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.