"Dillon Pinnicles" Hike.

Here is where we went hiking. We started out at a little after eight in the morning. I actually wanted to go around 6:30, but I did not get up by then, and Chuck did not wake me sooner, so we started a little later than planned. It was probley a good thing however as it was a bit chilly when we started our hike.

We are after this Geocache
With the way Chuck is taking this picture it looks like a little elf in a hat with that shadow.



















Up there somewhere is where we are headed. The total hike was about four miles. The first part of if started with some low rolling hills. Nice easy and pretty. As we progressed it got a bit steeper. Then more steeper. But then it sort of leveled off with walking a ways before a brief climb again. We had already hiked about 1 1/2 miles to this point.















Only 100 yards to go. Now it is as steep as a mountain goat climbs!!! I am telling you, at one point we are (for a tiny ways) hugging between a rock and climbing with feets and hands on the side of a wall. However, the drop would not of killed, so I was ok. The steep side in Colorado Srings railroad pass was a lot scaryer to me than this one. We even passed an Owl's lair. You can tell an Owl's lair cause of the discards of bones on the ground. It was pretty cool.















The picture below is a view from near our end point. Notice we say NEAR our end point. I do not know why photos do not show the prospective we see when we are sitting on a tree root looking at the bottom on what we could fall into. Yeah, it was that high. Love that tree root, even though it did put pitch on my left butt cheek. Chuck sat on a rock above me. (I was not sharing my tree root in fear I would lose my pirch and fall...all hands for themselves!! Not really, that was a joke....I would of done SOMETHING if chuck would of fell....screamed or whatever.... SOMETHING)
















Our cache was tucked away in a Pinnacle like this. No, we did not climb on of these things. Are you kidding??? Me, afried of hights climb something like this?? No ropes, cables or a mule at the top to haul me up?? We are at the bottom of these things. Pretty are they not??



















This is looking back from where we came. You see the bridge?, Well the truck is parked out of site on the left end of it.....This is what we hiked up to get here. However, those are the nice little rolling hills I was telling you about before. For some odd reason chuck did not apply the one of us climbing the steep part. Must be because he did not want you to see him all sweaty and his tongue hanging out.















This is a pretty pennicle picture. It was worth every step of the hike. It was so beautiful up there. I wanted to follow the base of the pinnicles for awhile, and Chuck indulged me until we stopped for breakfast (peanut butter and celery and water...gatoride for chuck) and suggested to head down as it was getting dense with follage. All in all, I can say I was quite proud of Chuck. He did a great job of hiking this with one working lung and an artifical hip. The last 1/2 mile took a toll on him, but like the macho man he is...he made it!! (With his little wife tagging behind!!)

"North Rim" Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Yesterday Chuck and I decided to go to the North Rim of the Gunnison Canyon. The drive to the Canyon was just breathtaking. Forest, trees, flowers and towering ridges of petrified ash such as in this picture below. Yeah, it is petrified Ash from Volcanios a million years ago. Personnally, that just boggles my mind. To see history and know there was an earth so different from now is something that my little Pea Brain can not seem to grasp.
















On the North side of the Canyon you can see deeper into the Canyon than the South Side. At least that is what it seemed to me. Can you see that little river down in the center of the picture?? Well, that river is no small potatoes. This is the narrowest part of the Canyon. It is called "The Narrows". It is where lots of Rock Climbers like to go, and lots of hikers. They have to walk down 2 miles of straight down. I am not sure if this is the place, (we did NOT hike down) but one of the rangers who does do a lot of rock climbing was telling us about a chain that has been placed so people can come up. Hand over Hand. You also need a permit before you go hiking down there, and you need a trail map to let the rangers know where your going. I guess this is in case you do not come back, they have to know where to go get your body.

















This is from a lookout on that Rim. This lookout is called "Knealing Camel". If you look at the rocks to the left in the photo, you will see a humped shape. The head and the back of a camel kneeling. It was a pretty place and Chucks camera does such a better job than mine as he has a lens on his. My dital cannot support a lens. So he gets to take these pictures.















Now this picture of the snag is MINE. Can you all see the beauty in this dead tree?? I thought some of these snags would make a beautiful watercolor. Now, I just have to be able to bring it to life. In this area we stopped to look over the rim, but I got so hung up on the snags, I took about 25 pictures of different ones. I took close up, back up, real close up. Just in case my little Pea Brain forgets detail. It does that sometimes.
















This last picture is really interesting in the fact that it shows how the rocks lie. It looks like God is a good packer doesnt it?? He can fit all kinds of rock into all kinds of places. The pink is granite and Quartz's. All along the rocks and paths are mirror shiney pieces of stone that flake off if you peel them in layers. It is very interesting. I thought it would be wonderful to collect a whole basket full and use them for a varity of art projects. Chuck did not like the idea of taking them all over the country with us, or for the fact that it was on National Forest and it might not be a good idea to take rocks from there, but the thought was there. All them art projects just begging to be used. Heck, they would be pretty arranged in concrete and slapped on the side of a house in the shape of a sun so it could catch the light and reflect in the evening dusk. See what a waste it was to leave it all there. And there was TRILLIONS of it. Yeah Yeah, I know, theres trillions of it cause some other husband made there wife leave it there. Ok, enough for now. Tomarrow we are going on a hike to Dillions Peaks. In honor of our friends Dwight and Val Dillion. We need to get close up pictures so they know what there are missing. So in your honor dear friends, we will beat feet for you!! Talk to you all later.

Boat Trip

Chuck and I did the National Parks Service boat trip yesterday. It is a seven mile trip into the Gunnison Canyon. It was pretty amazing and from the 100 or so pictures we took very beautiful. The walk to get to the boat (and back) is really pretty. First you drive down into a canyon called Pine Creek. Then you get to walk down 232 steps following a little waterfall the whole way down. Not a good photo op on the waterfall, It is covered by alder trees and bushes, so there was not a clear shot. Then you get to walk about 1/2 of a mile on a dirt and rock path to where the boat is docked. This dirt and rock path is where the trussles of a train used to be. It was taken out in 1949. The boat is a pontoon (sp?) like thing that sits lots of people. We were lucky that there was only two kids on board and they were pretty well behaved. (I have a hard time enjoying things when little kids are around crying and screaming) Anyway, the scenery was wonderful. We heard a lot of history of the place. Chuck and I were not looking forward to the walk back up the steps, but it turned out not to be so bad as we though it would be. Must be because we have been walking so much. We did stop a couple of times and rest, but not LONG rest's, just enough to get the heart beat slower and catch a little better breath. My butt does not fell firmer for it yet. Matter of fact, that evening I asked Chuck if he was ready to go for our evening walk and he said he thought we had walked enough. I did not think so, so I went to the camp host and asked for one of his dogs and took her for a walk around every loop of the park there is. Probley about a mile or so going up and down gentle slopes. That was a good walk. The dog can keep good pace with me. (sorry chuck...love you!!)
Chuck keeps checking the amps on the solar panels. It is up to 10 this morning but yesterday afternoon it was up to 34. Chuck almost did an Irish Jig seeing that 34 !!! It rains daily in the afternoon and yesterday there was more rain than normal. The rain started about one, and quite about four. Then it rained alot last night. This is a good thing as it keeps the temps in the 80's and we like that. No humidy afterwards either. Not bad I say.
The park is pretty much cleared out now that it is not a weekend. We have met more of the neighboors in the area that are staying as long (or longer) than we are. Nice people. My favorites (although they do not have animals) are Steve and his wife Pat. Steve is a retired military guy and is a barral of laughs. He can take a good joke and give it back just as well. His wife is the same way. Chuck has been letting him use our internet and Steve is grateful for that.
So today is a rest day for us. I will start another watercolor. Then I will read and watch the hummingbirds. We now have about ten of them. One is a most beau-t-ful male that is a fire red. Red body, bright orange and yellow and red head. Just beautiful. He is the only one that does not take the agressive females crap. Like I said, these birds are our TV most the time. I call it bird T.V.
Well, thats it for now. Tomarrow we go and see the North side of Gunnison Canyon. That is a LONG drive to the canyon. We will post as we go. Bye for now.
















Trail leading down to the river.



















Chipita Falls.




















This was the peak used for the logo of the Denver Narrow gage Railroad.















This is the beginning of the 1/2 mile trail to the boat dock. Actually the original RR trace.















A view from the boat.














Another view from the boat.

I really did not want to add pictures this way, but Blogger was not letting me upload them the normal way. Maybe next time.


Looking North East from Camp

Looking North west from camp

Looking south from camp

Out the back window

Camp

Blue Mesa Reservoir, Gunnison Colorado.

We are in a campground called Elk Creek. It is part of the Blue Mesa Resorvor about 20 miles West of Gunnison Colorado. It is high desert from what the ranger's say. We have been lucky as it stays around the 80's durning the day (82-87) and is in the high 40's low 50's at night. Perfect sleeping weather. Well, for some people. Lately Chuck has been pushing me out of bed (really!!!) and sleeping on my side. Being the sweet and patient wife I am,I just get up and go to his side. I told him tonight we are making his side the same as my side. We have an air mattress. He likes his side HARD, I like my side Medium soft. He says it is cause my side makes a Hole and he slides into it. Personally, I do not believe that, I think he just likes my softy side cause when I am on his( hard as a rock) side trying to sleep (cause my sides are feeling like there on concrete) I have no problem staying on his side. So Perfect sleeping weather for SOME people. Other people are wives who like there husbands to get a good sleep.


Ok, back to this country. It is very pretty. Yesterday we took a trip to the Black Canyon of Gunnison. It is a amazing Canyon. Even more so when you learn that it is Billions of years old. Billions. It lets one know how small we are to Nature as the vastness of the Canyon is great. We have pictures and Chuck is posting some so you can see them. The rock formations are incredible. Pictures do not do justice to being there. It was a sunny day and today I am sunburnt, so we are taking an easy day out of the sun. Tomarrow, we are going on a Boat Trip put on my the National Parks system into a canyon. So we say the Canyon by top, tomarrow we will see it from the water. No white water stuff. I am to much of a chicken for that.


My leg is doing great and this is wonderful as the hiking around here is worthy of us getting out of the truck. Just a little ways from our camp (ok, a long ways, but worth the drive) is forest, mountain streams and beauty beyond comprehension. Colorado is truly a beautiful state. At least on the West side. Chuck is still keeping me on a leash telling me not to overdo it when we hike. This is good as I tend to have a small problem knowing when I am doing to much. However, after we have dinner and dishes are done I am making sure we go for a nice slow walk around the "loop" of our camping area to help settle dinner and to say HI to all the dogs in the area. Chuck will talk to the people while I talk to the dogs so it is a good trade.


Our first night here I was feeding the Chipmunks seeds. I have since stop doing this as I was told that last year this park was closed because of the BlueBonic Plague. It killed all the Prarie Dogs last year but not the chipmunks. The Plague is carried by fleas and can affect humans also. It is treatalbe in humans, but who the heck wants the Plage anyway!!! With my luck I would be the one human to contact it. So I have since stopped feeding the little critters so they and there fleas do not get to near me. Unfortunally, these little critters know humans mean food and they are VERY bold. I was doing a watercolor this morning, not paying attention to anything else and a chickmonk decided to run onto my feet so I would know it was there. I jumped so high (it scared me) I scared us both. He left. Now he is back (Chuck has named him fatso) looking on the table and fireplace for any human leftovers. We also have a humming bird feeder out (they are allowed) and the humming birds are enteraining us for hours on end. We had seven here for a few hours and they were fighting over the bottle of nectar. It was so loud and nasty that it attracted the attention of a mom and two girls walking. I sat the girls in frount of the feeder so they could be close and told them to beware of the killer humming birds. They laughed as the humming birds dived at them to get them back from the feeder. These girls were about eight years old and very sweet. They stayed her for a half hour enjoying the humming birds and filling my brain with all kinds of information about them. It was very nice. I petted there dog Molly the Collie. Mom (Karen) was a real nice lady also. They will be back. The humming birds guarantee it.


We do not have cell phone service here, so anyone wants to contact us will have to do so by computer. I want you all to know we are thinking of ours friends and family. Those of you that have horses would love the riding in this area. Makes me wish Katie was still alive. Those of you who have ATV's would love the ATV trails out in the mountains. Once again, I would like to have ours here, but actually a horse would be better as the noise would not scare the wildlife. Then the rest of us who just have the feets know that any trail is open to us. Lots of hiking, fishing and swimming. Well, I guess I better close now. We will keep blogging and will post again later. We are here until August 4th and then head north. See ya all sooner or later.

Colorado Springs, CO.

We are in Colorado Springs now. It is a really nice city from what we have seen so far. This morning we went to the Garden of the Gods. It is a natural rock formation park that is free to the public. They have rock climbing classes there for people (althought we did not check into any classes so we do not know if they are park provided for a fee or from a pro shop) and nice sidewalks for people who are in wheelchairs and the general public. It is a very nice place to visit. For thoses of you who have fur babies (dogs) are allowed if they are on a lease. They even provide poo bags. Actually, everywhere you go in This city has poo bag stations. The parks, downtown and where ever we have went. There are lots of people with there pets here and they are lots of bikers. Both motorcycles and them on bikecycles.
Chuck has provided a few pictures here for your all's viewing pleasure. Tomarrow we are going outside the city to get some Geo Caches. I think from what Chuck says we are to go on some hiking trails. That would be wonderful at any other time, but I am concerned for my leg, so we might (ok, I) not get to hike as much as I would like. Hopefully it will be great, so far todays hike was good. Chuck reminds me to go slow and easy and that helps.
So we are happy and healthy. It is nice to be in the mountains again. Seeing trees, greenry and all that great stuff. I had forgotten how good pine smells. Very nice. So take care of each other. Write more later.





































Three Graces.






























Kissing Camels.

States that we have now visited.

On the road again

Hello Everyone!! As of tomarrow (July 12) we will be on the road again heading to Colorado. Chuck and I are both way excited to get our wheels rolling. I was released from the doctor three days ago and after we received our mail yesterday we now have no more keeping us here in Deming. It has been wonderful seeing our family (well, part of the family) but they understand our need to roam.
My leg is healing wonderful. I heal fast and I am gratedful for this. The tumor was the size of a cantlope with a small one the size of an orange sitting on top of it. Both were removed and sent off to see what they were. One was a fiberios tumor (non cancer) and the other one was a lipoma (fatty tumor). My only restruction is I have to not walk much until the muscle heals (the big one had to be cut out from my leg muscle, it was inbedded inside of the muscle) and wrap my leg when I am sitting still. I am looking forward to when I can excerise so I can get my skin back to the way it is suppost to be. Because of the size of these things, my skin is enlongated, an NO the surgon did not listen to me about taking some skin off at the time of the surgery. Figures.
Chuck and I will probley not have internet until we set up somewhere in Colorado in a few days. We plan on staying in a Casino parking lot in Albuquerque so Chuck can get more cigarettes and they have a wonderful buffet. I am still not smoking and hope never to smoke again. Chuck is still puffing away.
From Albuqerque I would like to stop in Sante Fe for a day or two so I can look around at the art Galleries there. However, if we change our minds when I see the town, then we will procede onward. Being we are not in a hurry, it is good to smell the roses. I tend to want to see things I hear about, but when we get there, I find it is not as wonderful as I imagined, then I am not as interested. This makes Chuck happy. He is a wonderful husband who indulges his wife's wants (to a point) and lets her see for herself. I have dispointed myself lots of times, so now I am learning not to beleive everything the Travel Channel says. That station has more money than god and a lot of the times the things they show you cost MONEY to see. Being the cheap skate I am, I am not willing to pay for some things. Other things I am willing to pay as long as it is not much. Cheap, yes I am. Keeps fuel in the tank.
Well all, I am out of here. We will keep posted where we go. Take care.