My Dino Heritage
I was browsing through old photos this afternoon and came across this gem.
This photo must have been taken around 1975 0r 1976. I’m in the background holding my Mom’s hand with, my older sister Janice on the left, and my younger sister Becky on the right.
The T-Rex in the photo was built by my grandfather George Millecam. He built it to help promote the tourism around Vernal and to promote the “Dinaville Motel” which he owned. He had built a series of dinosaur sculptures that were located in the backyard of the Motel. The T-Rex still stands, but some of the other dino sculptures have been moved around and ended up in different cities (Dinosaur Colorado). I’ll try to hunt down some of the other sculptures, they’ve really got some great character, a nice example of folk art and a big part of my heritage. I remember growing up thinking how cool it was that my Grandpa had built these huge dinosaurs. I guess I sort of grew up with that in mind (my grandpa built sculptures of dinosaurs and my dad drew and painted) that it was normal for adults to engage in big (even pink) art projects.
Here’s a cool postcard from the hotel, along with another cool sculpture by grandpa George. My mom grew up in this hotel. I don’t have many memories of it, other than seeing the dinosaur, old 16mm films we’d watch at family get-togethers. We did however, have fun in the 80’s skateboarding in the pool. The hotel is gone now, but they’ve moved the dinosaur to the east end of town where it welcomes visitors to Vernal.
My parents pushed me into the arts, even when culturally in small town Idaho and Utah it wasn’t the sure-fire way to make a career for yourself. I’m glad they pushed me in that direction, and continued to support me, even when the school and my career counselors in high school forced me to take auto mechanics instead of art classes.
I love art, I love the expression, the freedom and I love to make beautiful things (even though I don’t always succeed). I also love design, the problems, the creativity, and the constant striving for perfection. I believe that all these things that were impressed into my mind from the time I was little, reading the hand drawn letters that my dad made me and wonderful times staring up at those cool dinosaurs that my Grandpa built.
I think subconsciously the dino art had an impact on me as well. When I was young and to this day, I have been fascinated by dinos and apparently I was the main reason my family took a summer vacation to Vernal. (My sister was so upset because she missed the Ziggy Marly concert) I had no idea that because of me, their teenage social life was put in jeopardy.
We visited “dinosaur land” and I do have a photo of what is probably the large T-rex that you mentioned. I had no clue at the time and until recently never made the connection between my liking of dinosaurs and art. It’s something that many of us share. Or it’s just something I made up while I eat dinner and read your blog. Regardless… your story is great and it sounds like you have a wonderful family that supports your needs and interest.
Dinosaurs and UFOs (a post on the latter to come later) are some of those things that just inspire the imagination. Please let your sister know that I made it to the Ziggy Marley concert (1989 or so at The Canyons - then known as Park West).
I took photos of the other dinosaurs, including Helen the stegosaurs in Artesia, Colorado, on my trip to Denver last year. I’ll send them to you later.
I especially like how the dinosaur has scorpion pincers. Reminds me of McRaptor