Colorado in the Summer!

Time for another edition of Wyatts’ trips.  This one is special.  After going snow-skiing for several years I decided to try Colorado in the summer.  I have really been missing the beauty out there.  Along with Xander and Christian(my two teen-aged sons) I went to Salida and Ouray (Colorado) a few days ago.

Leaving Jonesboro in the early evening we drove all night arriving in Salida(south central Colorado-the Arkansas River runs right thru downtown!).  Having three drivers in a car really helps for those long nights thru Kansas where there is nothing, sometimes not even car lights on I-70!

Setting up camp in the Silver Ridge Motel in Salida we took the rest of day one to check out the town and get an awesome meal at Moonlight Pizza in downtown Salida.  Salida is a small town dependant upon outdoor recreation for it’s livelihood.  You can see mountains from any vantage point in this town.  Our motel was a small family-owned establishment that was very clean, well-run, and had beautiful gardens and flowers all over.

The next day we did ziplines with Captain Zipline(captainzipline.com).  Very fun and very well organized and quite safe.  There were a total of 6 ziplines that we got to take. They are in the process of adding two more.  The next two will both be over 1000 feeet long!  I was told the longest zipline in the world is in Costa Rica and it is over 3000 feet long!  You fly that one face forward like SuperMan.  I think Costa Rica is on my list!

Arkansas River Cascade detail.

Next on the list is a one day float trip on the Arkansas River thru Browns’ Canyon.  This had several Class III rapids and perhaps one Class IV.  Water levels in late July are not best for lots of white water but we got all we wanted on our one day trip.  Shore lunch prepared by our guides was a very good sandwich buffet(roast beef, salami, and chicken) with all the fixins including olives, pickles, chips, crackers and peanut butter, and cookies.  All the tomatoes and onions were cut fresh right there on the river making everything very fresh and tasty.  We floated with Wildnerness Aware(inaraft.com) and were very happy with all levels of service from these outfitters.  Their base facility outside of Buena Vista was large, clean, modern.  All the staff were very friendly.  Equipment was clean and well-maintained.  Our trip even included continental breaksfast. Everyone should do this at least once.  I will go again in higher water.  I almost fell out once-and that water is COLD!  As an interesting aside our guide told us that the highest concentration of mountain lions in the U.S is right in this area.  Even so, they are seldom seen.

After getting off the river about 4 pm we headed to Ouray, about 4 hours west of Salida.  Arriving about 9 pm(dinner dontcha know!) we hit the bed because the next day would be two jeep tours.  One to Yankee boy Basin and another thru Corkscrew Gulch and Hurricane Pass.

Velocity Basin

Taking it Easy on Corkscrew Gulch

Could you belive I could not interest either boy the next morning at 7:30 and so it was lonesome me who made my way to the Historic Western Hotel just off Main Street in Ouray.  Since Ouray is about 7 blocks wide and 12 blocks long it is vey easy to find everything in Ouray!  My first tour was to Yankee Boy Basin, just south and west of the town of Ouray. 

A moderate 4 WD road led to a beautiful spot known for its wildflowers and they were at their peak.  Yankee Basin in July must be seen to be believed!

Flowers Everywhere!

 Along the way our guide Bernard would stop and point out animals(marmots!), old abandoned structures, and natural features.  Arriving back in town at 12:30 we were schduled to go again at 1:30.  Christian came with me this time and we had a great time with Keith(Mel Gibson look-alike!). Corkscrew Gulch was much tougher than Yankee Boy.  Sometimes Keith would drive our large truck with nine open-air seats backwards up a narrow trail to put us in good position to drive thru a hairpin turn.  One the way back down we got a flat tire and Keith really earned his tips by changing the tire in less than 2o minutes.

After getting back into town about 6 pm I went to Ouray Riverside Inn Jeep Rentals to pick up our rental jeep for our next days adventure.Excellent service, late model Jeeps, and a through orientation for someone like me who has little 4WD experience.

Twin Falls-Yankee Boy Basin

The alarm rang about 4:30 the next morning as I pulled on my clothes and headed back up to Yankee Boy Basin for a morning of photography.  I really just muddled thru this adventure.  I got some reasonable images but nothing that I am really proud of.  Even so they certainly give you an idea of the great natural beauty of this area of the U.S.

Sneffels Creek

Returning to our base at the Comfort Inn I picked up Xander and Christian for our next excursion.  A 4WD drive to the ghost mining town of Animas Forks.  We headed about 20 miles south of Ouray on 550 and just east and north of Silverton we hit the dirt trail to Animas Forks.  Evidence of old and not-so-old mining activity is constantly visible.  I let both boys do some driving on this road.  They pronounced this excursion their favorite part of the trip except for the food.  Animus Forks contains about 10 buildings in various stages of collapse.  One of the building has a bay-window in it and I am sure at the turn of the centruty it was the talk of the town!

Leaf/Stem

Returning the jeep after gassing it up and washing it we went to the Ouray Hot Springs Pools.  For $10 you can choose from 5 pools of varying temperature- cold, and then all the way up to 105 degrees F.  Very relaxing after a long day for Bob and the boys.

While in Ouray we ate at Bon Ton and the Outlaw.  Both times we chose Italian and we found it good but not slap yo mamma good.  Service was OUTSTANDING at both places.  In the morning I had coffee, bagels, and some pastry at Back Street Bagel and Deli.  VERY GOOD with reasonable prices.

Columbine

Next day it is time to leave and head back to the flatlands.  Even though the trip out was tough on the boys they both decided to make the trip home without an overnight stop!  We stopped in Durango for an outstanding sushi lunch.  Durango is a very upscale town with lots of fine dining and services.  Both Ouray and Silverton are very small mountain towns.  Except for food they close up about 6 pm.  One other thing, the hummingbirds are everywhere out there.  In front of our Comfort Inn during the day I never saw less than 7-8 at any one time hitting the feeders and chirpping away.

Everyone take a trip out to Colorado in the summer-it’s a BLAST!