Monday, July 19, 1999
We took a raft trip this
morning on the Lake Fork River. We were given instructions for paddling and
rescue before leaving. Edith was a dynamo. Left paddle! Right paddle! Back
paddle! She did it all. Many of the rapids were rated Class 1. Very dangerous!
When we weren’t paddling for
our lives, there were many interesting things to look at. We saw a number of
trout fishermen (it seems like the fishing has really picked up during the past
day or so). We passed through both private and public lands. Our guide was a
slender, long haired, handsome young man probably about 25 years old.
Our guide lives in tent with
another guide at Engineer’s Pass, high in the mountains. There have been bears
in their camp on more nights than not. He graduated from Western Colorado State
with a degree in Recreation. It took him a little longer to graduate since he
attended only two quarters a year, spending the remaining time guiding raft
trips and working at the ski slopes, mainly at Crested Butte. He lives in a tent
at this time of year to save money so that he can ski as much as possible during
the winter. Edith compares the life style of these guides to the California
surfer boys.
We went to a local movie
tonight and saw Austin Powers. This first run movie was shown in a simple wood
building with a homey atmosphere. Five local young people sat in front of us.
Edith said that is the size of the entire High School class in Lake City (there
is a lot of home schooling in these areas of Colorado).
This is our last day in Lake City. Tuesday night we will be staying at Rifle Colorado located close to I-70. Before we take off in the morning, we are both looking forward to a Craft Show they are having on the main streets of Lake City. Perhaps one of us is looking forward to the Craft Show a little more than the other.