Sat, Jun 3, 2011

Saturday, June 4, 2011

I talked to my mother this morning and she asked me to send her a recent photo so she could remember what we looked like.  I think she was really saying it was time for us to come home. I did send her the photo though. – Donna Downey

When Charles and I first married we were both self employed, working with close family members and trying to build our businesses.  We didn’t have time or money to take vacations for many years.  We are blessed now to have successful long lived businesses and especially blessed to have employees who are committed to making sure that our customers and clients receive great service.  They also know we work long hours and they make sure we get a chance to renew when we need it.  The last couple of years we were able to stretch a two week vacation to three weeks and last year we had our first vacation that lasted a month.  This road trip is by far the longest period of time we have ever been away from work and home.  It has been somewhat of a sabbatical for both of us and we know we are fortunate to have this opportunity.  We do not take this for granted to be sure.

We slept a little later than usual, had a good breakfast in the motel that also has our cabin, and then did a little relaxing and a few chores before having lunch in the cabin.  Technology allows me to take care of a number of work related issues so I took time to take care of a few things.  Charles decided the Jeep needed another major clean-up and also picked up things we were running low on.  The weather was beautiful this morning and it was a great day to just relax and enjoy the cabin and the wonderful environment here.

About mid-afternoon we headed out to check out a few dirt roads we read about and also took the Plumtaw-Piedra road we took yesterday from the other end.  On one of our breaks, Dodger and Paris were doing their routine of hunting for anything that might move.  Dodger actually caught a baby chipmunk in the deep grass but luckily dropped it when I told him to “spit it out”.  By the time we got back to the cabin that story had grown to him saying he had killed a bear.  Oh, well you know how kids can be. 

After Dodger killed the bear (translation: spit out a baby chipmunk), we took the Mill Creek road then the Blanco River road until it topped out just shy of the pass where it was snow bound. We just turned around, made the drive back out and headed to the cabin.  We had supper in the cabin and I started my journal while Charles read to me from the local paper. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day. 

We are well tonight and hope that y’all are too.

Peace, Hope & Love,

Donna, Charles, Paris & Dodger



Fri, Jun 3, 2011

Friday, June 3, 2011

As we sat on the cabin porch to watch the sunset I wrapped up in a blanket to fend off the evening chill.  Charles looked at me and said, “Do you think anyone in Meridian is sitting on their porch wrapped up in a blanket?” – Donna Downey

Of course that is one reason it is so difficult to head toward Mississippi or even Texas at this point.  Everyone is telling us about the high temperatures and humidity and here in Pagosa Springs is will be in the upper thirties tonight and will warm to the low seventies with about 18% humidity. Now I know I want to head toward Mississippi!

We made the relatively short drive from Gunnison back around Blue Mesa Lake and then headed toward Lake City, CO.  We turned off on the Powderhorn dirt road for another opportunity to enjoy a slower pace and more of the “up close and personal” feel.  Cebolla (pronounced suh-VOY-ah) Creek meanders along the dirt road which offers wonderful views of historic and still active high-altitude ranches.  If we sometimes forget that we are driving around in excess of 9,000 feet we are soon reminded as we take a deep breath trying to get enough air!

Topping out at Slumgullion Pass again we headed toward Creede along the Silver Thread Scenic Byway.  This is the area where the Rio Grande River begins and it is one of the most beautiful drives in the US. We made our usual stop for a picnic lunch along the Rio Grande just outside of Creede.  The weather was so good Charles opted for a nap before lunch and I set up to try to get a few bird pictures.  I was able to catch a few common grackles feeding on bugs along the riverbank and also a “take your breath away” yellow warbler. 

After our lunch we continued to South Fork, CO and then headed south for Wolf Creek pass and our destination of Pagosa Springs.  We got a cabin just outside of town and then headed out to take a recommended tour route Charles had found last year.  It was about a 35 mile trip called the Plumtaw-Piedra Loop that began on a Forest Service Access road in Pagosa.  Just a couple of blocks from downtown it became dirt and began to ascend into the higher altitudes north of town.  Other than in the fall when the fall colors are at their height, I’m sure we lucked up on the next best time to take this drive.  The snows had melted and the grass was tall and lush and there were lots of wildflowers blooming everywhere.  Shortly we were in the Aspens with their bright green leaves and also the towering Ponderosa Pines.  The forests in the west are nothing like our woods.  They are open and don’t have the weeds that we have to contend with.  This drive was like something out of heaven today.  The road was perfect as well as it climbed about 1,000 feet or so and then we just drove around at almost a constant level with beautiful vistas combined with lovely open meadows.  It might have been the most relaxing drive we have taken.  Toward the end of the drive we encountered several “jaw-dropping” views of several historic ranches.  For Charles and myself it is very difficult to leave these areas. 

One interesting building was the Debs School which was in service from 1909 to 1959.  It served grades 1 – 8 and school was held only during the summers.  I’m sure this was because it would be difficult for anyone to get to school in the winters here.  The average annual snowfall in nearby Wolf Creek Pass is 460 inches and the highest average in the US I believe.

Back in Pagosa Springs we enjoyed another Mexican dinner at Tequila’s overlooking the San Juan River and the Pagosa Hot Springs.  Then it was back to our cabin for a hot cup of coffee as the sunset.  As I said when I began today’s journal, I was wrapped in a blanket and it felt really good as the evening advanced.

We are well tonight and hope that y’all are too.

Peace, Hope & Love,

Donna, Charles, Paris & Dodger



Thur, Jun 2 2011 Rescue Update

We were able to find out this morning via an internet search that the emergency we encountered yesterday did end up being a rescue of three rafters and their dog in the Dolores River.  Two adults and a two year old child were rafting (don't know why because officials have warned folks to stay off the rivers) and their raft overturned.  They were able to make it to a rock in the middle of the river.  I have posted a link (looks like you will have to copy and paste to see the article) to the news item I found.  We are relieved though that they were sucessful in their rescue efforts.

http://www.nbc11news.com/home/headlines/Three_rescued_from_Dolores_River_123055743.html

Thur, Jun 2, 2011

Thursday, June 02, 2011

I guess it is possible to get tired of wonderful weather and beautiful scenery.  It is important, however, that we test out this theory to be sure.  So far it is not happening. – Donna Downey

Yes, it was another day of gorgeous weather with cool temperatures and low humidity.  Watching the weather forecast for home just makes me cringe with foreboding of what it will be like to return.  My mother tells me that I should not worry about the weather because if we don’t return shortly, she is going to kill both of us. 

We had the continental breakfast in the motel and a nice visit with a group of motorcyclists from Texas.  It was nice to have a conversation with folks who speak our language.  I don’t just mean English either, I mean Southern. 

We had plotted out a loop for the day and the plan was to return again to Gunnison for the night.  Just outside Ridgeway we took a portion of the Last Dollar Ranch road again and then took the Sawpit road that would take us off the mountain.  It was dramatic to say the least and we understood why it is closed from January – May.  Let me just say that if you have even a slight fear of heights (or a fear of falling off of a mountain) you should not take this road.  In the early morning light, however, the views from the Last Dollar Ranch road and the Sawpit road are unbelievable. 

When we reached the paved road (just south of Telluride) we headed for one of our destinations for today the Gateway Canyon Resort.  With a lot of stops along the way we figured we would get there about lunch time.  We made several stops for more coffee and for puppy breaks before reaching the drive that would take us thru Dolores Canyon.  This drive is another spectacular drive that takes you on a route along the San Miguel River and then the Dolores River thru a canyon that grows into a spectacle that begins to closely resemble driving thru the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Take a look at my photos and you’ll see what I mean. 

We met a cattle drive while in the canyon and that was interesting as we wove our way thru a long line of cows, sometimes on both sides of the Jeep.  Paris and Dodger did not know what to think as they are both pretty good herding dogs and yet we were allowing these cows to go against the grain so to speak.

Once out of the cows we stopped at one of our favorite overlooks to admire once again the “Hanging Flume”.   This engineering marvel was built in 1888-1891 to supply water to the Montrose Placer Mining Company.  It consisted of a thirteen mile canal and flume to deliver water.  The last five miles of the flume clung to the wall of the canyon.  It carried 23,640,000 gallons of water in a twenty-four hour period! Its construction dazzled mining pros but unfortunately after only three years the mining company folded and the flume was abandoned.  Even after more than 120 years remnants of the flume are visible high along the canyon wall.  It is considered one of the top 100 significant historic structures in the world. 

Ok, enough of the history lesson.  We continued our drive thru the canyon and soon spotted a truck with a flashing light on top pull onto the side of the road.  Just as we approached we met an ambulance which stopped there as well.  This area is very remote with only the fast flowing Dolores river so we knew it could not be good news.  The truck that had pulled over had a kayak in the back so we assumed someone maybe broke a leg floating the river.  Although we did not see anyone on the river all morning as it was running extremely fast , muddy and close to flood stage.  We were just about 7 miles from the Gateway Resort at that point.

The Gateway Resort was built by the owner of the Discovery Channel and is an Oasis in the high desert.  There are no services probably for at least sixty miles in either direction and only one paved road leading in from the south and one that goes north to Grand Junction.  It is a beautiful place with southwest style architecture and a perfect place to stop.  We had probably the best quesadilla we have ever had as we set out on the large porch enjoying a perfect breeze. 

A lot of motorcyclists stop here and we enjoyed a nice visit with one from Canada.  As we sat there we saw a Sheriff’s SUV whiz by, a second Sheriff’s SUV a few minutes later, some type of Rescue vehicle pulling a large raft with a motor about 10 minutes later, and then another ambulance from Grand Junction followed shortly by more rescue vehicles.  The resort was buzzing but no one knew what had happened.  We all agreed though, it would be difficult to survive a tumble into the cold muddy river and also difficult to find someone. Hopefully we will hear it was indeed a rescue mission and not a recovery.

Knowing we would not be allowed to help we continued on our loop but still had this mystery on our minds afraid that nothing good was going to come from these difficult conditions on the river.  We had planned to take the Kebler Pass dirt road but when we arrived at the turn off the road was still closed due to late heavy snows. We were disappointed because it is such a neat drive and the shortest way back to Gunnison but quickly came up with an alternate route along the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River.  This is another drive that we have taken a couple of times but it has been many years and it was much more spectacular than either one of us remembered as it winds along the higher elevations of the northern side of the canyon. 

We are back at Gunnison now in our same room from Tuesday night so we feel right at home.  Charles has the maps out and is plotting our loop for tomorrow. 

We are well tonight and hope that y’all are too. 

Peace, Hope & Love,

Donna, Charles, Paris & Dodger



Wed, Jun 1, 2011

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

You walk to the edge of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison feeling comfortable and anticipating a spectacular view.  Your comfort leaves immediately but the view delivers for sure. – Donna Downey

Our room in Gunnison has, so far, won the best room award.  It was “roomy”, comfortable, attractive, had plenty of convenient plug-ins, wireless and hard-wired internet (faster), good cable TV selection and good TV, remote worked, plenty of good water in the shower (always surprised how many motels don’t have enough water pressure), exterior access (easier for taking dogs out and lugging our stuff in every night), good coffee in the room, and a full hot breakfast this morning! So our day started out great.

The temperatures this morning were mild but it was overcast and looked just a little like it might rain.  After so many blue-sky days we were due for some clouds.  We had plans to make it a relatively short day and either end up back in Gunnison or somewhere nearby.

We drove out past Blue Mesa Lake which is just west of Gunnison. The reservoir is Colorado’s largest body of water, is twenty miles long and has almost 100 miles of shoreline.  It is beautiful, especially when it is full, but we have not seen it that way in many years.  We were surprised to find it much lower than it was last year and far from full.  There was absolutely no wind, however and it looked almost like a sheet of glass in the high desert.  Often, by afternoon the winds can be extreme and fishing on this large open and expansive water can be hazardous at times.  Today, though I’m assuming the fishermen were enjoying the quiet waters.

From Blue Mesa Lake we headed to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  We visited this park many years ago but it was in the winter, very cold and snowing and not conducive to getting out of the Jeep to walk over to an icy precipice to view a 2700 foot drop. The drive down to the canyon floor was closed as well so we decided to visit another time.  Today would be that time.

The Black Canyon was formed more than a few years ago; primarily carved out by the Gunnison River.  The Gunnison River in the canyon drops an average of 43 feet per mile (in contrast with the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon which drops only 7.5 feet per mile).  This steep drop caused the water to almost blast thru the canyon picking up large rocks and carving out this narrow but deep chasm.  The sheer cliffs are staggering with some of them reaching a height of 2700 feet.  There were a number of nice short hikes out at the many overlooks and peering over the rock cliffs you could barely see the powerful Gunnison River below.  Besides the awesome views of the canyon and river below there were a variety of wild flowers blooming including serviceberry shrubs which were covered with tiny white blooms and filled the paths to the rim with a wonderful fragrance.

Paris and Dodger were a big hit with an older German couple we met at one of the overlooks.  They even asked if they could take their pictures and I told them they were professionals at posing.  We passed them later as they were walking out from one of the overlooks and with Dodger and Paris hanging out the back window they waved and took another picture.  We’re hoping they end up on the cover of some foreign magazine.

After making most of the walks on the south rim drive we took the drive down into the canyon.  Wow, what a dive!  And I mean dive not drive.  It has a 16% grade most of the way down, is narrow and has very sharp curves, nothing over 22 feet in length allowed, and its only two redeeming features are that it is paved (thank goodness) and the views on the way down are incredible.  The portion of the river accessible at the bottom is part of a diversion dam that sends water into a 5.8 mile long tunnel that diverts a portion of the river’s life-giving water to Montrose and the vast farmlands beyond.  The really incredible fact about this tunnel is that it was begun in 1905 and completed and dedicated in 1909 and has been in use ever since.  Each winter the water is cut off from the tunnel and it is inspected and needed repairs are carried out and the water then is diverted back into the tunnel.  It is amazing what an impact engineers have had on our lives.

We had a late lunch picnic on the Gunnison River just above the diversion tunnel. The weather was just right and the view not bad either.

By the time we left the park it was late afternoon and we were ready for a room. We would end up in Ridgeway again.  We were lucky enough to spot a cow elk with her new calf just outside Ridgeway and she hesitated just long enough to allow me to rapid fire some shots before she and her calf eased into the forest.  For us, that is a perfect way to end the day.

We are very well tonight and hope that y’all are too!

Peace, Hope & Love,

Donna, Charles, Paris & Dodger