Just wasting time...

Yesterday Hollis and I went to Durango and ate at a sweet Himalayan Restaurant. We sat at the bar and talked to our very interesting Nepali bar tender Karzi. We ate some delicious entrees that I can't remember the name of, had mango lassi, and a pot of Himalayan spiced wine (similar to mulled wine) which was very nice as the sun set and the air got a little chilly. The Iron Man bike race was going on which meant we got to watch a lot of road bikers speed by. It was incredible how fast they were going up hill in such an altitude. We saw one bike (obviously not participating in the race) that was encased by a large paper-mache trout. It was pretty ridiculous. Then we stopped in a bar playing live music and Hollis knocked back a few beers while we listened to a local group called Stone 66. They were actually pretty good.

Today we were lazy bums and slept in. We went on a hike on the Piedra River Trail which had some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen so far. I took the camera with me but was sad when I realized that Hollis left the battery for it back at the house! Our plan is to pack up tonight, do laundry tomorrow/buy camp food, and go back to that trail.

Pagosa Springs, Co

Today I woke up early and took a hike upstream the San Juan River while Hollis slept. The river was brimming. Worked up a good enough appetite and then made Hollis some grits which he has never had before. Crazy since he's from the south.

After that we did a bunch of boring stuff like grocery shop and eat lunch. We took a hike on the Turkey Creek Trail (6.7 miles at around 8,600 ft) and saw some very beautiful scenery.

Skunk cabbage seen off Turkey Creek Trail

Manly Hollis drinking a Pagosa Brewery Growler.

All semblances to manliness are gone after this picture.

Turkey Creek.

San Juan River... completely full!

On the Road

Today I woke up at 6:30 am in Fort Worth, made biscuits and gravy and woke up the angry Bear Man who was grumpy as all get out. We finally made it on the road at 8:30 am. Every part of the landscape was in top form due to the rain.

Once we hit the foothills storm clouds brewed, and we got to watch a storm roll in over the red dirt and scrubby green brush. I caught this shot once the sun was shining through after a quick stop at Bode's for some delicious pork tamales and Virgil's Real Cola.


We got to Pagosa around 9:15 pm which was perfect timing to get off the road before it got too dark.

First Post

This is basically a place to blog about my summer travels and keep people concerned about my safety (namely my parents) updated if I'm alive or not as I travel into the wilderness. I will also use this as a journal so I can remember what I saw and when I saw it. Anyways, I'm sure not many people will ever read this, but if you feel like stalking us on Hollis' and my 6,000 mile journey across the American West feel free to.