Out of Purgatory
The Chronicles Continue
Gary L. Bridges
Art Work
by
Shawn Kingston Bridges
Book Summary
Out of Purgatory begins with the real story of what happened at El Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorío—“The River of Lost Souls in Purgatory” when the Spanish priest, Father Miguel, is scalped by a band of avenging Ute warriors, including the one he saved from certain death. That frightened young, orphaned Indian boy was Towaoc, who is now a great Ute chief.
This fictional account follows Steve Curry as he continues life in the stunningly beautiful Cuchara Valley. Many of his adventures follow him from The Cuchara Chronicles. For instance, Samson, his faithful dog is now chasing recalcitrant bears from the campgrounds. The general, who lost his son, John, in a tragic rock climbing accident, returns to revisit the site, trying to come to grips with his death.
Most interestingly, Steve’s best friend at Fort Lewis College, Taylor Youngblood, is a Ute Indian from the Ute reservation at Ignacio, Colorado. Taylor, unknown to Steve, provides a historical link to the Ute tribe and their chief, who lived, hunted and died at the base of the Wahatoya Mountains (Spanish Peaks). These historical ties are explored through a series of flash-backs to the Ute camp near the present town of LaVeta and Chaparral Falls. The Chaparral Falls cave protects the remains of Lane Curry’s lost grand father, Sven Curry. But that’s not all. Lane also discovered a cache of Spanish gold coins, which had been lost since…well, you’ll just have to wait and see. The flashbacks to the Ute camp show the reader how the Utes and the first Spanish settlers got along (and didn’t). You’ll be there for Towaoc’s wedding (the prenuptials are surprising and exciting), the birth of his baby girl, Shavano, her kidnapping and a bloody battle with Spanish militia seeking revenge for an unfortunate death.
Lane Curry has to call his old friend, Mark Garrett, the former federal agent, to help sort out some very mysterious activities taking place at the Ute reservation casino. They involve a savvy North Korean, and Syrian terrorists. Before long, a whole slew of federal agents have descended on the casino for a thrilling take-down. Even the general gets involved.
A raging forest fire traps Steve and several campers at Bear Lake. It’s up to him to lead them out over Indian Creek Trail before the fire engulfs them. Some tricky low-level flying by a retired Air Force pilot in a slurry bomber may be able to save them.
Lane gets involved in conceiving and promoting a bold new concept to replace the aging and sickly Cuchara Valley Ski resort. It will take big money but the outcome may surprise everyone.