Colorado 2011 Catch and Release Hunt

Had a fabulous Elk Hunt for two weeks in Colorado. I got into more Elk than in any of my previous trips. The high (and low) of the trip was calling in a nice size Bull, standing broadside at 30 yrds and then throwing an arrow over his back. The only explanation I can come up with was that I grabbed the 50 yd pin instead of the 30 yrd pin. I later removed the 50 and 60 yd pins from my bow.

Other Highs and Lows

- The next day, being surrounded by 7+ Elk with the heard bull's basting-bugle, echoing throughout the valley as he came my way. Calling didn't bring the heard in but one satellite bull circled way around me and then winded me at 18 yds.

- Another day, stalked another (or the same) group of Elk, that had a bull calling until 11:30AM but the swirling winds did me in.
- Snow at 10k ft

- Camping for 7 days at 10,250 ft. Three trips to the spike camp: 2 days, 3 days and 2 days. I Love that Exped down filled air mattress, slept like a baby.

- 11 Trucks at the trail head but none found their way to me so I had my camping/hunting area all to myself.

- Leaving my tent and some gear, not fearing for someone messing with it, but when I arrived, I found one of the free range cattle standing ON my tent. I got hoof prints 3' up the side of the rain fly. No damage though.

- Awesome mountain bike trail: Phil's World near Cortez Colorado, with a mile or two of great blasting down hill roller coasters and jumps running down a draw. Also hit the Lunch Trails south of Grand Junction.

- Getting 24.7 mpg with the Trailblazer.

- Meeting Eddie Howard again. A guy who has gotten 18 Elk and has been hunting 34 yrs in this area. Stopped into his condo that he rented for the month and compared hunting stories.

Pictures

QOD: "What if we choose the wrong religon? Each week we just make God madder and madder." Matt Groening (1954-)

Later/SavorDiem/Lg

The Newbie Weekend

It was a fabulous weekend for new members of the; Paddled Superior Club. For Jan, it was her 4 time paddling and camping on the big water, for Sebra, it was her third time on the water, first time camping and for Maria it was the first for both.

Maria, Matt, Jan and I car pooled up on Thurs and camped at the Herbster beach side CG on Thurs PM. The next day, Breakfast at Bayfield and then we paddled past the sea stack on Basswood to Hermit for a lunch break on the warm pebble beach. Swimming started immediately. Then we headed to camp site No. 20 on Stockton Is. Great Beach as was shown by the number of boats moored there. Sebra and Aras joined us about 9:30 PM. I liked the beach especially the neighbors clothing optional program.

The next day it was off to Oak site 2 near the dock, the rangers station and the group site with the Boy Scouts. Still a great site. Did get some rain but that didn't stop Aras and Sebra from hiking to the other group site. On Sunday Maria and Matt got in an early run to the cliffs on the north side of the island.

Sunday morning we paddled across to the main land to visit Sebra's Buddy's parents land. They own 80 acres along the shore and shared some interesting details about the land, the neighbors and the area.

We had great smooth water, bright sun and evening fires both nights. A fabulous trip for getting an intro to Superior and the islands. The trip went too fast but maybe left some yearning for a return.

See Links to Photos:
Aras Photos

Jan & Lloyd's

.

QOD: You don't get anything clean without getting something else dirty. Cecil Baxter

Molly's Epic Adventure

Molly, winning her Environmental Science degree from NDSU, was deserving a adventure. Lake Superior and the Circle Tour supplied such an adventure. We started on 23-May, late in the day and made it to Split Rock State Park. This is a place where my ~70 yr old dad wanted to jump the fence when we stopped one time on the way to the BWCA many years ago (roll reversal, I talked him out of it). After sunrise and tea on the shore, Molly and I paddled under the lighthouse to get a view that the paying crowd could not enjoy.
The next night we made it to Sleeping Giant Provincial park but at $50 for permits, we opted for a private campground at Nippigon. This staged us for our outing at Rossport, to Healey Island. We stopped at Quarry Island on the way and hiked the trail to the top, a great trek and view. The winds were predicted to be 20 knots the next day but we lucked out and the wind and waves behaved.
The Provincial Park prices drove us to cruse through Canada (still a fabulous visual experience) and head to Mackinac Island which was a fun tourist trek. We camped at St. Ignas, Straits St Park which gave us an excellent view of the bridge. Molly mentioned that if we paddled through the bridge we would be hitting 3 of the 5 great lakes. Molly and I scared each other; me, when I paddled by myself through the bridge and "disappeared" and Molly when I turned back and she was not waiting where I expected. All was well.
The last stop was Little Sand Bay. The winds the next day did not favor the Sand Island caves but were excellent for the Meyers Beach sea caves. These caves were a first for both of us and I was glad to share the experience with her. 1,523 miles and I believe we had an excellent adventure.

See all photos

QOD: There are those who make things happen, There are those who watch things happen, and there are those who say, "What just happened?". Unknown.

Spring Fling 2011

Fabulous weekend on the lake. Some tall waves made the trip to the caves quite exciting, especially for the pro's who were temping fate by running through the caves in that tall stuff. I'd write more but it's time to pack two boats and on to Miss Molly's Epic Post College Circle Tour Adventure.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lkeleny/SKOACSpringFling2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCOSf0pbkoLmR2wE##

Later/SavorDiem/Lg