Hatfield McCoy Trail System

I went trail riding on my ATV in the Hatfield McCoy Trail System in West Virginia. This was my first experience at riding outside of Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. It was different, for one thing the entire system is forested (all the riding is in the trees). Also, it was Muddy (with a capital "M").

My riding partners were all new to me, and I to them. I must admit, I wasn't sure what to expect since they were all younger and more experienced. But, I think I accounted for myself acceptably. I wasn't championship material, but I finished every run right-side-up with no new dents in either the quad or myself.

There were hundreds of miles of trails and they were well maintained. Mostly that means that the ruts created by hard riding and rain washout were graded. There was still plenty of difficult riding due to steepness, gigantic mud holes, and trails designed to be challenging. One great thing about the trails was that we encountered no off camber riding, that is trails slanted to one side such that you have to be careful not to tip. I hate off camber riding...

Here is a group shot (of course I am not in it...again). There was a Polaris RZR, a Kawasaki Brut Force 750, a Terex, a Kodiak 450, and me on my Grizzly 700.


Here is the RZR starting up one of the black trails (black is hardest, blue is intermediate, and green is easy, just like skiing). The RZR was brand new, having no trail miles prior to this ride. It ended up on its side once and crosswise in the trail once. The rider was really pushing it to see what it could do (and found some things it couldn't do in the process).


There goes the Terex up the same trail head. This machine was "mean" and it went anywhere it was pointed. It was also the widest and longest in our group, making it more stable but more difficult to get through tight spots.


Here the RZR and the Kodiak are finishing the last few yards of the toughest trail encountered. It was rated red/black, which is extreme and recommended only for very advanced riders. This is one that I chose not to ride, believing that I may be extremely good looking, but I am not an extremely good rider.......


This is a picture I end up getting on every ride. Recognize it, yes that's right, it is the "where are we" consultation that always occurs at least once each ride.


It may look as if this shot features one of our group, but nay, it is actually a scenery shot with a rider in the way......


This shot was not taken on this trip. It was taken during a Colorado ride near the end of August. I didn't publish it because that is my quad after I flipped it over. I was mightily embarrassed, but I have gotten over that now. Injuries were minor to both the quad and myself, neither of us had to have casts or replacement parts. The poor quad, however, is beginning to like an abused child.

The Amana Colonies

The Amana Colonies are located just North of I-80 on US Highway 151 in southeastern Iowa. Their story starts in 1714 in Germany as a newly founded religious group. They became known as the Community of True Inspiration. Seeking religious freedom, the group left Germany for America in 1843-44. The society consisted of about 1,200 people and settled on 5,000 acres near Buffalo, New York. They soon found they needed more land and a place where they could isolate themselves from the common people. In 1855 they moved to Iowa and a 26,000 acre tract of farmland.

They were a self-sufficient communal society. They shunned contact, as much as possible, with the outside world, and attended religious services 11 times a week (surprised they found the time to farm). But......they did sell their excess to the outside world.

In 1932, amidst the Great Depression, the communal way proved to be a barrier to satisfying their overall goals so the society reorganized as a profit-sharing corporation. Private enterprise was encouraged and the society flourished.

Today the place is a Nation Historic Landmark and a tourist attraction.

While we sat and ate homemade cinamon rolls we were entertained by bathing birds (doesn't take much to entertain me anymore).

Everyting in tese villages was neat and tidy, even those that have moved on still keep their place up.

The view from the highest point in the main village. Picture was taken out a window at the top of an old grain elevator. It is now a very nicely remodeled visitor's center.

One of the homes, almost all were very similar and build from this same stone (probably out of their own quarry).

Okay, I wasn't ready for this. The brand name "Amana" originated right here in the colonies. I didn't expect a national brand to come from a religious based group of isolationists (even if they did buy into the capitalism and work for profit when they reorganized in the 1932).

Here stands Sharon in front of one the wineries. I should regale you with stories of how we spent the rest of the day taste testing and then stumbled back to the camper. But, the sad truth is we didn't even go in. Instead we went to the local meat market and loaded up on sauerkraut, sausage, ham, and cheese. After all, we have to maintain our figures.

Bishop Castle

The castle is less than an hour west of Pueblo, Colorado, and is definitely a fascinating place. Jim Bishop, founder, builder, and lord of the castle is a true character. I was fortunate (that may be an exaggeration) enough to get to speak with (actually listening is all I really did) with Mr. Bishop.

Jim and his father started the project in 1969 as a cabin. Jim's father bowed out of the project two years later and Jim has been doing it alone ever since.

There are a number of very good internet sites with info about the history of the castle, so I won't go into detail here. Info on those sites is at the bottom of the page.

I will relate one story that I didn't see published anywhere. I got this information from Jim (with his slant) and from some locals. In the Castle there are numerous signs relating Jim's personal views on politics and experiences with the local law enforcement persecuting him (according to Jim's version). So it goes that Jim was arrested and jailed by the local sheriff for some trumped up charges (for expressing the freedoms of his birthright). The real story is that Jim's dragon can belch fire. There was a burning ban in effect. The sheriff had repeatedly asked Jim to refrain from allowing the dragon to belch its yellow flame (from a propane burner). Jim insisted it was his (and the dragon's) right to light the night sky. The sheriff insisted that during a burning ban, it wasn't. The sheriff won.

Jim is a very good stone mason and iron worker. He built a marvel on a mountainside and kept it level. However, it is my personal opinion that if he ever put his level on his viewpoints he would find none that are remotely level. He is total disconnected with the real world. Enjoy the pictures and keep you head down in case the dragon belches.









This is Jim, resident mason, iron worker, tour guide, and story "yeller" (he doesn't tell, he yells). If you bring up politics then you should keep your head low...

If you are interested in more info just Google "Bishop Castle" or click on this link to one of the articles I thought was fairly good >>>>>> The Craziest Castle In Colorado.

Kendal Mountain (Silverton, Colorado)

Kendal Mountain overlooks the town of Silverton, Colorado. The town is at about 9,000 feet, so the mountain peak is probably over 12,000 feet. Regardless, the view is magnificent.


The view from the peak has more to offer than just a peek at the teeny tiny town. Here is a look in the opposite direction. Kinda desolate lookin', huh?


The trail to the peak passes by several old mines. This is no wonder, because these roadways were originally hacked out of the mountainsides over 120 years ago to allow access to the working mines. The feat is amazing if you consider that it was done by pick axe, dynamite, and mule power.


One of Silverton's most popular attractions is the Durango/Silverton narrow gauge railroad. It ferries passengers between Durango and Silverton three times daily during the summer tourist season. If you ever end up in Durango, allow yourself a day to take the unbelievably scenic trip. Although it is only 35 miles, it takes nearly 4 hours for the huffin' and puffin' train to make it up. The return trip is a bit faster.

The Brass Band Festival - Silverton, Colorado

There has been a brass band festival in Silverton for the last 28 years. Musicians come from all over the country to participate in this long weekend of music that echos off the surrounding mountains (Silverton sits in a bowl at 9,000 feet elevation).

We attended the last performance of the long weekend. The band, normally in fancy uniforms, was casual. The band's dress of choice seemed to be jeans and t-shirts. That must be because playing wind instruments is hard work. The audience was in coats, as the temperature was low, the sun was sparse, and the wind was mighty (but not as mighty as the band).



The band, and leader, take a bow.


And here's a bit of nostalgia for you. This is Bill Fries (pronounced freeze), better known as C. W. McCall, country singer and songwriter. His biggest hit that I can remember was the 1976 trucker song "Convoy" (gotta copy on that rubber ducky). Today he was reading a tribute to Abraham Lincoln as the band played the background music.
Bill, after a successful career in places like Nashville, moved to Ouray, Colorado in the early 80's. He became mayor and helped put the town on the top of the hot spots in Colorado for tourists. He also put together and narrated a multimedia presentation about the San Juan Mountains in which Ouray is nestled. This show has played every day for many years now, during the tourist season in Ouray.

Heath Ranch

I was ever so fortunate to have met a really wonderful man and his wife last year. Howard and Ruth belong to the ATV club in Montrose, which Sharon and I also joined when we bought our ATV's. Howard sponsors a club ride on his ranch each summer and we were invited along. Unfortunately we could not make it last year, but we were really looking forward to the one this summer.


On the way to his ranch we were lucky enough to catch sight of a hot air balloon prepping for take off on an early morning ride (or is that a float??).


The ranch is on Last Dollar Road (yes, the same extremely scenic road I have featured before). As we motored along the road we were held up by a sheep drive. This picture is after they got off the road, having left their special gifts along the roadway. Being fresh it got flung up on the trailer and ATV's, making for an aromatic start to the ride.


Here's Howard and his ever faithful co-pilot, Lucky, as we stopped for a bit of history at the entry to Big Pasture.


This is the view across Big Pasture toward the mountains.


This is Kim Lake, one of the three we rode by. Howard carries fish food with him and stops to feed the trout every time he rides on his ranch. Howard says the fish are his friends. You would certainly think so as the trout seemed to know he was coming.


This is the view from the driveway of Howard's cabin...


...and this is from the porch.


The ranch is Howard's good weather home. Can you imagine how hard it must be each morning to wake up to such terrible views????? Howard's winter home is closer to Montrose, very near the South entrance to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Poor guy doesn't have a view there either.

Many thanks to Howard and Ruth for a wonderful day (and the brownies and ice cream)!

Tin Cup, Colorado

We took a little trip, up the Taylor River to the Taylor Reservoir. Of course the purpose was to ride the ATV's and take pictures. We accomplished both.

Our 70 mile, 8-hour ride effectively started here, at Union Park. The army once used this area to winter-train troops. Believe me, in the winter this place is all white and plenty cold. I think the army may have been training troops in how to imitate ice sculptures.


We rode old mining roads and trails, which of course took us by old mines. Here the group was trying to figure out how we could repair this 100+ year old compressor. We didn't, so we rode on.


Part of our ride included following a historic railroad right-of-way. The water tank you see here has been restored. Others we saw were more on the ground than upright.


We followed the right-of-way until it stopped at the remains of the Alpine Tunnel, which had been opened in 1880 and used until 1910. Because of the danger of collapse, the tunnel was long ago blasted shut. All that remains is rubble and a few restored structures. One is the old train station. No, those are not mannequins, but at 12,000 feet those guys were moving very slowly.


Here you can look down on the town of Tin Cup, the eventual final sightseeing goal for the day.


From that vantage point you can also look at me. I don't get many pictures of myself, so I threw this in. Enough looking , no snide comments about my waist line or do-rag either.


And here we go, entering the town of Tin Cup, population: a few in the summer, almost none in the winter.


Tin Cup is just one of the dozens of the old mining towns that died after the precious ores ran out, only to be reclaimed for summer homes and/or tourist havens. I guess that's the new gold rush for this area.

Another Side of ATVing

I usually post scenic and/or people pictures from the ATVing trips. I can't often get the really great pictures of something going wrong. That's because I am usually in the middle of whatever is wrong. Example: Recently a rider got his quad stuck in a mud hole by running up on a partially buried log. It would have been a great picture to see me up to my elbows in the mud hole, trying to lift him off the log while being sprayed by mud flying off the spinning tires. So, I'm gonna let my imagination loose and show you a few pics I have caught of others.

The following pics were taken on the trails. I made up the captions, and I maaaaay have exaggerated a bit....

Yes I'm sure this is it! The GPS says it's here, the map says it's here, this has to be the trail.....


Wow, sure didn't expect to find a car wash out here.......


I know I'm the leader, but next time one of you goes first!!!!!!!!!!


Okay, I've got it now.....point it up hill, growl real big, then smash the gas pedal to the floor!


All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't pull Humpty's pick-up truck back on the trail again.


That's all folks!!!!!!!

Montrose County Fair

We have made several trips to the county fair. The three big events that I wanted see (or be involved in) were the rodeo, the antique tractor pull, and the chili cook off. I have pictures of the first two. The winner at the chili cook off, however, was determined by the people's choice. As one of those peoples, I elected not to take any pictures (because I was too busy slurping up chili). I have not yet found out if my choice turned out to be the overall winner, but I personally judged it three times.

So, let's go to the rodeo............

Nice thing about a rodeo is that they always have pretty girls with flags....


and of course cowboys on their horses........


and more cowboys on their horses.....


and more cowboys on their horses.....


but unlike the pretty girls, the cowboys usually end up picking themselves off the ground.


Nice looking horses... but on to the antique tractor pull.

There were pretty tractors (pulling for the cure to breast cancer).....


there were funky tractors........


there were rusty tractors......


but when alll was said and done, there was only one champion tractor.
And it was driven by a 70+ year old women who was the only driver whose tractor managed to pull more than 100% of the tractors weight. Okay, so maybe there is something to say for girl power!