I thought I had been going through a sort of death and rebirth over the past few years.  Going back through this blog its  apparent the struggle of birth with all its discomfort, and like a baby, I just don’t want to look back upon it anymore.  I have some ideas for the future. Ive thought a lot about just writing snippets on gratitude, or short notes on moving forward, something positive or rewarding. Just doesn’t feel right in this venue. Too many memories on this blog of how I got here.

So…

I’m mulling over the idea of a new blog to commemorate not just having been reborn, but more importantly that I’m living my new life and about to  take off and soar.

I have a new dog, a standard chocolate poodle named Persia.  She is a delightful upbeat addition to my life.  I’m already learning so much from her.  She’s the best company ever!

I’m very close to owning my canoe, only a few more payments, and Persia and I will be out on the water this summer.  Finally!  Somewhere back in this blog I discuss what being out on water would mean to me.  Well I’m almost there(!), and I have the greatest companion ever  in Persia to share it with.

A beautiful Spanish mustang mare is coming to live with me in a few months, Her name is MP Cinnamon Spice.

She is a bay daughter of Ghost Warrior,  and out of Sequoya’s Creek Shawnee.  I wont be owning Cinnamon, at least not up front. I will be leasing her for two years with a goal of training her and getting a foal from her.  With the decision to lease Cinnamon, my life feels alive and full again.

Some crucial realizations have come to me the past few months.  For one, I am unable to walk away from my horse passion. Its just what makes me tick.  My desires have not changed.  Ive tried to open my heart, mind and soul to other possibilities, but they wain and pale to the machine that drives my love of horses.  Among those realizations I’ve been having are, I want a place with pasture, an age old dream, and  that I love genetics.  I love at least the dream of breeding horses. I’m going to breed I think. Maybe not on any real kind of scale, but I have ideas and direction again. Also my eyes have been opened to coverups, lies and unspoken suspicions.  I wont be fooled so easily again.  Mistakes made were made at a price I refuse to pay again. I will learn from them and turn them into positive guidelines for a successful future.

Its scary to try this again.  But I’m up for it!

So I’ll leave The Pony Expression for now as it is. Wow, that conjured up some emotion.

See ya around.  Hopefully you come along on my next journey and share in the exhilaration of it with me. You’ll have to come along if you want to know what the rest of the story is…. 

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Disclaimer:  first off, this is the first time I’ve ever been over the Alpine Loop of Silverton Colorado.

Heather, Malcolm and I were taking the day off to adventure to Lake City for lunch and back via the 4 wheel drive  mountain pass road called the Alpine Loop which includes Cinnamon Pass and Engineer Pass. There was way too much information to take in about the hot spots along the 4 wheel road journey.  I have tried to remember most of it and validate names and locations, however I may have them out of order.

The idea is to take all of you on this trip with us so that you may enjoy it as we did.  Malcolm was born in Durango and raised in Silverton his whole life. He and his parents have been on almost every inch of the alpine peaks of the San Juan mountains that surround Silverton.  His family owned a jeeping excursion  company for years.  He was an impeccable guide.  Heather has learned much as well  in her ten years in Silverton and gave her own version  and flavor to the trip.

This trip begins at 10:30 am today June 24th, 2011, and ended at 6:30pm. Most of the photographs were taken while the jeep was moving. In other words we were bumping and swaying and lurching along.  Many photos were taken so that you may sit in the back seat with me and experience what I experienced as if you had taken the trip yourself.  This means that there may be reflections in the windows, possibly some blurriness, etc.  Most of the pics are just as the camera took them as there is hardly a place where the panorama isn’t just perfect as captured.

This is a photo heavy post.  I hope you enjoy taking this journey with me,  with Malcolm and Heather as our guides.

Leaving Silverton our first stop was Eureka where the original jail house still stands.  There were once around 500 hundred residents at this thriving mining  now ghost town. That’s the size of Silverton’s now year round residents.

Malcolm and Heather giving us the villain look from inside the old jail.

We passed a couple old mines along the way to Animas Forks, the ghost town that marks the spot where we start up into the passes.

Also along the way Mal and Heather pointed out two cabins that folks currently live in during the winters.  They ski up to them. Check this picture out – can you find the cabins?

Okay  I know not fair, try this cropped version of the same photo.

Now do you see them?  Okay I’ll make a closer cropped version of the same photo.

About now? Yes one is on the far right and the other is up in the saddle on the far left.  The left one looks like a rock almost with a smaller out building  just to its left almost dead center in the saddle.  Now go back and check out the first pic. That’s WAY up there!

After  the mines, cabins, jail houses, and Animas Forks

Animas Forks – this photo was actually taken on our way back down on the way home.  On the way up we drove right through the ghost town but my photos didn’t turn out.  On the way back Malcolm and Heather were discussing the Walsh House. Mr. Walsh who bought the home was the last private owner of the Hope Diamond which he purchased for his daughters birthday present.  Now how’s that for history?  All the way out in the vast primitive mountains of Colorado.  If you look to the middle/right of the photo you will see a building by the road.  Here it is cropped out.

Yep that’s the Walsh House of Animas Forks Colorado.  Amazing!

So then off we go up Cinnamon Pass toward Lake City.  Along the way we spied…

…tundra, flowers, snow and a pool. Then as we managed to traverse to the top of Cinnamon we spied apline tundra and stopped to read the sign that tells about it.

Then more tundra…

…and the top of Cinnamon.

That’s 12, 640 ft!

As  we head down we get a beautiful view of American Basin.

As we drove down into Lake City the terrain changed completely. But before that happened we came to a place called Burrows Park which was renamed White Cross for a strain of white quartz that was found in its natural state forming a cross.  The town had a population of around 300 people, with a post office, blacksmith, and other town necessities.  What you see is what’s left…

A beautiful waterfall running down the mountain face and under the snow.  There are no buildings left in White Cross.

Next we came upon a doe who had no worries in the world as she stood there eating grass until we honked our horn to get her to look up so that I could take her smiling picture.

Before we get to Lake City we pass by the lake (San Cristobal) that the community was named for.

This is tiny section of this huge lake.  If you look real close you can see two kayaks  just at the left edge of the photo. One is red and the other is yellow.

Next stop Lake City and the best calazone’s ever!!

We found a building here that reminded me much of the building I live in, the Benson Hotel.  It’s apparent the architecture that was appreciated in the days these building were built.

After a nice lunch, we were off toward Engineer Pass and the second part of our day long Alpine Loop.  But first he drove through some beautiful  rock outcroppings.

After which Malcolm and I hiked down a short steep path to take a picture of  this water fall that comes out of the side of a mountain.

I cant remember if this was before after the waterfall, but we also stopped to view this rushing river.

Exquisite, yes?

And up we go…

Soon we were seeing sights such as this.  Water running under the snow and then looking up on the other side of the jeep we see this.

Mind boggling  don’t you think.  But wait… we haven’t seen anything yet.  Everything so far as just been a teaser.

Next we come to White Death a mine that was re-named after its demise. Destroyed by Avalanche. This actually may have been before the last pics.. But it doesn’t matter, it’s all breathtaking and awe inspiring.  If Mal were here or even Heather they’d be correcting me for accuracy and chastising me for messing some minute thing up.  They should be tour guides.

Ummm… we start climbing, and if you look through Mal’s jeeps sun roof, you see we are just a spec on this mountain with snow towering over us.  This is late June and this is still a lot of snow for this time of year.

This was my/our view.

This is just before we reached Engineer Pass’s summit.  You think that’s it huh… nope.

Then we received a treat from Mother Earth.  The top of the world. Hold on  to your horses folks, she is breathtaking.

Way over there……….  is Utah!

Heather and Mal at the lookout at Engineer Pass.

The lookout at Engineer pass. No words…

Then back down we go… What more snow?

After a long  bumpy drive down Engineer we find ourselves back at Animas Forks and then past there the beautiful valley that marks home is near.

On the way home we ran across this little guy…  Can you see the marmot?

How about now?

Cute little guy… most locals distaste these critters because they crawl into your cars if you leave parked to hike and chew your wiring.  So there is a feud going on between marmots and man. I’d say from the marmot population that they are winning.
With that we say this was one fabulous day. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

 

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Two years ago when I moved to Silverton Colorado I planned on buying myself a canoe.  I had visions of  spending many lazy days out on the pristine lakes that we are so lucky to have surrounding us here in the San Juan Mountains.  Then I got caught up with work, then laying low for winter, then the horse thing, then paying off debts… My fishing suffered as did my dream of being out on the water in  my very own canoe or kayak.

I have spent some time researching angling kayaks, canoes and kayak canoe crossovers.  I have to admit I prefer the crossover version of an angling kayak canoe.  The price though I’m not so hot on.  My first preference would be a two seater…options you know for spending quality time with friends and family.  Again cost and size kinda took that idea out of reach. I have to be able to put this thing on top of my car by myself and my car is a small subaru legacy. Unless I can find a used one, I’m not getting my two seater fishing vessel.

So this was my first compromise  – a solo seater and my favorite  crossover kayak the Commander 120.

Gorgeous yes?!!  Her specs are 12′L, 30.25W  with a capacity of 400 lbs, and she weighs 60 lbs.  Just love the lines of this fishing kayak canoe crossover.  It has lines reminiscent of a canoe with the  mobility of a kayak.  At $1000.00 before shipping I’m thinking this one too is not meant for me.

…sigh.

I’m not to be discouraged though..  Look at what I found!

This is the Ascend FS12T Sit On Top Anglers Kayak.  Her specs are 12′L x 31”W, she weighs 56 lbs with a 350 lb capacity.  The best part is with shipping she will cost under $600.00.  She is not as elegant as the Commander 120, but she is still beautiful in her own right.

So the stage is set.   By end of summer 2011 I will have my fishing vessel.  Since I was young I have always wanted a canary yellow catamaran with a silver sale.  Her name was to be CatSing.  Well CatSing never happened because I traded the dream of her for a life with horses.

I’m thinking my kayak will be named CatSing in honor of my happiness, renewing  old dreams, and living new dreams. Susan Catt singing in the breeze and maybe not sailing the sea…  maybe just paddling across a serene lake in Southwest Colorado…

CatSing…

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You may remember Tim Black a long time Silverton Colorado resident and violin maker from an earlier post “Silverton Music Magic Maker“, about “Baby” the child sized violin that he built for a young girl who is growing up in our town.    Well Tim has not been slacking this winter, instead he’s been chasing a dream and a vision for Silverton’s school children.  He wanted to donate one of his creations so that children attending school here would have  opportunity to experience a classical journey through music.  He conceived an idea to build a cello. He had never built one before, and began the journey with little financial support in the beginning, but little by little the town rallied and thus a dream was born.

 

The Dreamer

 

CREATING A FIRST CELLO

By: Tim Black (Guest Author)

I made a mold from the cello I restored back in 2008.

(Origins)

Some modification was required to make the mold conform with standard measurements.

(The Mold)

The construction of this cello was a community effort. My labor and skill was a gift. It was also a gift to me: an opportunity to build a first cello.

(Beggars)

As contributions arrived I collected materials. Venture Snowboards (another artisan presence in Silverton, Colorado) donated a piece of poplar laminate for the back of the cello. The hardwood set that goes into a cello is the biggest investment. Ventures gift freed funds for other purchases.

(Collected Parts)

Completing the form work was the first step. I had thinned some poplar for the sides and created some new tools as I went. Once the form work was complete, I could trace the outline to the plates. I had to get creative in marking the plates for carving because of the limits of my tools. The profiles were marked in the plate halves before they were joined. I had also learned that clamping the glued halves was unnecessary. The glue drew the halves tightly together as it dried.

(Form Work)

This was the first instrument on which  I got to use my new luthiers planes. The edge work and coving was more detailed than previous instruments I had finished with only scrapers.

(Carving)

Assembly required bigger clamps. I was working with larger glueing  surfaces and big pieces to clamp. I had several “clamping rehearsals” to be sure I could place the clamps  fast enough within the working time of the glue.

(Assembly)

(Fitting The Neck)

I was following several currents of thought on finishing when I decided to add oil colors to varnish. The wood was thoroughly sealed and I applied a glaze of yellow ocher. A couple coats of a pumpkin colored glaze muted the bright yellow creating this handsome blonde finish. The result is this fine copy with a number of improvements over the original with a big mellow sound. This cello a gift to Silverton School, should give generations of Silverton children a great start learning to play.

(Pumpkin Glaze)

(Plane)

(Dreams Do Come True)

Tim Black and the Silverton School Cello  A giant contribution to our youth. You make us proud Tim!

 

I’ve heard this instrument sing. I’ve heard it compared to others even its 2008 restored forefather and there is no comparison.  This cello sings deep soulful tunes that carries you away to times and places long forgotten.  An amazing gift to our youth.

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Well today is Sunday and the second and last day of Skijoring in Silverton Colorado.  I started out today at the bottom of the course and worked my way up.  I wanted to catch the staging area and where the trailers and horses were mingling.  My friend Paula had asked me to get some pictures of the rigging’s they use for the horse and skier.  So I spent some time taking pictures for her too, they will follow shortly.

So we begin this journey with the trailers… horses… trailers… horses… lol …if you are an old show buff like me you may really have a thing about trailers and horses at events!  It’s like a candy store.

This is the staging area  where horse, rider and skier await their turn to run the course.

Here ya go Paula. This is one of the ways they tie to the horse. It’s a loop at the end of the rope that is braided back into the rope like the loop end of a lariat.  The skier wraps the other end of the rope around a gloved hand.  I saw three turns on this skiers (not in photo) hand.

Here it is up close…sorry its blurry I couldn’t get too close to some of the horses.

Another way to rig to the horse is by using a spring snap to the ring on the back of your  saddle. I knew there were more ways to use those rings.

Another angle

Then were ready to start the days event with Mark Mackie another Silverton resident, holding up the  start flag.

…and there off!!!

At the announcers  booth above the Bent Elbow Restaurant and Victorian Hotel we have our second day announcer…  sorry I don’t know your name. But I see a bunch of folks up there enjoying the event.

Here goes that a cowboy again on Blackjack – 5 time world champion skijoring horse. One of the fastest horses in the sport.

During a 20 minute break I went to Mother Kluckers restaurant to have lunch and ran into Mitch Gilon. He is one of Heather and Malcolm’s best friends and always warm with hugs.  He is one of the people who made me feel at home here m Silverton, and I think the world of him.

While at Mother Kluckers I had to go back to the kitchen and grab this pic of Kyle (left) and The Dude Man.  Dude Man use to work with me at the Conoco gas station, he is also the highly talented artist that created and did  my tattoo.  I think the world of him and his wife Penny.  Kyle  is one of our volunteer firemen, and he is always getting in my photos.  He and his wife Audrey are also along with Dude Man and Penny the best of friends with Heather and Mal.  These guys and their wives have also made me feel so at home here. And I really appreciate them too.

Below is Mark Garvin in the  green vest. He is the guy that made my room so wonderful to live in. He is also one of my massage clients. Here he is seeing to safety for the event.

One of our EMTs  feeding the crew.. lol well sort of.

OH! Here they are.. Donnie (left), Lee and Tiffany.  The rest of the EMT staff.

Lastly as the day comes to a close we see the last of the riders and skiers making their bid for a healthy purse.  We also gave away a nice leather bridle.

And it comes to a close with a flash and dash of a good horse and talented skier.  Until next year and we make it bigger and better yet.  Thanks for coming everyone and we look forward to having you again next year!

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It turned out to be a fabulous weekend weather wise for our Skijoring event.  Below Pete Maisel the event coordinator and long time resident of Silverton is busying himself with fixing a stop watch malfunction.  So our races got of to a slow start on Saturday.  I spent quite a bunch of time walking around taking pictures of  some of the folks who worked so hard to put this event on.   It’s only right to begin with Pete as he is the mastermind and major planner of the event.

Pete owns the Bent Elbow Restaurant and Victorian Hotel where I usually have my summer outdoor breakfast’s. Here you can see some of the race viewers from inside the Bent Elbow.

While we waited on the stop watches to be figured out I found one of our EMT’s, Tiffany sharing some cheer with April another one of our towns residents.  No really they were wishing I would go away.

Looking down our course. The guys who built this course worked steady for two days maybe longer building the jumps and laying snow. We have had a bad snow year and at one point they thought they may have to go out and gather snow to lay down the street for the horses to get purchase on.  Can you imagine in Silverton having to  bring snow in?  I think we got enough though last week that they had plenty to work with.

The horses wait patiently for the us to get the show on the road..

While we waited I went up to the announcers booth to see  how things looked from up there. I was amazed at the great view of our town!

And our day one announcer giving me the evil eye for taking his picture… sorry

Then we’re off!! Isn’t that a hot horse!!

The skiers were on target. Some hit the snow, but they all made a great show of it!

Another fast horse silhouetted by our colorful town and majestic mountains.

When they reached the last and highest jump the skier had to turn quick to miss the crowd!!

This would be George Foster he owns the Grand Imperial Hotel and here he is helping to watch for safety and helping pick up fallen gates and rings from the course.

Remember the hot cowboy from last years skijoring event?  Well here he is again riding Blackjack the 5 time world champion skijoring horse.

More pictures coming in Part ll

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It is done, I passed my interview with Montanya Distillers,  a micro distillery of  heavenly rum spirits.

(Photos in this collage by Bruce Conrad)

I am stoked.  I would have to categorize Montanya Distillers among the Artisans of Silverton.  The water from our San Juan Mountains and the elevation of our town is in part why the Montanya Rum has such a smooth and delicate flavor. The distillers have combined these and other facets of fine micro distilling to create one of the finest spirits products in the country.

I’ll be on a 3 month trial contract to begin with.  Not a month out from today and I’ll be traveling back to Arizona to establish new clientele and distribution of the fine, elegant and enticing Montanya rum and cocktail experience to elite locations in the state. Will be picking up as many massage jobs while there as well.   This looks like a really good year!.  Thank you Brice and Karen Hoskin of Montanya Distillers for entrusting me this opportunity!  I’ll do my best!

(The Marrakech Martini – This and all of the following photos are by local photographer and Deputy Sheriff, Bruce Conrad)

Some links about Montanya  Distillers that you may enjoy:

1) About Montanya Distillers

(The Siracha Sour)

2) The  Mountains

3) The  Articles

(The Caribbean Rum Punch)

4) An older page with many more Bruce Conrad photos of the Delicious Cocktails

(The Javatini)

Hope you enjoyed a delightful experience while visiting these pages.

My intent is to make this work, to grow in the industry and with this company.  I see my  dreams and passions coming to fruition -  it’s so exciting.

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2011  Here we go!  Let’s make it experiential in the most profound way!

Whether your lust is for horses…

Or dogs! (I know its a commercial – its still exquisite)

Or maybe you lust for the snowboarding dream of a lifetime.

Or possibly, do you lust after creativity?

Or do you lust for that ever illusive adventure hero or heroine?

Or… a beautiful voice.

Or… the stars.

Whatever your lust for life is… Lust for it with all you have! Live life with every thing you have! Make 2011 the most powerful year of your life!

I don’t know who this is… but thank you for honoring Silverton in such a earth heartening way.

For me I’m bringing in the New Year peacefully with Dragon in my cozy room… and…

Not an Arnold fan really, but… ummm… I couldn’t help myself! That’s just hot!

Have fun folks be safe!

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December 30, 2010

Yes we are snowed in today.  I went to the Kendall Mountain Cafe this morning for the best pancakes EVER!  While there I overheard out-of-towners declaring how huge their predicament was. Not being able to leave town, only so much money, so many clothing and no way out of town.  Yep, that’s right the passes are closed!  I heard the howitzer going off this morning shooting avalanches probably to clear the passes.

Yep this is one fine day to be thankful for!  We are snowed in!  I have four massages to give today and that will set me for the weeks income.  Can’t get any better. Good food, warm cozy abode, good work, and as much as it’s a misfortune for the out-of-towners who would love to leave, our town needs you!  We are very happy you are staying.  Thank you Snow God for bringing our little community so much good fortune.  I know oxymoron…  I do feel for the those who are trapped and wish them the  best of luck too.

Below meet Miss Basil she is a small tree that I sprouted from a seed three years ago now.  Her seed was a Christmas gift from a good friend and client in Arizona. She loves her spot by the window and provides many tasty meals with her huge leaves. She also loves being a mommy and has produced several children. I plan to sprout out as many of her kids (this years seeds) as I can very soon for next years Christmas gifts.  I think she gave me over 100 seeds this year.

And here are my merry group of Shamrocks gazing out toward the brightness of the snows reflection.  Most active plants you’ll ever get to know. Very very busy little bees. You can sit for hours and watch them move around in their determined little way.

This is Miss Rosemary after a good trim. She supplied our pre-Christmas party with fresh organic Rosemary dip. She is also my wick monitor and when everyone needs water she lets me know.

Below are a couple interesting no flash shots viewing the snow storm from my window.

And last but not least here are all the Miss Spider Plants.  The one you see the best is one given to me by Heather when I first moved to Silverton but living in the pot with her is my baby.  Baby Spider Girl has been with me for going on five years now and has a ton of babies of her own. She was given to me as a three leaf sprigling. (I know its a Susan word).

I have dug my car out three times in the past two days nothing hard, just keeping it from getting covered as deeply as last year.  We expect 21 inches to fall today.  We’re snowed in and I am soooo thankful for it.

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My baby girl and son-in-law gave me for Christmas my very own powder snowshoes with grips for groomed trails too!!!!  Here I am on top of the snowbank in their yard that was left by last weeks storms. Skirt, tights and all!

Look I’m not sinking!!!  I cant wait to go snowshoeing!

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