The Ramblin Ramsey's: 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.