Alright, alright – I promised to make an attempt at updating on some of the things I’ve been up to since returning to Canyonlands, so here goes my best abbreviated attempt. Continue reading “Canyonlands Adventures”
Author: Mariana
I like to keep moving.
Spring & Summer 2011
Well, I finished my season at Mesa Verde 11 days ago now, and moved back to Canyonlands that night. Since then I have been doing a lot of adventuring, some of which I hope to have the time to write about here. But between very limited internet access and being totally overwhelmed with preparations for the Camino, I’m afraid I’ll probably have to skip a few.
In any case, continuing with my tradition of photos set to music at the end of a season, here is my spring and summer for your enjoyment:
Camino Incentives
It was the day after Thanksgiving that I moved to Colorado last year. I rode the Colorado Mountain Express from Denver International Airport to the Frisco Transportation Center that evening, full of excitement for the big move and my first season as a ski instructor. On the CME with me was a jovial driver who had spent the off-season walking the Camino de Santiago, and a member of the U.S. paralympic ski team. The man was in a wheelchair, but needed no help loading his luggage in the van, or climbing into the front seat. He was an athlete in every way, and had done more amazing things in his lifetime than I could even dream about. But when our driver started speaking of his time on the Camino, the man grew silent. The driver and I spent the better part of the drive in an animated discussion about the trip, and it wasn’t until the twinkling lights of Summit County came into view that the man spoke again. Continue reading “Camino Incentives”
Monsoon Season Pt 2
Well folks, it seems I just about successfully lived through my second monsoon season out here in the desert (read about my first one here). While last year I mourned the lost of the dry, warm summer – this year the rains couldn’t come soon enough! You see, my job at Canyonlands last year required only a few hours a day in the outdoors. And when I was outside I was permitted to wear shorts. For some reason or other our supervisors here at Mesa Verde have forbidden us the luxury of cropped trousers, so we are made to suffer through the heat in our full length, wool (yes, wool) pants. Combine this silly rule with only 30 minutes or so a day of air conditioning (if you’re lucky) and pretty much non-stop strenuous activity and you get for some very smelly and sweaty rangers. I’ll give a tour in the pouring rain any day over one of Cliff Palace in the afternoon sun. Continue reading “Monsoon Season Pt 2”
A Long Overdue Photo Post
My neighbor/coworker/bestie here at Mesa Verde is a great photographer with a great camera. Because of this likely combination she took lots of awesome pictures over the course of our 2-week training this past May. For a very long time now I have been thinking I should post them here. The time has come! Continue reading “A Long Overdue Photo Post”
San Juan River Adventure
8/13/11
A few weeks ago Austin’s mom ran into an old friend. This friend in particular happened to be spending his time these days as a guide on the San Juan River. Shortly after their meeting a commercial trip he was scheduled to work fell through. This family friend then had the idea to use the permit still reserved for the cancelled trip for him and a few friends. Having just recently reunited with my boyfriend’s mother, he decided to invite her and her husband along. They invited Austin and me. That is how this trip came to fruition. Continue reading “San Juan River Adventure”
Starlight, Star Bright Pt 2
Since moving out west, I have learned the true meaning of a starry night (see my older post on stars here). These days, I have the advantage of living at the bottom of a high-placed canyon (elevation of about 8000 ft), and a large window with a bed pushed right up to it. This wasn’t actually my choice, as that’s where the bed was sitting when I arrived and the frame was so old and rickety I couldn’t move it, but an advantage to this is a pretty incredible view of the sky as I fall asleep. Continue reading “Starlight, Star Bright Pt 2”
Little Bird, Little Bird
8/5/11
Weeks ago, sometime in June, I found myself on a 1-hour rove of Step House – and engaged in a brutal war. It was the height of gnat season, and I was under attack. I performed my gnat dance with bravery and diligence, waving my hands in the air as I alternated spinning around and running in circles. But resistance was futile. As I nursed my many wounds that evening, it was clear the gnats had won. Continue reading “Little Bird, Little Bird”
Backyard
Yum Yum Thistle
Currently, the park is covered in a non-native species called canada thistle. If you’ve never seen them before they are quite alien looking:
Every time I look at them I think of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, and his love for the tasty purple bud.
Sometimes I have to resist the urge to take a chomp.
marianaonthemove.com 