Disheartened by Costilla County Zoning Ordinances

The rule of law has been replaced by the arbitrary rule of ma. The wording of the building code is such that everything is at the discretion of the board and landowners are at the mercy of their whim and will. Nowhere in the land use code do I see the rights of property owners being protected and preserved. It looks to me like the commissioners have planted a packet of viper's eggs into the Facebook. You won't know about their treachery until you get bit. I can't imagine anyone of modest means being able to build legally under the current code. It is cumbersome, expensive and you are at the mercy not of law but of other people's whims. You can't build in a watershed without approval (by definition all land is part of a watershed. You can't cut down your own trees for firewood. You can't dig a hole without going through a dizzying array of boards and applications. What is wrong with these people? Ignorant and lazy?-adopting some other county's land use ordinances without thinking about how it will impact the people? Fanatical, misanthropic environmentalists who firmly believe that the best county is one devoid of humans and human dwellings. Government has been hijacked by people who do not seem to care or understand the needs and struggles of the poor. I only hope that this code is more honored in the breach than in the observance because it is an ugly oppressive mean-spirited document which undermines the property rights of the poor and the their ability to build and maintain private property secure from the arbitrary whims of government officials.

Abandoning the Rim for the Gorge

Quick trip to the property yesterday. 5 hrs of driving for 5 hrs onsite.  Decided that my passion is for the river below.  I intend to abandon my efforts on the cactus choked rim and descend into the verdant gorge itself.

After research on historic floods as measured 6 miles upstream at Lobatos bridge, decided that it would be possible to build above all but the most extreme floods on a section of the property where two large boulders lie.  This section is 6to 7 ft above the riverbed which puts it above all but a couple huge floods like the 1905 flood when the river ran at 10 ft-an unbelievable depth considering it normally runs around 1 to 2 ft at the gauge.

My flood insurance will be placing the structure on piers so it will be 10 ft above the riverbed.  Additionally I will orient the structure along the cliff wall so it will not project into any future floodwaters as prominently.

I intend for the structure to be a sleeping and storage place with the majority of the living taking place outside in front on the "patio"

The proposed living area would be behind the large dark boulder on the right.

Here is a view from across the river.

The ladders up to the middle shelf

Beaver gnawed through my hose it appears.

Banking on laziness

My theft deterrent will be calculated to require 2 to 4 hrs of work for anyone inclined to steal from me.  I'm banking on the fact that thieves are disinclined to put in that much work.

Scared to Go Back

I'm afraid the scum bags who stole our stuff returned and stole everything else.  We'll find out shortly.  I've been racking my brains trying to come up with an acceptable theft deterrent that wouldn't injure my family or land me in jail.  So I think I have a plan:

Part of the middle ledge section has a narrow three foot passage.  I will construct a lockable barricade at that narrow point and place any lockable valuables beyond it.  I will also attach bowling balls to items with padlocks. I'm encouraged these seems doable.

The Sound of Water and other Considerations

As far as siting and construction these are my priorities:

1) Within earshot of the rapids.  I've always wanted to fall asleep to the sound of a river.

2) Made safe from falls

3) Made safe from floods

4) Theft deterring location and setup

With this in mind I am looking at the sheer wall next to the lower ladder.  

Kerith Ravine Colorado version

So I was ripped off up top.  A band of white trash tweekers deprived me of buidling materials, generator, tools, and climbing equipment.  Since the rim is not secure I will then descend into the depths and make my hermitage on the sandy banks below.

King David preferred to put himself into the hands of God rather than of men so too will I put my fate in the God's hands next to the river.

Sobering read though about the year 1905 when the river reached 13000 cubic feet/second in this section. Normally 1500 is high for this stretch.  Don't imagine there was a patch of non-submerged ground in the gorge with that staggering amount.

The 1905 record was not a flash flood rather it appears to have been the rapid melting of snow pack in the mountains.  So I imagine those in the gorge would have seen a gradual increase and could take shelter above.

Moreover, there are hundreds of diversions upstream that did not exist at that time.  The river for better or worse has been largely domesticated-they can turn it on or off like a water tap.

Still thinking about elevating my keep 10 feet above the sand bank-this would provide some flood protection as well as deter lazy thieves from plundering my camp again.

A bit of Ketchup

A bit of ketchup is in order.  Went to the property a month ago eager to put in safety rails for the fam so the little ones could come too.  To my chagrin, I had been robbed blind by some tweaking mofo's eking out an existence on their own 5 acre patches of nothingness.  Never felt so violated.  Anything of value short of the trailer and the pump were carted off.  I'm estimating $1000 to $2000 gone.  No chump change for a struggling family like ourselves.

It has taken me this long to want to go back again.  The discouragement of having lost so much and the possibility of future theft put me in a dark frame of mind-rigged up explosive devices-all the fantasies of the wronged and helpless ran through my brain.  But things have now settled down.  I have a new plan.

The Gorge Begins in Colorado

Unbeknownst to many the Rio Grande Gorge starts in Colorado about 6 miles north of the New Mexico border. It is typically considered to begin at the Lobato Bridge (AKA Stateline Bridge, Costilla Crossing), a beautifully restored 1890's steel girder and wood bridge leaping across the still broad river before it funnels into the Gorge.

Twin Peaks Hike

There are two black pyramid-like hills that have been beckoning me since I first visited the Gorge in February.  Today I announced to my son, "We're gonna climb those peaks."  He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Okay" in keeping with his easy going nature.

Fording the river at 400 cfs was a bit trickier than I imagined.  We had learned from previous crossings to avoid the narrower rocky rapid part as the water becomes swift and scary.  We made it across and while making our way downstream encountered a large beaver lodge wedged between a massive basalt boulder and the west gorge wall. This was no doubt the very large beaver I had seen swimming about several weeks before. I envisioned angry beaver teeth emerging and gnawing my shin bone as we went over the lodge hearing splashing and smelling musk.  We crossed over without incident.

The next leg of our journey was a game trail (antelope?) that utilized a ramp like structure for descending and ascendinf the 100 foot gorge.

We removed our life jackets and water shoes and climbed up to the baking desert plateau of the BLM.

As we trudged the two miles in a beeline fashion toward the hills, I coached my son on rattlesnake etiquette, hydration, and noting landmarks for the return trip.

When we reached the base an hour later I had this strange notion that I was a patriarch leading his son to the top of a desert mountain in the Holy Land (This part of Colorado can do that to you).  On this particular "mountain" the Lord provided swarms of gnats, piles of droppings from some rock rodent and an incredible view of the Taos Plateau and San Luis Valley.  There were windshelters made of volcanic rock on both peaks erected by some unknown party. Like us, they too were drawn to these distinctive black hills.

The Perilous Flight of the Airstream

Managed to get the 1969  Airstream to the Gorge Property after two hard days of laying flooring and rivetting patches on the roof where various pipes and vents once stood.  We are looking at making the 20 ft Overlander an 8 person bunk house.  This will take some doing.  It will be a bounce house after shoehorning all those air mattresses in there.

A Hermit's paradise

Guess I always wanted a place at the end of the world and this place is pretty damn close.  My companions are lichens, strange beetles, vultures, wrens and lowlying  needle happy cacti.  A hermit's paradise to be sure.

River Gorge Withdrawal

So I am going through gorge withdrawals.  My work schedule is preventing me from going out to the property.  I follow the weather at Jaroso and Antonito.  I look at the cfs readings at Lovato bridge.  All this-a poor substitute for being there, hearing the river and flilling my hands with the needles from the innumerable cactus growing there.  I want to chisel rock and forge a pathway to the bottom that even my wife would take with no reservations. Counting the days.

Anchors in along the trail to the bottom

Brought out the new generator, my old cheapo Black and Decker hammer drill and some Bosch bits and gave it a shot. Worked like a charm.  Put in eight climbing anchors:  two at the top of the last steep climb to the bottom and six along the ledge like sections of the trail down.  Tried out my Black Diamon belay and marmot climbing rope.  Took a bit.  But got myself and two kids down safely.

The river has been reduced from 420 to 120 cfs.  Noticeably lower but even at shin deep it's swiftness made staying on one's feet a challenge.  Found some warm black volcanic boulders on the BLM side conducive to lounging.  Heartened to see little minnows swimming around although they could be tadpoles for all I know.  Have not seen any large fish in the river here thoughit is  virtually   transparent at certain times of day. 

Insanse wind

Wow.  The secret to a treeless plain has been discovered.  That wind is 35 mph and constant.  The Rio Grande looks like it is flowing backward.  There are whitecaps.  Must consider this SW wind when designing the roof and windows or they will blow out or off.

31% of average snowpack for Rio Grande

A grim prognosis for spring and summer waterflows yet again.  What will it look like on our stretch?  Stagnant pools of mosquito infested water?  Time will tell.

The River At the Whim of Humanity

Sad to see that the Rio Grande has dropped from 420 cfs to 120 cfs, presumably, the result of irrigation headgates opening up.  Granted, it is still twice as large as the Arkansas flowing past La Junta, nonetheless, I watch with dread wondering whether they will throttle the river to a standstill this summer like they did last year.

Hermit's Retreat

First overnight.  Kinda excited.  Like a weirdo wedding night (back when folk didn't jump in the sac till they'd tied the knot.)

May freeze my off.  Might be tempted to run with the heat on but with my leaky mazda it would be a japanese gas chamber.  Better to shiver and live.

Back To The Land

Dragging my sorry carcass out of bed.  Kicking around an overnight at the property in my covered wagon aka my beater 96 Mazda Protege.  Gonna look at clearing or leveling a 35 by 20 foot section of land.  I hear the wind outside already.

The Problem with Pioneering

Spring brings out the manic in me as do land purchases surrounded by endless unexplored terrain. Time to reign in my enthusiasm with realism. Anytime a person finds himself pioneering something, the question is begged: Has anyone tried this before? Why aren't they around? What happened and/or what do they know that I don't currently know. So these questions swirl around in my head as I consider pioneering an internet description of tubing the Rio Grande Gorge in Colorado. Kayaking strikes me as highbrow and expensive. Let me jaunt over to the local REI and drop a couple grand on expedition grade equipment. Whereas tubing is wonderfully redneck. All a man needs is a tractor tube, an igloo cooler, and a pair of wrangler cut-offs. That's how I roll. If one armed Powell could go down the Colorado in a wooden boat then why can't this poor man but bump his way down the Rio Grande? Onward Red Solo Cup!

Best Tortillas Ever

We make a point of stopping in the litte gas station/liquor store/pizzeria/soda fountain in San Luis for the fresh tortillas. $6.00 for 6 and worth every dime. Apparently the proprietor's sister makes them fresh every morning-delish.

Encounter with The San Luis Valley Wind

Windy.  Thought the kids and i I could start clearing ground and scout out for the safest route down to the river within the bounds of our 275 ft frontage.  Started out with two 30 ft Climb/Rappels.  Our first time doing that-sweating over Prusik knots and making sure the rope was well secured to the rocks and that we were well secured to the rope.  I came away with the conviction that i had to bite the bullet and buy more legit climbing equip.

Made it to the bottom.  Picked up a large lethargic crawdad out of the river.  Scouted around and found a more gradual path out of the gorge that essentially traverses the width of the property.

Crossing The Rio Grande

Closed on the land and took the fam down to check it out.  Wife was a bit daunted by the spooky route down to the river.  Definitely need to place anchors for safety.  Once at the bottom with the oldest three we shed our shoes and waded in-bone chilling cold at 49 degrees but with constant movement tolerable.  Made it to a group of large black boulders in the middle.  They looked designed for sunbathing.  Continued acroos through the main channel to the sofa rock (so named by my oldest daughter).  Water came up to my waist.  The curret was the real deal but made it across.  So between climbing harnesses and life preservers we will be geared out to be sure.  

I love this wild place.  Look forward to returning.

Waterfall Foley

It would be fun to pull water out of the river up the cliff wall and let it cascade down the side back into the river.  It would be essentially a net zero loss of water.  Of course 15 gpm may not be a very impressive waterfall. There is a natural drain that would be interesting to run water down.  We'll have to see.

A Day Off and Off to the Cliff

Took the kids.  Stopped at San Luis to buy a bag of amazing tortillas at of all places the gas station.  Went to R&R Grocery which has been in the same family for 155 years.  Bought a spade shovel and some cherry sours.  (Guess which one the kids requested).  Made it to the Cliff around 1.  

      Trying to pick the safest way down to the river has been a challenge.  Have now found two ways.  The second way a bit spookier than the first.  Took a drive down to where the river enters New Mexico a couple miles south of us.  Was chagrined to discover that the gorge is considerably higher and the likelihood of hiking out is low.  So much for that.  So possible put in places for tubing: Highway 142 bridge (14 miles upstream) and Lobato bridge (5.75 miles upstream) with a take out at the property.

     Wow, this is wild country!

Should Know Better At 40

But I took the plunge, bought 6.78 acres for $6795. It has desert, water, cliffs and dung. It is insanity, desperation, a nails in the coffin last ditch effort to reinvent myself. There is always the cliff as a last resort. A cliff dweller vestige desperate living clinging to bare rock.