Colorado Trail Series

Back in August of this year Jim and I took a seven day backpacking trip along the Colorado Trail.  The entire trail connects Denver to Durango and is a total of 483 miles long.  We only had a week or so of time off so the entire trail was out of the question.  However, the last 75 miles were totally doable.  Besides, traveling through beautiful mountains with no cell phones, computers or crowds was just what we envisioned as a perfect getaway.  A second honeymoon of sorts in celebration of our upcoming anniversary of 6 years of wedded bliss.  So, with much planning, calculating how many miles a day (based largely on water sources), days of preparing homemade meals (dehydrated and baked treats), pouring over our gear and finally hoisting up our 70 (plus or minus depending on the day and water needed) pound packs we set out for our hiatus from society.

 

What is to follow is a series of posts covering our wonderful adventure.  They will come as I have time to pour over the hundreds of pictures taken and find the ones worth sharing.  Grab your water bottle or coffee and share with us the miles, views and blisters of the next 7 seven days!

 

~ As always, double click on any photo to enlarge ~

 

Disclaimer: All mileages and elevations are based on guidebooks and not actual GPS readings.  GPSs were not carried on this trip. 

 

Colorado Trail Series

Day 1

Little Molas Pass to our first night's camp
 

Hiked: 8 miles
 Camp: 11,700 elevation

 

 Terri
 



Much thanks to our dear friend Terri who got up extra early to meet us in town and drive us to the trail head on our first morning.  This would be the last car we would see for days and the last person we knew until we would arrive back in town 7 days later.

Me & Jim
 

Before we turned our backs on the civilized world for the
 next week, Terri snapped this photo of us next to the trail map sign.



Fly Agaric 

 

There was an abundance of these brightly colored mushrooms along the trail.  Of course, we would never dare eat anything we could not positively identify.  Once we got back home Jim did identify these gorgeous fungi - positively poisonous!

 Me

 

Let the views begin!

While the trail turned to the west, we couldn't resist stopping and admiring the views to the North.

 

Jim 

 

 I love the simplicity of camping.  We each had our "chores" to be done when we arrived at camp each day.  Jim's was to set up the tent.

 

Me

 

 As Jim set up the tent and arranged the bedding, I took a few moments in the sun to work on a pine needle basket project I had brought along.  Our camp "living room" had such an amazing view.

 

 

Jim

After getting his chores done, it was Jim's turn to kick up his heels and relax after the first day on the trail.
 

Me

My turn!  Of course, I was the designated camp cook.  Only tonight's dinner was a surprise, so Jim was banished to the "living room" until our dinner was ready.

 

I love my husband but he was sure he would starve on this trip.  So imagine his surprise when I served up a plate like this for our first night on the trail!

New york strip, potatoes-onions-broccoli and a Parmesan roll.

 

Unfortunately, I might have set the bar to high for myself for the rest of the trip.

  I kept hearing, "Did you pack any more steaks?" for the next 67 miles.

 

 

Good night from Day 1.

 



 

sewing project

  Summer Sewing Project

A friend of mine sent me these great overalls that she found in a yard sale or thrift store or where ever.  A patchwork patterned fabric that was super lightweight and perfect for a hot day working in the garden or lounging on the deck.  However, me being a tall woman, overalls and I have never really gotten along.  I can only let out the straps so far and they still tend to give me a bit of a rise up when I bend over.  Not the most comfortable clothing design I have worn.  So I decided to get creative and turned them into a dress.  Thankfully the busy pattern lent itself to not so perfect sewing skills.

 

Before

 

After

 

My "new" dress was perfect for slipping on after work or for a lazy afternoon on the deck.

 

Thanks for the inspiration Peggy!

 

 

WE'RE BACK!

A YEAR IN REVIEW... NOVEMBER 2012 - 2013

 

 Barb & Me

Friends have moved away.  We still love you Barb!

 

 

Stown expanded his cooking skills.  He cooked the ENTIRE Thanksgiving dinner last year - from scratch.  Perhaps that's why he looks so delirious after 8 hours in the kitchen.  Behind him from left to right: Turkey with garden herbs, garlic smashed taters, gravy, roasted sweet potatoes tossed with brown sugar & fresh ginger, stuffing from homemade bread, green bean casserole & pumpkin pie from a fresh from our garden pumpkin and handmade crust.  Everything was from "scratch" and a lot of it from our garden.  Way to go Stown!

 

Cousin Debbie & Great Uncle Bob's Avocado tree

 

Family was visited and shared their bountiful harvests.



Me & Mom (Patty)

 

More family shared beer and horses.

Me & Sam

 

Friends appeared in plays.

Stown & Me

 

Birthdays were celebrated.

17 - Stown stop growing up!

Cocoa Bean & Scrappy

 

New additions were made to our clan.

 

Canoe camping was to be had on the Wisconsin river.

Jim - self portrait at 65 mph

 

Motorcycles were ridden.

 

Me, Erin & Eric - Lake Havasu

 

There were paddle board lessons from friends.

 

Corbin, Me, Tanner, Jim & Erin

 

Cocktails in the shade to celebrate the Summer Solstice.

 

Bread making skills were learned (but not mastered).

More birthdays were celebrated.

 



Jim & Me 

 72 miles into our trip and only 3 miles from cold beer & hot pizza!

 

 

All in all it was a good year.

 

A lot has happened in our personal lives. 

Family passed away, some friends got married, some friends had babies, new friends were made and old friends lost touch, people got sick and people got better, jobs came and went but through sickness and through health through richer and through poorer we have survived another year on this spinning rock we call Earth.

 

All that matters in the end is that we have each other because we learned that when it all comes down to the nitty gritty that's all you have - Each other.

 

Love Always!

 

 

This is the first post in a long time.  I needed to simplify my life and refocus on the more important things - blogging was not one of them.  Things are more stable now and I am able to share things with everyone again.  I hope to continue regular postings and look forward to sharing our little corner of the world with everyone again. 

Until next time, Peace, Love & Understanding.