Blog 98: Durango
Contents
Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past weekHeadlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading
Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)
Rearview Mirror
Sunday: Mother’s Day Adventure
After a brisk walk in the 34-degree daylight and breakfast, everyone loaded into the car to celebrate Mother’s Day with a hike and a road trip.
Golden Eagle Encounter
Within 300 yards of leaving San Luis State Park, a mature (meaning really big) Golden Eagle swooped up from the desert directly to our right then cut across our path no more than six feet off the ground and within six feet of our car windshield. We could see every feather detail of this mottled brown giant as we barely missed a collision. I’d had my camera on my lap, but had no photo op during this three seconds of raw action. In my mind I hoped our new friend would circle back, but he kept on flying. Added to the consumption of a pot of strong coffee, I was buzzed for the day.
Zapata Falls Hike
Just five miles south of the Dunes is the Zapata Falls Recreation Area run by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). We took the three-mile path up the bumpy, curvy gravel road, ascending a couple thousand feet in the effort. At the trailhead we trekked up the old stream bed, stopping off to enjoy Zapata Falls. From here we continued up the mountain, climbing another mile before retracing our steps. Along the way we had panoramic views of the Dunes and the entire San Juan Valley. Wonderful hike.
Jan decided she’d like to see some yet-explored sights for Mother’s Day, so instead of turning south at Mosca we turned north.
Colorado Gator Farm
After careful but short deliberation, we passed on visiting the Colorado Gator Farm, continuing on past Hooper.
UFO
However, just a mile or so past Hooper we were “forced” to turn into the UFO Watchtower just as though a cosmic energy took possession of our Honda Element. What a place!
Ute Theater and Cultural Center
We continued going north on 17 with mountains on all sides to look at and not much else. We took a left at the junction of 285, deciding to explore the town of Saguache. As we turned down the main drag of this old town of 500 residents, I decided I wanted a cup of coffee to go. Pulling into a parking spot, I walked across the street to the local cafe. When I returned, Jan had found/created a new lifelong friend named Denise, the proprietor of the Ute Theater and Cultural Center. She had been drinking Mimosas outside of her establishment and had invited Jan inside to view the snack bar, wine bar, and old-time theatre…
Back in the car we returned home to the Park via Center, Hooper, and Mosca.
Monday: Breaking Camp
After four days, we had seen most all the sites in this area we had wanted to see. So by 7:45 a.m. we were on the road out in the brisk morning sun. We took the back roads all the way to Highway 160 West. As an example of the remoteness of our travels, even going 35 miles an hour for a big stretch, we drove over 30 miles with no one coming up behind us. Talk about stress-free driving.
Tuesday: Durango
We started the day with a downtown walk and stops at the Colorado Wildlife and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) offices to get ideas for hikes and locations for spotting wildlife. Later in the afternoon we took a road trip checking out both the town of Mancos and the Mancos State Park. Adjoining our campground is a ranch where horses run.
Wednesday: Junction Creek
By 6:45 a.m. we were at the Junction Creek trailhead of the Colorado Trail at the base of the San Juan Forest. We took a two-hour hike up Colorado’s most famous trail, then drove to the top of the world to Animas Overlook where we took in a vista of tall mountains, forests, and valleys.
Late afternoon we scouted out our hike for the next day.
Thursday: Hermosa Trail
This morning we took the high-altitude Hermosa Trail in the San Juan Forest.
Friday: Scenic Skyway Trip
Took an hour walk along the Animas River.
Early afternoon we took a 50-mile drive up Highway 550, part of the San Juan Scenic Skyway all the way to Silverton. Oh, yes, scenic it is! Made several stops along the way scouting out future hikes and future campgrounds.
Saturday: Navajo Country
Late morning we took a road trip south into the Ute Reservation, checking out Ignacious, Arboles, and driving through Navajo State Park, considering it for a stay in the future.
Wonderful week.
Headlights
May 20-23: Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, COMay 24-30: Blue Spruce Campground, Vallacito, CO
May 31-June 2: Sundance RV Park, Cortez, CO
June 3-7: Ridgway State Park, Ridgway, CO
June 8-9: Cedar Creek RV Park, Montrose, CO
June 10-13: One Mile Camp, Gunnison, CO
June 14-17: ???
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs, CO
June 28 on: ???
See you next week.
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Blog 97: Snowy Hikes and Mountain Vistas
Contents
Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past weekHeadlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading
Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)
Rearview Mirror
Baby Owls
Within 20 yards of our campsite at Chatfield State Park was an owl nest occupied by a momma Great Horned Owl and her two owlets. We could hear her hoots most early mornings.
Canada Work
On Sunday we traveled back to the Colorado Horse Park and set up camp. Early Monday morning, Jan and the Kids drove me to the Denver airport where I flew to Canada for work. My engagement went very well and I got back to Denver late Wednesday night.
San Luis Lake State Park
Thursday, after I conducted a webinar from BERT, Jan drove us to San Luis State Park in the San Luis Valley, just ten miles west of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It was like we had the campground to ourselves--the busiest night of our stay had only four other campsites filled! From our site, 7,500 feet of elevation in the high desert, we had awesome views of both the Sangre de Christo Mountains to the east and San Juan Mountains in the west.
Friday: Dunes and Birds
Great Sand Dune National Park
We started the day by scoping things out, first stopping at the first-class visitor center at the Park to help us plan our priorities. We had visited here three years ago and this is one of our favorite places.
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
We drove to the town of Alamaso, and after stopping at their visitor center and having a very nice Mexican lunch at Ninos, we drove to the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. Here we had a great time enjoying the marshes and lakes full of a variety of birds with the handsome mountains serving as a background. The evening brought the much-wanted sounds of a constant rain that soaked into the parched desert.
Saturday: Snowy Hike and Stormy Birds
Mosca Trail
Leaving the Kids to guard the coach, Jan and I headed out early driving back to the Dunes and up to the Mosca Pass Trailhead. We were the first ones at the trail and almost the first ones into the park. (Lots of slackers sleeping in, I guess. :,>)
Within a quarter mile, our topography changed, and a soft, white, and wet visitor joined us and stayed along as a companion throughout our upward journey. The snow added a strong visual contrast to the greens and blues of the surroundings and highlighted the occasional reds of a blooming prickly pear cactus. The senses were further heightened audibly with the constant gurgling of the creek that bordered the trail, spiked with a birdcall every now and then. In addition, the intense fresh smell of the forest after rain and snow added a feeling of newness as we ascended above 9,500 feet. Wonderful hike.
Medano Creek
From the trailhead, we drove down to Medano Creek to try and get a few pics while the light was still soft. We walked along and through the rushing water (only ankle deep) admiring the landscape and enjoying the families with kids and pups playing in the water or hiking up the dunes.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Next, we drove back to Alamosa and had breakfast-lunch at a local diner. From here we took the back roads to the Monte Vista area, spending time exploring the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (associated with the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge we visited the day before). What a perfect day for finding/watching/photographing birds--a big storm was brewing in the mountains so all the birds were out in the air, swimming, flitting, and flying around, all alert to the possible dangers of the weather.
Wow, what a week!
Headlights
May 13: San Luis State Park, Alamosa, COMay 14: Navajo State Park
May 15-24: Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO
May 25-31: Blue Spruce Campground Vallacito, CO
June 1-17: Ridgway? Montrose? Gunnison? Crested Butte?
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs
June 28 on: ???
See you next week.
Blog 96: Netting and Zooing
Contents
Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past weekHeadlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading
Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)
Rearview Mirror
We continued to camp at Chatfield State Park close to the grandkids, with Austin spending most of the time with us.
Netting Birds
One morning we drove to a nearby Audubon property to watch them net, examine, measure, weigh, tag, and release birds caught in their special nets. Austie got a big kick out of the whole procedure. Here are a few shots.
Early Birthday Present
Before the whole hullabaloo surrounding Austie’s upcoming birthday erupted, we decided to give Austin his present early. Here is a shot of him opening up his present--a waterproof, dust-proof, shockproof camera (we shall see). There’s also a shot of me shooting the box-opening action.
Afternoon at the Zoo
We took Austie to the Denver Zoo to let him try out his new camera. Here is a carousel shot of Austie and a couple of birds from the afternoon.
This and That
Here are a few odds-and-ends photos of this past week.
Baby Natalie
The little sweetie is getting cuter each day! Here is a shot of her alone and one with proud grandma. If you want to see more, click here.
Headlights
May 6-10: Colorado Horse ParkMay 11-14: Great Sand Dunes National Monument?
May 15-24: Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO
May 25-31: Blue Spruce Campground Vallacito, CO
June 1-17: Ridgway? Montrose? Gunnison? Crested Butte?
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs
June 28 on ???
See you next week.
Blog 95: Bull Snakes, Rock Wrens, and Morning Magpies
Contents
Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past weekHeadlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading
Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)
Rearview Mirror
Late Sunday morning we broke camp and drove for about an hour to Chatfield State Park, our home for two weeks.
Baby Natalie
Here are two pics of three-day-old Baby Natalie—she’s almost grown up already.
In case you missed them and have an interest, last week’s shots of just-born Natalie (all downloadable) are available by clicking here.
Austie Camping
For most days this week, Jan has picked up Austie from pre-school in the afternoon returning him back the next morning. During our time together, we walked the Pups several times a day, built superhero Legos every night, played at the park at all hours, and discussed world issues continually--good thing I’m in shape for an old guy.
Morning Hikes
I had the luxury of taking long morning hikes every day with a few photo ops.
Birding Walk
On Saturday morning, Jan and I joined a group of about ten for a birding walk inside the park. Joey, our leader, was a library of both avian and park knowledge, and he shared his favorite places for finding migratory birds. Also had the chance for a close-up with a mature bull snake.
Bath Night
Here is a picture of the always-feminine Mitzy on bath night.
Culinary Shot
All that hiking and fresh air takes a lot of energy. Here is a shot of Jan’s Thrasher Beef and Veggie Soup.
Headlights
April 29-May 5: Chatfield State ParkMay 6-10: Colorado Horse Park
May 11-14: Travel south and west
May 15-24: Durango, CO (near Denver) to visit family
May 25-31: Blue Spruce Campground Vallacito, CO
June 1 On: ???
See you next week.
Blog 94: Dune Dogs, Desert Flowers, and Baby Natalie!
Sunday, April 22, 2012 Filed in: Travel | Photography
Contents
Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past weekHeadlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading
Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)
Rearview Mirror
Sunday: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The wind finally settled down and we had a nice view of the Guadalupe Mountains as I took the Pups for a long walk in the chilly air (49 degrees). After breakfast, we broke camp at Van Horn at 9:30 and took a nice and leisurely 63-mile trip north on Highway 54 to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, gently rising to 5,600 feet.
Carlsbad Day Trip
After getting situated, we unhooked the car and drove the 60 miles to Carslbad, New Mexico, for a wonderful lunch of Mexican for Jan and barbecue for me (of course we brought the Kids a treat). Carlsbad Caverns National Park was right on our path, so we pulled into the visitor center and I looked around. It wasn’t hot but we didn’t want to leave the Pups in the car so we were unable to explore the caves--some other trip.
Monday: Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamagorda, New Mexico
Morning Hike
Before dawn, Jan and I drove to the Frijole Ranch Trailhead in Guadalupe to hike the 2.3-mile Smith Spring Trail. It was quite chilly at sunrise, but slowly warmed, and at the end of the trek I was ready to shed my jacket. We enjoyed the walk along the stony path, going up and over the hills, and around a pond and by the springs.
Shortly after returning to camp we were packed and heading west on Texas 62. At El Paso we turned north on New Mexico 54 then turned into Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, about 12 miles south of Alamagordo. After getting settled in, we drove to White Sands National Monument, stopped by the Visitor Center, and then took the drive to scope out our photography hike for the next morning.
We can see for miles looking out from our high desert campground. This park is at the very tip of the Chichuahuan Desert in the foothills.
Jan has had quite a time watching the dust devils (baby tornadoes) as they suck and spurt among the cacti and the scrub. At any one time you can see six to ten of these little turbos.
Our camp host is an amateur astronomer of over 40 years, and he was kind enough to share his views of the heavens with Jan and me. Through the viewfinder of his 12-inch reflector, we peeked back into time viewing growing stars and dying nebulae. Just a wonderful experience. Makes me want to consider a new hobby :’>>>
Tuesday
White Sands National Monument
The gates to the Monument don’t open until 7 a.m., so we slept in, leaving BERT at 6:20 to drive the 30-minute journey. Because the morning was chilly, the Pups got to go. Jan and I took the Dune Life Nature Trail hike, and after that, drove through the Monument, stopping several times when we saw something interesting. This is a very interesting and unique park--one I feel most people would really enjoy.
Dune Dogs
Both Pups love running in the sand and they thoroughly enjoyed being off the leash. Here are a couple of my favorite photos of them.
Day Trip
In the afternoon, the four of us took a day trip to some small towns east of Alamogordo within the Lincoln National Forest.
Wednesday: Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton, NM
Morning Hike
Before dawn I hiked a short trail within walking distance of our campsite. Here are a few shots of desert flowers.
When I returned, Jan already had the Pups on leashes so we took them for a nice stroll/run before getting on NM Highway 54 north at 9:00. Once again, a beautiful day. We finally stopped at another New Mexico state park a few miles outside of Raton, close to the Colorado border.
Thursday
Morning Hike
Jan and I drove five miles across the border into Colorado, pulling into the James M. John State Wildlife Area. Here we hiked by ourselves for a couple of miles around Lake Dorothey.
Capulin Volcano National Monument Day Trip
After stopping back at camp to pick up the Pups, Jan drove us west on Highway 72 to Folsom. Here we turned south on 325 to the Capulin Volcanic National Monument. After spending time at the Monument, we returned back to camp via 64 East and I-25 North. Wonderful trip. Along the way we saw scenic vistas and herds of deer and antelope.
Friday: Colorado Horse Park, Parker, CO
Baby Natalie
At 7:30 a.m. we got the call from AJ--Kelly and he were heading for the hospital. We quickly packed up and headed up I-25 across the Colorado border and on to Parker. We set up camp at the Colorado Horse Park, 15 minutes from their home. At their place we walked their dog Hanna Pug, dropped off our Pups, and drove to the hospital. Natalie Marie Helman, all eight pounds and two ounces of her, was born at 11 a.m., April 20. One glance and it is obvious that this gorgeous, intelligent young female will grow into a woman of style and grace. Here is a pic of mom and baby. (Anyone interested in our granddaughter can see many more shots [all downloadable] by clicking here.)
Saturday
Austie and Hanna Pug spent the night with us, and Saturday was quite “active” between walks, games, playgrounds, swimming lessons, car rides, setting up video…. Ended the day wonderfully exhausted. Life is good--very, very good.
Audible Books
Correction: Last week I referenced the dog-car racing book as “Driving in the Rain.” Should have had my coffee first. The correct title is The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. Sorry about that.
This past week we made the miles fly by while listening to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and podcasts of National Public Radio’s “Car Talk.” Both recommended.
Headlights
April 22: Colorado Horse Park, Parker, COApril 23 to May 5: Chatfield State Park, CO (near Denver) to visit family
May 6 - ??: As of now, our plans are to head to Durango and the Four Corners area for a few weeks.
See you next week.