Welcome aboard! If you did this ten years ago, then you pre-date me by a lot, and know what good forum it is . . (small, but some VERY knowledgeable members on here).
You caught my attention with two things "first '3A in 56" and Colorado.
We need more details and photos! :-)
Even though we are a east-coast family, my father was born in Durango Colorado during the "great" depression, and spent his early childhood there before come back east.
He spent about 5 summers in CO, in later life, to visit old friends of the family, and to "Jeep" all the trails in that area. This was during the late '70's . . not sure, but I imagine the 70's and 50's were similar, much different than today. I can only imagine from their stories though, I missed out, because I was off to college, and working. :-(
