robinson’s father (parents) who did the right thing as painful as that must have been.
Henri,
Larkspur, CA
There is no reason to do what makes sense. If you are getting pleasure out of four bikes keep them (motorcycles)
Stockli,
Lowell, MA