cyberhobo

Author: cyberhobo

  • Name the evergreen

    This tree is fairly widespread here in Colorado, and becomes more so as you go north along the continental divide. It tends to grow in thick stands, especially in burn areas. In fact the spiny, pitch-covered cones rely on heat from forest fires to open and can stay on the branch for several years. Needles…

  • Abyss Lake Trail

    This trail starts fairly high up the south side of Guanella Pass, intersects the Rosa Lee trail, and continues to Abyss Lake. From there one could climb Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt without the throngs that crowd the other routes to those summits. We had a leisurely breakfast at the Cutthroat Cafe in Bailey, and…

  • Live Music: Olga Kern and the CSO

    I’ve been looking forward to this concert for months. The first half, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra playing Sibelius’ Finlandia and Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, was an excellent primer. Jeffrey Kahane, the conductor, gave a really fine introduction, without notes, and seemed to revel in the performance. I had heard Finlandia before, but it…

  • Quickie at Golden Cliffs

    We didn’t have much time, but we figured we could squeeze a climb or two in (yes this post is about climbing) before meeting my Dad for a concert. Just like we thought, the place was clearing out in the afternoon, and we got right on a popular route. It was hot, but tolerable. A…

  • Live Music: Kevin Utter and Doc Fergy

    I was looking forward to seeing the university’s “mighty Wurlitzer” organ played, and Kevin Utter did not disappoint. Blind from birth, Kevin’s seeing eye dog waited patiently beside the giant organ console during the entire show. Both Kevin Utter and his saxophone accompanyist Harry “Doc Fergy” Ferguson are really good at educating the audience while…

  • Backyard Jungle

    The effort I’ve expended cultivating a small jungle in our back yard finally bore fruit today when I observed these two lovely garter snakes mating in the foliage.

  • Movie: Shoot The Piano Player (1960)

    A fairly standard story of escape from vengeful gangsters is the format for a lot cinematography that seems progressive for the time, and interludes of sincere philosophical conversation between all the characters, good guys and bad.

  • Low Water Mayem on the Arkansas

    After a leisurely breakfast and some logistically challenging car shuttling, we put in to the Arkansas River in a 14′ raft and a kayak. Pete, Jess, and David have all spent a lot of time on the Arkansas, and the water is as low as anyone has seen it. ‘Bony’ seems to be the word…

  • Parakeet Belay at Rainbow Rock

    We join our friends Pete & Jess, Jess’ brother David, and his daughter Alex at Ruby Mountain campground on the Arkansas River today. It’s a little cool for floating so we rally to Rainbow Rock, a wall of pumice cliffs along the river, for some climbing. There are a couple of anchors good enough for…

  • 2000 Excel 33TRO

    We met the owners of this used Excel fifth wheel tonight. It’s smaller than the one we were looking at on the Windish RV lot, but much closer to our price range! We might even be able to afford the tow vehicle they’re selling. The idea of rejecting the unwheeled lifestyle is starting to become…