u/Singer_221

On Saturday August 15th, I got together with some climbing buddies (about half of us are in our late 60’s to mid70’s) to hike Abrams Mountain. It’s the prominent peak you see looking south from Ouray (picture #1).

We had beautiful weather, a break from the wildfire smoke, and the trail conditions were moist and firm instead of dry and marbly. Thankfully, one of our group had hiked it before so they were able to guide us along the various unmarked trails, animal paths, and trail-less segments.

After gazing up at this mountain for years, it was fun to see Ouray from the top (the town is in the valley in picture 5, obscured by the light colored rock ridge).

Thank you Mother Nature, Family and friends, and trail crews for another life-affirming day in the mountains with friends : )

You might want to check your local Hobby Lobby store.

Please let me know if this post isn’t allowed, since the only rc component is a throttle control.

Woohooo!
This morning (a day before my 71st birthday), I flew a control line plane for the first time since the late 60's or early 70's. What fun!!! : )

I stopped all modeling about 1973, and resumed with free flight and RC around 2000, then paused several years ago, but I never resumed control line until now.

It's a TLAR design made of foam board, craft ply, and bamboo skewers from a dollar store, plus a couple of basswood sticks. It's powered by a small outrunner motor left over from my rc flying with an 8x4 prop and 1000 mah 2 cell lipo. Throttle control is with a Microzone radio.

Here's a link to videos of my first and second flights. The third was even smoother, but my phone camera got too hot sitting in the sun.

The elevator travel is already as small as I can make it, so I plan to cut down the elevator area before my next session, and make adjustments to increase the line tension.

This was really fun and I'm looking forward to flying in the cul-de-sac at home.

From May 8th to the 16th, I hiked the Santa Fe to Taos Trail: 132 miles with 35,000 total ascents and descents. Here's a link to a video showing the scenery of desert, forest, meadow, mountains, lakes, streams, and plants, insects, animals, and weather that made up my experience. More information about the trail here.

I am grateful for Mother Nature, my family and friends, the trail builders and maintainers, and Pam Neely for these life-gift experiences. Thank you, New Mexico!

In case anyone was planning to hike around Ouray, please know that there’s a wild fire actively burning north of the city. The videos were taken just past midnight on Sunday the 28th from highway 17, looking east toward the slopes above the Rotary Park (approximately). Highway 550 is closed to all traffic (north of the city), and the highway 17 detour might only be open to local traffic.

More info:
https://ouraycountyco.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Gold-Mountain-Fire-Information-44

Thank you fire fighters.

Here are pictures of my campsites and a few highlights from my hike between May 8th and 16th, 2026. I had the great privilege to hike from Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico in the USA. The 132 mile trail begins literally in the Santa Fe town plaza at the monument for the historic Old Santa Fe Trail, and ends in the Taos town plaza.

Along the way I experienced high desert to alpine lakes and mountains of the southern Sangre de Christo range, and saw elk, Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, an Albert Squirrel, and a cinnamon bear! Also tons of butterflies and wildflowers.

The first campsite was a parking lot at a casino near the trailhead! I sewed the tent (and down quilt, pack, and some clothing). Although the trail crosses passes up to 12k, you can find campsites at lower elevations in the woods and the creator of the trail developed the route to provide ample sources of water.

I am grateful for Mother Nature, my family and friends, the trail crews, and Pam Neely (who created and administers the trail) for this life gift that challenged my 70 year old body, and energized my inner light.

Please send me a message if you want the website address for the trail organization or to see a video of the trail.

Here are pictures of my campsites and a few highlights from my hike between May 8th and 16th, 2026. I had the great privilege to hike from Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico in the USA. The 132 mile trail begins literally in the Santa Fe town plaza at the monument for the historic Old Santa Fe Trail, and ends in the Taos town plaza.

Along the way I experienced high desert to alpine lakes and mountains of the southern Sangre de Christo range, and saw elk, Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, an Albert Squirrel, and a cinnamon bear! Also tons of butterflies and wildflowers.

The first campsite was a parking lot at a casino near the trailhead! I sewed the tent (and down quilt, pack, and some clothing). Although the trail crosses passes up to 12k, you can find campsites at lower elevations in the woods and the creator of the trail developed the route to provide ample sources of water.

I am grateful for Mother Nature, my family and friends, the trail crews, and Pam Neely (who created and administers the trail) for this life gift that challenged my 70 year old body, and energized my inner light.

Please send me a message if you want the website address for the trail organization or to see a video of the trail.

Between May 8th and 16th, 2026, I had the great privilege to hike from Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico in the USA. The 132 mile trail literally begins in the Santa Fe town plaza at the monument for the historic Old Santa Fe Trail, and ends in the Taos town plaza.

Along the way I experienced high desert to alpine lakes and mountains of the southern Sangre de Christo range, and saw elk, Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, an Albert Squirrel, and a cinnamon bear! Also tons of butterflies and wildflowers.

If you’re interested, visit the santafetotaos.org website for more information, and check out my video showing the trail mile by mile, a few steps at a time. https://youtu.be/s\_MmNTtzN48

I am grateful for Mother Nature, my family and friends, the trail crews, and Pam Neely (who created and administers this trail) for the life gift that challenged my 70 year old body, and energized my inner light.

What is this growing in a pot with a cactus plant?

Successful first step in my hunting journey at age 70! As best as I can remember, this was the first time I’ve fired a firearm (not including a neighbor’s bb gun as a kid).

Yesterday (24APR26) I hiked up the Old Horsethief Trail from the trailhead right on Highway 550 north of Ouray. The highlights were seeing a bear and a grouse and some wildflowers. I paused until the bear climbed up and away from the trail. I first saw it across the gully with the steep exposure. https://landmarkimages.smugmug.com/Montrose-/Hikes-jogs/Old-Horsethief-Trail-1/n-bTm7F7/Old-Horsethief-Trail-24APR26/i-SNKkm7p/A

Unlike Whambapp, https://www.reddit.com/r/coloradohikers/s/9haV08c1tu , I wimped out and turned around before reaching the Bridge of Heaven because the snowfield felt too glazed for me.

On the way back down I satisfied my urge to reach the top of something by walking up a little bump https://landmarkimages.smugmug.com/Montrose-/Hikes-jogs/Old-Horsethief-Trail-1/n-bTm7F7/Old-Horsethief-Trail-24APR26/i-qGFWQn3/A