Glacier Park

We are currently staying near Glacier Park, Montana. We have hiked, fished and flown in a helicopter. I haven't painted much, but I HAVE taken a bazillion photos and will be painting like crazy as soon as I return to Texas.
Georgia is enjoying herself too, keeping the raging chipmunks at bay!

Thursday, July 3. We try our hand at fly fishing and we journey to the mouth of the Rio Grande River.

After a quick breakfast, we drove to town to scope out the shopping and investigate the possibility of a guided fly fishing expedition. At the local Orvis shop we found an likeable, knowledgeable young man who encouraged us to take a float fishing trip. We are scheduled for Sunday morning. In the meantime, to get in a bit of practice, he suggested we try our rods at a small stocked lake called Love. We quickly found out that expensive equipment from Cabellas does not a fly fisherman make. We looked good though! More practice is needed…..

After giving the trout a good laugh, we decided to investigate future camping sites in the Rio Grande National Forest—we had heard there were some spectacular locations for dry camps. In addition, dogs were allowed off leash and so were campfires. Little did we know that we would be traversing some very narrow and steep roads as well as viewing some incredible forests, valleys and mountain tops. We had seen only a small part of it getting to Love Lake, so equipped with maps and instructions from the local Forestry agent we started out. Five hours, 18 miles of logging-type roads, and many photo stops later we reached our destination—the mouth of the Rio Grande. Unbelievably, we found some hardy souls had actually pulled their RV’s up there! Some harrowing switchbacks and steep inclines prevented us from even considering that goal for ourselves—we were contented to admire those that had!

We timed our journey downhill out of the Park and it took an hour with a minimum of photo stops—one being for three deer playing at the edge of one of the smaller reservoirs on the river. I also spotted what I thought was a beaver, but I think now it was a Nutria, though I was surprised that they were so far north. We did see 2 large beaver dams and lodges, though.

The Rio Grande rises in the east Rio Grande National Forest in the state of Colorado. It is formed by the confluence of several streams at the base of Canby Mountain, just east of the continental divide. From there, it flows through the San Luis Valley, then south into New Mexico through Albuquerque and Las Cruces to El Paso, Texas, where it begins to form the border between the U.S. and New Mexico. A major tributary, the Rio Conchos, enters at Ojinaga, Chihuehua, below El Paso, and supplies most of the water in the 1,254 miles (2,018 km) Texas border segment. Other known tributaries include the Pecos and the smaller Devils, which join the Rio Grande on the site of Amistad Dam in Del Rio. Despite its name and length, the Rio Grande is not navigable by oceangoing ships, nor are there smaller craft using it as a route. In fact it is barely navigable at all. Its natural flow is only 1/20 the volume of the Colorado River, and less than 1/100 that of the Mississippi.

We both decided that the destination made the journey worth while.

After an uneventful stopover in Capulin, New Mexico, we made it to Creede yesterday afternoon. We left behind almost-100 degrees in Texas and arrived here to high 60's, slightly overcast, and typical Rocky Mountain afternoon rain squalls. I love it.
Today (Thursday) we will search put the possibility of a rafting trip down the Rio Grande or fly fishing. Tomorrow is the 4th of July parade, which is supposed to be pretty darned impressive for a town of 500 folks!
We are here through Tuesday, so I am also hoping to find a moment to paint - I already have several images burned into my brain that are dieing to be set free.
Outside of chasing squirrels, this is Georgia's favorite activity - traveling with us. She's like a little kid - interested in everything and willing to try it all. We even found a fishing guide that said he'd welcome her on the expedition - he takes his own cowdog - and so long as she stays out of the water and doesn't scare the fish, she can come. More later.....
Glad you are feeling better, Granpa!
Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

The city of Creede, Colorado (population 500) puts on a darned nice Fourth of July parade.
Antique cars, children on their parent's shoulders, clowns, cowboys and pretty girls on horseback - who could want for more?

One of the local river rafting crews were in the parade. The sign on the back of their raft read “Paddle Faster. I Hear Banjo Music”.

One couple were walking with an unfair share of Pomeranians (3!) and I fell in love with the black and white one. If I get the chance to adopt a pooch that looks like him, I would have a hard time turning him down! I miss Kibble.

We enjoyed the rest of the morning in Creede and spent the afternoon quietly painting (me) and watching CD’s (both of us). Tonight we are supposed to be able to watch the fireworks in town from our RV Park. Georgia will stay inside. Fireworks are at the bottom of her list of favorite things.

Who would have thought the Rio Grande River would be so cold and clear and full of trout!!!?
Mike and I went float fishing with a guide this morning and caught both rainbow and German brown trout. What a blast. We had very little experience before we went out, but our guide Mike Garrett, was a terrific patient teacher and knew just how to encourage 2 old codgers into learning a new skill.
For you fish lovers out there, we handled them very carefully and released all we caught.
For you fellow hunters out there, I intend to go back and catch my limit to eat this afternoon!
I feel better equipped now to continue our trip north to the fly fishing Meccas of the Rockies!
Matthew 15:36
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.