Discover literary works and photography by

Larry Ray Rather

Forest Light Productions, LLC

About the Author

Larry Ray Rather was born into a legacy of ranchers and farmers in Southwest Colorado, where his earliest memories were forged amidst the breathtaking scenery of his grandparents' ranch. A childhood spent exploring the natural world – from the aspen-covered slopes of the Roaring Fork Valley to the Ponderosa-covered hills of the San Juan Basin – instilled in him a deep love for the Rocky Mountains and a lifelong passion for storytelling.

Fueled by a vivid imagination and a family rich in oral history, Larry began crafting his own narratives early on. His first short story, penned in the second grade, hinted at the adventurous spirit that would define his writing. Inspired by the tales of his ancestors – including his grandfather, a cattleman who arrived in Durango in 1900 – Larry weaves together history, folklore, and personal experiences to create captivating stories that resonate with readers.

A lifelong learner, Larry's curiosity extends beyond the written word. He is an avid student of history, archaeology, and the natural sciences, constantly seeking to understand the intricate web of life that surrounds us. Whether he's exploring the ancient ruins of the American West or simply observing the intricate dance of a hawk in the sky, Larry finds inspiration in every corner of the world.

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Larry’s Debut Novel

As Long As Rivers Run

It’s 1868, and Tom Dunnigan is reeling from nightmares of the Civil War and grieving the death of his wife. Driven by wanderlust and a deep desire for peace, he leads his daughter, Brooke, into the wilds of western Colorado. Unlike many other white prospectors and settlers who dreamed of western travel or wealth from mining exploration, the father-daughter duo stumbled into an adventure that would change their lives forever.

During an unexpected encounter with a small group of Ute Indians, Tom revives the band’s leader from a near-death encounter with a bear. In return, the leader of the Yellow Bear Utes offers Tom and Brooke protection and companionship to travel within the Great Circle of Life that is driven by the cycle of water through the seasons. Following the moons of the Ute calendar over the course of a year, the father and daughter pair witness and participate in the daily life and special ceremonies of the Ute people, learning their ways and growing to respect the band’s deep understanding of the wilderness that is their home.

When an ancient Ute enemy retaliates after a raid, Tom and Brooke realize how precarious life can be for the people they have come to love. And when the mighty wilderness closes in on him and his daughter, Tom realizes that neither his university education nor his family wealth can save them. Without help from the Yellow Bears, the adventure that he and his daughter have fallen into might just kill them both.

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More About the Book

As Long As Rivers Run

Reviews & Testimonials

“Watch out for bears and make friends with the Utes,” a mountain man tells a troubled Civil War Veteran and his daughter, who take the reader on an epic adventure through uncharted Colorado in Larry Rather’s luminous reimagining of the Wild West and the wondrous world of the Utes.”
— Jon Waterman, author of Into the Thaw and Atlas of the National Parks
“Larry Ray Rather’s storytelling is rich in authenticity and respect for the land. What makes this book stand out is how alive it feels. Larry's characters are full of grit, heart, and authenticity. They’re not distant figures—they feel like people you might’ve known, had you lived back then. As someone who lives in the very landscape he describes, I found myself completely engrossed in the world he created—because it’s the same world I wake up to, just generations earlier. This isn’t romanticized nostalgia—it’s real, raw, and rich with the spirit of the place. As Long As Rivers Run is more than a novel—it’s a deeply felt tribute to Colorado’s past.”
— Bob Clark, Clayco, Executive Chairman/Founder, Bob Clark Beyond/Beyond Book Club
“This novel is particularly compelling in that it contains a pertinent message for our own turbulent times. It stresses our ability as human beings to understand, appreciate, empathize, and most, importantly, respect the values of people from other cultures.”
— Barbara J. Coleman, Professor Emerita, Regis University, Denver, Colorado
“An authentic and inspiring story by a thoughtful and sensitive writer.”
— Art Davidson, author of Minus 148: First Winter Ascent of Mt. McKinley and The Circle of Life.
“Larry Rather had me hooked from the very first chapter. He exposes the magic of nature and her secrets - secrets most of us never feel. Rather inherently understands the ebb and flow of this world and translates it beautifully through his proses.
This debut novel weaves together the story of the Ute Native Americans of western Colorado and a fictional white settler father and daughter, whose paths cross in unexpected ways. Part history, part heartfelt storytelling; the book is both entertaining and tender.”
— Kathie Jaycox
“The book is a welcome break from today's reality, I just sat back and it swept me mentally into the past, which is one of my favorite places to go. It is written well. I could see the people, animals, terrain, skies, got caught in the weather and experienced the hardships, happy times and of course romances. It is a book where you get to meet the people, feel like you're in the midst of them; they become friends you look forward to meeting with again the next time you open the book. I went through the highs and lows with these people. As Long as Rivers Run left me wanting to know what these people would be doing next. I was pleased to see that it left an opening for their lives to continue, and hopefully they will. I would like to see a sequel. It would make a wonderful movie.”
— Susette Williams
“I enjoyed this tale of an inadvertent melding of two families, but I especially loved the detailed descriptions of the Ute culture, from clothing, food, and daily life, to seasonal movement in the mountains, and interactions with other tribes. This was eye opening and a fascinating read.”
— Margie Spalding
“As Long As Rivers Run is the story of a father daughter team rescuing and being rescued by the Ute tribe shortly after the American Civil War. The story relates how a father daughter team can be accepted/incorporated into a tribe of American Indians, learning their customs, religion and superstitions while touring many of the Historical locations in the American Southwest. The book gives us an example of how we can live in peace with those of different cultures.”
— James M. Stanberry