Sometimes I don’t mean to take a walk – it just happens. And today, the day after Christmas, was one of those times. Clad in thick fleecy bottoms and a pair of Bearpaws on my feet it was the sight of two coyotes that first captured my attention. Their tawny thick coats were attractive and [...]
I’ve been gone for 29 days; gone from my home in Colorado. And though that may not seem a big deal it proved to be an internal reminder of who I am and what is important. Now, don’t get me wrong, it was wonderful to see friends I’d missed over the years and to hike [...]
by Norm Vance Several seasons ago popular radio personality Paul Harvey reported a news story about two Michigan biologists who presented an academic research paper reporting on their finding “the largest living thing on earth.” The “thing” was a 40-acre fungus. This sent scientists around the world scrambling to find their own “largest living thing.” [...]
Primetime of the fall color change is a wondrous time in the San Juan Mountains. Most any place you venture into the forest will have good colors. I’ll suggest a few drives sure to please. The numbers relate to the forest service map. Buckles Lake Road (#663) South of Pagosa about fifteen miles. A lovely [...]
by Norm Vance Pagosa Springs is uniquely located in the heart of the southern Rocky Mountains. Standing in Pagosa one can look north to the lofty and rugged peaks of the Continental Divide and turn south and pear into the flat topped mesa country with its rich Spanish and Indian cultures. To the east, over [...]
…From the ground down! Most people think in terms of seeing deer, elk and bear and the larger animals when in the San Juan area, but it is educational to consider the wildlife under the ground. Without the mostly tiny life in the soil none of the more commonly thought of animals could exist. As [...]
Pagosa Springs Colorado Looking Up: Stargazing in Pagosa Country by Norm Vance Travelers into the San Juan are enchanted by the rugged, high altitude Rocky Mountains. As one looks south, the San Juan Range has the last high altitude alpine forests. The ridges and peaks of the Continental Divide protruding above timberline are unique and [...]
By Norm Vance Sunday I groomed the snow on Lobo Overlook Trail, top of Wolf Creek Pass at 10,875′ and then up to 12,000′+ elevation via snow machine. It was a clear sparkling day and warmish. I had made several trips up and down mashing three feet of new snow into a flat trail. There [...]
