In recognition of my birthday last week, I got to pick the hike….a lot of pressure, as this is a no-win proposition with this tough crowd! Over 80 degrees, and the Coloradans will start to melt. Under 70, and I lose the Floridians. Under three miles? Not worth getting dressed for in my opinion. Over seven, and I eliminate participants due to pets at home. Continue reading
Moab was a mob scene. Overrun with rental RVs and foreign dialects who appear to struggle with our frustrating systems even more than I do, like the annoying recorded voice at the self-checkout line announcing “Unexpected item in the bagging area.” Everywhere I went, there were crowds of tourists attempting to cross off two out of five of Utah’s “Big Five National Parks” in one town. I had to wait in line for everything from grocery shopping to pedestrian stopping. Yet I couldn’t leave. I was a held captive by a rig full of exploding gear. Continue reading
I struggle to put into words objectively my impressions from nine days on the river, which is why I thought it best to let the photos “speak for themselves” in the form of photo album posts. After nine days away from civilization, it may take me some time for my hindsight focus to adapt from what became a bit of “perceptual narrowing.” Continue reading
“I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day–blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” ~Wendell Berry
“For myself I choose to listen to the river for a while, thinking river thoughts, before joining the night and the stars.” ~ Edward Abbey
“Where the eagle glides descending, there’s an ancient river bending..” ~ Neil Young, “Thrasher”
Well, that completes my whirlwind loop through southwestern Colorado. The blog is now caught up and I am in the rare state of “real time” as I sit high atop the Colorado National Monument overlooking Grand Junction. Tomorrow, I will wave goodbye to the “Colorful Colorado” highway sign as I cross over into Utah. Continue reading
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is only a small part of the 48 mile long gorge, carved over 2-billion years by the mighty Gunnison River, a tributary of the Colorado River. The National Park protects the steepest and deepest 14-mile stretch of the gorge. The park is bracketed on both ends by recreational areas; Gunnison Gorge to the west, and the larger Curecanti National Recreation Area the east. Curecanti is formed by a series of three dams; Blue Mesa Dam, Morrow Point Dam, and Crystal Dam, each creating reservoirs of the same name. The largest of these is Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water. Continue reading
The bus stop from Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, termination of our hike, is right across the street from our hotel, where Mark is waiting. Not only has he unloaded our bags, but he has already scoped out choices for brews and burgers. The man makes an excellent Continue reading
Crested Butte has been on my radar for two reasons. One being more reconnaissance in a “ski town.” Like Telluride, it was a destination discussed often, but two traits of my former husband that factored equally; being cheap and being repetitious. So we never broke out of the Ski the Summit/Utah mode.
But the main reason I have been eager to get to Crested Butte is because I want to do reconnaissance in another ski town…Aspen! That’s right, explore Aspen from Crested Butte. Continue reading