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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, October l'3, 2004 - Page 16 The Colorado trail by Doris Valle I was very re- impressed cently when heard the story of the Cortez Grandmothers who had hiked the entire distance of the Colorado Trail, from Denver to Durango. A 500 mile journey across eight mountain ranges, seven national forests, six wilderness areas and five river systems. Most of the trail is very high, I above 10,000 feet. Many areas are above the tree line and over 12,000 feet. The highest point is 13,334 feet. The grandmothers who were brave enough to accept the challenge of the Trail were Joyce Stevenson and Ruth Ann English. When I listened to Stevenson narrate their story I kept thinking what a wonderful adventure it would be to don my hiking boots and walk along the Trail. However, on second thought -- 1 quail when I consider all those days walking and walking and walking, all those nights in a tent in a sleeping bag, often with rain going pitter patter atop the tent. True, the nature lovers who originally conceived the idea of the Colorado Trail and formed a Foundation were aware that there were wimps like me who would longingly consider the trek and say, Thanks but no thanks. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The Trail is so planned that anyone could probably do it. Anyone but me. The grandmothers who were brave enough to take on the extended hike did not have to carry a six week supply of food little pillow. And my deodorant. Although showers are not available on the Trail (except for the cold rain showers), the hiker can opt for overnight stays in small towns easily accessible ' from the Trail. Breckinridge and Golden are two of the favorite oasis stops. Wearing the same hiking shirt five days in a row is possible but few women are into living in the same unwashed garments for 45 days. Any hiker can testify that the amount of water necessary for an extended trek is a major issue. According to Stevenson, the grandmothers used iodine tablets to purify creek water. Since the result of the iodine tablet was an unappetizing brown liquid, they added another tablet to counteract the effect of the first. Stevenson estimated that each woman needed about one and a half gallons of water a day. Each morning they filled canteens with the treated water fortified by a powdered energy substance and they were supposed to consume the contents before lunch. At lunch the canteens were refilled. Since their food was dehydrated, water was needed when it was time to cook dinner, water to pour in the pot along with the evenings planned menu. I got excited listening to Joyce Stevensons talk. Maybe Im not a complete wimp. But maybe I am. Anyway, Im a refrigerator. tastes I like food that like food. seem to have misplaced my spirit of adventure. I Gaylen Schaugaard and Paul Barr obviously had good luck during a recent hunting trip. So good, in fact, that their stories all winter about the hunt may mostly be true. Courtesy photo .O 00 MO AB - make me feel old. But maybe even I could consider the Supported Trek plan offered by the S I LA SAL & MONTICELLO .BOARDING (435) care now kVAlLABL ,YW 686-259- 1 EMAIL: crafjachotmail.com BARRETTf&lPEGGYijACKSONXCERTrFIEDXCROOMERS am committed to working for the future of San Juan County. This is where my heart is. Please vote Bruce Adams, San Juan County Commissioner (R) Qualifications .Lr-l- ii San Juan County Resident for 53 Years Graduate of BYU with Elementary Education Degree Graduate USU with Masters Degree in Psychology Retired School Teacher in San Juan School District San Juan Education President Monticello City Council for One Term Chairman of Monticello Economic Development Committee Chairman of San Juan County Public Land Council Chairman of San Juan County Recreation Committee - $173.00 10.00 $163.00 CASH DISCOUNT 5 Cash discount Final Ton Price 8.15 $154.85 Platform Water Development in the County is my Major Objective y Maintain our 7 Claims on Roads Economic Development with Mineral and Wind Power Health Care - Support for our county hospital and other county facilities is vital Support the Spanish Valley Service District Agriculture is vital to our way of life. I will work to represent agricultural issues Native American issues to work for: Maintain roads and keep them open Continue support for senior citizens programs Visitors Center in Monument Valley -Visitors Center at Four Corners Right-of-Wa- -- JXOZlTS 260-104- 3 SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSIONER Trail Foundation. Someone else plans the menus, cooks the food, and worries about Regular priceton 5 prebook discount n fcV (435) ELECT that being called great grandmother might feelings Ready Fuel ve Pell r ploring I got lost so many times that I lost count. Could I get lost on a supported trek? Probably I could. I can get lost in a shopping mall. I wear two compasses on a leather thong around my neck at all times when I get out of my car and plan to walk more than 10 feet away from it. And I still get lost. I love being outdoors. However, I really like a nice hot shower after Ive hiked all day. Im extremely fond of my bed, with three big fluffy pillows, and a nice warm blanket. I enjoy rain storms, especially if they produce a lot of thunder and lightning. But I like them best when Im inside looking out. I like the nice clear water that pours over the ice cubes in my glass when I push the little lever on the door of my stage. They didnt consider my to panic messages like Englishs request, Bring my .- lost five times (the longest stretch was two hours), which I felt was pretty good... In my years of hiking and ex- keeps writing and inconsiderate grandchildren have moved me into the great grandmother were mind boggling, their husbands were a loyal support system, meeting the women at specified intervals to pick up empties and replace them with full food packages. The system also responded mr dous Colorado Trail... I only got little past the grandmother stage. The moving finger and water. Although the myriad details of planning itr-mr- finding provisions and handling logistics for five days of back country hiking. However, I pause at a page of the Trail Newsletter on which a guy named Steve Staley writes: If you think youre lost youre probably lost! That was the principal navigation lesson learned this past summer on my solo Denver to Durango trek of our stupen- Open Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to6:oo p.m. Saturdays 8:oo a.m. toioo p.m. CARHART FEED & SEED 281 N. Guyrene Dove Creek 677-223- 3 e number is For our Utah customers, our toll-fre- -- -- RS-247- |