Happy July 4th

Join us for the parade in the morning and the picnic in the afternoon on July 4th.

Please note: there will NOT be a meeting on July 2nd (Thursday)

Parade

The parade starts at 10:00. If you are helping decorate the float, please be at the High School at 8:00. By the way, we have an awesome float. If you would like to walk in the parade, be at the High School at 9:00. Wear any combination of red, white and blue. You can also carry sports equipment if you like. (tennis raquets, golf clubs, snowshoes, backpacks, etc.) We have an outdoor theme, of course. After the parade, the float will be taken apart. Please take anything you contributed home at this time.

Picnic

The picnic will be at Ken and Joanne Long's at 2:00.

Directions are included in the President's Message below.

The Club will provide chicken, drinks, and root beer floats!

Bring a side dish of your choice that will feed 6 - 8 people.

You also might like to bring lawn chairs for your dining pleasure.

Instead of the usual raffle, we will have a silent auction.

See details below.

Silent Auction

DON'T FORGET TO BRING SOMETHING FOR THE SILENT AUCTION ON JULY 4TH. IF YOU CAN'T COME ON THE FOURTH BUT WOULD STILL LIKE TO DONATE SOMETHING PLEASE CALL ME AND YOU CAN DROP IT OFF OR I WILL PICK IT UP. REMEMBER; ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND OR SEARCH AND RESCUE. YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

JOYCE RAMBERG 731-2413 CELL 903-9002

President's Message

Happy 4th everyone,

It looks like summer has finally hit Pagosa, I hope you're enjoying the outdoors. We have a lot going on, of course the parade is the morning of July 4 downtown, if you what to be part of the group call Donna Milner. That afternoon at 2PM is our picnic out at the Long's place on the Piedra River. If you haven't been there before, take the road to the left just before the Piedra River bridge on HWY 160 and look for the cars at the place on the right a few houses down. It's a potluck and we will also have the silent auction. A great group is riding on Monday mornings, if you haven't been give it a try. The hikers and backpackers have some good treks going into the mountains and the flowers are starting to come nicely. The more water inclined have enjoyed some nice river running. Just your typical month in paradise. If you have something fun in mind you would like to try, give Gregg Howard a call so he can put it on the calendar. Let's get out and play.

Barry

Upcoming Activities

Check the Calendar in the sidebar under Useful Links for details about all upcoming activities.

In fact, there is a new link to the Gray Wolf Ski and Hike Club.

They have hikes every Tuesday until October. There are two groups. The A group does more difficult hikes at a faster pace and the B group does shorter distances at a slower pace. They are both a lot of fun. You will meet some great people and learn the trails. Check out their website to get all the details. Click on hiking to get the schedules for the summer. The website also has the information you need to join the club. Oh, and if you join, you get a discount on season ski passes.

For July, we have the Thursday morning walks with the ladies, Monday morning mountain bike rides, a hike to Pagosa Peak on the 2nd, and an overnight camp in Summitville with short hikes.

June Meeting

We had a large turnout for our June potluck. And lots of good food.

The following three pictures include the Wounded Warriors that joined us for dinner.

The lucky raffle winners. The prizes have been fantastic!

June Activities

Thanks to everyone that sent in pictures. There are lots of them, so enjoy!

Fly Fishing Clinics

May 30

Beginning Fly Fishing Clinic Participants were: Bob Milford, Don Smith, Pam and Jack Schricker, Cheryl and John Gwin, Ken and Stacy West, Suzanne Gates, and Windsor Chacey.

Jim Hill and Damon Scott, fly fishing guides for “Let It Fly”, were the instructors.

Organized by Michael Schneider

June 6th

The June 6th fly fishing clinic was held at the Pagosa Springs Community Sports Complex for both beginners and intermediate fly fisherpersons. The intermediate participants include: Bill Gates, Jack and Pam Schricker, Bob Milford, and Doug Farmer. The beginning group was comprised of: Joe Negri, Jan Swalley, Barbara Olgletree, John and Kathy Comerford, and Zack Farmer. Jim Hill and Damon Scott, fishing specialists for “let It Fly”, once again provided instruction. We would also like to thank “Let It Fly” for providing the additional fly rods for some of the participants. The weather was perfect and hopefully I did not leave someone off the list or out of the pictures.

Mike

Rafting the Colorado thru the Grand Canyon in May

Jim & Jean Scott put together a rafting trip thru the GC and filled up one of two rafts with 14 SJOC club members and friends. A second raft also had 14 guests making a total of 32 folks including the 4 crew members. We had great boatmen who knew the river like the backs of their hands. The trip began on May 2 at Lee’s Ferry and came out at Lake Mead on May 9 covering the total 284 mile river journey in 8 days. Some of the highlights were running the rapids where most of us happily got wet for the thrill of the ride; the Little Colorado River that was aquamarine colored and where some of us put our life jackets on like diapers and floated it; Elves Chasm where the more adventurous climbed behind the falls and jumped into the pool below; Havasu Creek that was also the color of aquamarines and where we spent about 3 hours exploring; Spectacular Deer Creek falls and the hike overlooking the slot canyon formed by the creek; and exploring many other spots difficult to get to from the rim. The group topped the trip off with a night in Vegas after returning to civilization. Our friends will be glad to know that we kept the SJOC tradition of eating well and often.

Little Colorado River

Deer Creek Falls

Deer Creek Falls and Shirley Hunter

Havasu Creek

Elves Chasm and raft captain Bobby Skinner

Late PM and a tired crew

A raft going through Lava Rapids

Nautaloids Fossil stop

Wounded Warriors


The first week of June saw Pagosa Country visited by 14 heroes, the “Wounded Warriors.” The week was full of events for the “Warriors” – eating, drinking, partying, and adventures ranging from hiking to rafting to fishing to riding. The SJOC hosted two hikes for the Wounded Warriors. I have chronicled one hike, the hike up Alberta Peak with “Warriors” Tim Kerrigan and Richard Vattuone.

We started our hike (with Les Shepard of SAR) at the Raven lift (see photo of motley crew), went up Kelly Boise to the top of Bonanza. The snow was deep there (see photo – Tim on right). The push up the peak was a challenge for Rich (see photo). Tim and Rich were inspired by the view and Rich even more inspired by our decent (slide) down a snow field (see photo).

The day ended at the bottom of Treasure lift (1400 vertical feet later) with sore feet and knees as well as high-fives all around.

Motley Crew

Warrior Rich on left and Warrior Tim on right

Hard push to the summit for Rich

Slide down Alberta Peak

Pagosa Pedalers (every Monday)

PP's enjoying the West Fork ride up to the trailhead. Pictured here are:
Dick R., Cindy H., Barry E., Barb O., Carolyn W., Barb J., Klaus N., & Betsy C.

So just what are these little handle thingies again? Carol asks. It's been awhile since she's been on her bike.

June 22nd, the PP's are growing with 12 bikers this week!

Barry led us on our first single track ride. We had a 100% return rate. Way to go, gang!

Rio Grande Rafting Trip

The beginning of a 3 day Rio Grande River float, from Texas Creek to South Fork, June 17 through 19. Participating members: Gary Brewer (photographer), Terry Baker (organizer), Betsy Cotton, Bart Cox, Paul/Barb Draper, Amond Hanson, Leo Milner and Ken Long.

Bart navigating the river.

First night campout at Rio Grande Campground.

Emergency riverside raft repair!

There goes Leo to save the Draper's runaway raft....our HERO!!!!

Elk Creek Backpack trip

On June 24th, 8 brave soles headed up Elk Creek in the South San Juan Wilderness for a three day trip. Leader Betsy Cotton was accompanied by Barbara Ogletree, Carl Pitts, Suzanne Coe, Sid and Joan Harris, and Bob and Susan Milford. The weather forcast wasn't good, but they forged on. They camped for two nights at Second Meadows, where every day blessed them with a little (or a lot) of rain. Some did a little fishing while the rest dayhiked or just relaxed.

I thought we weren't supposed to gain much elevation. Whew!

Passing through First Meadow

OK cows, you're going to have to mooove on over. Share the trail.

Carl, glad to be at Second Meadow.

Time for the evening water filtering.

Sid, the king of firewood gathering.

Home, Sweet Home

Barbara getting ready to catch the big one.

Sid was the only lucky fisherman this trip. And you should have heard about the ones he threw back.


It rained most of the 2nd night. Most of the tents got some water in them. Here's Barbara trying to dry out her pants by the fire.

Thank goodness for this bridge. We would still be there if we had to cross the creek on foot after that rain. Joan, Bob, Barb and Susan happy to be heading back.

July 4th Float Preparations

Several dedicated men and women showed up at Judy and Steve Ferguson's to create a float for the 4th of July Parade. Donna Milner was the mastermind behind the project. First, the men nailed, hammered, and sawed. Then the women took over. The float represents America the Beautiful and all the outdoor activities we are involved in. Be sure to check it out at the parade.

That's all folks!!!!!!