Knowles Overlook - McInnis Canyons

Peoples' capacity to ignore the noise is, for me, a continuing source of amazement.

The campsites are spaced similar to the average campground, wherever that is. Regardless, the quiet is such that the yammerings of the young men camped a ways away easily carries to where I'm standing. And watch out for the children on motorcycles. 

The road is such that smaller vehicles do better - but some manage to get their trailers through.

There're (there's for the rest of you) several strategically placed signs warning camping is allowed only in designated sites. And those are only in the campground. Fortunately, I enjoy driving both ways...in and out.

Here They Come 

Ford 350 w 4wd

Friendly Folks Too!

Some Rocky Mountains

 

South of Pagosa Springs

With a prolific oak understory, it seems like there aughta be a bear or two.

The two satchels on the hood are recent additions. The blue one holds fabric incontinence pads. The purple has doggy pee pads and several urinary incontinence "devices" that have been, over the last month or so, proven to be useless and now await disposal. 

Most disappointing were the condom catheters. These interesting devices go on similar to a pregnancy-prevention tool, but have adhesive to help keep them in place. After several days of use the adhesive took patches of the top layer of skin with it as I removed the device to replace it with a new one. It took several weeks for the skin to grow back. As a Buddhist monk is purported to have said, "It's always something."

My initial enthusiasm means I now have $150.00 worth. If you're interested, I'll make you a deal. Coloplast Freedom Clear Advantage with Aloe Vera 31mm (22 of 'em) Ref# 2330140 and 25 (30mm) Coloplast Conveen Optima Ref# 22030.

Salida Museum

Having lived in the southwest for nearly fifty years, we've seen innumerable examples of Native American crafts. But something in the reviews of the Salida Museum hinted at unique items. And such was/is the case.

It's hard to describe the exquisite sheen of the deep purple blouse in the display of womens' clothes. The detailed pattern of embellishment was beyond my ability to decipher nor could I count the myriad buttons that would've presented an insurmountable obstacle to access.

Lumber being too valuable as mining timber, these "bone baskets" were used instead of board topcoats (caskets). Note the pillow.

 

Though we've seen fine work elsewhere, I recently read of the quality of the work by the Utes. These do, in fact, surpass anything I've seen elsewhere.

Larry Kovacic, Museum Director, was as or more interesting. After retiring from Sandia Labs in Albuquerque, he and his wife moved to Salida where he runs the museum and repairs bicycles that the Lions (mens fraternity) gift to children.

  

As a Capricorn, I HAD to have these.

Alpine Park Lions

Blogposts like this epitomize the fact that it's (the blog) purpose is a memory jog. The enjoyment of sculpture such as this can't be conveyed....youse gotta be there. And even then, for some folks, I'd readily acknowledge, it might not play.

The Story

 

Abran Marchi, the Sculptor

One can only imagine the source of the indignity.

Backward Man Strikes Again!

 

Great Western Colorado Lodge - Salida, Colorado

The two rooms are identical in decor. Even after being in the room for a while, the location of the pocket door gives the unnerving sense it's a mirror.

 

Immaculately clean, all systems go. Highly recommend. This is room 22.

Moon Over Great Western

after Ansel Adams

Alamosa, Colorado

40 years ago Michelle didn't have the money to purchase the pair of schnauzer lamps. They've haunted her every since and we visit antique stores hoping to find them.

The restrooms were at the end of the hall.

Ms. Cook calls it my Jed Clampett hat,

but it's a Stetson

On our way out we met a belly dancer and her 6-foot snake, Zool. Zool was sleeping and we didn't want to disturb by requesting a photo.

Indiana Jones B & B - Antonito, Colorado

The house was used in one of the movies so is called The Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast. Antonito is also famous as the Northern Terminus of the Cumbres-Toltec Railroad. It took us four and a half hours to go the 174 miles from Albuquerque. There were/are FIVE cats!

Furb

Slinky

Baxter

Lando

Sabra, the owner, was once an Executive Chef. The breakfast she made included some KILLER blue corn pancakes.

When In Southeast Colorado, USA

Ms. Cook and I are planning a jaunt to Salida, Colorado next month. A friend who's into things paranormal and extraterrestrial mentioned this place. And it's on the way!

All things UFO-related PLUS a watchtower. 

On highway 17 west of Great Sand Dunes National Monument. $2.00 admission or $5.00/car. $15.00 to camp.

http://www.ufowatchtower.com/

Read all about it in this Fox News article.

Aman in Grand Junction

Cruising the downtown of Grand Junction, I chanced into The Lonely Toy Store where I met Aman. Raised in a 52-passenger school bus as the son of a Rainbow Family, in his teens he grew tired of traveling throughout the U.S. and Mexico and began hitch-hiking around.

A protege of the World Champion Yo-Yo-er, Aman gave a spectacular demonstration which, if you're lucky enough to be in his neighborhood, is worth the stop. 

The store is at 650 Main St. He's a tattooist and has his "parlor" inside the store. Find him on Facebook as: Apex Professional Body Piercing.

The toy store features an eclectic collection of art and objets d'art and is a comfortable space to just hang out.

Fruita, Colorado

 Dominating the skyline!

A mountain-biking "destination," the image on the other side is similar, but shows a guy on a mountain bike. The gear surrounding both images is indicative of the opportunities available in the area.

Charming House - Pueblo

 Listed on AirBnb as a "Charming House," it was indeed. One of a few remaining in the olde neighborhood of Aberdeen, its gracious lillypond was dry. But we enjoyed it still.

Though we only had use of the ground floor, the grounds were expansive and included a large spruce that was a layover for migrating turkey vultures.

The door at right opened into the piano room. At the far end is the breakfast nook.

Comfortable enough for two.

with thirteen panes along the top.

Shamrock Brewing Co.

We arrived at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center too late, but when we asked for a suggestion for dinner she told of The Shamrock. Their Crusted Salmon was the finest fish since Tognazzinis' in Morro Bay.

Both Trinidad and Pueblo have a lot of brick. The Shamrock, in Pueblo, also has a patterned-tin ceiling.

Fumio Sawa Fine Art

Originally from Kyoto, Japan, we met Mr. Sawa at his gallery in Trindad, Colorado. A retired physicist, an artist and musician, he is a also connoisseur of antique glass with an exquisite collection in the gallery. He also practices kendo.

 

After hearing the incredible story of just a portion of his life including an upcoming exhibit of his paintings at the  Sangre de Cristo Art Center in Pueblo, Colorado (due to covid, exhibit was cancelled), we were treated to two performances on his electronic piano. 

Fourth Down under: Other Exhibitions

Meditations on Truth & Beauty

(cancelled)

Bach - Goldberg Variation

Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata

He has a Yamaha concert grand at home and noted that its keyboard is much different.

In The Style of The Hupmobile

We mapped out a circuitous route that would avoid the 8,000 foot (2438.4m) Raton Pass, an altitude that has, of late, caused breathing discomfort. It was five times the straight-line distance of Interstate 25, but we travel in the style of the Hupmobile

stopping to admire olde buildings, 

land stretchin' out far and wide,

German-engineering and savor the odour of mint that trails in the wake of one's roadside footsteps. 

German-engineered (no doubt)

Somehow we missed a turn out by Des Moines. 

It didn't dawn on us until we found ourselves in Raton.   

With darkness descending and myriad deer lining the twisting, winding two-lane highway that would've taken four hours to get us around the pass, Michelle did a virtual transgender transmutation into Stirling Moss and with me serving as "navigator" -- similar to the team-driving of the Mille Miglia -- we headed over The Pass.

It was touch and go through the numerous chicanes of construction detours. Closely tailed by two eager beavers, Ms. Cook was magnificent and we arrived in Trinidad without incident. 

Water Dragon

Born December 24, 1952 made me an (eccentric) Water Dragon.

From the looks of this box from Wonderful House in Trinidad, Colorado (wonderful people but perfectly adequate, mediocre food), they are trending more and more toward the eccentric. (I was drawn in by the Google reviews.)

The choices are limited in Trinidad, so I'm prompted to speculate that many of the reviews are folks' efforts to be supportive. The food is okay, but really nothing more than average.

 

Art Cartopia

They HAD to come up with a way to put Trinidad on the map. Pat Patrick and Rodney Wood got the idea. Though there's a larger "collection" in Houston, Texas, Art Cartopia is the nation's largest art-car museum (link to images).

OUTSIDE

INSIDE

And many more!!!