Gary's earliest memories are of camping trips in the
Washington mountains. Mom's over there by the camp stove and
that's Gary in front of the tent. Dig his brother's Converse...nice.
There were always college kids with guitars working at summer camp.
Gary would grow very fond of the guitar players. He began playing at age 6.
His dad would buy old army Jeeps to maintain
the summer camps and give rides to guests.
Gary used to love, love, love flying with his dad in the
Piper Cub. His older brother always fell asleep.
Gary's family and a group of friends
drive the Alaskan Highway.
His dad would fly his plane over the lake at summer camp
and drop ping pong balls. The campers would race out in canoes
and compete for the most balls collected. That was creative.
His dad organized motorcycle camping trips.
That's him in on the Kawasaki
leading the pack. It turns out that John Denver
had the same motorcycle. Gary still stops in for a burger
at the Coyote Bar and Grill near Buena Vista, Colorado
where Denver's motorcycle hangs from the ceiling.
His dad also provided summer camp for the handicapped.
Gary watched his dad closely.
He was a strong creative influence on Gary.
It was 1973, and time to move to Colorado!
Gary would draw his first Penman character in four more years.
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©Gary Blehm, 1989-2013
