Winter Wonderland

Woke up this morning to a new skiff of powdery snow. We went out first thing into the pristine wilderness to do some tracking. The first tracks we came across were the cottontails, the main food source for our other park animals. As we hiked through the flocked pines we came across Red Fox tracks and chose to see what he was up to in the early morning hours. The tracks led us about a mile until we lost them in the deep snow in the forest. The story from the tracks this morning told us that the fox marked the trail numerous times to let us know who it belongs to, he chased a rabbit to a rock formation hoping for breakfast (the rabbit did get away), and frolicked in the snow looking for mice and voles. Upon our return we took many pictures of the winter wonderland. The layers of snow were like walking on a blanket of diamonds and the slight breeze blew snowflakes from the trees like gold dust. Enjoy your winter wonderland wherever it may be.

Look carefully to right of window - "gold dust"

Guides-To-Go has a New Home

We finally have settled into our new office in Woodland Park and are excited to start classes and tours in the Southwest Colorado and Pikes Peak region. Dee bought a 35' 5^th Wheel (the model is a “Snowbird” go figure..hehe) and is spending the winter as a volunteer at the Mueller State Park Visitor's Center. What a great opportunity! It has been fun hiking everyday, rain, snow or sunshine and getting to know the resident critters.  It is a beautiful park on the west side of Pikes Peak with 5,000 acres, 55 miles of trails and an elevation of 9600 feet.  If you have the opportunity, come see this place.

Happy New Year!

“I can hardly wait until I can step out into the cool, crisp mountain air with a hot cup of coffee. Hear the wind through the pines and the sweet smell that I remember as a child. Off in the distance will be the elk grazing at the foot of Pikes Peak and I will know I can relax now.” 

                    Dee DeJong, Owner / Guide / Trainer of GTG

I said this many times as I was packing and getting ready for the big move of Guides-To-Go; it proves if you have a goal you can achieve anything. I have had many cups of coffee, heard the wind, seen the elk and smelled the sweet mountain air many times. Just keep dreaming and it will become reality. Thanks for all you support through the years and many more to come. Dee

The Road Less Traveled

This picture inspires me, calms me and centers me.  When I need to relax and dream during a hectic time, I imagine the road less traveled and where I would take it.  Where does the road less traveled take you?

Lesser Prairie Chickens and "The Dance"

What a great way to start a day, visiting a Lek in Colorado.  A Lek is an area where the prairie birds and some animals carry on display and courtship behavior.  There are quite a few leks in Colorado and it is quite an adventure.




When you wake up before dark it makes you wonder what you are doing; as you arrive before sunrise and hear the distinctive bird calls it all becomes clear.   As the sky brightens you can start to make out the birds and at daylight you see "The Dance".




I watch in amazement as the birds bob their heads and then side step to get attention.  Many males dance in front of the female vying for her interest.  Sometimes the females just seem to not care, but the males still dance.  This species is decreasing in number and I feel fortunate that our group got to see 16 birds.

Within an hour or so the female birds fly from the lek and the males just stop where they stand.  What a show!

La Veta, Colorado

La Veta, the vein, served as a vital lifeline a century ago; the town was originally a busy trading center, supplying the nearby area with goods.  Today it is a lovely small town with friendly people and a great place to stop when visiting southern Colorado.

La Veta is surrounded by the Great Dikes.  These volcanic formations are made from granite and radiate out from West Spanish Peaks.  They are about four miles long, one hundred feet high, and vary from 20-30 feet thick.  These Dikes are known as the Devil's Stairstep or Stairway to Heaven.

A must do near La Veta is to take a drive south on Highway 12, a Colorado Scenic Byway called the Highway of Legends.  As you drive this two-lane road, you will pass from small towns to ranches (with free range cattle - watch for them on the road) forests to valleys and beautiful lakes and rock formations.  We saw many bird species attracted to the area by streams and lakes and even saw a black bear, what a nice surprise.

We drove up to Cuchara Pass on the shoulder of the Spanish Peaks and were treated to a fantastic view.   It is a great way to spend some time seeing another side to Colorado.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

A visit to the Great Sand Dunes is quite an experience.  This park is home to the tallest dunes in North America, rising up to 750 feet from the base.  The sand covers about 30 square miles nestled at the bottom of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.

One of the unique activities offered in the park is sand boarding or sand sledding on the dunes.  Keep in mind that in the summer months it is very hot and that it takes approximately an hour to climb up the dune for the ride, make sure to dress properly.



Medano creek, which runs along the southern edge of the dunes, can provide a welcome place to splash and cool off.  Check with the website to get flow readings,  in the hot months this creek may not exist.



In the picture above you can get an idea of just how massive this area is; there are three groups of people walking to the dunes.



With the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and fertile San Luis Valley nearby this is a great place to take photos.  If you are traveling in a 4x4, take a drive on Medano pass road for even more picture taking opportunities.  Again, check the website for current road conditions.

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm