The History of Black Betty

The limo was originally purchased by Callahan-Edfast mortuary, for use a a funeral procession car. That's for the live ones, not the dead ones. Many tears were shed in that car by families grieving and releasing their loved ones. After ten years or more, Callahan retired the limo, but instead of selling it, they donated it to one of the local Boy Scout chapters. The Scouts had it for several years, and I'm not sure what they did with it it, but I bet they had a blast. They laughter of the boys in neckerchiefs surely balanced the previous cries of sorrow.

In 1996, I was cruising home on North Avenue when the big gray beast winked at me from the Wal-Mart parking lot. It was for sale and it was perfect! At that time, I owned BrightStar Homes, residential care homes for elderly persons with Alzheimer's Disease. Like anyone else, those folks needed to get out of the house for some fresh air. The problem was how to get all five residents, plus a driver and supervisor, out at the same time. This was it! The little old grannies though it was just the coolest thing to be picked in a limousine to tour the blossoming fruit trees of Palisade, the fall colors on the Mesa, the precipitous canyons of the Monument, or just something as simple as a shopping trip to the Mall or watching kids play at Canyon View Park. But they were every confused about being in the midst of the crowds, noise, and excitement at the Parade of Lights. We only tried that once.

After I closed BrightStar in 2003, the limo sat dormant for a few years. I toyed with the idea of of starting a "Last Resort Limo" service catering to low-budget gritty mountain bikers, climbers, and others seeking adventure in western Colorado and eastern Utah, but it never came to pass. You know the rest...

Story from Dave B.