In the little town of Mancos, the West still lives. This gateway to Mesa Verde has mostly dirt streets, periodic cattle drives through downtown, and a decades old tradition of ranching. Horseback riding and stage coach excursions are highlights for summer visitors. A new tradition is forming as Olde Fashioned Christmas is celebrated in the first two weeks of December each year.

This is the second year of the Tinsel Trail Home Tour, within the Olde Fashioned Christmas festivities. Most everyone is curious to see how their neighbors decorate for Christmas. Five homes are featured this year on the Dec. 10 tour; three are outside the town limits and two are downtown. Maps will be available by mail from the Visitor Center (533-7434), at the five homes, and on www.Mancos.org. Each homeowner is planning special refreshments, and there are no tickets required to be purchased ahead of time. Visitors are asked to make a donation if they are enjoying the tour, and interest will support a third annual event. In addition there will be three door prize drawings for one-night stays at three different Mancos Valley B&Bs — Lost Canyon Lake, Sundance Bear Lodge and the Bauer House.

The two homes in town are of great interest. One is the Bauer House B&B, originally built in 1890 by town founder George Bauer. Through the decades the building was Ansel Hall's home, Dr.Trotter's medical office, a cowboy museum, tea room, and apartments —and now bed and breakfast. Purchased by Bobbi Black in 1994, the Bauer House has under gone substantial historic renovation and restoration, beginning with new roof, plumbing and wiring! With aid from a State Historical Society grant, Black did major work on the exterior brick and stone and restored the porches this last year.

For many, the Tinsel Trail Home Tour will be the first opportunity to tour the results of Black's seven-year adventure. Black's friends in Durango had pointed out the building to her, while she was in the midst of a basically East Coast search for just the right home/B&B property. Little did they know what that trip to Mancos would mean!

Bobbi and John Harting will show guests through all the rooms of the mansion, which will be appropriately decorated along a Victorian Christmas theme.

Also downtown is the Mitchell House, built and completed on July 4, 1978. This lovely log home on Grand Avenue was designed by Charlie Mitchell for his family, and Rob Bement assisted in the construction. It is a two-story ranch, with natural aspen paneling and an open floor plan. The original heat source was a wood- burning stove.

Mancos residents have been eager to see this home, with its lovely circular drive and stately trees in the front yard. The Tinsel Trail Tour subcommittee will assist Ramona Mitchell with the decorations, which will be all natural colors.

In the Mancos Valley the three homes are on County Road G, County Road 38.5 off Highway 184, and CR 42 at Jackson Lake. The last is the home of Judi and John Kozyra, Commander of the VFW Post in Mancos. Built in 1982, this hand-formed adobe brick home was purchased by Kozyras in 1993. Judi was raised in Colorado, and feels like she is back home for their retirement.

This elegant home sits well back from the road, overlooking 35 acres. The 4200-square-foot home has an open floor plan featuring a large central atrium with four skylights, a formal dining room, large sun room with 11 windows, and much more. The holiday décor will be elegant country, in burgundy and gold, with two Christmas trees. "Angels live here," says Kozyra, and she carries that theme throughout her home for the holidays.

Jim and Neysa Logan live on CR 38.5, north of Mancos, in a full round log home designed by Logans and built with the help of Neysa's parents and under the guidance of Dan Wright. Surviving a smashed little finger and relishing intimate gifts of hammer and carpenter's belt, Neysa reports that a couple can build a home together and still stay together! Completed in 1997, the 1600-square-foot home has red and green entry doors, suitable for the season! Logans came to Montezuma County to escape Phoenix heat and start a new life — which now includes foster children Zack and Tonia.

Neysa's décor is southwestern country with some lovely oak antiques mixed in; enjoy the Logan teddy bears, terriers, quilts and plaids this holiday season.

Dr. John and Anne Patton designed and built their home on Co Rd G. This tiny house is settled in the shadows of Bobcat Mountain, where Pattons can enjoy views of the Mancos Valley and the La Platas. Wildlife are frequent and welcome visitors to the four-year-old home, and three generations of the Pattons' family will be gathering for the holidays.