Timberline-Let the Breeze Caress Your Mind
And Dream, Be What You Seem, Up On The Timberline
Jim Salestrom’s first band and album was entitled “Timberline.” It made me fall in love with both acoustic music and the tundra all at once. The timberline, that point where the trees give way to an openness, “We’ve got to climb, Closer to time, Up on the Timberline. Where the air is fresh, problems less, let the breeze caress your mind.” (Salestrom 1977)
In 1979, I was trying to figure my life out, a confused nearly adult just out of college in my first teaching job. Like any reliable 1970s post-hippy, I was searching for the light in my life. At the time, it only made sense to hitch-hike from Estes Park to Steamboat Springs where I walked into the wilderness alone for a week.
During my journey, I caught a ride on the back of a flatbed truck over Trail Ridge Road. As I felt the chill of the timberline, Jim’s words inspired me, “And dream, be what you seem, up on the timberline where hope and love and peace all intertwine.”
Throughout my life, Jim’s music continued to inspire me. While he developed a successful solo career, he began playing with the Dolly Parton Band in 1979, and that relationship continued for over forty years. But he always returned to his two homes. One in Nebraska where I lived, and his adopted home in Breckenridge, Colorado.
(Photos courtesy of James Salestrom. John Denver photo by Brian Schrack)
A Classic Acoustic Music Story
Being such a great fan, over the years I got to know Jim. I remember having dinner with him in Hastings, NE. I was doing the art fair with my photography, and Jim was the music talent. That night he told me a great story, one that is epic for a mountain and acoustic music fans.
When Jim was in high school, he was hired to help as a “roadie” for John Denver’s first concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater. As Jim was setting up the mics on stage, a voice behind him said, “Can I help you with that?” Jim answered, “No...these are John Denver's mic stands. This is my job, and I’m on it.” When the person behind him began laughing, Jim turned to see John Denver.
Face to face with his inspiration and musical mentor, they struck up a conversation. From one musician to another, John told Jim, “You’re only relevant in this business for a short time. I was relevant with ‘Take Me Home, Country Road.’ I’m going to introduce a song tonight that I think will make me relevant again.”
As Jim shared with me, “That night, long before there was a roof on the Red Rock Amphitheater, a harvest moon rose over the horizon. In the glow of the moon, for the first time in public, John Denver played ‘Rocky Mountain High.’”
Over the years, Jim and John continued their relationship. Jim recorded vocals and banjo on John Denver’s album
Different Directions and sang with John in concert (jimsalestrom.com). On March 12th, 2007, Jim was honored to perform at the Colorado Capital when John's song "Rocky Mountain High" was elevated to an official Colorado State Song.
Three years ago, when I started RMNPhotographer Tours, I began playing Jim’s song “Timberline” for our guests. As we would drive over Trail Ridge Road, I’d share the song that had inspired my deeper love for the mountains.
“We’ve got to climb, Closer to time, Up on the Timberline. Where the air is fresh, problems less, let the breeze caress your mind. And dream, be what you seem, up on the timberline where hope and love and peace all intertwine.”
Those words, written by Jim, inspired me. It enriched my love for Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, and the words guided me to live a life of dreams, hope, love and peace all intertwined. I cannot drive Trail Ridge Road without thinking of those words or silently thanking my friend, Jim Salestrom.
Two years ago, I was able to reconnect with Jim, and we had a wonderful conversation. As always, he was vibrant, upbeat, and gracious. And to hear his music again, music that inspired me and brought me to love and live in Estes Park, was a treasure given.
This week, a Celebration of Life was held for Jim in Breckenridge. Jim had lost his battle with cancer, and many attended to celebrate an inspirational life. He was a man of great character, heart, music, and family. Jim was one of those wonderful people who made our world so much better.
And, I thought of another song recorded by Jim, one I’d heard him sing many, many times. The song, by Hugh Prestwood, is “Bristlecone Pine” with lyrics including “When I'm laid to rest it would suit me just fine to sleep at the feet of the bristlecone pine.”
I know Jim left our world much better, and I know these mountains we all love helped him inspire many to live a better life. On this day, I know he rests in the shadow of a wonderful life “at the feet of the bristlecone pine.”
To an amazing and wonderful man…Jim, may your music play on.
