How fortunate I am to be here in Colorado during the very hot and humid weather across the Midwest and wet weather in the East. Each day we venture out to explore various geologic formations across the area. We’ve been down to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, over Taylor Pass to Buena Vista and up to Leadville and Climax, CO. Up Washington Gulch and Concrete Canyon near Crested Butte and Marble coming up. We toured the mining museum in Leadville and have had some good meals at the condominium.
The mountains are beautiful and we have discussed various uses of the land. For whatever reasons I seem to be far more aware of issues, ecosystems and inherent conflicts than many other people. But, there have been some interesting conversations.
John is knowledgea ble and can easily translate complex areas of geology into terms we can identify with. He asks questions and waits for answers. His humor is fun and contacts deep in this region. He obviously loves the Rockies and sharing with students.
Saturday we had a “day off.” Seems strange to have one toward the end of the trip vs. the middle, but that is the way it is. We rafted a level 3 river, which was pretty challenging. Narrow, rapid-filled, and crowded with other rafts. We hung up on a rock and had to move people around and then “lift” the raft off the rocks. Then, we smacked a rock dead on and had to “high side” it. Meaning, the ones on the low and sinking side had to scramble to the high side. Not easy when you have a paddle in your hand, water rising quickly around you and uphill on a slippery raft. But, we did and managed to avoid a spill. But, even the guide’s voice betrayed that we were in danger.
By afternoon a few of us went exploring up Gothic Road toward Marble. Stopped way up and then drove back to Judd Falls. Quite the ride up over the rough road, but we girls rock!
Marble, CO, is where I did Outward Bound in 1973. I have made a blog entry earlier based on a slide show I did at the time.
