Dave Wells enjoys a beer at Greasewood Flat. Photo courtesy of Dave Wells.
Dave Wells Meets Greasewood Flat, and Some Guy Named ‘Doc’
By Dave Wells
Note from Editor. This is the first in a series of seven articles. To read other stories in the series, use the links at the bottom of this article.
To mark the closing of Greasewood Flat, The Peak published this series of articles, one article at a time, during the first week of April. Have a story about Greasewood or “Doc?” If so, send it in and we’ll consider publishing it.
It was in late December, 1977, when Dave Wells, a city slicker, golfer, from Memphis, Tennessee, came to Scottsdale for a national sales meeting. The meeting was held at the Mountain Shadows Resort near Lincoln Drive and Scottsdale Road.
Dave finished his sales meeting work in the afternoon, and asked the bellman at Mountain Shadows where he could drive and see Arizona and the real old west. It was suggested he drive up to the Reata Pass area; so away he went in his rental auto.
An hour or so later, he was on Alma School Road -.not much activity in those days, no golf courses, no houses, not even many autos. As Dave approached Reata Pass, he saw an open gate and a sign, “Greasewood Flat Bar – Welcome.” So down a bumpy dirt road he went, sun beginning to go down, but this looked like the old west and a lot of fun.
No vehicles at the little brown wooden structure and Dave had his choice of any parking space. He parked and walked up on the porch and to the door. To his surprise, the door was locked.
So back to his rental car and up the bumpy road he went to a bigger surprise! The gate was locked and the sun really was disappearing now. Dave, sensing a panic attack, locks the rental car and heads on foot up to Reata Pass.
Enjoying another visit to Greasewood Flat. Photo courtesy of Dave Wells.
It’s now dark and bartender lady greets Dave with “What’s your pleasure”? Dave quickly tells his story of car being locked in some place named Greasewood Flat. She answers, “You need Doc, and he’s not in his office.”
Dave responds, “I don’t need a doctor; I just need someone to unlock the gate!” The nice lady then says, “Doc is the only one with a key. I’ll try to call him.”
Dave walked back to his rental car in total darkness with funny noises from animals – later learning that it was the sound of the ever present coyote. Fifteen minutes later, a truck pulls up.
A man named ‘Doc’ gets out with many, many keys. He unlocks the gate, and Dave Wells is on his way, but not before he and Doc talked.
Doc’s final words were, “Young fellow, be careful, and take care of yourself.” Thus, began a wonderful friendship between a guy from Tennessee and a native Arizonan.
Dave Wells will always cherish the time he spent at Greasewood Flat with Doc and the friendly folks who frequented that place.
Related Articles
Dave Wells Meets Greasewood Flat and Some Guy Named “Doc”, Story #1 – Published 03/29/2015 (April Issue)
The Burial of Tiger Wells, Story #2 – Published 04/02/2015
Reata Pass – Hell, There’s Two of Them, Story #3 – Published 04/03/2015
Charity Auctions at Greasewood Flat, Story #4 – Published 04/04/2015
Unforgettable Boat Ride to Harolds, Story #5 – Published 04/05/2015
Docos Tacos, Story #6 – Published 04/06/2015
Muy Feo, Story #7 – Published 04/07/2015
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