For example, if your back yard has to be dug up (almost completely) to repair ancient gas lines that were leaking, it's not as traumatic if you have no grass to worry about:
However, for the most part, I'd just as soon the rivers around here were as full of the wet stuff as the Arkansas near Salida.
They had a lot of late snow in the watershed, and the mountains have seen a lot of rain this summer. So the river was running very, very nicely when we were finally able to take time off from our chores and float a raft on a short stretch of this lovely stream.
Our last full day in Colorado. Finally, some recreation!
the river level was high enough that we felt safer in dorky helmets...
We even had special guests to accompany us. Sally and her friend were able to escape triple-digit Austin for a few days and their visit overlapped with us just long enough for the float.
The excursion began in downtown Salida, at their nifty boat ramp, where some crazy folks were surfing and play-boating in the water features there. Then we headed downstream for a few miles, on a stretch of the river that I had never ridden. (Henry had used it cataraft-rowing lessons before prior to our first Rio Chama trip.)
There aren't any major rapids along the stretch but we did have some excitement when our steersman lost concentration at just the wrong moment and we ended up in a veritable rock garden. However, said steersman was able to guide us off the rocks and through passages I would have sworn were too narrow for our behemoth raft (nickname: Battlestar).
Here he is resting from this labor:
Despite the full-ish flow of the river, we still had to do lots of paddling and were happy to see the Rincon takeout ramp. This is one of several fantastic little park/campgrounds in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, provided by the State of Colorado. Besides the launch ramp and camping spots, there are restrooms and a nice roomy changing area.
Very welcome for getting out of wet river clothes and becoming presentable enough to hit Amica's in Salida for one of their yummy and beautiful salads (see mine on the right). Very well-deserved and much needed, to replenish nutrients spent paddling. And enjoying views like this:
Yep, the views and the water levels are features that our poor little rivers in Texas, practically running completely dry by now, would kill for.
We're just lucky to have had a least a little time to enjoy the water, the views, and the cool air before heading back to 100+ and bone-dry yards.
6 comments:
August has been dry for us, Kath, and we are still on water restrictions, have been since June. Here's to a wet winter!
People in Salida were complaining about a lack of rain, too. I think it was just up in the mountains where they got a lot.
Definitely, let's hope for a wet winter! We're about to go to stage 3 restrictions, which we've never had to do before...and everything already looks pretty dry and sad 8-(
1-The shot of food makes me want to hop in the car and dash to Salida just to go to Amicas!
2-I had no idea you had to have such work done in your back yard. Hope all will be repaired quickly!
Yes, we got home to discover our gas had been cut off. A neighbor smelled something and called it in. Got it turned back on Friday.
Fortunately, cool showers have felt good.
I love joining you on your outdoor adventures! The views are just beautiful and I quite like the look of your salad!!
Amica's salads taste wonderful and they do "present" them very nicely as well!
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