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.