Humbled by Visions

If ever there was a time in my life where I felt both humbled and privileged to be able to be some where, then this is probably it.

There is an aura about Monument valley and a strange sense of some kind of greater power in everything that you look at-- well of course nature itself was part of that greater power when it created these strange monoliths millions of years ago.

As we drove in to the Valley there is a sign for Valley of the gods and you can understand why when all around it appears as if the Gods are sitting on the top of groups rocks that form a kind of circle--and this is before we got to the main Monuments.

Knowing that the Navajo Indians, were very much into the spiritual aspects of this very harsh world that they managed to live in for thousands of years, is quite awe inspiring, because trust me that the temperature was reasonable yesterday in dry heat at around 90 degrees.

There are may more photos on the Profile which you can get to by clicking on the "view full Profile" at the bottom of the brief profile on the right hand side of the blog page.

We were talking as a group yesterday about some of the places that we have been to over the more recent 10 to 12 years, and there are some really outstanding ones , especially when thinking about when we were both still raising children and then to think of visiting in real life places such as this where we had only ever seen the likes of Monument valley in Adverts, in books or magazines and of course in the movies.

Talking of which, we stopped for lunch at a place called Goulding's Lodge--everything is Goulding's for a couple of square miles including hotel, gas station and general store, trading post and airport and centre of attraction-- for me anyway--is a hut that was used in the movie called " She Wore a Yellow Ribbon " in which John Wayne starred as a 7th Cavalry Captain - Nathan Brittles--a guy nearing retirement. It was one of the first westerns I ever saw.

 My Hero

And of course they used the whole of this area for filming in as have many hundreds of other movies.

Now -- some of you may not have someone quite like my Lynda when it comes to having a knack of finding somewhere to shop--even in a desert, but she managed to find a couple of places for a Bargain. Ok so they are on the side of the road and the Navajo are pretty renowned for their hand crafted jewellery, but still !

We also stopped on the way back to Bluff, at a Trading Post that certainly looked interesting for different reasons for different people. For Lynda and Ann it was to look around the trading post shop, for Rod it was the valley and river below with the motel on the side of the cliff face and for me it was the viaduct bridge over the San Juan River-- its a construction kind of thing you know.

So we got back at mid afternoon with temperatures around 90+ so it had to be the pool , which while not having much in the way of pool furniture , at least the pool was outside. The Motel is called Recapture Lodge, just in case some may pass by--you might want to remember to avoid or to get a cheap deal with an outside pool--it has been ok. Loads of French though,, they seam to multiply here over night.

BTW, I'm the fat boy on the right---Lynda says that when we are on our own we will go on a diet --I just keep having to remind her that we are in America so the chances are pretty slim---well, they would be pretty slim with me anywhere.

To wrap up a really good day, we went to dinner at a really good restaurant in Bluff called the Cottonwood steakhouse -- see below---

Just to remind everyone about the portions, the photo below shows the rack of ribs that Rod and Ann shared for their dinner--

 

 

 

So that's how we ended the day and now we are on the road again we drive this morning to Durango for lunch and then drive up to Montrose in Colorado to stay for a couple of days.

 

Carefree people.

Bull frogs, Lizards and Website Illusions

Well, we had the sad goodbyes from Rainbow Trout yesterday morning, but also the mixed feeling of having stayed somewhere special.

Here is the team leaving the ranch--

Chelsea away top getting an airing at 9000 feet above sea level in the rocky mountains.

So long drive to Bluff in the Utah area of the Monument Valleys-- we think that there is a little poetic licence in websites but ok for a stop over.

After pool--only 2 loungers and no towels -- we had a burger meal in a grill bar over the road but we all felt pretty tired anyway so the rooms were very ok for what we needed.

Off to see the sites in the valley, before we head up to Montrose tomorrow.

Just for the children-- Juliet, we tried to call and could not leave a voicemail---Jonathon , could not get through and charlotte no answer from Kardia.

Should be as lot to photograph so ta ta and will put much more on later.

Happy Trails

Slips Slides and Scary Bits

So a little sad that I am writing this at 0630 on the Sunday that we leave Rainbow Trout Ranch in Colorado after another amazing visit for us with so much crammed in and in which we hope that Rod and Ann have enjoyed their visit as well -- it has been eventful, but more of that later.

So for our last days riding we did a far longer ride that included riding up into the aspen woods to a much higher distance and then back down and through the river , crossing it several times while we came back through the valley to the ranch.

I have had the same horse every day -- Roy Rogers-- and he was brilliant, plus we were colour coordinated as he has a Grey mane as I do, and of course I can remember the Character as well from the 50's/60's so it was a match made in heaven.

Here are a couple of shots of the ride and the ladies but I missed the money shot with ANN.

Ok, so I admit that they could be a bit more dynamic but I have to tell that I missed the money shot --it was one of those moments that you just cannot get the camera out and control the horse at the same time. There had been rain overnight and some of the trails were a little slippery and it is one thing that Ann was concerned about.
Well, we were on the way down the hills and Ann's horse , Redgrave, decided that he was fed up with the slow , careful pace everyone was taking and decided to gallop down about twenty feet of about 1 in 6 hill slope and I am amazed out how she controlled him and got him to stop--Ann was totally concentrated in reigning him in and tell him in a voice that I would have definitely obeyed , to stop.

So no accidents there then and we had a great ride back. I did have our wrangler Colten , telling me that he thought my horse Roy, had ski's on because at one point on a particularly slippery section going down , he kept all four legs rigid and just slid a few yards without moving any of his legs.

When we got back and after lunch we decided to have another shot at the fishing -- well we boys had some catching up to do and below is part of the story-----

Ok so it wasn't a monster but on the Fly I was pleased and big thanks to John who along with James showed me one or two new casting techniques---I could get Hooked--yeah alright poor pun--and along with Rod who caught 2 we were victorious on the day.

but this does not tell the half of it. When wading out into a bit deeper water, Ann slipped on the rocks at the bottom of the river and fell in. The problem was that in the full waders , right up to the chest , if you start to get a whole bunch of water inside it can hold and drag you down and this was happening to her and take her down stream.

Rod tried to get across to her but he had problems due to his broken wrist, so it was left to the Hero of the day James, to get across to her in record time and pull her out and on to shore. Now I did not see any of this and the ladies were taken up to the cabins to get warm and dry off but a real shock to everyone involved.

After this bit of extra excitement, we picked up the ladies and went to see the end of week Rodeo, and got there in time to see the Pony express competition--see below some selected shots--

This is Ann all scrubbed , warmed up and happier although at this time Rod was soaked as was his new camera-- a little tip , if you drop your camera in the water , put it in a bag of rice that soaks up any water in the camera--and watching the Rodeo.

here are the Ladies with their favourite 2 guys in the place--the fishermen, James and John--both good guy's and good luck to them in their future.

So here are shots from the Rodeo---

 This is David , the boss and for the Rodeo , the compare.

 This is the Victorious Green team in Pony Express on one of the handovers.

And this is the other Boss and the captain of the victorious Green Team--the wonderful Jane bringing the team home to victory.

Another great handover.

Below is a shot of me getting the chance to drive the team and cart, something I could not imagine doing in a million years and a real privilege with such an expert as Doug --

We had a cookout in the bar-b-q area by the river but I gotta say that I will never get used to the Smoked steak dressing they put on the steak when cooking them, but it was a really nice final meal location and the chefs did a great job--including Doug of course.

So we came back to the main lodge and they had everyone, including all the wranglers and staff doing a talent show and that was the final scary thing of the day---the thought that we 4 might be asked to get up and do something entertaining---He Shivers at the thought.

I have to say the the sing-alongs were great but some of the individuals were quite amazing --so much talent in such a small group. I think that Charlotte among others would have loved to watch the wrangler men doing line dance in competition against the girls--and finishing doing it all together -- see below--

 

 

 

 

The final picture should be of the Fishing Team and the Boss Doug.

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great time again, and can only hope that we get the opportunity to come back again if they will have us and we wish the whole RTR family nothing but the best for the future.

 

www.rainbowtroutranch.com

Boys stuff but Girls Play too

The days appear to be getting more and more crammed in to them and leaving us pretty knackered in the we evenings.

Yesterday was a great start with a mornings mosey ride through the valley and interspersed with lots of river crossings. We saw a deer , a coyote, and lots of Canada geese and ducks.

My Annie Oakley and the 3 Amigo's---not sure what they are looking for but I don't think they found it.

Below are a couple of shots with our Wrangler, Beck's, who is hoping to get her own Dude Ranch in time.

Here is a picture of my girl crossing the river, - last time she did this they forgot to tell her that her horse loved to lay down in the water-she got away with it then but soooo much more confident now.

After the ride getting back safe and sound we had lunch by the pool with Doug--the Boss-grilling the burgers and when fully loaded were awesome---see getting to sound like one now too. Below are two photos of both Doug and his wife Linda---sorry but better and more flattering  photos to come-- they are an amazing couple with incredible energy and drive.

So in the afternoon we went for the Sporting events.

First though I want to say that when coming to these parts of America -- and bearing in mind that we have been living for the most part of the past 2 weeks at anywhere between 5,000 and 11,000 feet -- you need to be aware that there is the likelihood that there will be times when you get a little breathless, due to the altitude and you need to be prepared for that.
I am very grateful to the Nurse from our local Doctors Clinic who has advised me about the respiratory issues since I quit smoking over 12 years ago and just to help out this visit I have used for the first time an inhaler, and I must say it has helped me---the ranch here is at 9000 feet.

So back to the sport and we went down to the meadows for Archery and Trap Shooting and the following are some of the shots--excuse the pun-- of the participants.

Just a word about my pal Rod , who , with a broken wrist on his proffered hand , has taken part in everything so far and done really great, even though sometimes it is clearly uncomfortable.

I am pleased to say that the boys just shaded it in these two sports but you would not want to meet two more competitive women than these two when they are in possession of these weapons---more pictures --better ones from Lynda to follow.

We have had a fair bit of thunder storms around and yesterday there was a lot of rain but just not that much that effected us. But when it rains and you have these places to go back to it is pretty awesome and certainly takes away any chance of depression from the weather.

So that's it from yesterday and we head to the last day today--ride this morning and the boys revenge on the fishing later on.
Not sure of the weather so that may play a part but we are going to try to have a great day.

More later.

It's True --Women Rule Ok

I cannot believe this beaten by the women again, but more of that later.

So yesterday we started the day with a great Mosey ride at the wonderful Rainbow Trout Ranch in not so sunny Colorado.

So first we had orientation and then we were off on our Mosey up into the hills and the Aspen woods
.

 

Here is Ann trying to stop her horse munching--they do like to graze.

 

So we had a great morning ride with the threat of rain most definitely hanging over us but only thunder happened.

 

After lunch we persuaded one of the two fishing experts to take us 4 novices trout fishing and as anyone looking at the photo below , we were falling about when we were getting kitted out.

 

 

Our guide James, reckoned he had never had a group that were falling about getting ready to fish---normally all serious and focused--the only thing we were focused on was that we looked like copies of the telly tubbies and like squirrel nutkins , had stored away all the food for the winter to come.

 

This is James

 

I think we managed to teach him a whole new vocabulary ---like "Rat Bag" and little tickle and a whole lot of expletives that I will not print at a quarter past seven in the morning.

 

Anyway , this thing with the Women Ruling----so remember that the ladies had given Rod and me a right hammering at cards the last couple of goes-- so with the fishing, it was decided that Rod and I would do the Fly fishing and the ladies would use the Reels.

 

The results are below--

 

 

The net result was Ann = 4 trout with a couple that got away Lynda 2 trout with at least a couple that got away--- Rod = 0 , Philip = 0.

Totally embarrassed that we let the guy's down so badly but for sure the Women Rule.

The end result  was however not s bad as the ladies let Rod and I share in this--

 

 

We had great company over dinner with Jane and David Van Berkum, the owners (well there is Doug and Linda, but David is their Some who runs the Riding with his wife Jane), and it is great to get an insight into what their lives are like in such a beautiful summer environment which can be pretty harsh in the winter, unless they have skis for the horses.

So after a great dinner of trout and turkey with the rail hammering down and with the four of us completely wacked out , the guys got a little retribution by winning the cards although I think everyone was exhausted after a great day and so it was off to bed-- AT 9PM , would you believe.

 

Looking for another ride this morning and some shooting later in the day -- not sure what they have lined up for us to shoot yet --and apparently a candlelight dinner tonight.

 

We are praying for a little sun so that we can at least get by the pool for a couple of hours this afternoon but either way I am sure we shall have fun. :-)

Happy Trails.

Home Homeon the Range

Well we are here on Rainbow Trout ranch but first as you folks can see I am writing the blog and I need to just mention that as I am on a new computer this would not have been possible without that whirling dervish of a wife of mine who got up yesterday , procured an address of a decent computer supplier and dragged my sorry ass, down there by 9AM .

So by !0 too 10 I had a computer purchased and it was being set-up by the store folk--not quite sure that they had ever had people demanding that the set-up be done in 2 hours rather than 24, but they managed it.

We left Colorado Springs around 12 noon and headed to the Royal Gorge outside Cannon City but unfortunately the closest we could get was in the picture below due to a fire that devastated the area.

For those who like trivia , the royal gorge bridge has the title of the tallest suspension bridge in the world---I don't know how many feet from the bridge to the bottom of the gorge--look it up yourself.

So from there we drove to Saldeda and then all the way down the 285 to Antonito--we did stop at the General store below for aburger and met some friendly locals.

Anyway we left there and found our way to RTR by around 6pm just in time for dinner. Below are just a couple of photo of  the Country singer who entertained us.

More photos to follow--especially with first ride today.

Oh and we had to evict a critter from the room last night when we got back there around 10-- Lynda and me running around in our night attire trying to shoo out a Bat from the cabin---still I am reliably informed that that is the reason there were no Mosquitos--he got them all.

Happy Trails.