Splishin' and a splashin'

We've moved on to Salida, Colorado (one of the first Colorado towns I ever visited way back in 1959 when Uncle Jake the forest ranger lived here) to get a motel and enjoy a real bed, a shower, some restaurant food, and high speed wireless Internet. I took Ellen on a tour and we stopped in the downtown where she bought her new replacement hiking boots. Here she is showing them off at Riverside Park.



By the way, Riverside Park, smack in the downtown, is a popular place, especially on a 90+ degree afternoon, as seen in these photos below:



Obviously, white water kayaking is big out here, and many towns have done as Salida has done, and created a water course with rapids for the residents and visitors. A shop right on the river bank rents kayak ""play boats" to those interested in running the rapids and practicing moves and eskimo rolls.





Tomorrow we head up to Leadville (10,000 feet elevation) to camp 3 nights with Len and Marlene, and then we head into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness for a 4 day backpack trip in the high country (up to 13,000 feet, and with several 14er's nearby.)