Colorado: on the Arkansas River

On Tuesday, we loaded up and left the campsite at dawn to make the trek down to Canon City.  It was going to be a full day with a train trip at the bottom of the Royal Gorge and a float trip in Bighorn Sheep Canyon.

I chose Echo Canyon River Expeditions - we were not disappointed.  These guys made every part of the trip seem effortless and polished.  The transportation and gear was all arranged and all we had to do was make sure we had sunscreen, water, and the right shoes.  The train trip was first, in the cool of the canyon.  This is definitely a tourist trap.  Let me explain: You take the train from Canon City for a nice 45 minute ride through the canyon...then the train stops and goes in reverse back to the station.  Don't get me wrong, there's no better way to see this amazing sight.  It's beautiful, spectacular, breathtaking, etc.  The train has been restored and it's completely top-notch.  We didn't pay the premium to ride in the glass-domed cars.  We had seats in a standard car but spent most of the time in the open-air car just above the concession car.  If you do reserve a spot in the glass-domed cars you will have access to the restaurant car.  We made due with drinks and sandwiches from the concession car.  We got to see rafters making their run in the Gorge, we saw bighorn sheep, and of course the bridge from below.

But the rafting the Arkansas River was the most amazing part.  Moderate skill level (because, tiny humans) but it was still exhilarating.  We had the best time.

But man, was it hot.  We chose to stop under the bridge in Canon City for a dip in a popular swimming hole.  It was clearly the place to be that day with temperatures well over a hundred degrees.  The water was cold and refreshing, the current was strong, and Chase and the kids rode the river a million times above and below the bridge.  It was only slightly scary.  What a blast they had...

Finalized and Posted May 16 2018 - only 6 years later.

At the fire's edge

Driving toward Manitou Springs Sunday

We drove into Colorado Springs last Saturday just hours after the Waldo canyon fire began to burn. The vista was unexpected: a mountain range clouded with haze and smoke. Flames were distinctly visible on the side of the mountain that night. We were completely astounded. We heard the news that this fire started at noon that day.  The trip looked to be over before it even began.
We had a great view from the hotel room window.  It burned all night and we didn't get much sleep watching the flames grow and move.
The next morning, we made some calls. The campground at Mueller was open and not having any adverse effect from the fire. According to the Park Ranger, the air was clear. Her home was in Woodland Park and she was not too concerned.  We decided to make the trip across the range. Soon after breakfast, highway 24 was closed. This was our direct route - but, it's not the only way across.  We made the 3 hour drive toward Denver and down through Decker on 67. It was a beautiful drive. There was some scary dirt roads on the mountainside to add to the adventure.
We made it safely to the campground. The smoke was always visible over the ridge.
Driving that drive we saw the devastation from the previous forest fire, the Hammond fire. That fire was 10 years ago. The scorched trees still stand. The green of undergrowth is beginning to take hold. So sad. It will be a lifetime before that forest returns.


Evidence of Hammond Fire North of Woodland Park on 67

Boys in a Tree

Summer is finally here! Bikerides, tree climbing, all things wonderful! Yahoo!

Gingerbread Awesomeness

Our first Gingerbread house. It was a real challenge, but it's finished! Yum.

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Sent from my Helio Ocean

I Love Fish

I'm too disturbed to sit still and not talk about this anymore. It's a real problem in my household and I won't act like I don't know about it anymore. Fish consumption. More specifically - over-consumption. I Love Fish. I really do love fish - we have fish in our diets weekly. And most often, it's the stuff from the warehouse club that I can buy a ton of & keep in the freezer. Recently, it's been Tilapia. Now, Tilapia is Eco-OK list. There are three catagories...

Eco-Best

Eco-OK

Eco-Worst

We received our seafood selector pocket card at the sea lion exhibit at the zoo. They're easy to come by, and there are places you can print your own. Please do.

Back to the rant.

Our over-consumption of fish is a real thing. The orange roughy is a fish that matures after 30 years and lives to be 120! It's like clear-cutting an old-wood forest. They don't just grow back! It's a great example of the problem, but there are hundreds more like them.

And be aware of the 'new' fish that are showing up in the freezer section. These names are just to make the Slimehead Fish (Orange Roughy's original name) more appealing.

To this day, I know people that think that the ocean is an un-depletable cornucopia of sea life. And the trouble is, it was...until the 80s. And the way we fish now - very accurate, but not surgical, is exactly like clear-cutting forests. It kills everything in it's path. You've gone from jungle to plowed field in one pass of a boat. The nets are capable of fishing MILES below the surface. Does this sound in any way romantic? Not a man and a boat anymore.

So.

We have to - as consumers- make smarter choices. Enjoy your Alaskan Sablefish, relish your U.S. Farmed Tilapia - but be aware - and tell your loved ones.

At the zoo

This photo is just too cool not to share. Sydney and this large lioness had a moment on their class field trip. The weather was crisp, but most of the animals loved it. Gorgeous.

The 60th Birthday Ta Da

Wow!

A surprise party for my mom? Are you crazy? She cannot be surprised, she knows too much about too much. Well, we tried anyway. The surprise was that tons and tons of mom's friends and relatives came to party with us. I had 7 of them staying at our place! It was intensely lovely. I had so much fun seeing everyone & being steeped in family for the weekend.