Wednesday July 27, 2016
Wednesday was a day of rest and catch up. Pam and Jim, whom we had met at Angel Fire recommended we try breakfast at Brenda’s – it was very good. We planned to drive into downtown Bayfield and check it out however we drove right through downtown 3 times before we realized we were downtown. Not much there. Most of the day was sitting outside and relaxing. Got caught up on laundry and I went fishing in the stream that runs through the RV Park. Caught and landed my first fish in almost 30 years. PRC
We rested up today and so did not have a set schedule. We were recovering from our very full day of zip lining.
As we didn’t feel like cooking, we went to Brenda’s for breakfast and I had Huevos Rancheros of course. I can still get pretty good green chili in Bayfield, CO! JY
Thursday July 28, 2016
We decided to go to Mesa Verde National Park and check it out. The visitor center opens at 8:00 and when we arrived at 9:00 most of the tour tickets were sold out. June Yvonne did not want to go on a guided tour through the ruins that day so I managed to purchase a ticket to Cliff Palace and we also got tickets for a bus tour of the park. We also purchased tickets for the next day – two tickets for the Balcony House tour in the morning and one ticket for the Long House tour in the afternoon.
The Ranger guided tour of Cliff Palace was amazing. The tour went down some narrow stairs carved into the rocks and the tour group walked through the cliff dwellings. The Ranger explained the anthropology of the ancient Pueblo Indians based on the archaeology of the ruins.
The bus tour guide described the geography and geology of southwest Colorado and the reasons the Pueblo’s chose to build and live among the cliffs. There are over 8,000 known dwellings in this area with over 600 built into the cliffs. It is amazing how these people survived in this region where there was next to no water.
On the way back to Bayfield we picked up firewood and the supplies for s’mores. The neighbor kids came over along with the couple (Bob & Paula) from the coach on the corner. The s’more’s idea didn’t pan out the way we planned and the kids ended up with sticky melted marshmallow all over the hands and face. Once the kids were cleaned up we enjoyed the remainder of the evening with the grown-ups. Unfortunately the kids latched on to June Yvonne for the rest of the evening and there was no sign of rescue by the parents. PRC
We got to the park too late in the day for hiking for me. In order to manage pain and energy it’s best for me to start first thing in the morning. The ranger guided tour to the Cliff Palace did not start until late afternoon. I’m glad Peter was able to do it.
The ranger for the bus tour was extremely informative. He gave us some good information for our tours the next day. The ancestral Pueblo people who were farmers built the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde. Seeing the remnants of ancient history was quite an experience. However it was a very warm day…
As Peter had invited a couple of families over to make s’mores, we stopped at the grocery store to get supplies. The younger kids were very excited however more about the process rather than the s’mores themselves. How can a little kid resist setting a marshmallow on fire? When was the last time you made a s’more? (They weren’t as good as I remember…)
It was a lot of fun sitting around the campfire though. Two kids (ages 4 and 8) sat on either side of me. They were very engaging, but I did get tired of hearing about all the games on their TV and iPads. No adults rescued me so I missed out on the adult conversation. JY
Friday July 29, 2016
We got up early to make it to Mesa Verde for the 10:00 tour. It was early in the morning and June Yvonne was going on the tour. We had to decent 146 steps to a 40 foot ladder that we had to climb to get to the cliff dwellings. The Ranger explained the development and purpose of a kiva that was an integral part of the culture and religion. Once the tour was over everyone had to crawl on hands and knees through a small tunnel to get to the next set of ladder to climb up to the top of the mesa. Once we were at the top of three ladders we had to walk up 80 small steps carved into the sandstone. The park service had installed a chain handrail up the stairs. If the handrail had not been there half the group would have fallen off the stairs.
After the tour we drove to the Far View cafeteria for lunch. The afternoon was hot and at this elevation June Yvonne did not want to chance going on the two hour tour of Long House which included a 2.5 mile hike to the ruins.
The Ranger tour of Long House was the best tour of them all. The Ranger had been working in the park since 2005 and many of his friends were Pueblo Indians and he traded strategy and theory of NFL football for secret facts about – the meaning and importance of the structures and configuration of the ruins. Don’t know that all of that is true but the tour was very interesting.
On the way back to Bayfield we stopped and bought more firewood along with wieners and hot dog bun. We had told the neighbors and the kids we were going to BBQ hot dogs. When we arrived back in camp everyone noticed our arrival and before we knew it they all showed up with their own wieners and buns. Once we finished the hot dogs we started a campfire and had a great evening. PRC
I am so glad I went on the ranger guided tour of the Balcony House. It was fun! It included climbing a couple of ladders and crawling through a tunnel. As Peter indicated, hand holds have been supplied for tourist’s safety. However, the Ancestral Pueblo people only used foot and hand holds carved in the rock.
Peter has become quite the social butterfly. Last night he announced we would be barbecuing hot dogs so the neighbors were ready with their hot dogs when we arrived home. We pushed two picnic tables together and had a grand time. After dinner we sat around the fire pit, without the s’mores. This time I was able to partake in conversation with the adults. JY
Saturday July 30, 2016
We are fortunate to have some new friends from Texas. They are in the Tiffin coach on the corner and we had coffee and chocolate croissants with them for breakfast. Like the many others we have befriended or who have befriended us Bob and Paula (B&P) are salt of the earth good people. We look forward to maintaining a relationship with them.
Somewhere in the last couple of days I twisted my knee and it is slightly sore when I walk but I’m able to work through it without much problem. June Yvonne has noticed it and when she ask, “what’s wrong” I give her my usual response, “nothing”.
We headed for Durango to set up a hair appointment for June Yvonne and to purchase a fishing license for myself. I also purchase new flies and a vest. We strolled through “old town” Durango and ended up in a bookstore and then a Chinese Restaurant as June Yvonne has been craving Chinese. On the way back to Bayfield we stopped for gas and another bundle of firewood.
This was B&P’s last day here in Bayfield and we planned to have a campfire with just the four of us. It rained off and on around supper time but then cleared up. We sat around the fire drinking wine three or more hours and finally had to turn in. B&P are leaving early in the morning however we did agree to meet for coffee in the morning. PRC
Thank goodness we didn’t have to get up too early. When we woke up we went to Bob and Paula’s Tiffin coach bearing chocolate croissants and coffee. As Peter indicated, they are the salt of the earth with big hearts. The night before we spent lots of time getting to know each other around the campfire. I had never seen Peter be so open with people he hardly knew. We were pretty good friends by the end of the evening.
After a long pleasant chat with Bob and Paula we went into Durango for a few hours. I made an appointment for a desperately needed hair cut and color. Then we headed into Old Town Durango to “Duranglers” for a fishing license. Afterwards we had lunch at a Chinese restaurant. I certainly don’t make Chinese cuisine in the trailer and I’ve been craving it. JY
Sunday July 31, 2016
We had coffee with B&P in their coach then we had to leave as June Yvonne had a hair appointment at 11:00 and B&P had to close up their coach and head for Gunnison. They will be in Gunnison for a week which is where we will be moving to next Saturday. Unfortunately they will be leaving the morning of the day we arrive.
Dropped June Yvonne off at the hair dressers and I parked the truck in the same parking lot, got my fishing gear out and walked down to the Animus River. There was a combination of rocks, rapids and calm water and I knew there was a fish out there with my name on it. About 10 or 11 rafts went by full of rafters looking for a white water experience however the water is very low. To compensate for that they have provided the rafters with giant water guns and have water gun wars with the closest raft.
Unfortunately my fishing experience was not what I hoped. I managed to catch four trees and two willow bushes with my back cast. My fly also got caught on some rocks which took a little maneuvering to get loose. I did not even see a fish. I did get a little excited when there were repeated splashes in the water about 30 yards in front of me. I repeatedly tried to place my fly in that general area only to eventually realize there was another guy I could not see fishing with lures in the bushes about 25 yards downstream from me.
I was moving gingerly from rock to rock trying to get a good vantage point from which to cast where my back cast would not get snagged in a tree and landing my fly in a spot where I thought the village idiot fish was patiently waiting to get caught. Unfortunately I was jumping from one rock to another and didn’t notice the slipper moss. Once I landed I started pirouetting in a circle to keep from taking a header into the water. I managed to stay out of the water but in the process really twisted my knee. At that point it was difficult to walk so I called it quits for the day. The only consolation was that while wading through the tall grass and willow bushes I came across a young woman changing into her bathing suit – so the day was not a total loss.
I went to pick up June Yvonne and she quickly noticed my limp and is now nurse June Yvonne with a new hair-do. I am in forced time out with restrictions on my movement. We will see what this is like in the morning. PRC
We had coffee with Bob and Paula before they took off for their next destination – Gunnison. It was lovely to get to know this couple and sad to say goodbye.
Peter dropped me off to get my haircut and went fishing. I was the only person in the salon at JC Penney’s so had the royal treatment.
Peter returned sooner than I thought. There was not a place to eat in this little mall, so we went to Subway for lunch.
We did laundry when we returned and had a nice conversation with the owner of the RV Park who was born and raised in the Phoenix area. JY
Monday August 1, 2016
Another day of rest. We had planned to go to Vallecito Lake to do some fishing or Pagosa Springs to enjoy the hot springs. Those plan were aborted as my knee was stiffer than a rusty hinge. My nurse can be pretty cantankerous when I don’t follow orders so I spent most of the day in rehab.
We were entertained all day by the hummingbirds at our feeder. In the beginning, at Angel Fire, we had trouble getting a picture of one hummer – this afternoon we got a picture of three then a picture of four. Then while eating dinner we managed to get a picture of five hummingbirds. Around the feeder it has been like a WWI dog fight – the wee birds were actually body slamming each other to drive others away from the feeder. These little guys are very aggressive and territorial. Throughout the afternoon there was a wasp frequenting the feeder but he wasn’t deterred by the birds and the little guys avoided him. PRC
We didn’t do much today as Peter is in recovery.
We were very entertained by the drama going on outside our window today. We keep having to replenish the hummingbird feeder as they spend so much time here.
Tomorrow we have another adventure. We are heading up to Ridgeway which is in the mountains north of Telluride. We are staying in a yurt and sharing a fancy outhouse with the Teepee next door. Will let you know how that goes. JY.
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