Valley Mama

Nature Explorer's Club: Pike's Stockade

"The doctor and myself ascended a high hill, which lay south of our camp, from whence we had a view of all the prairie and rivers to the north of us; it was at the same time one of the most sublime and beautiful inland prospects ever presented to the eyes of man."  - Lt. Zebulon Pike (February, 1807)

These words are from the sign at Pike's Stockade, the beautiful location of our second Nature Explorer's Club outing.  They are taken from Pike's journal, and I imagine, had we climbed the mesa south of the Conejos River to take in the view of our valley home, we would have had to agree with him.  

We began our Nature Explorer's Club last month with a wonderful trip to Zapata Falls, an icy wonderland in the winter.  We had so much fun, and could not wait for our next trip.  The vision for our club is simple - to get out and explore nature as a group of families.  We meet once a month at different locations around the San Luis Valley to explore, hike, play and learn in this amazing place in which we live.  

For our February trip we decided to explore a little closer to home.  South from my house about fifteen miles, nestled against the mesas and the beautiful Conejos River is one our favorite local spots to play. While we primarily go for the nature aspect, it is a National Historical Landmark, marking the spot where Zebulon Pike raised the United States Flag on Spanish soil during the second expedition into the newly acquired Louisiana purchase territory in the earlier 1800's.  There is a reconstructed fort that was built based on Pike's journal entries.  They sat up camp here, built a fortress, and endured most of a brutal valley winter, completely unprepared for the cold.

Strangely enough, our valley February has been unusually mild and warm, and so most of us were not completely prepared for the chilly, windy walk to the site.  I know, we're Coloradoans...we should know better, right?  Despite the chilly wind from a front moving in over the mountains, we had a wonderful time.

Nestled among the cottonwoods and willow, along the beautiful Conejos River, with a view of Mount Blanca, Pike's Stockade is perfect for birdwatching, balancing on fallen trees, throwing sticks in the River, and exploring nature.  And that's exactly what we did!

Here is our group, heading down the dirt road between willows to get to the site.

With all our trips, even when a "destination" lies at the end of a trail, we enjoy the journey.

 There was running...

And birdwatching...

And lots of smiles, even though the valley wind was ripping hats from heads and hoods from coats.

Oh, and there was climbing.  Lots and lots of climbing...

This monument lies right beside the reconstructed fort and a natural spring.

We balanced on logs...

Sat on logs...

Climbed over logs...



And enjoyed the less windy conditions under the cottonwoods.

A small section of the area burned in a fire last spring, and many of the burned trees have been cut, leaving lots of stumps.  This provided the perfect opportunity for an impromptu lesson on tree rings by a new (to most of us) friend.  

 A magnifying glass from Mason's gear bag came in handy for counting the rings and learning how old some of these trees were.

 

Stumps are also great for standing on, of course.

 

And then there is the river.  Little ones are always drawn to the water, and what with the river and the frozen marshy spots, Pike's Stockade has a lot to offer.  

There was a little frozen (mostly) pool alongside the river, where the ice has frozen into these little needle-like formations.  We had a lot of fun investigating this pool...

Like this Mama and her kiddos are doing.

Beside the pool was a stand of willows, with new shoots growing out of the burned plants.  They made a great willow forest to walk through.

I love the color of the bare red willow against the blue valley sky.  It is one of those magical places that just calls you in to play, to walk through the sea of orange/red, to explore this little world, recovering from fire, sending forth new life into the world.  It's irresistible to little ones...and their grown-ups. 

Seriously.  This is where I live?  

Another mama with her little ones, enjoying a sweet moment in the sunshine.

And he's off...this one does not hold still for long.

The children discovered many interesting things while exploring the area, including these jawbones.  I'm a little bit in love with this photo...

I also love good informational signs with maps.  

On our walk back to the cars, a chilled out River gets all bundled up to brave the wind.  They are standing by one of the only remaining trees charred from the fire...

And oh does Mason get lucky...a piggyback from Renee!

How is he not asleep yet?

And if all of that was not enough, we pulled over to the side of the road on our way back to watch and welcome the return of the cranes to the valley.  

We had a wonderful (chilly, windy) visit to Pike's Stockade.  As we drive away from the cranes I am so thankful for this place, this community, these people, this landscape...and I wonder, what other valley treasures await our exploration this year?

Nature Explorer's Club: Zapata Falls

I have wanted to start a Nature Explorer's Club with our little ones and friends for a while now, and this past weekend we finally made it happen!  The vision for the club is simple - to get out and explore nature as a group of families.  We plan to meet once a month at different locations around the San Luis Valley, with plenty of time to explore, hike, play and learn in this amazing place in which we live.  It seems appropriate that our first hike together was in the first month of the new year...

For our January hike we decided to go up to Zapata Falls, near the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  It is a short, easy hike up to the falls, perfect for little legs.  Winter is an awesome time to visit Zapata Falls, as the waterfall is frozen into beautiful formations, with flowing water visible underneath the ice.  Getting back into the cave is quite easy as well, with a frozen creek to walk on.      

We met at the trail head, which is at the top of a snowy road that switchbacks up the mountain.  On hindsight, we probably should have met at the bottom and carpooled up to the top, as not everyone had a vehicle that could make it up the road...now we know for next time!

Our family arrived a little early, and so we pulled out the sled and took in the view.  The photo at the top of the post (taken by Aaron) is of the view from the trail head parking lot, looking out across the valley. Mason got a nice sled run going, and River enjoyed walking around in the snow.

Soon we were joined by the four other families and we headed up the trail.  

After a beautiful hike we made it to the creek and the falls.

It was so much fun to see the children as they excitedly began exploring this little frozen world.  They found holes in the ice and watched the water flowing beneath.  It's not often you get to "walk on water" on a frozen creek, and they loved it.  We began to carefully make our way on the slick ice up the creek to the little cave and the icy waterfall.

It was not long before the littles began attempting to climb to the base of the frozen waterfall, and parents assisted the children with climbing up and sliding down.  Upon approaching the cave, one little girl was not so sure about "going in the cave", but as soon as she saw the waterfall she said "It is magical!"

 After spending some time enjoying the frozen waterfall, we headed out of the cave to the giant ice flow slides.  At least, that's what they became...

 

Then we hiked back down the trail, examining tracks in the snow and looking at the view of the sand dunes and mountains.  When we arrived back at the trail head we managed to get everyone together for a group photo and then the littles were off to sled down the hill by the parking lot and climb trees.  

We all had so much fun.  The children did not want to leave their magical castle/home/hideout in the trees, but we eventually got everyone back in their respective vehicles for the ride home. 

It was a beautiful day for a hike, and a couple of the kids were already asking when the next one would be. There is something very fun about exploring nature with friends, and I can't wait to do it again.

On the ride back home Mason was drawing in his notebook and he said, "Ahhh...Zapata Falls was great!"  

I could not agree more.  

 

A New Year's Day Hike

Well hello there 2014.  I know we've only just met, but I can tell that we are going to be friends.  

We had a wonderful start to the new year today, full of blueberry pancakes (and a few special chocolate chip ones), solar robot building, doll-making, hiking, hot chocolate with friends, black-eyed peas (of course) and lots of time for play.  

When Aaron asked me if I wanted to go hiking with our friend Danny on Mosca Pass Trail again this year, I only thought about it a second before saying, yes!  This was our second annual New Year's Day Mosca Pass Hike (I'm hoping to continue the tradition forever), and I can really think of no better way to greet a new year.  Cold mountain air, warm sunshine, a beautiful trail, hiking with people I love, and a view across this amazing valley I call home...hello 2014.  

It was a beautiful day, perfect for a winter hike.  Mason was especially interested in spotting possible gnomes homes under roots and in hollow logs, taking pictures of interesting things, and stopping to rest on fun rocks (which he learned are quite hard to climb in snowshoes...). 

River took in the view from the backpack, and had a bit of a nap as well.  

Sometimes, especially in the winter, getting little ones suited up with necessary snacks, water and equipment seems like more trouble than it's worth, but I've learned that really, it's always worth it.  Getting out and exploring this beautiful place we live is always worth the work of getting us ready and out the door, worth the "my legs are tired" complaints on the way up the trail, even worth being taken out by a boy on a run-away sled going back down the trail.

And what is the only thing that can make a winter hike above the Sand Dunes even better?  Stopping for hot chocolate at Charlotte and Joseph's house on the way back and tiny capsules that turn into dinosaurs when you soak them in hot water.  Just ask Mason about those.    

Happy New Year's Day from our family, to yours!