A trip back into time

During the summer of 2010, we decided to go back to the year 1776 and see what was happening on the east coast of North America. For our trip to DC during the August recess we decided against a visit to the monuments and we trained our way down to Williamsburg VA. It was an excellent way to remember why and how our country was founded.

Our tour guide to the 18th Century. He took us around the Governors Palace as Williamsburg was the Colonial Capital for Virginia.

Katie discussing the goings on with some of the locals. They kept in character and explained to us what was happening right before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
The continental army on maneuvers.
Katie in character
The border between then and now
Even the rest rooms were in character, although the running water was probably not authentic 18th century
General Washington explaining why the American Revolution
Fran in court with her newly appointed apprentice.

Phase 1

Phase one of our orchard! We have been talking about planting fruit trees since we moved to Montrose. Well, today we started the orchard with two apple trees, a Macintosh and Honey Crisp. In theory these two trees will provide the necessary pollen at the right time for each other.

Digging the holes. The Mancos shale insures a nice clay soil no matter where you dig. At least it is not all rock like it was in Ouray.

Rest time yet? Just thinking ahead to apples next year.
Trees are in the ground and now need some TLC to get them through transplant shock.
The happy gardener expanding her expertise into fruit trees. Cherry will be next.

The adventures continue...canoe the Green River

Last week found us floating between Green River UT and Mineral Bottom through Labyrinth Canyon. This has become a yearly event for us as I teach a geology class along this stretch for the Colorado School of Mines teacher enhancement program. This year I did not teach the class, but the outfitters invited us on another trip just because I love this area so much. All of the images below are from prior years as we did not take a camera this year.

This year was a little different as the monsoonal flow was more than generous the week before and washed out many upstream sand bars, while coating the edges with a solid layer of very fine grained mud. That is, most side drainages flashed the week before

A happy boat, floating the Green.

A typical sand bar camp.
Looking at a river runner register.
Lunch below the Wingate. This is one of my favorite spots on the river
This inscription was carved in 1912. I had heard rumors of a strange inscription along the river. It took us three years to find the inscription and another year for a photograph. Not the usual Anasazi or miner writing on the wall. It just goes to show that river people are a strange breed.

Bike paths around Colorado

Fran's purchase of a road bike has opened some new recreational doors for us (like we needed more??) Fran being a consummate librarian quickly researched nearby long paved bike trails preferably part of a rails to trails network. Her results:

Carbondale to Crystal River Ranch 6 miles

Glenwood Springs to Aspen 42 miles

Glenwood Canyon 16 miles

Leadville loop 12.5 miles

Our usual method of exploration is to park in the middle and do an out and back ride. This means that we do every ride twice, uphill and downhill. This was no exception. One day we rode the Carbondale path AND the path from Carbondale to Glenwood Springs. (36 miles) The next day we rode from Carbondale to almost Aspen (51 miles). We then headed to Leadville but were rained out. On the way home we rode the Glenwood Canyon path (32 miles). Total 3 days of riding: 119 miles

At the park and ride Carbondale

One of the sign posts keeping us on the right track
More information about Glenwood canyon
Longest ride of the year
What do you do after a long ride? Hit the riverside hotsprings of course!