Climbing Waterfalls and Jumping off Cliffs

I cannot turn back now. I have begun the life of an adventure enthusiast and it has quickly become my passion. From now on, I will climb as many mountains as possible, explore as many canyons as the land offers, and participate in all extreme sports currently invented.
This past weekend was an excellent start to this new goal. Laura accompanied me, once again, for some exploration and fun. On Sunday, we joined a group hike into the Seven Castles Waterfall. This hike is located on Basalt Mountain in a protected parcel of land. The only way to access the canyon and waterfall is through private land that requires a permit. Therefore, with about ten other people, we journeyed into what is known as a gateway of the Utah Redrock Desert. From the Roaring Fork Valley, seven gigantic sandstone towers rise from the mountains. A small canyon is formed in between each structure. Our hike led through one of those canyons. A small creek- at this point in the season, only a few inches deep- wound it's way through the canyon. The walls are 100 feet high, attesting to the strength the creek must have once held. The red sandstone was soft and sparkled in the sunlight. We followed the trail about 2 miles into the canyon; at times, it was only 3 feet wide. Finally, we emerged into a basin with a large waterfall running smoothly down the rocks. With the aid of ropes, the few adventurous ones in the group, climbed to the top of the waterfall. From there, we climbed up 3 more waterfalls before reaching the end of the canyon. It ends in a large circular arena, carved out by the water of a 100 foot waterfall. The water pours over the edge of the canyon walls; a truly magnificent spot.
Laura and I lingered here longer than the others, appreciating the steady roar of the water as well as the peace of the canyon. We were eventually forced to leave, however, as a small rock slide started on the edge of the canyon. As we hastened down the stream, we looked over our shoulders to see if anyone was stalking us from the canyon rim. It could have been a chipmunk that started the slide, but then again, it could have been a mountain lion. We were certain it was a mountain lion.
It took some time to rappel back down the slippery waterfalls, but we made sure to take advantage of the cool water. Out of the entire group, I believe Laura and I were the only ones that came out soaking wet. I suppose that's what happens when you stand in a waterfall. The Seven Castles hike is such a wonderful place because it is so secret and private. I will certainly be returning to ski and dogsled the canyon.

After the excitement of the waterfall canyon, it was unlikely that we could have an even better day...but we did. Yesterday was a thrill. Ever since seeing the paragliders on Red Mountain about a month ago, Laura and I have been planning on going. We set the date and started working up some courage. Yesterday morning, we were all set to go, except for the sudden rain storm. It never rains in Colorado in the morning, unless apparently we're planning on flying. The guides suggested we cancel, but we were determined to see it through. Thankfully, about half an hour before our flight time, the skies opened up to a beautiful sunny day. The wind picked up, making it perfect for paragliding and the guides instantly got everything set up. I didn't even have time to think from arriving at the launch site to jumping off of the cliff. We were strapped into a harness, clipped into the parachute, and told to start running. The parachute pulled me backwards as I ran, but then we were swept forward, off the edge of the cliff and into thin air.
The wind current swept us over the ridgeline, high above the pine trees and hiking trails I had come to know so well. My guide was very informative, explaining the technicalities of paragliding and how he got started in the sport. For 20 minutes, Laura and I floated hundreds of feet in the air. The entire Roaring Fork Valley to Mount Sopris was open below us. Slowly, we began edging out of the current to begin our descent. When we arrived directly over town, we had an option: a slow, lazy descent or a roller coaster ride. Definitely, always choose the roller coaster ride. By shifting our weight and taking sharp turns, we were able to go into a corkscrew. At times, we were parallel to the earth and I even went upside down a few times. Even the most exciting roller coaster in the world cannot compare to the thrill of flying upside down with only a parachute attached. After that, gravity pulled us towards land. With a running start while still in the air, we thudded to the ground.
I could have flown for hours and never tired. The cool wind and bright sun were the only things that mattered during the flight. Jumping off of a cliff is one of the most peaceful things I have ever done. This will certainly not be a one time thing in my life....they may even be willing to train me as a guide next summer.
I'll have to take a little break from adventuring, as I am returning to VT for a few days. I'll just have to convince some of my friends from back east to come out here and experience the wonders of Colorado.

All Puppies Have to Grow Up Someday

Big day at the kennel today...the puppies joined the big dogs.
This morning, Bill and I spent about an hour fixing up houses and chains, collaring puppies, and introducing them to their new homes. I quickly found out that I have been spoiling them rotten. Every morning and evening, I have let them run for a few hours. They have had free reign around the dog yard, the house, and the fields. No longer.
Putting the collars on them was difficult enough. They rolled in the dirt and jumped around trying to get them off. however, I thought they looked quite dashing in the bright colors. Next, we attempted to lead them on a leash. They liked that even less. After being able to run free, the leash seemed very restricting. Finally, we introduced each pup to their individual area. It was hard watching them struggle with this new idea. Bill reassured me that it will take a few days, but they will come to like it as the other dogs do.
Throughout the day, Pismo or Apollo would start up howling. I found them all this evening, laying low to the ground and whimpering. My poor puppies; if I could have them live in my house all the time, I would (but they would pee on my carpet).
It will be interesting to see how they adjust over the next few days. I'm sure there will be some crying, on both my part and the puppies, but I have to let them grow up. Soon I'll be training them...even better.

Morning Run

For the past few weeks, I have been running every morning before I take care of the dogs. I usually wake up at 6:45 and head out down the dirt road. At this time of morning, the sun has not yet crept up over the opposite ridge line, so the valley is cold and quiet. As the sun begins to show, more blue birds fly above and chipmunks scamper across my path. I am barely ever disturbed by a car and, even then, they pass with a friendly wave. The dirt road underfoot is forgiving, although the many potholes require extra attention.
The only downfall is the unsufferable uphill climb. For the first mile, it is beautiful downhill; but as soon as I turn around, I have to climb several hundred feet in elevation.
I have never really enjoyed running, but this is a necessary addition to my life. Not only do I want to look good at my friend's upcoming wedding, but training will inevitably start in a few weeks. As soon as this hits, I will be running up and down hills to harness dogs and push the sled. If I can't keep up with the dogs, I'll be left in the dust. Hence, training for me has started in earnest. I'm hoping to possibly take the puppies out with me tomorrow morning. They're becoming more adventurous and are always curious about my morning jog. I wasn't responsible for the dogs today, so when I came back, they were waiting for me about halfway down the driveway. All five, lined up across the path, with tails wagging and tongues rolling out of their mouths. I was just as excited to see them as they were to see me.
The morning run also gives me an opportunity to enjoy my surroundings. I am constantly amazed at the beauty of my little valley. The sage brush dots the red hills and Mt. Sopris continues to dominate the skyline. At one point this morning, I was actually listening to 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole when several bluebirds flew right in front of me. Having the sun rise over the hills while blue birds fly overhead and the dirt crunches underfoot is an invigorating start to the morning.

Another beautiful day in Glenwood Springs. I have a day off from work, so I am enjoying the sun and getting some much needed errands out of the way.
The dogs are doing well; I'm sure they'll be excited when Bill gets back from Alaska tomorrow. He has spent the past week up north taking care of some logistical issues for the race. He has to get the food ready, bring all the gear up, sign all the paperwork, etc etc. I usually hate people that dress their dogs up, but I'm not going to lie....my dogs look stellar in their booties and down jackets. They instantly got excited when I brought out the jackets and harnesses. They know  this means cold weather is coming and with it, running.
I said in my previous post that I have been feeding them more. I figured out the other day that I am going through about 36 pounds of dog food a day. That's around one pound for each dog plus another 4 for the puppies. Their different reactions to breakfast always makes me laugh. Pinks does this little dance that involves a sideways shuffle. Osiris will stand on his hind legs and bark for the solid ten minutes it takes me to get to him. Attla sits next to his dish and licks his lips at least 5 times. And then there's everyone else who basically just run in circles until I get to them.
I can't wait to start running them....they'll be even more excited by that. But that journey doesn't begin until after I get back from VT.
Until then, I'll keep working, playing, and having adventures. Not a rough life.

Lo feeding the pups

   

Cantaloupe

Fun fact: sled dogs like cantaloupe. Well, actually, the like to eat the rind of a cantaloupe. For the past few days, I've been eating the melons for breakfast and lunch (they're delicious out here) and cutting up the rinds. As soon as the dogs get a whiff of the stuff, they go nuts. It is the perfect deal; I eat what I want, they eat what they want.
At first, the puppies didn't get it. I handed them a piece, but they would just sniff at it and turn away. However, as soon as an older dog showed enthusiasm for the fruit, the puppies instantly got excited. They learn their habits from the older, wiser dogs. I hope they don't learn too many habits though, because a few of the big dogs almost took my hand off for that little piece of melon. Thankfully, I was wearing my work gloves; without those, the bruise on my thumb would be a lot worse. Sled dogs aren't necessarily trained etiquette or manners. The dogs do not daintily take the melon from my fingers. If I was holding it in the palm of my hand, they were more likely to take my whole hand in their mouth than to grab the melon in their teeth. Some people would be mad that a dog is attempting to bite them, but I know that they're just after the fruit, not me. It didn't really hurt, just made me smile to see their happiness.
Another trick in my back pocket....cantaloupe for sled dogs.

Loose Dogs

When I first arrived at the kennel, Bill told me that maybe 2 or 3 times a year a dog will get loose. A rare occurrence.
Since I have been here (almost 2 months now), five dogs have gotten loose. Luma's chain broke; she didn't even realize it until I came to feed her and nothing was holding her back from jumping on me. We were both surprised by that one. Kobuk's stake came out of the ground. I found him in the upper dog yard socializing with Fury, who he is now staked next to. Colfax is usually attached to a 5 foot pole. Somehow, beyond my understanding, he jumped so high that his chain slipped right off of the top. When I put him back on his pole, I thought to myself, 'there is no way that he can manage to do that again'. Wrong. He did it the next morning where I found him jumping around with Jumper. Chena, the puppies' mom, also broke her chain. I found her at the puppy pen, staring at her kids. Finally, last night, Qjoa (pronounced Jo-a)broke loose. Her chain snapped right down the middle. She only made to Pinks, the next dog over, before I got her.
It has gotten to the point where I can hear a different tone in the barks when a dog is loose. It is not the same bark that announces food is arriving, nor is it the same bark to welcome the moon; it is a frantic, "come visit me!", bark. Thankfully, it has only happened when I am at home and can hear them going crazy.
It can be a serious problem if they are loose for an extended period of time. Bill often says that they'll either fight or mate. The females are more prone to fighting. If something happened a year ago to piss them off, they'll remember it and go after that other dog. However, the males are more interested in love....I always found that funny.
Since I apparently have a curse, I have decided to take a preemptive strike and fix all of the chains tonight. Hopefully that'll help...

Betrayal

For the past few days, Bill and I have begun discussing training. We have had to hold off because of the extreme heat here. It has been a consistent 90 degrees throughout July and August. With this type of weather, it is better just to leave the dogs alone so that they don't get all worked up and overheated. We'll most likely start training when I get back from Vermont in mid-September. I am so excited to get those dogs out running.
To prepare for this, I have started feeding them a little extra each morning. They need to build up muscle and fat since they'll be burning it like crazy in a month. At that point, we'll have to start feeding them twice a day, as much as they can shovel down. Right now, there are 3 or 4 dogs that just need a little extra food because they're crazy. Take Oly for instance: Oly enjoys running 24/7 with a Kong toy in his mouth, Oly does not stop. Since he is excessively hyper, he tends to burn more calories and always needs more food. As a consequence, I have begun feeding him, along with Spit, Ahab, and Lynx, a little extra food at night, so as not to upset their stomachs with so much food in the morning.
Unfortunately, all 37 dogs recognize the kibble bucket. They jump in anticipation as I walk into their areas with the food and stare dejectedly as I walk away. Their faces are awash in the utter betrayal. How could I dare to give their neighbors food but not them? I try telling them that I don't have a choice and that they're going to get fat, but they are too hurt to listen.

Ares and Niva

The betrayal obviously ends the next morning when I arrive with the food once again. It is a constant cycle with these dogs. It's just a good thing that a quick scratch behind the ears can placate them...