Our first stop today was at the grave site of Colonel Albert H. Pfeiffer, companion and aid to Kit Carson. This butterfly had just emerged from its chrysalis.
We continued on to the Natural Arch, where we had a quick lunch before climbing up the back side. After resting in the shadow of the arch, we descended down the steep front slope. Randy scared us all by pretending to jump off a cliff when he really only jumped down a few feet.
One of our favorite places today was Penitente Canyon. It was cool in the canyon and thick with chokecherry bushes lining the walking path. There were many places to climb the rocks with lots of anchors placed up the climbing routes. This was a rock-climber's paradise. Vivian found a friend to play fetch. Johnathan nearly stepped on two large rattlesnakes that were mating on the side of the walking path. Yikes!
"Hey Bryan...Guess what we did today. We went to the Natural Arch and hiked up to the opening and hiked down the other side. We also went to Penitente Canyon and saw two rattlesnakes! It was scary when we almost stepped on them. They made a loud rattle sound." - JOHNATHAN
Our last stop for today was at the La Garita Wagon Tracks site, some of the best to view in the San Luis valley. In some places, the ruts were over 1 foot deep in the rock. Cool!
Hey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the posting of the HISTERICAL Markers.(HAHA) Seems that y'all are having a great time. Wish we were there. Those snakes look frightening. Were you in any danger? (YIKES) By the way, where are nana and pawpaw? Have they been making these journeys with you? Talk later we are headed to MD Anderson's.
Robin