Winter Yurt XC Ski Outing with the Womens
This is the yurt, 16 ft. diameter, that five of us are going to eat and sleep in for a couple of nights.
Bets and Charleen with Trujillo Reservoir in the background.
It's quite cozy and comfortable as you can see. Sue brought plenty of wine so she had to guzzle it so as not to carry it home again. We're actually eating on Abby's bed (the table)!
It's common practice to hang the toilet seat by the wood burning stove and take it with you when you go to the privy. Sue wasn't too sure about this but grew to be quite fond of it especially since we woke up to a temperature of 4 degrees.
The gang in front of the yurt prior to heading home.
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Always something going on with Search & Rescue
Search & Rescue had training in February where we practiced self-arresting on an icy slope with our ice axes. It's not easy. That's all I can say. At one point, if I had actually been on a real slope with a death inducing cliff at the end of it. . . well, let's just say you'd have to stick a fork in me cuz I'd be done!
Terry giving me some pointers on not getting bludgeoned or killed.
I got it right this time. No injuries beyond bruises.
We put our crampons on AFTER the ice axe practice. Probably a good idea so we novices could avoid ripping our legs to ribbons! We did other stuff with those that day.Lots of Fun!!!
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A Winter Visit from Wade
Wade came for a visit the first week of March. He ended up staying a couple more days since we were expecting snow. We made good use of those days, too. We skied Sunday in blue skies and sunshine then Monday in snowy conditions. Both were great but the second day started getting pretty darned windy so we called it good and went home in time for him to catch his flight out of Durango.
Wade on the slopes. He did really well for not having skied for a decade or more.
He put some videos on YouTube. I've put them a link to them in the Sidebar titled Wade's Ski Video #1 and #2.
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Exploring the Surrounding Area
Mom and I went on a little road trip to Lake Heron State Park which is in New Mexico just south of Chama, about 65 miles from home. We found a little gem that we didn't know existed and decided it is worthy of revisiting.
Peg overlooking Rio Chama in Lake Heron State Park.
Friend, Abby, and I returned to Lake Heron State Park in April for a two night campout, paddle, and peddle. As you can see from this photo. It's time to put away the skis and bring out the summer fun toys!
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Other Interesting Stuff
While we were enjoying the park, Phil Keoghan made his "Across the Country" bike ride for MS through Pagosa Springs. They made a little 4 minute video on it and I put a link in the Sidebar, if you're interested. It does show them cycling up to the pass. Let me clarify right now that THAT is something that I will NEVER do. It is 23 miles uphill all the way from 7100 ft. to 10,500+ft. I DON'T THINK SO!
Check out the video, though. You can live vicariously through it and feel sporty.
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We are headed out in the RV May 7th. We're bee-lining our way over to Stillwater, OK for Clayton's graduation from Oklahoma State University. Yea, C.W., Way to Go!
From there, we'll be stopping off in Hugoton to do some visitin' then winding our way up to South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and wherever else Minerva's wheels can take us. We'll post photos along the way if we can find the time, hehe.
In anticipation of our trip, Peg has been busy as a homeless beaver getting her inventory beefed up and on display at the Artisans' Co-op.
Here are a few photos of her wares.
She does good work, don't you think?**********
That's all for now. Maybe we'll see ya on the road. If not, let us hear from you.
