Landsailing

It's the web, right? So it was only a couple of taps from the Washington State International Kite Fest to landsailing in New Mexico (THIS vid is in Wyoming.) 

I emailed to ask about building plans and was surprised to be invited to try one out in SW Wyoming. 

Waiting to Go

The design is the result of over fifteen years of testing. They're built to withstand the challenges of difficult terrain and the abuse of newbies such as myself. Contact Rick Hypes at windisfun.com for more info.

Jim & Dave

Wahu!!!!





They also had a very cool firepit made from the tub of a washing machine. It breathes better than the National Forest fire rings, is deep enough to contain sparks and leaves no trace.

Gold King Mine Waste Disaster - August 5, 2015

A National Forest signboard on the Animas River near Silverton.  The orange color is from an "accident" caused by Environmental Protection Agency personnel. The "accident" decimated the Animas River and it remains to be seen what the long-term consequences will result.

A closeup of the poster at the far left. "Respected" is, in this case, a jargon term letting you know you're on or crossing private property. 

Are they being disingenuous? The tradition of trashing public lands continues, but we should always remember to be especially careful with private lands. 

The aspen were starting to drop their leaves.

Now don't forget: Leave No Trace. 

(Peerz tuh me hits alreddy bin traced tuh duh max!)

Silverton Green Works - Colorado

So there I was trudging from gallery to gallery jonesing for some art when the muse giggled. I went inside and there, just waiting to be appreciated, were three paintings by Jon Schneck. It's the Silverton Green Works on 13th Street, a recreational marijuana store. 

Jon checked out about ten years ago, but one of the owners, Jason Carroway, knew him and has had the paintings for many years.

Only 39, Jason had had a stroke six weeks earlier. Still reveling in being able to talk, he kindly took time to tell me about Mr. Schneck. He'd known him since he was six and said Jon was eccentric and kept to himself. His mom knew him better and when he died he'd left her his paintings. There are over 100 and they have yet to see them...they're in a storage locker. He said he's had these three for many years and considers them priceless.

When I asked about the store, Jason said he spent a year and a half getting to know folks around the state before deciding who he wanted to work with. The "foyer" has a couple of couches and overstuffed chairs and feels like a living room. And with the paintings and some large photographs of the Durango-Silverton Train, it's a lot like a gallery. 

                           Philip Carmody (on right) is co-owner and manager. 

The store is in the back -- must be 21 to enter -- with  friendly people carefully chosen by Jason. Our conversation was intense and focused on entrepreneurship and the importance of relationships.

An Idea Worth Spreading - JBT's TED talk

I read about Jill Bolte Taylor in an essay written by Ann-Marie Priest in The Best Australian Essays 2009 edited by Robyn Davidson. Thanks to the internet you can see Ms. Taylor, looking quite well, in this presentation in 2008.

http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight?language=en


Ms. Taylor's description is identical to many others who took LSD. What's interesting is that even though she recognized her experience stemmed from a physiological condition (a stroke), that didn't diminish the value of it. Her book My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey has the details.

My explorations occurred at a much younger age, but the insights are still unfolding and continue to provide the foundation for my day-to-day behavior. I can only hope my stroke, if/when it occurs, is as elucidating as the experiences of my youth. Something to look forward to!

Ouray and Silverton - Colorado

As with most geographic spectacles, it's impossible to capture the magnificence. But that's why we're out here, isn't it....tuh see it. Ain't no dang fotey-graf kin do it. But, perhaps these will inspire you...to go see fer yerse'f.

The view approaching Ouray. Although this time of year is usually accompanied by "monsoons," this year has been particularly wet. The mushrooms have been fantastic! 

Ouray -- A name with many inferences. (My fav is that it's the British pronunciation (dropped aitches) of what the children in Captain Underpants books shout when the teacher announces recess.)

Immediately south of Ouray the road ascends a small hill to enter this valley...

Silverton...after a long steep descent (from either way). The Animas river flows along the right (SE) side of town with Mineral Creek flowing in from the NW. Their confluence, accessible from City Park, is about 500 feet behind the Visitor's Center...the white two-story building in the foreground (gray roof on right side of highway). It closes promptly at 5:00 p.m. 

The library is wonderfully welcoming with excellent wifi, many comfortable, over-stuffed chairs, couches and a large section for children. And dog-friendly too.


There are some nice homes awaiting renovation.

And, of course. there's the train.

The view a couple miles south. 

And for those who're uninterested in "yet another rock pile," there're flowers everywhere...

Overlook Mountain Rd - Tween Ouray & Silverton

After cresting the summit southbound from Ouray, you might notice Overlook Mtn Rd. It's in a sharp turn and the only side road in the area. I camped here on my way up and got water from a spring that comes out of the hill near the car in the picture further down in the post. I mention it for all you folks who, like me, don't want to haul water over the top. It made delicious coffee, but I decided to leave it to you (yeah, I know, I'm a wuss) to let me know if it's safe without having been boiled.

The road's cut from the side of the hill so there aren't many flat places...at least in the first mile, which is as far as I went. There's a campspot near the highway next to a small pond but hit whar too noisy fer me.

There's a pond just back of the bushes...

 I surmised up by that sunlit notch in the photo below might be good. 

And it was.

I mean...I mean!!! Can you believe this?!!! And for free!!! I've been at this for nearly six years and am awestruck...darn near every evening. And that's changing locations every day or two. 

I've been reading French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew by Peter Mayle and it had me ready to book a flight. But I found some of the wines in the stores and am cooking some of the meals myself. The worst of it is the lack of good bread and fresh escargot...and well, the dearth of French women. 

But anyway...

Spring is in dark band of rock a hundred feet left of car

Enough sun to prompt the awning. The hood ornament's not just for looks, dontchya know. Note "refrigerator" hunkered near the front bumper and "instant toilet" tool below driver's door. I found the hat (on dashboard) for $1.00 in the thrift store in Socorro, New Mexico.

The summer issue of Overland Journal (Fall 2015, p. 111) has a great article on Anna Callou and Pablo Rey. They've been traveling in a small van for over 15 years; I was intrigued to learn they disdain even an ice chest. 

This year the elderberries (Sambucus) and the mushrooms celebrated the wettest summer in decades.   
  

Mil Gras to Ghglenn (see Comments) for identifying them; I hadn't a clue.

Old Growth Cottonwood - Delta, Colorado

They took all the trees and put 'em in a tree museum...(Big Yellow Taxi, by Joni Mitchell).

The village of Delta is 40 miles south of Grand Junction. Besides the redwoods, this is the only place I've seen "old growth." 

I wonder if other kinds of women got to sit in council meetings?..perhaps a D.A.R.?