09.21.09
Posted in Road Trip, friends, photo, travel, vacation at 10:36 pm by heidihoho7
The next day we convinced Neely to join us for some more exploring. We got up pretty early and made our way up to Telluride in time for the sunrise. It was quite foggy and quite beautiful with the aspens starting to turn in the valley. I jumped out and take a bunch of photos (may post some HDR ones soon as well) and they ran off to grab some coffee. I am happy with my pitstop and we continue on our drive. We head on up through Ridgeway with another beautiful view of the valley below, but opt not to stop at the True Grit restaurant to continue higher yet to Ouray.
We all know of Ouray as an ice climbing mecca and Neely had been there once before years ago. It was a super cute little mountain town- the total opposite of Telluride with it’s touristy & money-money feel. We drive around and decide we’d like to explore a little bit and happen upon Box Canyon – which happens to be where the ice climbing takes place. What’s interesting about this “Ice Park” is that they run pipes along the top of the canyon and when it gets cold enough they create their own ice falls for climbing. now some other areas do this but this is the one place that is known to have great ice and has a festival each year to celebrate it’s awesomeness.
Since it was fall and not quite cold enough for ice we continued on up the mountainside in the hopes of more exploration and fun. My photo books had some info about some roads/trails so we kept working our way up and did a little more off roading (at least it felt like it) and enjoyed getting “off the beaten path”. Of course we saw regular cars up at the some of the parking areas – but we all agreed there had to be some good scrapes on the bottoms. After scraping the bike carrier multiple times we finally decide to take it off – but in the process realize we’re now quite hungry. So we start our way back down to Ouray and stop in town to grab some breakfast. The food was so-so but it didn’t affect our opinion of the town.
Our bellies full, we decide to head back to Telluride and see if we can get a view of Bridalveil Falls at prime light. You can feel the money oozing out of people’s wallets as we drive into town, a very different feel from Ouray or even Ridgeway but it’s quite pretty nestled in the mountains with the waterfalls in clear view. We skipped town and just drove straight back to the parking areas to the falls. We decided to give the 4WD road a go and see if we can make it to the top. After some fun bouncing around we decide to stop at the first waterfall – which we determined later wasn’t bridalveil but quite pretty. I think it was here that Andy decided to get in his daily workout and start running back to town. We’d meet him somewhere on the other side after we checked out the main falls. We continue on up a little ways and decide to park at a dicey switchback. It wasn’t terribly far to the falls and the hike was quite nice. We missed the noon light but the double falls were still a sight and the mist felt wonderfully cool if you got close enough. We opted to cut it short and started to work our way back down – eventually catching up with Andy just outside of town.
After our day of exploring we start to feel a bit tired and decide to head home for another family dinner and relaxation. We had 1 small detour as Andy still had some energy left and wanted to try to bike home as well. We got him started at the parking area for the Lizard’s Head. while there we happened upon a hiker who needed a ride back to his car – wife and dog had had enough that day. So, we opted to give him a ride and let Andy get a head start. With the small detour Andy had enough time to determine that it was way too windy and a bit scary to make the whole ride home. So we loaded him back up and made our way back.
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09.20.09
Posted in Road Trip, friends, travel, vacation at 10:32 pm by heidihoho7
So it’s been quite a year for us traveling all over – Yellowstone in February and paddling trips for me over memorial and labor day weekends out east and South. We thought why not do another vacation later in the year as well. So we planned to hit Colorado at the beginning of the fall color with our good friends Andy and Neely (and her family). Let the trip writeup begin!
Arrival
So we debated on how to get to SW Colorado… flights to Durango were quite high and most of the other options included getting a rental car and driving 4+ hours once we landed. We opted to fly into Albuquerque since it was so much cheaper (almost $1k cheaper!) and it happened to be on the way for our Texan folk, who would be driving up instead of flying. This way they could pick us up and we wouldn’t have to worry about getting a rental. We were quite happy with our solution and even surprised to find out that Neely’s cousins who happened to be flying in from North Carolina also happened to be on the same connecting flight through Chicago that we were taking. How much more convenient could it get? They were just 1 row behind us making it easy for us to get reacquainted after meeting them at the wedding last year. The TX crew pulled up just as our bags were coming up on the conveyor – timing was perfect.
Was so nice to see our friends again 
we caught up on life on the 5 hour drive from ABQ to CO with fun little tidbits of history from Neely’s dad over the walkies while we were driving. We went from dry deserty buttes to the higher altitudes and wonderful Colorado mountains.
We rented a cabin just outside of Dolores, CO and were lucky enough to have Neely’s uncles just down the road from us. So after our drive, we pull on up to Uncle Buddy and Gail’s and are welcomed with a hot bowl of Cowboy stew with corn bread and most of the family to welcome us. Not a bad way to start vacation!
Explorin’ Colorado Y’all
So our first full day the gals (Neely and her sister) go off to Cortez to get our fridge stocked for the week, while Bela, Andy and I decide to go exploring in the area. We start driving up along the west fork of the Dolores. We decide to take a small detour and head up a fun mountain road to see how high we can get and to see if we can find some of those beautiful aspens that were starting to turn. We wound our way up and did find some cool aspens as well as some hunters and some very large mushrooms. My GPS decided to taunt us with the thought that there was a through road, but alas it was a closed road and thus a dead end so we wound our way back down to the main road.
We figured we still had plenty of time before our rendezvous and kept going up the main road, where it eventually turns to dirt/gravel. It led us to a restored Ghost Town called Dunton that is now used as a B&B. There was a closed gate even though there was a sign mentioning tours (and it had started to rain) and both Andy and I were like let’s forget it… but Bela saw another sign that said just give a call for a tour. So he did, and we did. We wandered the estate with our tour guide. It really doesn’t look much like a ghost town, but it has the flavor of olden times with the old wooden bar, wheel wagon light fixtures and big fireplaces. The hot spring house and nearby outdoor hot spring seemed quite tempting due to the cold rain but we opted not to pay the $100 lunch and soak fee to continue our explorations of the nearby mountains. (Now if we were super rich we might have changed our minds)
So we continue our drive up some mountain roads to see what we can see. Had some nice views of the mountains as we kept winding our way up. We ran into a few hard core mountain bikers (and we swear 1 of them might have been Ed Visteurs but we’re not positive he mtn bikes) and waved them on with cheers of good peddling. We decide to try to work our way back down to town via a different route. I’m not entirely sure why we trust the gps for small dirt road information considering our previous experience just an hour before but we did… had we had my wrangler we may have tried a few of these roads (and gotten to town that way) but since we were in Neely’s NEW 09 CRV we decided not to risk it too much. We did enjoy going through some big puddles and doing a little crawling up roads that had little ATV signs on them. We start up this ATV road (whoossh! though a big puddle), then decided to try another route since it seemed a bit too vertical. so we turn around (whoosh!) and try an alternate road, which also became a bit too rocky and questionable so we turned around yet again and decided to try the ATV road again (whoosh!). We make it a few more miles (maybe!) and come upon a HUGE puddle. we get out to scout to see just how deep or muddy it is and decide the right side might be ok with just 3″ of water, but the left side seemed muddy and with at least 6″ of water let alone how deep we’d sink and possibly get stuck in. Not our idea of fun with no winch available. so we turn around yet again and really enjoy going through that first puddle yet another time (with fun pics)- WHOOSH!.
Andy likes to claim i was doing the driving but this pic proves he was having a bit o fun in the driver seat. We eventually just back track back the way we came and enjoy the views yet again now that the storms had passed through – AND we were only a few minutes late even with all that backtracking! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with all the extended family that night.
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05.28.09
Posted in Climbing, Road Trip, friends, kayaking, recreation, travel at 7:36 am by heidihoho7
so it’s become tradition to head out east for memorial day. Typically for me (heidi) this means that i have to decide if i want to paddle with the chicago whitewater crew or do i join up with the old NIU climbing crew? Most years i let bela make my decision for me – its just easier that way This year Bela had a ton of stuff to do at home (pics will be shown as well) so he opted to stay back – which meant that my main activity for the weekend would be paddling with a side trip in to visit WV and my climbing buds. Totally worth the 2 hour trek…
So my adventure began Friday morning at 3:30 AM, not so bright and sunshiney but that meant we’d get on the road at good time- no traffic and plenty of time to sneak in a paddle on the way. Kris was my only driving buddy due to some last minute changes (poor steve got meningitis and couldn’t join us- we were very bummed about this- but luckily he’s on the road to recovery). So after some waiting past his planned arrival time, we decide to give him a call- lucky boy was getting some extra sleep! So we got on the road a little later than planned but it all worked out as Mel’s vehicle (complete with a sleeping Cody) also took the long way around in Indiana (why is it we always get off route in Indiana??) and we were able to get our full caravan set without too much extra time. I just had a thought- Jack was in Mel’s vehicle with Haley the magical GPS unit- hmm now i’m wondering why they got off track!
The ride out was pretty uneventful and we decided to paddle upper section of Slippery Rock Creek and we were able to meet up with Greg, Susan, Randy and Theresa to make a nice big group heading down the river. Levels were a little low but it was a beautiful day – finally no drytop! We had fun surfing and playing in just about anything we could find
We still had a bit to drive so after a yummy dinner we were off driving again deeper into PA to find our B&B and a good night’s rest. We stayed in a different B&B this year, we love the old one but it does have a train that tends to go by in the wee hours of the morning RIGHT next to us and the screeching can get annoying if you aren’t already passed out or aren’t using ear plugs. So we thought this year we’d enjoy the lack of train sound effects… I think di and I jinxed us because as we were just going to sleep we made the comment about getting good uninterupted sleep, what do we hear just an hour later?? a train of course, actually i think 2! tho at least these didn’t screech and weren’t nearly as close… PA has a ton of trains!
Most of us woke well rested and ready for a fun day of paddling. I opted to go to Seneca Rocks, WV to go climbing while the rest of the folks went to the Lower Yough. They met up with a huge group – Jack & Tina, Mike & George, and i’m sure i’m missing a few… sounded like a great day on the river for them. Lots of playing at swimmers and no major epics.
I drove on down to Seneca and met up with the group at the campsite – lucky for me they had gotten in late and were sleeping in so i didn’t have to find my own way up to the climbing areas. They were suprised to see me at 9am but it actually wasn’t that bad considering the 3am wakeup from the day before- it felt like sleeping in to me too So i forgot to put my request in about doing the closer, lower climbs on the day i’m there, so we hike up to the top of the ridge. They hiked, i plodded… with Netty and Neely just staying in site to keep tempting me to keep going. too out of shape but it’s all good- i blame it on the midwest hehe.
So i’m not even sure what climbs we set up- Andy set up a nice TR for us gals who wanted to take it easy, Karen led another right next to it. Joe, Scott and Karen ended up doing a cool multi-pitch that took them to the top of the fin- again i dont know which one but it was near the old ladies route. We had fun taking pics of each other and just hanging out til the sun came over the ridge. This is where i was stupid and didn’t put back on my other shirt… i got a lovely burn on my back where i forgot to put on sunscreen…
I hiked back with Netty and we decided to play in the river – we hung out below the bridge just watching the strange river critters and mating froggies and cooling down a bit after the hot hike down. We decided then that we’d definitly drive next year- that hike back up is brutal after a long day in the hot sun. i contemplated just staying in town so i wouldn’t have to hike back up to the campsites, but the rest of the group was up there so i sucked it up. We ended up taking a nice little nap (more like girlie gab session) in the shade on our sleeping pads. Both Netty and i decided taht we wanted to be Neely as she looked like a model – even after a hot sweaty hike! (that andy is a lucky guy!) we enjoyed a quiet afternoon waiting for the multi pitch team to return to do dinner by drinking wine and margaritas.
of course by this point i think i realized that i had a form of heat exhaustion or maybe my body didn’t appreciate getting burned so badly and decided to have its revenge… i went with netty to take a cool shower, now i only wanted cool, not freezing! no heat what so ever, but it did feel cool on my back for the 1/2 second i could stand to stand in it thanks again to netty or helping me during my time of unpleasantness! I ended up taking some advil and setting up our “bug hut” – our new mesh tent. fly-schmy. of course i was debating on that fly situation when i heard we might get storms but i was so comfy in my little hut that i just made a back up plan- get in anyone’s tent if it starts raining.. i had lots of offers -it was quite nice. we taunted joe by saying i’d get in theirs but luckily i didn’t even have to decide as it was a lovely night with no rain (at least for us!). so we just hung out by the fire, eating pizza and passing out fairly early as everyone had a wonderfully long climby day
In the morning i had to head back, as i needed my day on the Lower too. On my way back i got sidetracked by pretty things- which tends to happen but i made myself stop for the good ones I scared the crap out of 2-3 deer who apparantly couldn’t jump over a wire fence so they tried to squeeze themselves through it – they finally did it but i have no idea how… the holes were like 8″ square. I also stopped for a cool looking barn with fog and then again at the top of a major hill/mountain for some wind turbines.. on just the other side i saw one of the most pretty views that i’d seen in a very long time. the hills were totally covered in big fluffy white clouds but with some of the tops just peeking out. it was hard to get a cool shot as they were kind of blocked by trees but i think it was still worth the stop
Back with time to spare, we packed up for the Lower while Kris packed up to take on the Upper! We were all a bit anxious for him as it’s a bit harder than most of the rivers we’ve paddled but he looked super solid the day before so decided to go for it I’m sure he’ll have his own write up but it sounded pretty cool (and he made it back alive, in 1 piece, with randy’s boat and my car all in perfect condition). The rest of us had a great day on the lower. Lori, Randy and Thersa joined us for the Loop. We were very proud of Theresa for making it through Entrance. We also decided that Randy will never lead her down Cucumber again- we’ve decided that Diana has that pleasure next year – no hero routes!
Speaking of hero routes, i think we’ve created a monster- or maybe cody has rubbed off on Bob – he’s a machine taking every hero route possible. We’re very proud of our Conant creations the rest of us continued on and had a nice day surfing, playing, and just enjoying the river. I even attempted to get into Swimmers – just once it took too much energy to get up the stupid eddy! maybe next year i’ll get in more than once I was pretty happy with the day- i made my 1 goal- catch the eddy at river’s end next to snaggle tooth. i am pretty sure it was the first time! As usual a great day on the river with good friends.
We got dinner and wandered through town for a bit before retiring for the night (and finally meeting the B&B owners). We all tried a beer Bob had brought – a belgian cherry ale.. i didn’t make the face! so that’s 2 now that i can drink…
Monday we got our usual yummy breakfast at the sisters cafe and decided to run the Loop one last time before we headed back. Jack and I opted out and decided to hike down to Cucumber to take pics. I saw a copperhead snake (we think) – i almost stepped on it! Luckily a couple warned me before i did, they ended up being from Chicago and actually an old CWA member- one of the originals! I absolutely love the small paddling world and chatted with him for some time before our group showed up. I took a ton of pics and jack and i ended up hiking back up to the falls to explore. by the time we had shuttled all the cars to the takeout our group was already walking up, so we were on the road home in very little time.
The drive back was also pretty uneventful – luckily we didn’t run out of gas this time!! Yay! actually we got super awesome mileage and didn’t really need to fill up on each stop – we’ll take those 2-4 gallon “top off” stops! nothing like spending a total of $90 in gas for the whole weekend (and that included both side trips for me and Kris!)
Now I forgot to mention what bela was up to the whole weekend. for some reason he can’t get anything done while i’m home (haha i wonder why!) so he ended up cleaning out our garage (much needed) and the office – putting in a new desk. he even got all the networking stuff setup correctly
after his days of cleaning and organizing he was enjoying some down time on the couch when all of a sudden he hears a “whap!” against the window. he looks out and sees a suicidal bird just lying on the ground, not really moving. he went out with some gloves to take a closer look and it seemed to be still alive. so he picked it up and it seemed to grasp his finger. so he took it to the front of the house and put it on a branch of our evergreen tree where it again grasped the limb and seemed to be able to stand up now on its own. he ran to get the camera and took a few pics as he petted it. he went to grab something again and this time on his way out when the door shut the birdie flew off. it was ok! which was good because he’d been considering what it would take to nurse it back to health hehe. we’re such animal suckers….
so we both had great long weekends, hope everyone else did too! Full galleries can be seen of Seneca and Yough.
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