tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84164836218358521422024-03-05T07:12:56.787-08:00Colin BrittonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-11147684676687894672010-08-19T19:25:00.000-07:002010-09-12T18:36:13.834-07:00Labbit is Lost<div class="p1">Today we leave Durango and travel west to Utah and Arizona. We take a detour at Cortez, just west of Durango, to visit an Anasazi Indians - the Ancestral Puebloans - heritage site where we learn that it is important to respect these ancient sites that have cutural and spiritual significance for the current Pueblo descendants. This is important to know as we will be visiting such sites and Indian land for the rest of our trip.</div><div class="p1"><br />
At Cortez we realize that Phoebe's stuffed animal - Labit - has been left behind in the room of the Hampton Suites in Durango. But, he has been found and the hotel will send him on to Lexington. From here, we start the long drive to Four Corners. This landmark is where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet at one point.<br />
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The drive takes us on long straight roads remote from any civilization and devoid of any living creatures. The landscape undulates for miles and miles with rock outcrops and small shrubs that are dotted over the red rocky soil.<br />
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Although Four Corners is very remote, there are quite a few visitors at the site. We pay our entrance fee. There is a concrete structure and a brass plate on the ground that marks the point where astronomers and geographers have located the exact point where the four states meet. We wait our turn as other people stand on the brass structure and have their photo taken. Some go to the effort of placing each foot and, bending over, each hand in a separate state.<br />
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Although it is only about 83 degrees, the sun is very hot. It is breezy and this is pleasant unless one stands in the area down wind from the pit toilets. On two sides of the landmark there are low and long open-front buildings. In each there are separate stalls belonging to approximately 30 Navajo traders. Four Corners is on Navajo Indian land. They are selling jewellery, although there are a few other things. We wander along and buy a hand-painted fridge magnet depicting the four corners. George and Max each buy a sling shot with a wolf head carved on the front.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">Our drive from Four Corners to Monument Valley, Utah now begins. The drive again takes us through remote landscapes that changes from shrub to bare and dramatic outcrops of red rock. Some rock formations rise vertically from the ground. These are volcanic plugs of igneous rock that have withstood the erosion that has shaped the surrounding landscape of sedimentary rock.<br />
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Eventually in the distance we see buttes.We are approaching Monument Valley and we are seeing the huge red buttes rising from the landscape. The Valley is part of the Navajo Nation where the Dino people live. There is a fee to get into the park. As we wait in line with other cars to pay our fee we see a school bus drop off a teenager. His destination is a group of caravans in the distance down a long dusty red road.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">Tonight we are booked into The View Hotel. We have booked this hotel months earlier before the rest of our trip was planned. Even then, most of the hotel rooms were booked. The hotel is a low long structure of red stone that blends perfectly with the red rock of the valley. Each hotel room has a balcony that faces the valley for optimum viewing of the landscape.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">We purchase a piece of Navajo pottery at the trading post within the hotel. Phoebe buys a cowboy hat and we buy another fridge magnet. We like to have one fridge magnet from every state we visit.</div><div class="p1">We cook dinner for Phoebe, George and Max using the microwave in our room. Colin and I go to the restaurant to have dinner and sample the Najavo cuisine that has been highly rated within national magazines across the country. We both choose stews which are extremely tasty and Najavo fried bread which we eat with honey. No alcohol can be purchased on Navajo reservations.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">Unfortunately the weather forecast for the evening is thunderstorms so we are unlikely to see the spectacular array of stars that can usually be seen when darkness falls. Instead, we watch a spectacular lightening display in the distance. Lightening flashes in four different locations. Some lightening doesn't make it do the ground but instead illuminates the cloud cover. Other sheet lightening touches the ground as strong bright vertical flashes and yet more sheet lightening flashes horizontally across the sky under the clouds. It is awe-inspiring.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-25823049803282601132010-08-18T22:00:00.000-07:002010-09-11T18:56:48.066-07:00Northern Exposure<div class="p1">After yesterday's mountain biking we are tired. We don't wake up until 8am.<br />
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Today we drive north on part of the San Juan Skyway - a scenic 236 mile circular drive from Durango. We have decided not to drive the whole route but to go only as far as Ouray, 75 miles from Durango. The first part of our drive takes us to Silverton. This is the destination of the Durango-Silverton Steam Railway - a 3 hours one way ride at a cost of $400 for our family.<br />
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As we leave Durango, in our Ford Flex, the road begins to climb and mountain peaks appear in the distance. The road winds and twists with hairpin bends. Silverton is a nice surprise. It is a pretty town with just one main street and only 500 residents. The main street looks like is a set from a Wild West movie. George and I peer into the bank window. The metal grill through which you can see the bank teller looks like it has seen many a Wild West hold-up.</div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbDS1Zw4OhuDKVFBDvUDqCD2haoXfDlIYswMnDHHULUNhRFY7kx8-g_trceOlwjUWjGSMCdDaLoOgFx6Ye2MA9CMbvazuBrjGdoRMDcBLf6DIHp1WVKbvI60fMFaqcBI7LivkVgiprFT8/s1600/DSC_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbDS1Zw4OhuDKVFBDvUDqCD2haoXfDlIYswMnDHHULUNhRFY7kx8-g_trceOlwjUWjGSMCdDaLoOgFx6Ye2MA9CMbvazuBrjGdoRMDcBLf6DIHp1WVKbvI60fMFaqcBI7LivkVgiprFT8/s320/DSC_0460.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqTeLIYQETuJlr-Z06XPAY5Y6t22p7FZ-9CB3UM7BDdmqdkG0T0W1H4gn_GnKzeG6HNrA3Bad4Afwt5cV8cPZO4VY5S4aU-FOlS9U6BJioEpuGHJuvfCvLdFipxhFaS43GZCkgmhHDfpt/s1600/DSC_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqTeLIYQETuJlr-Z06XPAY5Y6t22p7FZ-9CB3UM7BDdmqdkG0T0W1H4gn_GnKzeG6HNrA3Bad4Afwt5cV8cPZO4VY5S4aU-FOlS9U6BJioEpuGHJuvfCvLdFipxhFaS43GZCkgmhHDfpt/s320/DSC_0471.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UPSIVpddZ21O0OwERdzTZBeZuYZ0GtQtG6eekrnHW6-fuO4l7V9D8dICcQonCiUIJZdCBt15f_Aybwh0cjjK-bn9hQX7hJq-1pGocWzEdb3_AlY86n8azkpP-WM5O5QJuUKaGDd-5OIj/s1600/DSC_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UPSIVpddZ21O0OwERdzTZBeZuYZ0GtQtG6eekrnHW6-fuO4l7V9D8dICcQonCiUIJZdCBt15f_Aybwh0cjjK-bn9hQX7hJq-1pGocWzEdb3_AlY86n8azkpP-WM5O5QJuUKaGDd-5OIj/s320/DSC_0487.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We have beaten the train from Durango. It appears a few minutes after we arrive in Silverton. The black steam engine puffs its way into the town on rails on an unmade side street. There is no platform. The train just stops and the passengers disembark. The engine driver climbs onto the top of the engine to clean the large bell. Shopkeepers, from the tourist souvenir shops, come and stand in their doorways. Here come their customers! We wander around the little town for a few minutes. Although the temperature is not very high, the sun is burning hot in the thin mountain air.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp-6GNNhHotTFs85aE1Bx5IsxibMaCSOGVMMcfUpd3KElixL-pJL48_SnLFgadarckPFUgxyvnc-dnQL10V6BTP-GG9wCTCxzp9LDzEwpBz2Lvn2q67pT_dXuEUCkjqcTBRmDAUnRmM1Z/s1600/DSC_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp-6GNNhHotTFs85aE1Bx5IsxibMaCSOGVMMcfUpd3KElixL-pJL48_SnLFgadarckPFUgxyvnc-dnQL10V6BTP-GG9wCTCxzp9LDzEwpBz2Lvn2q67pT_dXuEUCkjqcTBRmDAUnRmM1Z/s320/DSC_0510.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">We soon leave to continue our journey to Ouray. The scenery becomes more spectacular as we leave Silverton. The cliffs and rocks are red and orange. There is evidence of old mines on the mountain sides - past productive iron, copper and silver mining. The left-over piles of mining residue are an environmental problem causing ores to seep into the rainwater as it runs off the land. The stream that occasionally runs by the roadside is bright orange from the iron in the water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WXSy0aU-2_77ZTfWnTrmsUeSuMIc9HirorMG_pBa84QB-qbTOWVuXFF_UVoG9cAYgwn8Mjs0LpZLRX35MFd73HfLOGHFCxshiRnyz9b9pdLyc8zrLHYqiwGm8K0lz9YHzS4uct7iGwOI/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WXSy0aU-2_77ZTfWnTrmsUeSuMIc9HirorMG_pBa84QB-qbTOWVuXFF_UVoG9cAYgwn8Mjs0LpZLRX35MFd73HfLOGHFCxshiRnyz9b9pdLyc8zrLHYqiwGm8K0lz9YHzS4uct7iGwOI/s320/DSC_0512.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqO98klLiqUPfWz2A8LZNs7qxi3tVQ_dK4b-r63PXdvJcHYHzpqeWrtnEsavoaCpVHZqGMQ6YqrWOQ02fa5KKFItpdp-o44q-1iDTAo78ExyWJBCEnL0W2I2y_vI14cpkkGkLtT3TQAkk/s1600/DSC_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqO98klLiqUPfWz2A8LZNs7qxi3tVQ_dK4b-r63PXdvJcHYHzpqeWrtnEsavoaCpVHZqGMQ6YqrWOQ02fa5KKFItpdp-o44q-1iDTAo78ExyWJBCEnL0W2I2y_vI14cpkkGkLtT3TQAkk/s320/DSC_0539.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg51dgJRQbAYiZuTf_G8ffOTGb0AESV-cDQHpWCO2biXDeFFyRBpuTuQv-dLgEvyqxP1kcv7EtIBMQ0vVEgmmZFKRp_uln5BHWycCcpXFcLMXQyPrka5RtW8j-zejbATvyFPcnIc_El9l/s1600/DSC_0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg51dgJRQbAYiZuTf_G8ffOTGb0AESV-cDQHpWCO2biXDeFFyRBpuTuQv-dLgEvyqxP1kcv7EtIBMQ0vVEgmmZFKRp_uln5BHWycCcpXFcLMXQyPrka5RtW8j-zejbATvyFPcnIc_El9l/s320/DSC_0554.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_ZgQt_zfF0qft21NQfZ5BAXGnhgKIzIbWLUV42XIGTbPUUrR1uqTnFUevksEdxQnrH9sQnZWaDxclor2suEasib4plNZL_bDDC6iC3aMxV4PdH-pi7vROEr86uTbOCFswC7Ab_bEbkLj/s1600/DSC_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_ZgQt_zfF0qft21NQfZ5BAXGnhgKIzIbWLUV42XIGTbPUUrR1uqTnFUevksEdxQnrH9sQnZWaDxclor2suEasib4plNZL_bDDC6iC3aMxV4PdH-pi7vROEr86uTbOCFswC7Ab_bEbkLj/s320/DSC_0634.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">The road takes us up on a high pass. On one side of the road there is a cliff face. On the other side of the road there is a sheer drop into the valley below. Colin, as he drives, concentrates on keeping as close as possible to the yellow line in the middle of the road. The road descends steeply as Ouray is seen nestled in the bottom of the valley, steep mountain cliffs on each side except for a narrow exit at the end where the road continues through the valley.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSPFeBFDgLLGyZ-ET8Hgb-uftWeiIaPfOOcWuoa0wJzrTW8etyDfyZvblsiJAToQZ-2DhJ8sdG4-rAfQS7JP8WZ3JRfuaGz9MpQ42ugN4u4JexaUgnAbWlhw27hxkulKZBkOF38oclEYW/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSPFeBFDgLLGyZ-ET8Hgb-uftWeiIaPfOOcWuoa0wJzrTW8etyDfyZvblsiJAToQZ-2DhJ8sdG4-rAfQS7JP8WZ3JRfuaGz9MpQ42ugN4u4JexaUgnAbWlhw27hxkulKZBkOF38oclEYW/s320/DSC_0595.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_OCt2gU9dh-3teXH98inHjWMU5408zYMZ72yubo_3M3pAQFZlF2FLuLuvOUX7NYOY8NQwuNePhW_fSUngqkSql40AOHKYVFDs5-cp0YB_YML6FUR56WD3fhs0eJnk5CDon9T78ZKUwwN/s1600/DSC_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_OCt2gU9dh-3teXH98inHjWMU5408zYMZ72yubo_3M3pAQFZlF2FLuLuvOUX7NYOY8NQwuNePhW_fSUngqkSql40AOHKYVFDs5-cp0YB_YML6FUR56WD3fhs0eJnk5CDon9T78ZKUwwN/s320/DSC_0564.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TvZ3AYeW46wSTJTDXBIRGp6qsvDD-qLcpfguKPYaAUr3F5b9dP7ga3rAlR3-CW9GFG0Nzet5QlpkhVbf4AuudiME760NbYvhDE9o84MIZlpZKQYEGXeEA7FpYwSbv3UFs7kge_AF464R/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TvZ3AYeW46wSTJTDXBIRGp6qsvDD-qLcpfguKPYaAUr3F5b9dP7ga3rAlR3-CW9GFG0Nzet5QlpkhVbf4AuudiME760NbYvhDE9o84MIZlpZKQYEGXeEA7FpYwSbv3UFs7kge_AF464R/s320/DSC_0578.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">Ouray, a little Wild West mining town, is even more beautiful than Silverton. We wander through the town and then stop off on a side road for lunch. The road crosses a narrow but very deep canyon through which flows a mountain stream. Although the stream is very small, the canyon shows evidence of a much stronger mountain torrent of snow and ice melt run off. The canyon sides are smooth and arc-shaped from the force of water.<br />
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</div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PRve7IAUH8D71KL2IVP7R1Ncj5_BOnPQCXzQ0ABGH69ur1CtPYegeXt5ly1GrlBC5InjJRzQ8obpOX75qOf6TeY_2AXwdyI6-MgzsbP6OIZLRtQJw1h86U4eDTGbMgw5ht8LFJXfQ1cd/s1600/DSC_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PRve7IAUH8D71KL2IVP7R1Ncj5_BOnPQCXzQ0ABGH69ur1CtPYegeXt5ly1GrlBC5InjJRzQ8obpOX75qOf6TeY_2AXwdyI6-MgzsbP6OIZLRtQJw1h86U4eDTGbMgw5ht8LFJXfQ1cd/s320/DSC_0668.JPG" /></a></div>As we return to Durango on the same road, the climb out of Ouray over the pass is much more nerve-wracking. This time, instead of being on the side of the road closest to the cliff face, we are on the side of the road with the sheer drop. The road signs post a speed limit of 15 or 20 miles an hour as we weave up the mountain. The road does not look flat. Instead it seems to be tilted slightly towards the drop off the edge of the road. In some places there is a noticeable dip, as if the edge of the road is giving way and crumbling into the canyon below. From our experience of mountain roads, this seems more trecherous than others. There is no guard rail on the edge of the road. Only a thin line of dirt divides the road from the drop into the canyon. Although we meet other cars we are thankful we do not meet the juggernout that we see later on the drive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF0U4Y0q6qJZ4xCkHuDTsqGWUt-zoPkZeZRvj2r6w3KYLm_rXZI0WXLvOpDIF6Z5TofA6zhYejAzxS8VPu8oYDsV4Ow8TMdi_-gAfxsB1LHogfLndmQOX_mglnUNdC2B9E4NTxjPiXdb2/s1600/DSC_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF0U4Y0q6qJZ4xCkHuDTsqGWUt-zoPkZeZRvj2r6w3KYLm_rXZI0WXLvOpDIF6Z5TofA6zhYejAzxS8VPu8oYDsV4Ow8TMdi_-gAfxsB1LHogfLndmQOX_mglnUNdC2B9E4NTxjPiXdb2/s320/DSC_0531.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">Even though the road continues to have long drops into the valley below, it is not as severe as the first part of the drive out of Ouray so we are able to relax slightly and enjoy the views of mountain tops, pine trees, waterfalls and mounds of snow caught in ridges higher on the mountains.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC3dNu0cXIJk2OrH_Nrpe1ZoGRZmwyF53coZXg1j9RgfTdQFyvB5aQLmMwznMuyK1oprJlgYnhQXoYxzpoD0NaU4Kz9zXaIVb9TRDtiN-DYmjHhIAXXgoUymKMMb-VSnEs48aW3KSNspL/s1600/DSC_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC3dNu0cXIJk2OrH_Nrpe1ZoGRZmwyF53coZXg1j9RgfTdQFyvB5aQLmMwznMuyK1oprJlgYnhQXoYxzpoD0NaU4Kz9zXaIVb9TRDtiN-DYmjHhIAXXgoUymKMMb-VSnEs48aW3KSNspL/s320/DSC_0558.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">Back in Durango we walk a few minutes from our hotel to a South Western/Texas barbeque restaurant. The restaurant is very casual. It is more like a wooden shack. We order our food at a bar where it is prepared for us and then take it to tables and wooden benches outside on a veranda. Each table contains a large roll of kitchen paper rather than napkins. The ribs are delicious and messy. We use lots of kitchen paper. Some of the other customers look like they have come directly from Texas. They wear cowboy boots, hats and shiny metal-studded belts. We are, after all, in cowboy country!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-18728677809933381002010-08-17T22:00:00.000-07:002010-09-11T18:56:24.661-07:00Rocky Mountain Riding<div class="p1">Blue skies and sunshine but the technician in the bike shop tells us the trails will be hard work from the previous night's rain storm and will cake the tires with red Colorado mud. We are better off waiting until the afternoon when the sun has had a chance to dry the trails.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosf4NsRiXndbTaJN1UoAF1Qe15NZA8rH7XCKSzPyIob1LgYp_kaw50-cFGePmauaa7jOgXjlmiVUhKENAK_uZuCMuBVeLcUC3KztSARPgl49W-mWcHGXVvjCDN0K2B1HXfhgcXtxRymoL/s1600/IMG_20100817_104940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosf4NsRiXndbTaJN1UoAF1Qe15NZA8rH7XCKSzPyIob1LgYp_kaw50-cFGePmauaa7jOgXjlmiVUhKENAK_uZuCMuBVeLcUC3KztSARPgl49W-mWcHGXVvjCDN0K2B1HXfhgcXtxRymoL/s320/IMG_20100817_104940.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">So, instead, we visit the Durango Fish Hatchery. We are the first visitors of the day and the volunteer museum guide is keen to give us all the information about the fish found locally, particularly trout. We also view an exhibit of stuffed animals. One is a black bear that was involved in a car accident two years previously. The bear stands over 6 foot high and weighed 400 pounds. Our guide tells stories of a bear that spent a day sitting in the tree outside the museum last summer and a mountain lion that took a dog from the house next door.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHK9bzkQsuPPjx5sAEWtS7xpkm1H5mIHxZ_HLa6oRzQBanfoPAX2uoK289uYlZhCDsIoFFTYKFcs1TdlzE7tKggErf3SW_um3YOiYE8_ENmz7hGTLrtrHvIbYS0ClFbSlDBzcbqXfKjsz/s1600/IMG_20100817_110124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHK9bzkQsuPPjx5sAEWtS7xpkm1H5mIHxZ_HLa6oRzQBanfoPAX2uoK289uYlZhCDsIoFFTYKFcs1TdlzE7tKggErf3SW_um3YOiYE8_ENmz7hGTLrtrHvIbYS0ClFbSlDBzcbqXfKjsz/s320/IMG_20100817_110124.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">We wander outside to view the raceways that contain thousands of trout ranging from very small to quite large. From these raceways a million trout are put into the rivers and reservoirs of Colorado each year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8EH0pS9y5ikJvoExQfke0XODtiHNUsgF9vrQ4OBPD_fKHedFfvl88HaIfSNArki1AahGkH3NvBbTxd4uDI4ngXodvqbSA4v8S1WQeaxpmkhb2J9RNj0RODM1dNrclgsYUNUN3HYSvTSY/s1600/IMG_20100817_123943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8EH0pS9y5ikJvoExQfke0XODtiHNUsgF9vrQ4OBPD_fKHedFfvl88HaIfSNArki1AahGkH3NvBbTxd4uDI4ngXodvqbSA4v8S1WQeaxpmkhb2J9RNj0RODM1dNrclgsYUNUN3HYSvTSY/s320/IMG_20100817_123943.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">After an early packed lunch, eaten from the back of the car, we go to pick up our mountain bikes and set off for an afternoon's riding from the shop. We use a paved biking path to get to and cross the Animas River. Immediately after crossing the river we leave the paved path to take a trail up the hillside. Phoebe falls off her bike as we leave the path. She is not hurt. The trail is muddy, rocky, steep and narrow. The undergrowth scratches our legs and arms. Max, George and Colin seem to have no problem making the ascent. Phoebe and Rachel find it very difficult. They walk most of the way up the trail. By now it is hot and the sun is strong. The altitude makes the climb strenuous.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">Eventually we come to a road. We decide that paved surfaces are perhaps better for a while and return to the river path. Towards the centre of Durango we try another mountain biking area, this time the trail is a wide but rocky unpaved road. Rachel and Phoebe decide to proceed at their own pace, which turns out to only be a few metres. Colin, George and Max ride off making the slow ascent on the road called Horse Gulch. It seems popular with locals who obviously do not have any problem with the altitude or rocky surfaces.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_Oq6o7isTlq9KFySZM8WRFSBOvuMnOT0rfHTUWVBFDlwq6FtQ6HUqaDzzxOwDgzbW7qgG-QCqKlsOyAGXzu2j_wHwmvHOOK6kOTjap76RGDTiPS1Fo9wc2rVfcvmv_5dKxhjKbXNW5f9/s1600/IMG_20100817_140449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_Oq6o7isTlq9KFySZM8WRFSBOvuMnOT0rfHTUWVBFDlwq6FtQ6HUqaDzzxOwDgzbW7qgG-QCqKlsOyAGXzu2j_wHwmvHOOK6kOTjap76RGDTiPS1Fo9wc2rVfcvmv_5dKxhjKbXNW5f9/s320/IMG_20100817_140449.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">When Colin and the boys return we decide to continue our biking by taking different routes, aiming to meet at a point where trail and paved river path join. Colin and Max take the trail while Rachel, Phoebe and George take the paved path. We never meet. Somehow we pass each other at the water treatment works, cycling on different sides of the works. Rachel, Phoebe and George wait for nearly an hour at the designated meeting point. None of them have cell phones. Colin is the only one carrying his phone. Eventually Rachel decides to ask people she meets if she can use their cell phone to call Colin. She imagines an accident has delayed him and Max. The first four people do not have phones. They are returning from a rafting trip on the river. Eventually a woman walking a dog has a phone. The dog is wearing a coat from the animal humane society that says "adopt me". George and Phoebe make a fuss of the dog while Rachel discovers that Colin and Max have been searching for them! They have been cycling to and fro on the path trying to find the other half of their family!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRo3NKHpreTVWFQ2ownrhxewqPGfWQLsZXrfwdq67N0kpKO4CFpEC8Bs5fOlR2kgm8LMzSKW65s_5UtGFC8GsRJ2ZdZxbYy3K_inerHP4vFza4A2zg2kxuoQV1rJ4K4uMVN1FIES8JMbh/s1600/IMG_20100817_151945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRo3NKHpreTVWFQ2ownrhxewqPGfWQLsZXrfwdq67N0kpKO4CFpEC8Bs5fOlR2kgm8LMzSKW65s_5UtGFC8GsRJ2ZdZxbYy3K_inerHP4vFza4A2zg2kxuoQV1rJ4K4uMVN1FIES8JMbh/s320/IMG_20100817_151945.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2AqbLTmBfYJteM19KmetKIfwX9Lg0zdDNes5fHSqC3Mwi4-ipUwVCfXaFsISTmwRR90pGlP4XZC95y8ZTR1vD2KCqPZzoojrYvVbvf2qKW4s0xgUP88qh-RCfCizLnxYIkL4CHR-1vfA/s1600/IMG_20100817_184620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2AqbLTmBfYJteM19KmetKIfwX9Lg0zdDNes5fHSqC3Mwi4-ipUwVCfXaFsISTmwRR90pGlP4XZC95y8ZTR1vD2KCqPZzoojrYvVbvf2qKW4s0xgUP88qh-RCfCizLnxYIkL4CHR-1vfA/s320/IMG_20100817_184620.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">A soak in the hotel hot tub helps aching knees and legs. Tonight we discover a Mexican Taquaria - a fast food Mexican restaurant. We join the queue of people. The food is freshly cooked as we wait in line. It is fabulous - and reasonable. Phoebe makes the best choice - fish tacos - battered fish freshly cooked served in small flour tortillas with chopped tomato and Mexican tartar sauce. We all sample it - delicious.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-24809033680351555702010-08-16T22:00:00.000-07:002010-08-30T19:02:39.294-07:00Cliff Notes<div class="p1"><br />
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<div class="p1"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We wake to hear rain on the tin roof of our cabin. It has stopped by the time we get up. Phoebe, George and Max's shoes are very muddy as they go for one last visit to see the sheep, goats and llama. We pack the car and leave Bayfield for Durango. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hSk7ijmSWCRFNLg8sqsSrMIbnDJVm7QGEEe6GC8p0D6wtkVxhhGtEiKoEFmF65nXF9pkeJbXty8dzFDbFIcyl4r52jztd-jqjSwResGzi5Eau7JF24BfA2a0nevvgb5_ETOSh_iuUUmL/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hSk7ijmSWCRFNLg8sqsSrMIbnDJVm7QGEEe6GC8p0D6wtkVxhhGtEiKoEFmF65nXF9pkeJbXty8dzFDbFIcyl4r52jztd-jqjSwResGzi5Eau7JF24BfA2a0nevvgb5_ETOSh_iuUUmL/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As the weather forecast is cloud, rain and thunderstorms we decide to change our plans for the day. Instead of mountain biking we will visit Mesa Verde National Park, just west of Durango. Mesa Verde contains the remains of homes and cliff dwellings of the Ancient Puebloans. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqbmH7Fxhphrk1yYLKyqN99I2rNP-scp6S9HCI0GAaRJ_bIENPYzHZ1BPn_OPKmdowsUlRwL4bbMORixuS-DkcGkvFwu3DFPA4EGEegQxY9KHVtxSdHkyOIklxyllmCWzORKW9F-m5OKG/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqbmH7Fxhphrk1yYLKyqN99I2rNP-scp6S9HCI0GAaRJ_bIENPYzHZ1BPn_OPKmdowsUlRwL4bbMORixuS-DkcGkvFwu3DFPA4EGEegQxY9KHVtxSdHkyOIklxyllmCWzORKW9F-m5OKG/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0gsuA_2qioYCRs-Vp2LLaXxpraBQXy_8bJn7xxbLGZwWV0GjsWPFfxC7pm8_TleWrUvmnsgIjAoRhrAf_QKK_aAYX3d33XNh3LYYiHa4noMgBfKnMwgHbaVB50fXQHFYPj7W2X7voMTg/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0gsuA_2qioYCRs-Vp2LLaXxpraBQXy_8bJn7xxbLGZwWV0GjsWPFfxC7pm8_TleWrUvmnsgIjAoRhrAf_QKK_aAYX3d33XNh3LYYiHa4noMgBfKnMwgHbaVB50fXQHFYPj7W2X7voMTg/s320/DSC_0244.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div class="p1"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the distance we can see the Mesa of Mesa Verde, a stark cliff face like a jutting chin. After driving along a fairly flat valley, we entered Mesa Verde National Park and began a 12 mile winding ascent to the top of the Mesa. The views as the road climbs are fantastic. We can see far into the distance. It's like the view from an airplane window. Our first stop is the visitor's centre to buy tickets. It is windy and quite cool at the visitor's centre. The wind whips up the valley to the Mesa top where we are waiting in line to buy tickets. Tickets are required for viewing the cliff dwellings with a park ranger as a guide. We choose to visit Long House. This is the most remote cliff dwelling. The tour begins at mid-day. As it was already 11:15 we hurry as we have a 40 minute drive across the Mesa top to our destination.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRMBaiJ5xnXliUI0sr6iZPHTaYZOd24MEdv7NWD0ZNg9wIN6ysrtuoi6I8rvVqc5ywfdz-iUI9qIG_UMt5_lWWRCQ57Q2-z3UvmoWtRSRVrypcAwZ2JVLJuQFKJAzUjKWkBknMFg-BEVj/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRMBaiJ5xnXliUI0sr6iZPHTaYZOd24MEdv7NWD0ZNg9wIN6ysrtuoi6I8rvVqc5ywfdz-iUI9qIG_UMt5_lWWRCQ57Q2-z3UvmoWtRSRVrypcAwZ2JVLJuQFKJAzUjKWkBknMFg-BEVj/s320/DSC_0265.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUQR2KHUHt5LHjFhqeoRxUik6i36dq_KexnGf0Nkql5dF-RfMvR_zjIJ7dCNiy6gv555TIeeY8D6AVOkVIWeS965HdaKarHUZjkpBxNBxzkH2ZdNUCsgwg4IesbanOPvByBlkOxy1M9no/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUQR2KHUHt5LHjFhqeoRxUik6i36dq_KexnGf0Nkql5dF-RfMvR_zjIJ7dCNiy6gv555TIeeY8D6AVOkVIWeS965HdaKarHUZjkpBxNBxzkH2ZdNUCsgwg4IesbanOPvByBlkOxy1M9no/s320/DSC_0270.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div class="p1"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Our group is small, around 20 people instead of the normal 50 people. The cliff dwellings are beneath the Mesa top, over the cliff edge, built in a natural ampitheatre in the sandstone. Although our walk down the cliff is on a paved path with steps to the cliff dwellings, the ancient cliff dwellers scrambled up and down the cliff using toe and hand holds. The drop to the valley bottom is long, down sheer cliffs. It is frightening to think how these people made such a climb. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5-tr-kHA9Xtq4RzQdPi69Hs7yNMXb_n0mDeoojjKa0zk3AhaLRBKYW6Xkfbw8Hgt9iYKuE2wANI7vxMPeXpQF-BToJnl-RL5cYNwEcf1KTIk5ug_5Nfxg8sZjea9j9IPZnkLqwDdkli1/s1600/DSC_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5-tr-kHA9Xtq4RzQdPi69Hs7yNMXb_n0mDeoojjKa0zk3AhaLRBKYW6Xkfbw8Hgt9iYKuE2wANI7vxMPeXpQF-BToJnl-RL5cYNwEcf1KTIk5ug_5Nfxg8sZjea9j9IPZnkLqwDdkli1/s320/DSC_0292.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Built in 1200AD, the remains of the houses in the cliffs that we walk around were the choice of around 100 people. Women, men and children lived in this strange ampitheatre instead of living on the Mesa top. Our ranger points out that during this time, in contrast to the primitive lifestyle we see, Notre Dame was being built in Europe.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF7apmMm26YLLX8-RRIZvczyvHyqtMyygpsBMAjg5bES5L1Sv7BlaUOMvnG_klmJOYCQoCYK_Err9W7knr02B7T557LmNCiOjAXNd0VwjsO1zFo5UJhK7FcEioZ19TLu4UE2ODjeJJ9Uo/s1600/DSC_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF7apmMm26YLLX8-RRIZvczyvHyqtMyygpsBMAjg5bES5L1Sv7BlaUOMvnG_klmJOYCQoCYK_Err9W7knr02B7T557LmNCiOjAXNd0VwjsO1zFo5UJhK7FcEioZ19TLu4UE2ODjeJJ9Uo/s320/DSC_0315.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div class="p1"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm4Q_GWUIFKi-L4bbxQ1ct8rHpOc6AonxluBsRULKVztHZPX2Qb-R8twKMAJ1xbiUp7rrm9Hlfg4Cg6-OlSWSktMPJ-WbKMVkoNuTD6f0IU382VtbvIMryrvv3U6HfN-mF5T7kWKJhMBw/s1600/DSC_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm4Q_GWUIFKi-L4bbxQ1ct8rHpOc6AonxluBsRULKVztHZPX2Qb-R8twKMAJ1xbiUp7rrm9Hlfg4Cg6-OlSWSktMPJ-WbKMVkoNuTD6f0IU382VtbvIMryrvv3U6HfN-mF5T7kWKJhMBw/s320/DSC_0280.JPG" /></a></div>After our tour, we decide to explore other dwellings on the Mesa top before heading back to the car. A tram car takes us and a few other people back to the car park. On the way we see wild horses, but no mountain lions that also live in this area.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="p1"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">By now it is mid afternoon. The weather has improved and it is hot and sunny. We drive to the other more popular cliff dwelling but by now we are tired and decide to cut short our visit, only visiting the museum. It is hot and busy and driving on the winding roads is nauseous.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXrSpQd74OOFYBezyDTjWI2uaavzCQPe8zcb4jnZ_1wb0FyNaq0Pp6qaJStt7wvx-sV38-exCvGT9iKv3ZNBGSz2tbBGNSwnJZsL_GSl81-zXM8r6rjXNWHOsSUTYfrClyOi3uk7aolot/s1600/DSC_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXrSpQd74OOFYBezyDTjWI2uaavzCQPe8zcb4jnZ_1wb0FyNaq0Pp6qaJStt7wvx-sV38-exCvGT9iKv3ZNBGSz2tbBGNSwnJZsL_GSl81-zXM8r6rjXNWHOsSUTYfrClyOi3uk7aolot/s320/DSC_0338.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div></div><div class="p1"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Driving back to Durango we see black clouds. Lightening flashes ahead of us and as we draw nearer to Durango, and the hills surrounding the town, we see a thin covering of snow that has just fallen during the storm. We run into our hotel just as it begins to pour with rain. Suddenly the windows are rattling as rain turns to hail. As we go to find a restaurant for dinner, piles of hail stones litter the pavements. Tourists and locals in flip flops and shorts slap their way along the street.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-11541492430533547672010-08-15T22:00:00.000-07:002010-08-30T18:53:07.500-07:00Off the Grid<div class="p1">Sunday, 15 August<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2WGUSFLK0TqJN6ysXBo-hPI3UC9Ukatpuo_-WspLphZnBRDuTwfRQl0WoCtTVIpEJRvj5N-TljsUPSh0_Pen3pvGdMWxhu0FEDBqZtEcy2yuLJ9CNeavpJa9O8lNz3DOMF_cWtZCNbzW/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2WGUSFLK0TqJN6ysXBo-hPI3UC9Ukatpuo_-WspLphZnBRDuTwfRQl0WoCtTVIpEJRvj5N-TljsUPSh0_Pen3pvGdMWxhu0FEDBqZtEcy2yuLJ9CNeavpJa9O8lNz3DOMF_cWtZCNbzW/s320/DSC_0179.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fJKnwT9Y5vN4s4xQCJ0cb8tuuIpcwB42SmpVDZPAZSnBnF7USvPvTrrA9kW-JkX5cEdFz-vN6XaW4d24CE45h9urjTznSMDmArwkGXH725jlpOWYcBJ5IyzElAGsl5iEnkxXJ0zXxBIS/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fJKnwT9Y5vN4s4xQCJ0cb8tuuIpcwB42SmpVDZPAZSnBnF7USvPvTrrA9kW-JkX5cEdFz-vN6XaW4d24CE45h9urjTznSMDmArwkGXH725jlpOWYcBJ5IyzElAGsl5iEnkxXJ0zXxBIS/s320/DSC_0181.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">George is up early this morning at 6am. There is no television to watch! Instead, he dresses and goes to visit the sheep, goats and llama. Max and Phoebe followed a little while later. Consequently, our usual early morning start is not so early. Our aim for the day is to hike near Vallecito Lake. The owners of the farm where we are staying are able to direct us to one of their favourite hikes. We drive to trailhead and are surprised to see the car park full with cars and horse boxes. We speculate that many have probably chosen to stay overnight, as it is the weekend, in the Weminuche Wilderness that can be accessed from this trail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T3xjv9SNm5_ojDJjAJ-elt5NChKY_3MdghU3Gy0cIPKwrQN4s5ujuUQC9Ns04UHvdPVL8S9NjQ0OLx2kBxVqVRGLDeVKAggN_GKd6l9NtSMEjj5r_GshwobBmRmfGMfsqFkhGecs7Op5/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T3xjv9SNm5_ojDJjAJ-elt5NChKY_3MdghU3Gy0cIPKwrQN4s5ujuUQC9Ns04UHvdPVL8S9NjQ0OLx2kBxVqVRGLDeVKAggN_GKd6l9NtSMEjj5r_GshwobBmRmfGMfsqFkhGecs7Op5/s320/DSC_0195.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">The sun is strong in the thin mountain air. The trail begins in a valley, but we have already climbed in elevation on our drive to the trailhead. The bottom of the valley is flat with a broad meadow dotted with pine trees, owned and fenced in by Granite Peaks Ranch. The sides of the valley rise steeply as granite cliffs, standing majestic against the deep blue sky.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRfZnzVaKk3-bYPVA41t9WbdzoFSUhJPspB_I6ddHgDnEOULUCL8T2Fw0g673n9Lx4r8uD4q0FupMtZBnsXGlrCgP_ff2TO-i4UjKyZ0mySb78v1nb4UFuloNEhYc70OzUxHGCkTUXv1G/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRfZnzVaKk3-bYPVA41t9WbdzoFSUhJPspB_I6ddHgDnEOULUCL8T2Fw0g673n9Lx4r8uD4q0FupMtZBnsXGlrCgP_ff2TO-i4UjKyZ0mySb78v1nb4UFuloNEhYc70OzUxHGCkTUXv1G/s320/DSC_0194.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="p1">We cover exposed skin with sun cream, fill camelbaks with water, pack our picnic lunch and begin our hike. The beginning of the hike takes us through a gate displaying the Ranch name and a notice warning that leaving this area with horses or cattle that do not belong to you is theft. The start of the trail is littered with fresh horse manure. We are thankful for the trees which give shade from the sun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf4FTCse-sdgbw5CjCdhsdF0WBw5rzSPXKNmFylGzTtUBwXUI9zwOKa4L-fKS12WD4hl44TinTHej49LRh892kE0bgK2Ug0lgJwLYjbQi7aiiBMBp2DFwkqCka7BGdImA34k80AsBLufH/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf4FTCse-sdgbw5CjCdhsdF0WBw5rzSPXKNmFylGzTtUBwXUI9zwOKa4L-fKS12WD4hl44TinTHej49LRh892kE0bgK2Ug0lgJwLYjbQi7aiiBMBp2DFwkqCka7BGdImA34k80AsBLufH/s320/DSC_0196.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">Our progress is slow. This is an "in/out" trail and we are not sure how far we will hike. The trail can take us to Emerald lake high above the valley but this is 10 miles and the last four 4 miles are a steep climb. Having hiked at this altitude before we know that just to get to the lake will take us around 4 hours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieb_q8OxdybmCmhtNoAX9ShSpszeeyyXA1OemCZ6cOttYXrzsPAfdDARGTjcNLe8dQDlSlCm7vJ18oizJr_OYMjE1D8AlnslWKHS1Uktf5QUFFTjQ0Nu0Gl_oNeLQAM7DB_UnplaQQGRi/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieb_q8OxdybmCmhtNoAX9ShSpszeeyyXA1OemCZ6cOttYXrzsPAfdDARGTjcNLe8dQDlSlCm7vJ18oizJr_OYMjE1D8AlnslWKHS1Uktf5QUFFTjQ0Nu0Gl_oNeLQAM7DB_UnplaQQGRi/s320/IMG_1454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">After about two miles of walking we come to a creek that flows across the trail. Although it is easy to cross, using rocks that are above the water as stepping stones, we stop for a few minutes to enjoy the stream. Phoebe chooses to take off her hiking boots and dip her feet in the cold water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRkyAt3MPrgGzxIt42QAGsVnlH_grNtBb1r05-QJNdUcKSmH8QGPazOpJcatHylE4wiZ21VrJmPha98rj25dgkZ1-dvSCFQcjn_YjspoHEl7Gp9qbSkqTDJxwKjPCqp9C37Q6t7j9v4a0/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRkyAt3MPrgGzxIt42QAGsVnlH_grNtBb1r05-QJNdUcKSmH8QGPazOpJcatHylE4wiZ21VrJmPha98rj25dgkZ1-dvSCFQcjn_YjspoHEl7Gp9qbSkqTDJxwKjPCqp9C37Q6t7j9v4a0/s320/DSC_0182.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">The trail is strewn with rocks and the elevation rises and falls. George is only wearing indoor soccer shoes. He will borrow Colin's spare trail shoes for future hikes.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">After about 3 miles and two hours of hiking we enter the Weminuche Wilderness. Even though we have entered the wilderness, the scenery does not change. We encounter a few other people, some walking with their sleeping mats rolled up in their backpacks and some on horses dressed in stetsons and cowboy boots. They carry their packs on a second horse tethered to the first and without a rider. We meet one couple with two llamas who are heading out into the wilderness. The llamas eye us cautiously but are happy to be stroked by George and Max. The llama hair looks so thick it seems impossible that the animals would feel anything. Phoebe looks delighted to see her favourite animal.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">A little way into the wilderness we decide to stop and find a place near the river for lunch before we head back. The scenery is beautiful with the refreshing sound of running water and sunlight streaming across the pine covered mountain slopes. Lunch is sliced bread filled with sweating cheese slices and ham from our backpacks. Phoebe and George and Max are able to climb onto rocks in the swlrling water of the river and eat lunch on their little islands. Colin and I sit on the remaining rocks closer to the shore. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO9do9YNqNVobicOnsxvC5EENoT6PTljVGX3eeqdW2HAfz_0HDRanFB9NSsYdR_SHh73E5O8i9U765Ux5-QcbmS1Kdxm1qjZ3C8JybLkrPyyN3DsBaAdGrz2objEM7H3VghsyB8XV-KS3/s1600/DSC_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO9do9YNqNVobicOnsxvC5EENoT6PTljVGX3eeqdW2HAfz_0HDRanFB9NSsYdR_SHh73E5O8i9U765Ux5-QcbmS1Kdxm1qjZ3C8JybLkrPyyN3DsBaAdGrz2objEM7H3VghsyB8XV-KS3/s320/DSC_0208.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="p1">From this point on the 3 miles hike back is at a good speed. It is around 1:30pm and the sun is high in the sky. The trail looks completely different in this light and the heat is getting unbearable. We arrive back glad to consume water and Gatorade that we have in the car.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-36281407990465655752010-08-14T22:00:00.000-07:002010-09-11T18:24:50.513-07:00Spa Treatment<div class="p1">Saturday, 14 August</div><div class="p1">Today we leave Santa Fe and New Mexico and travel to Bayfield in Colorado. Our route is more or less directly north. As we leave Santa Fe we stock up on supplies, mainly food, for the next two days. Where we will be staying in Bayfield is a long way from any shops or restaurants.<br />
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With a breakfast of bagels in the car, we set off. Somehow we lose our way and instead of being on a main highway we find ourselves on a back road. The towns we pass through consist of trailers, static caravans, that serve as people's homes. Eventually we manage to get back to our route. The scenery is stunning with cliffs of different colour rock, sometimes close to the road and sometimes further in the distance. Different sedimentary rock layers can be seen in varying colours of white, red and gray. The landscape is dry and scrubby, only small bushes can be seen for miles in every direction.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOaC5K1tWVHmIqCo-Cln7Ox5lX6sdIEw4ed8Ef1CgFH_VTVaHqi5fO-Z8qXi1oqrd-bGlq3-7k4bwoReTeUGha9BrEhsGBcqZjN8kKQaqDrCN9e9ROyvwjXN_0G8H7dk2Fj_Wo8pJzWc2/s1600/DSC_9981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOaC5K1tWVHmIqCo-Cln7Ox5lX6sdIEw4ed8Ef1CgFH_VTVaHqi5fO-Z8qXi1oqrd-bGlq3-7k4bwoReTeUGha9BrEhsGBcqZjN8kKQaqDrCN9e9ROyvwjXN_0G8H7dk2Fj_Wo8pJzWc2/s320/DSC_9981.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCDoA77tWSKf3Ns3NsjQsS6IjOyLs1bg_SFYAFIZpAHxCXut0pHpbr33aoGOsNDmZ0ewX-_y9RR9d3RGV0o-0TxpJorLWRcp1NcXsaeg9zzp_rl8mdEv0k9THg7bIAGPmY1x7XxAnwm3A/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCDoA77tWSKf3Ns3NsjQsS6IjOyLs1bg_SFYAFIZpAHxCXut0pHpbr33aoGOsNDmZ0ewX-_y9RR9d3RGV0o-0TxpJorLWRcp1NcXsaeg9zzp_rl8mdEv0k9THg7bIAGPmY1x7XxAnwm3A/s320/DSC_0082.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic4TIDOhNNyEbX3OMc30_NH4lzi8NsLBaxRMHKB9rGC9UpagYkoa1VBQku1ofqjqhqGfvjkgKgxrtn1pXaLDR1UsSN9D8Il7FeCxgRZsg2a5iNqsEip1ZiwOoc2T4GIaU3nXhq-Cw7GV3/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhic4TIDOhNNyEbX3OMc30_NH4lzi8NsLBaxRMHKB9rGC9UpagYkoa1VBQku1ofqjqhqGfvjkgKgxrtn1pXaLDR1UsSN9D8Il7FeCxgRZsg2a5iNqsEip1ZiwOoc2T4GIaU3nXhq-Cw7GV3/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NLskP4p_7LLXwOxoyeoyLjTN9xQ5TUOQvj6CJPPDZTWKkr6U5u1eXSacny_B-l3AVJXhuP3L3GSLhIBmXg7gaRiztu5pHZ8ynXFRNPix0cTlHyt9YFJYYfmSb0wUw965TWnZARc_zkug/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NLskP4p_7LLXwOxoyeoyLjTN9xQ5TUOQvj6CJPPDZTWKkr6U5u1eXSacny_B-l3AVJXhuP3L3GSLhIBmXg7gaRiztu5pHZ8ynXFRNPix0cTlHyt9YFJYYfmSb0wUw965TWnZARc_zkug/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX0VoXUWK9RkVIn7g47yGcy_-mOYdQf4YuMk6vDfQ8SW8jxKuvgbt-ZHx_LSDzBhC-mjxgy6_yC3DMhRqSFPPU8XutTY2eJYkRlbJG71ioHk2KqC5NUykbhUQLtRIo4B8503xaUJWqZdW/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdX0VoXUWK9RkVIn7g47yGcy_-mOYdQf4YuMk6vDfQ8SW8jxKuvgbt-ZHx_LSDzBhC-mjxgy6_yC3DMhRqSFPPU8XutTY2eJYkRlbJG71ioHk2KqC5NUykbhUQLtRIo4B8503xaUJWqZdW/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnySsm6-ikDRn-JwMlmpYFYiqZf7rvFs-4sZ4oEtvbC-waMxwm13RyI-zRqt-9TA3Pr6PI0EKYSIkYSHdxzCBVveZjZL22cXqxEZ9zjHx5U3IbMg6uo58cP6W1fGsld0jte4DXKXuAqDJH/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnySsm6-ikDRn-JwMlmpYFYiqZf7rvFs-4sZ4oEtvbC-waMxwm13RyI-zRqt-9TA3Pr6PI0EKYSIkYSHdxzCBVveZjZL22cXqxEZ9zjHx5U3IbMg6uo58cP6W1fGsld0jte4DXKXuAqDJH/s320/DSC_0054.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNQhA5OpcaI-JIt-rhkwAh8fq5DR7D06fjZB8AGBat6Y_kKDa-2uZAAnzqw7Gdlp3DJzkLPiRg-_j0OGIoQ4YEKJrhAXMRAF5WP52KPm4rz_BAS_-W17zh6WOf30SvFn5bMT5tT4Id0n4/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNQhA5OpcaI-JIt-rhkwAh8fq5DR7D06fjZB8AGBat6Y_kKDa-2uZAAnzqw7Gdlp3DJzkLPiRg-_j0OGIoQ4YEKJrhAXMRAF5WP52KPm4rz_BAS_-W17zh6WOf30SvFn5bMT5tT4Id0n4/s320/DSC_0074.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrkX8Q-y6vah31Y7xbhwB3xmyGmjZGChzQf14zWnoEdt2uEXzdP0HWKPp2uCIHqgiJoAyetcQEWOnn9eMAS36-6cMpmQ5o7JEHwhz_eYhDO1jNfu_GYuej1Vn_ViDlRUMcwX-Dy2XRrIo/s1600/DSC_9988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrkX8Q-y6vah31Y7xbhwB3xmyGmjZGChzQf14zWnoEdt2uEXzdP0HWKPp2uCIHqgiJoAyetcQEWOnn9eMAS36-6cMpmQ5o7JEHwhz_eYhDO1jNfu_GYuej1Vn_ViDlRUMcwX-Dy2XRrIo/s320/DSC_9988.JPG" /></a></div>Eventually the road begins to climb and the scenery becomes alpine as we enter the foothills of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Undulating meadows stretch on each side of the road and mountain tops are in the distance. There is no sign of human habitation. At one point we cross the continental divide. We leave the side of the continent where water and rivers flow into the Atlantic and cross to the side where water and rivers flow into the Pacific. We stop to take a photograph as we leave New Mexico and enter Colorado.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzSTjXLyP320pRI23wBkYXqv5f4zPVHlDqQq2UmLXWeJcc6e9fNhpNNw14WZqbffM2ht9vlL_RFyldNw1mgthPjJzmstdALKtOFTXVi6cUGZjLao-4oujNTXQj1PQHOwax41LqOuoiJeu/s1600/DSC_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzSTjXLyP320pRI23wBkYXqv5f4zPVHlDqQq2UmLXWeJcc6e9fNhpNNw14WZqbffM2ht9vlL_RFyldNw1mgthPjJzmstdALKtOFTXVi6cUGZjLao-4oujNTXQj1PQHOwax41LqOuoiJeu/s320/DSC_0140.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkk4sI8CEBjATluc0UwDLLx8kuwlOKeYptUhpUPVw3s__ISLmGgakzz6DWqKl0fzLjcbxkOZ8nAcARXIHIFKVLUzUUMyYVT3cHcrqnduLIiYDsX8wtH5j08jUS0cccjcVsCMEGDRyiud2/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkk4sI8CEBjATluc0UwDLLx8kuwlOKeYptUhpUPVw3s__ISLmGgakzz6DWqKl0fzLjcbxkOZ8nAcARXIHIFKVLUzUUMyYVT3cHcrqnduLIiYDsX8wtH5j08jUS0cccjcVsCMEGDRyiud2/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqYRaBtsP2ORJLysjjn06AaQd9e6_p8VrRy_rY6mNMjemI4B5Gb42fKJzQScZPDTLkCyuJJ5RTEqs1zko9UUyROFTvFiYZw9FyCvqkXe9_y6Q8zuGIsLuaWI0TgNdUPig2c1E0y02TVA_/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqYRaBtsP2ORJLysjjn06AaQd9e6_p8VrRy_rY6mNMjemI4B5Gb42fKJzQScZPDTLkCyuJJ5RTEqs1zko9UUyROFTvFiYZw9FyCvqkXe9_y6Q8zuGIsLuaWI0TgNdUPig2c1E0y02TVA_/s320/DSC_0122.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="p1">As we begin to descend in altitude, we come to Pagosa Springs. Here we take a break in our journey to soak in the natural hot springs. At this resort the springs have been channelled into over twenty pools of water of differing temperatures. We pay our entrance fee, collect towels, apply sunscreen and swim wear. In between the pools are sun beds, all facing towards the San Juan River on the edge of the resort.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwQcBLa3AiZvwIa9g8krfZ7zfiKyWouEhsGv4Bxdxiy45yXJCxyvRbQUfjlKlLavuarhtTbaHTDKkKycrIvL-J3jkAzuJVYTLe4KZEfO5pt0VVLnqye78pQUn2lYA-EvjhWN8uL_4CMoy/s1600/IMG_20100814_131527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwQcBLa3AiZvwIa9g8krfZ7zfiKyWouEhsGv4Bxdxiy45yXJCxyvRbQUfjlKlLavuarhtTbaHTDKkKycrIvL-J3jkAzuJVYTLe4KZEfO5pt0VVLnqye78pQUn2lYA-EvjhWN8uL_4CMoy/s320/IMG_20100814_131527.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopPYixKopBk4R8glb98rHymoq-skitnLwRDJ4vSdx4ed6Axn4ZqKHGk8frNcyV_8eMtfN0ofNZNSCIm35hU6KH4Rlql1xZLQVVvtWmBczEUuZb4SFYl4YM2cPfy9WgNX4giMX66wLEfsA/s1600/IMG_20100814_131555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopPYixKopBk4R8glb98rHymoq-skitnLwRDJ4vSdx4ed6Axn4ZqKHGk8frNcyV_8eMtfN0ofNZNSCIm35hU6KH4Rlql1xZLQVVvtWmBczEUuZb4SFYl4YM2cPfy9WgNX4giMX66wLEfsA/s320/IMG_20100814_131555.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Hot water bubbles up into the pools and excess water flows in channels towards the river. The smell of sulphur is strong. But the minerals in the water are evidently very good for the skin. We start off by soaking in one of the cooler pools that is signposted as being 97 degrees fahrenheit. The water feels warm. We move to pools where the temperature is given as 100 and 107 degrees fahrenheit. The water is nearly unbearable. One pool is 118 degrees fahrenheit but this pool is closed as it is too hot. The sunny weather of 87 degrees seems cool as one exits the pools. George and Max and Phoebe are tempted to go in the river but the water is cold. George's desire to swim in the rapids is greater than cold river water. He decides to join others who are floating down the rapids into the fast flowing river either using tubes or their own bodies. He quickly learns it is important to keep his feet up from the rocky bottom of the river to avoid scraped toes. We watch him from our sun beds.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">Bayfield is approximately an hour from Pagosa Springs. Once we reach Bayfield we turn off onto a partly made up road and drive for another 15 miles. Our destination for the next two nights is "de goats 'n' sheep ranch" owned by a couple who raise Wensleydale sheep and goats for their wool and who rent out a cabin on the property. We're not quite sure what to make of it when we arrive, it seems rather ramshackle but the owners are very hospitable. The cabin is immaculate and set at the back of the property against a background of trees and hillside. After unloading the car, we go to meet the animals. Amongst the sheep and goats in a llama. He eyes us from a distance but eventually joins the sheep and goats who have rushed to the fence as we come to look at them and feed them with grass. Some of the sheep are wearing coats to protect their fleece. They are woolly! Even their heads are covered in long shaggy wool so it is difficult to see their eyes.<br />
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<div class="p1">As dusk arrives, a deer appearing in the clearing near the cabin with others on the hillside behind the cabin. As darkness comes, numerous stars and the Milky Way can be seen in the clear night sky.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNshzAJoGrMy5pcJqbMwnCDE9McV0H2uhc2wpM1ABp2jZdxdylUWlQ1YFhYCjPSnRImXTfEuahmJ7BfY35zsVINsCJoK222LP94OlUG4_-Q0MWX45aGW09cBO7tPV9znqF9SU1VVZMM6ra/s1600/IMG_1421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNshzAJoGrMy5pcJqbMwnCDE9McV0H2uhc2wpM1ABp2jZdxdylUWlQ1YFhYCjPSnRImXTfEuahmJ7BfY35zsVINsCJoK222LP94OlUG4_-Q0MWX45aGW09cBO7tPV9znqF9SU1VVZMM6ra/s400/IMG_1421.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxJ4SOMPVjM9RcXBHZCqVKmOEDiaZbgIN3aBwKSzTdTDbG1dOXVhXsfOulIXe5o27TKcigWYPXFRW7DGsCss8l6HJs_96r4T6USRCIae-KkUfAbN1YMkUPjekpeYbYbUlTMKcRT6F3uOD/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxJ4SOMPVjM9RcXBHZCqVKmOEDiaZbgIN3aBwKSzTdTDbG1dOXVhXsfOulIXe5o27TKcigWYPXFRW7DGsCss8l6HJs_96r4T6USRCIae-KkUfAbN1YMkUPjekpeYbYbUlTMKcRT6F3uOD/s400/IMG_1422.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-85031834196546491182010-08-13T22:00:00.000-07:002010-08-24T19:18:18.166-07:00South by South-West<div class="p1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqX2JDtqBqQjGgvEFX0LwsWSgvQMJGPCys9wgR-lgSIU0_vDK9FPjaS2vRgc1PNQ52Fxoak-hxwoCjo_XHRAScaYzdjlKyySKE14SbOVhNR9zHf6iwiUI0b3ZWELKbsMm7i_niKeUpqOf/s1600/DSC_9723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqX2JDtqBqQjGgvEFX0LwsWSgvQMJGPCys9wgR-lgSIU0_vDK9FPjaS2vRgc1PNQ52Fxoak-hxwoCjo_XHRAScaYzdjlKyySKE14SbOVhNR9zHf6iwiUI0b3ZWELKbsMm7i_niKeUpqOf/s320/DSC_9723.JPG" width="320" /></a>The day starts early. We are awake around 5:30am, which is 7:30am eastern time. After lazing in our hotel room for a while we begin the morning by using the hotel pool and hot tub which is open for use at 7am. These are located in an open air courtyard at the centre of the hotel. It is quiet. The majority of hotel guests are still in their beds. A couple of children watch us enviously from the balcony of their room. We hear them asking their parents if they can go to the pool. The answer is "not now". The water in the hot tub feels very hot but it is refreshing. The sun is just beginning to rise over the top of the hotel building and shine into the courtyard. The sky is deep blue against the rust-coloured walls of the hotel.</div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3b_LkS5nzGOo1TT2Cc0wTCG1rWjMJhvSwv5Px3BvsHlSqdzRVmnAXEuW-jpUfSehjeerexk2XHZhgltY5gPFRjMjK-W8x0Nx0skoblN7rP8mBpCHyvlss1kojvGYqILB8YDojRS6DG6v/s1600/DSC_9741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3b_LkS5nzGOo1TT2Cc0wTCG1rWjMJhvSwv5Px3BvsHlSqdzRVmnAXEuW-jpUfSehjeerexk2XHZhgltY5gPFRjMjK-W8x0Nx0skoblN7rP8mBpCHyvlss1kojvGYqILB8YDojRS6DG6v/s320/DSC_9741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1">We head into the historic district of Santa Fe, just a short distance from our hotel. At the centre of this district is the Plaza approached by roads from each corner. As it is early there are only a few people around - those getting coffee and take-out breakfast before work, a few tourists and others who are just sitting in the Plaza. Grass areas with trees, hanging baskets of flowers, paths and benches make up the Plaza. Most of the benches are wet. This is not from overnight rain but from a man with a hose watering the hanging baskets that are directly above the benches. We spend a little time sitting on a stone wall in the centre of the square eating a breakfast of french pastries and baguette bought from a cafe just off the Plaza. The sun's rays are already powerful and hot. We move trying to find shade.</div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBc-u0ZJtKgUjESmDjUmjerxTkSQfr-WqAAoHC3jr6at9G379pm1jaM2fh-Ash0LIyhT0JUg8su4s8DKr3jy3fr0R4KRSqQS_4g6NNIF6rOqqcFgw6rWqOnvadsQt33sht-To5fG8_aiU/s1600/DSC_9681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBc-u0ZJtKgUjESmDjUmjerxTkSQfr-WqAAoHC3jr6at9G379pm1jaM2fh-Ash0LIyhT0JUg8su4s8DKr3jy3fr0R4KRSqQS_4g6NNIF6rOqqcFgw6rWqOnvadsQt33sht-To5fG8_aiU/s320/DSC_9681.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>It's not the most exciting way to start a vacation but we decide to do a walking tour of the northern historic district of Santa Fe, using a Frommer's guide, and view the architecture. We keep to the tour, more of less. Most of the buildings are adobe with only one or two stories and rust brown in colour. They look like sand castles. The thick adobe walls are plastered so the surface is smooth and the edges and corners of the buildings are curved instead of pointed. They contrast beautifully with the deep blue sky. Many of the shops are art galleries selling paintings, sculptures and other artwork.</div><div class="p1"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMhYsQOF8NXVbbsN-lkDZwv_RM5GIt5uNd7leWP6vh9Nj1z4q_lpWFIhTG8nM4AbvIq4jg9Ws4n2v6N47lggI2y5bhJ_m9rer9vBlxcpn2keY0J-aeEGmzovH69v27L1Ly5Hs17p33cIV/s1600/DSC_9712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMhYsQOF8NXVbbsN-lkDZwv_RM5GIt5uNd7leWP6vh9Nj1z4q_lpWFIhTG8nM4AbvIq4jg9Ws4n2v6N47lggI2y5bhJ_m9rer9vBlxcpn2keY0J-aeEGmzovH69v27L1Ly5Hs17p33cIV/s320/DSC_9712.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiTlWvVcfj8S9PcdvD9WHsFiM0jfn-sKTBNGHKt81X7TWIjo4bLehweq-dUgvO8BB0CWxyIvhmWfln1etsbLo_P7DeOAYliCo0ZnG4UIVJQ2NA9wRH1jgXfpf_clKBqX5RWRuTz5nCOpQ/s1600/DSC_9715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiTlWvVcfj8S9PcdvD9WHsFiM0jfn-sKTBNGHKt81X7TWIjo4bLehweq-dUgvO8BB0CWxyIvhmWfln1etsbLo_P7DeOAYliCo0ZnG4UIVJQ2NA9wRH1jgXfpf_clKBqX5RWRuTz5nCOpQ/s320/DSC_9715.jpg" /></a></div><div class="p1">On our stroll we browse the wares of street artisans - Pueblo Indians - selling jewellery. They are set up in a row in the shadow of the portico, or porch, of the seventeenth-century Palace of the Governors, the ancient El Palacio Real, building. The jewellery is set out by each artisan on a square cloth or rug, each rug touching the next so we move quickly from seller to seller as we walk along. The sellers sit behind their rugs, next to each other, sitting on chairs or crates. They point to and pick up their wares to show us using a long stick. Phoebe buys a necklace made out of corn coloured blue from an old man with a very lined face. It is for a friend's birthday but she is quite keen to keep the necklace for herself.</div><div class="p1"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEQEntStwuVaIb1eAqBYpXZD7Pj3g2RdkyDJ3g9OvllY1w4ba4iOlQoKdCETVQ2R0IwMtLDo_2ztvYds1DftYDC0bWxwzH1TgGBC8TtE_TUekto11kS3xPHVt08wMYgE4GABIqatPKq8f/s1600/DSC_9730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEQEntStwuVaIb1eAqBYpXZD7Pj3g2RdkyDJ3g9OvllY1w4ba4iOlQoKdCETVQ2R0IwMtLDo_2ztvYds1DftYDC0bWxwzH1TgGBC8TtE_TUekto11kS3xPHVt08wMYgE4GABIqatPKq8f/s320/DSC_9730.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="p1">We walk to see the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi off the Plaza enjoying the coolness of the interior. By now the historic town is becoming busy with tourists. We go back to our hotel, pick up some food for lunch and drive to Los Alamos, about an hour and a half from Santa Fe.</div><div class="p1"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mbRwiXnTR9LwC7D8j9680ShX3Hz_Mcg1KlUuGHtA_k3ZLB7Az-Qn4yVhHHK3Ayy9oHxQD1akHHJdJpOD900XS4bM2mspd2J663iE7yFVg8d7VpdYlKNUr6yfvsPhBOVUpjjo8KFUzsXI/s1600/DSC_9810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mbRwiXnTR9LwC7D8j9680ShX3Hz_Mcg1KlUuGHtA_k3ZLB7Az-Qn4yVhHHK3Ayy9oHxQD1akHHJdJpOD900XS4bM2mspd2J663iE7yFVg8d7VpdYlKNUr6yfvsPhBOVUpjjo8KFUzsXI/s320/DSC_9810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As we get closer to Los Alamos, the scenery becomes very dramatic. Gorges cut through the sedimentary rock and display layers of brown and red crumbling rock. The road climbs from the bottom of the gorge to the top of the plateau. We stop for lunch at a pull-out area off the road and admire the view as we eat sandwiches made from sliced bread, ham and cheese purchased in a Santa Fe supermarket.</div><div class="p1"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDROI4DByJkq4U-uAAETtB7qxodUHKUMDYzyhLPoy6asJqMIpTnbJzQX31kRNyQUz7hie2xv04Bsfsqsv3CB1gVXCaVO8jnHmH_kEK5sUHjV8Al6qBQWv29tO86-frF8eJq0kKsMr9_GU/s1600/DSC_9818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDROI4DByJkq4U-uAAETtB7qxodUHKUMDYzyhLPoy6asJqMIpTnbJzQX31kRNyQUz7hie2xv04Bsfsqsv3CB1gVXCaVO8jnHmH_kEK5sUHjV8Al6qBQWv29tO86-frF8eJq0kKsMr9_GU/s320/DSC_9818.JPG" /></a></div>We have come to Los Alamos to visit the Bradbury Museum. In 1943 the town of Los Alamos was created as a community, not known to anyone outside, of scientists from the USA, Britain and other countries, their spouses and other support staff. The average age of the community was 25. The purpose of this community was to build the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshoma and Nagasaki. The museum gives insight into lives of particular people who came to live in Los Alamos - personal details of their life while there. Models of the two bombs - Little Boy and Fat Man, named after Winston Churchill, are part of the museum. It is a fascinating but sobering visit.</div><div class="p1"><br />
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</div><div class="p1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOe_OyBkPnnOKi-XdxKN1x1UjDaFvrchBQ_QZSjoHty2g_CWNlw2EH5ytUPPnuGEkuHzPBZUBb94Rbot53Mpt8dab0Ytuzpbe_aO7xt1qR0hSn16S5aH_7LoF_1AXimhPZJsMF2fLFyv9/s1600/DSC_9883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOe_OyBkPnnOKi-XdxKN1x1UjDaFvrchBQ_QZSjoHty2g_CWNlw2EH5ytUPPnuGEkuHzPBZUBb94Rbot53Mpt8dab0Ytuzpbe_aO7xt1qR0hSn16S5aH_7LoF_1AXimhPZJsMF2fLFyv9/s320/DSC_9883.jpg" width="212" /></a>On our way back to Santa Fe we stop at Bandelier National Monument. By now, the middle of the afternoon, it is very hot. We walk on a trail to see some dwellings created by the Ancient Pueblo people in the valley and on the rock face of the canyon. The rock is made from volcanic ash called tuff. It is soft and holes can be seen in the rock. We climb wooden ladders leaning against the canyon wall to peer into the cave-like holes. George and Max enjoy climbing into these caves. Some of the ceilings and walls show evidence of soot from ancient fires. Although the trail in only a little over a mile, it is hard work walking in the sunshine that seems to bake the rock face and ourselves, and at altitude to which we have not yet become accustomed.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">We see long strings of red chiles hanging everywhere so we decide to taste Mexican food for our evening meal. It is easy to find the restaurant mentioned in out guide book and not far from our hotel. The restaurant is busy. We experience our first taste of frybread drizzled with honey. Frybread is a deep fried tortilla that looks puffy. Without the honey it is quite plain tasting but with the honey it is delicious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2ZVixvNERSJeyfR4uB10FNEdOyDb7FC49RJW1N0wUE-xvwd2o04653aNpob7qdNLH6OiDjcvTMj98ga51_ZVfJ0uG8p8PiqCnv6PnYZbQmh5riKWeWWPC5cRpqiOSsPGhyphenhyphenYYZDMIIHhG/s1600/DSC_9923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2ZVixvNERSJeyfR4uB10FNEdOyDb7FC49RJW1N0wUE-xvwd2o04653aNpob7qdNLH6OiDjcvTMj98ga51_ZVfJ0uG8p8PiqCnv6PnYZbQmh5riKWeWWPC5cRpqiOSsPGhyphenhyphenYYZDMIIHhG/s320/DSC_9923.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-44401765079769078052009-11-30T10:32:00.001-08:002009-11-30T10:32:17.576-08:00ContourHD DealsGreat deal on a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Ffeature.html%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dxs%255Fgb%255F2%255Fcenter-2%255Frw%255Fuk%255FA2S4RJNRYF7RD4%26tag%3Dfreefocom-20%26linkCode%3Dshr%26docId%3D1000459591%26camp%3D213733%26creative%3D393193&tag=freefocom-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">ContourHD</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=freefocom-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> point of view action camera.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-70431554144371218032009-04-25T12:07:00.001-07:002009-04-25T12:07:52.448-07:00Interval recording soccer with g<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/fWGxVl1HAn8GHzuzGk1ZbgZg2ouDRsGjgHLNZEsQ52fVHWUisDj4TV97JyyJ/1240686354833.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/EBERGLuOacPaEEeh21JAh0FVh1Uk09iABr89BHVQgJvxBCAVOdglXj2CubRl/1240686354833.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"/></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/interval-recording-soccer-with-g">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-25711819457769489472009-04-23T18:30:00.003-07:002009-04-23T18:30:49.998-07:00M in the frame<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/G3fuMqZNkJS2OfuBsscmDCdQT8vp1V4UDFJZmeoneyvO5rvDDaRy1X8hKa4V/1240526452362.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/wEfcmp81NkeI6FHOXDWoWsScmemcQp2jmaCUx35O0qxtIRGBIALmYC0t5Kuf/1240526452362.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/m-in-the-frame">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-56142036355016066522009-04-23T18:30:00.001-07:002009-04-23T18:30:03.611-07:00Shooting the middle school concert on the EX1 - a bit overkill<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/Na42wRftYsq2SFR4VhqEzcGrCHxIibnvvGkJ2dMnGYX4wPuzWTYzes3ZO14w/1240526292489.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/d8C44n0PztsHIfPM2VD7LW6UAZbngFUOYuvBftGmTVGUKcRq6MXKI3jnmqoE/1240526292489.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/shooting-the-middle-school-concert-on-the-ex1">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-28936038454508131002009-04-21T15:47:00.001-07:002009-04-21T15:47:26.143-07:00Ipod teleprompter $99<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/6t87gI3p5ScnDfceMIc3qagMj8xZ7Jfw2nD3bSdFY7xEn05AqWfYbguzpQGQ/1240353935123.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/2Cloohe65LIPIs6xxT4Sh0K0TZn2p0x4BdRBv8AccZFdx7jzb8DdagjotY3B/1240353935123.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/ipod-teleprompter-99">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-23455548353419321372009-04-21T15:46:00.001-07:002009-04-21T15:46:05.914-07:00Bell copter at #NAB - add it to the list<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/0WbIOa9CAn20UJeP0KN3jQVKraiUpm4VKC5ZMDvfE37KPOt4L3RYhXdoRrLX/1240353841778.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/gJy5hPn7JsSijQmCWmUhCZhtkFUgi5PjxZ6oYQBctdeLr5X0eIpWSIGl8bmu/1240353841778.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/bell-copter-at-nab-add-it-to-the-list">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-12473758751111143592009-04-21T15:25:00.001-07:002009-04-21T15:25:16.663-07:00Vinton Vision 5as heads - @tomguilmette<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/pgBwYJbx2ksvvFD7KfWXKlUvgCDL5kZHPKWL8F6tDyFh7gPVtbND8HlA7iAZ/1240352584098.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/KFoX5dsPdHLkvs69RNgDxg8q1B857e0DqrS2O808AlT1NLCOStS2Zq15gwhv/1240352584098.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/vinton-vision-5as-heads-tomguilmette">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-54251099648892250472009-04-21T13:33:00.001-07:002009-04-21T13:33:00.215-07:00EX1 with Letus Ultimate - sweet<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/4k6plCBWa8tbsd0sbiVce95bIX7kJXs1g3ftknUlhVC5LFfClbsU1GNk1lzV/1240345703638.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/kVHvWyZYkfUuzjPDAOfxdW1ZQGq2MgqSDG7NxFgzDR3bb3tHYVRzu8NrlHI0/1240345703638.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/ex1-with-letus-ultimate-sweet">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-81658836827996946742009-04-21T13:08:00.001-07:002009-04-21T13:08:52.086-07:00At NAB in vegas<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/Ym323n1slxZNej4TO1KZFM7fvVJg0ksIBlkj1aXNDPsJibYFX2M5TnUCktq8/1240344411482.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/SXxmUPNXY0RSgP304hYyq6cniR3oEI6Vn8NGoeQyCPFCG24axt4nkAviQGA3/1240344411482.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/at-nab-in-vegas">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-79115805661101885162009-04-17T15:21:00.001-07:002009-04-17T15:21:44.812-07:00Interval recording at the lights. 15 minutes for 30 seconds.<br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/BiJneZZzGdQLw3sL0UAaBF9fZgtrHNqMUHBxjdDnCexSof6EtQKWGmhNrZ4U/1240006778921.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/KUUlApq5F4N6dkOF9CVnX5z5qCPdSEJRFsCz7IOe7Kz2lPQy7AGpCB9Op9Cw/1240006778921.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/interval-recording-at-the-lights-15-minutes-f">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-33559647706083690432009-04-12T07:14:00.001-07:002009-04-12T07:14:02.051-07:00
Chick for Easter <br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/R1JdLYMvvp9EKfOWv9ED3QVqk2EIyGuTjLRMfeVjyJ9Ue81A1BhGmBLpajoZ/1239545591974.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/pxxq1tsq8ASGMLcKJg65ZJxq3YYpX0xzu3rt388K3qiW5NORkqGYvlig1lzu/1239545591974.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/chick-for-easter">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-80973572790851839812009-04-10T16:26:00.001-07:002009-04-10T16:26:23.230-07:00
George at the indian <br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/wqtVtWfAlMJ786JJUrjcCgTkPee53s7EiTFky0T9F2SQxVVsQY3yHSkPBokp/1239405880449.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/O6PCHffWw4lTMtBO8aii1m0HUYy8LOnACrVw8eCx8JIPzBKnW6ONlrQyXYGE/1239405880449.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/george-at-the-indian">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-49950430202744369912009-04-05T15:08:00.001-07:002009-04-05T15:08:10.329-07:00
Playing with overcrank <br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/7ITOuwYbTh7L6zDr0jM6dTSmDTDxiINR8p0aXFzE2qXFQUvfgWoMeSYIivAQ/1238968995645.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/dtg6kvNlr4RhY8x3Q1B3iRVX4VzQuHIV3roVFYt6AjnJPNoaDx3TkABLf54c/1238968995645.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/playing-with-overcrank">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-11083344443430488672009-04-05T15:07:00.003-07:002009-04-05T15:07:44.694-07:00
Location number 2 <br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/4xDFqdLb1mk3BR4wc6l5iyEG3cxp1y1ZMMi0h0YLeMlx2y3sVSVimgphh6aE/1238968459075.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/9PzsTmAt89r6QoYmA8Vx5849QSIAMB7MiUzURkeB5um0DUrPFMAaO91tj7Mh/1238968459075.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/location-number-2">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-7441387711894053362009-04-05T15:07:00.001-07:002009-04-05T15:07:25.032-07:00
Shooting B roll <br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/9iWV8SuMX84q6iE1sDlHEkw06S37yy2wOZ6nrKofQPbaLGqHNuCpz2GDgo98/1238966496542.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/NUCz2Y5UCOSpLMYXtdalL0KBmajrhVVgUqhAzgHSdj83A8kYzfNoBsGg4h5p/1238966496542.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/shooting-b-roll">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-83130729546964276522009-04-01T08:13:00.001-07:002009-04-01T08:13:35.998-07:00
Another blue screen shoot <br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/osuy3lKUoF8CbcgFEvaVa3kDJninX3ljYBppge1CMBypG2nGiVtloazwkEPB/1238596140902.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/S0IGZOorLiVEobq5UUJmBdYsHOQYmGMQvPzkQjkOfrqGftFzmghQIVQEuRtc/1238596140902.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/another-blue-screen-shoot">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-10855504999750275312009-03-28T09:01:00.001-07:002009-03-28T09:01:20.518-07:00
Sorentos Pizza concord - nice pie <br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/agos5CcDCbUgiG6GxnxSdZK2I7Ea50ZxWYH0TgKdjZeWBgA2OTjNHISpu6TA/1238255673583.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/exbigpQzXis4CGjHbfkPYD7PLw8Ts48i9euxvSDJbMfxSqYZZhmsqlTtDZDK/1238255673583.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/sorentos-pizza-concord-nice-pi">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416483621835852142.post-34553785206973689992009-03-28T07:51:00.001-07:002009-03-28T07:51:24.201-07:00
Black Sheep - where is the ale? Drumlin Farm <br /><p><a href='http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/LeCMakvU6pAoEGCAmb4r35aaf9reBqfoa7ZjT0t24LvgK9Qf2qa1KQgzBY9s/1238250795837.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg'><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/colinbritton/TRW1gUrv6ZE3QVREpKQRwkSNfbVBCZPLjAqASmkYAEQQpdWC9iFDZYnRGBdy/1238250795837.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://colinbritton.posterous.com/black-sheep-where-is-the-ale-d">colinbritton's posterous</a> </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0