[September 2012]
HAWKS on the HUNT
[contents]
September 2012 [departments]
[features]
4 Viewpoint
14 The Speed of Lighting
5 Letters 6 Calendar 7 Co-op News 12 NewsClips 29 Funny Stories 30 Discoveries
16 Hawks on the Hunt
Co-ops help sponsor bike tour of Colorado’s eastern plains
Co-ops help blaze trails for efficient lighting technology
14
Men and birds take to the field with Colorado Hawking Club
30
[columns]
16
20 Recipes
29
Funny Stories
Cookbook puts new spin on the muffin tin
22 Gardening
Durango artist creates poppy inspired paintings
24 Outdoors
Alkaline-rich intermountain valley reservoirs yield fat fish
25 Energy Tips
20
Energy efficiency adds up in your home and business
22
24
[cover]
This young northern goshawk gets ready to fly. Photo by Rob Palmer www.falconphotos.com. COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor@303-455-4111; mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Donna Wallin, Associate Editor; dwallin@coloradocountrylife.org • Amy Higgins, Administrative Assistant/Writer; ahiggins@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING: Kris Wendtland@303-902-7276; NCM@800-626-1181
The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association || Volume 43, Number 08
OFFICERS: Bob Bledsoe [ Tri-State] President; Bill Midcap [Fort Morgan] Vice President; Don Kaufman [Sangre de Cristo] Secretary; Jack Schneider [Poudre Valley] Treasurer; Kent Singer [CREA] Executive Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Bill Patterson [Delta-Montrose]; John Porter [Empire]; Don McClaskey [Grand Valley]; John Vader [Gunnison]; Jim Lueck [Highline]; Megan Gilman [Holy Cross]; Dan Mills [K.C.]; Tom Compton [La Plata]; Stan Cazier [Mountain Parks]; B.D. Paddock [Mountain View]; Joseph Costa, Reg Rudolph [San Isabel]; Mike Rierson, [San Luis Valley]; Marcus Wilson, Kevin Ritter [San Miguel]; Randy Phillips [Southeast]; Jim Jaeger, Ron Asche [United Power]; Bill Jordan [ White River]; Stuart Travis [ Y-W ]; Scott McGill [Yampa Valley]; Basin Electric, CoBank, Moon Lake Electric, Wheatland Electric [Associate
Members] EDITORIAL: Denver Corporate Office, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216; Phone: 303-455-4111 • Email: MNeeley@coloradocountrylife.org • Website: coloradocountrylife.coop • Facebook: Colorado Country Life • Twitter: @COCountryLife Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly for $9/$15 per year by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.
[viewpoint]
Adding Power to the Pedal
Co-ops join bike tour of Colorado’s eastern plains
BY KENT SINGER || CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR || KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG
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I’m ready to ride. At least I better be. Later this month, I’ll be part of a team representing Colorado electric co-ops that will join hundreds of other bicyclists for Pedal the Plains September 21 to 23. This inaugural bicycle tour will be a three-day ride across Colorado’s high plains. My fellow bicyclists and I will be riding nearly 168 miles, from Yuma to Wray to Burlington and back to Yuma. What I’m looking forward to, other than straight, smooth roads, is the celebration of what Colorado’s eastern plains bring to our great state. This tour, the brainchild of Gov. John Hickenlooper and The Denver Post, is going to focus on the community spirit that thrives on the plains, Support the team at celebrate www.poweringtheplains.coop the area’s agricultural roots and showcase the often overlooked beauty of rolling hills and scenic vistas. And Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives team, riding under the catchphrase “Powering the Plains,” will bring attention to the electric co-ops, whose electricity makes today’s life on the plains possible. Nearly the entire route of Pedal the Plains is inside electric co-op territory. The first day we will bike 27 miles, from Yuma to Wray, through Y-W Electric Association territory. That afternoon and evening, there will be a “Discover the Plains” celebration of Yuma County’s agriculture, history and culture with local craft booths,
interactive displays and live demonstrations. The second day’s 56-mile ride will be from Wray to Burlington, entering into the service territory of K.C. Electric Association. After their ride on Saturday, the riders will be treated to the “Plains Party & Festival” in Burlington’s Old Town. Riders and families will enjoy a county fair-type event hosted by the community and featuring live entertainment, a variety of activities and plenty of food and drink. The evening will conclude with an oldfashioned barn dance with live music. On Sunday, Pedal the Plains will wrap up with an 82-mile jaunt from Burlington back to the starting point in Yuma. Riders will start in K.C.’s territory and end up back in Y-W’s territory where a “Celebration of Agriculture” will be on tap. They will feast on local barbecue and the offerings of a farmers market. Yuma County 4-H will provide livestock demonstrations and the Little Britches Rodeo will offer entertainment at the Yuma County fairgrounds. The Colorado Rural Electric Association has joined a group of co-op sponsors (see list below) in sponsoring and participating in Pedal the Plains because electric co-ops play such an important role in rural Colorado. Through our bike team and our exhibits each day, we hope to remind urban riders of the challenges associated with providing affordable and reliable electricity to sparsely-populated rural areas. Our electric co-ops are proud to serve the eastern plains of Colorado, and Pedal the
Kent Singer trains weekends for Pedal the Plains.
Plains will be an annual opportunity for us to remind folks of the connection between affordable power and rural economic vitality. It is also an opportunity to fulfill one of our co-op principles: concern for community. During this bicycle ride, Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives will be raising funds for Energy Outreach Colorado, an organization dedicated to helping Coloradans pay their energy bills in times of need. The electric co-ops have long been supporters of this important nonprofit organization, and Pedal the Plains presents another opportunity for us to show our support of the good work being done by Skip Arnold and his staff at EOC. We’ll be riding to support EOC and we’ll be riding to bring visibility to Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. And we’ll be enjoying the vast blue skies and unending vistas of the eastern plains. So if you happen to encounter a bunch of bicyclists in “Powering the Plains” jerseys give us a “thumbs-up” as you pass (slowly) by.
Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Powering the Plains Sponsors: • Colorado Rural Electric Association • Colorado Country Life • Tri-State Generation and Transmission • Highline Electric Association
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 4 September 2012
• K.C. Electric Association • Morgan County Rural Electric Association • Mountain View Electric Association
• Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association • San Isabel Electric Association • Southeast Colorado Power Association • United Power
• White River Electric Association • Y-W Electric Association • R othgerber Johnson & Lyons, LLP • Wright & Williamson, LLC • Keep Electricity Affordable
[letters] Dog Biscuits a Hit I enjoyed your dog biscuit recipes (March ’12). My blue heeler, Dandy, loves the homemade biscuits. She won’t even take the treat from the UPS guy now. One suggestion: Use cookie cutters and the kids can join in so it becomes a family activity. Monika Cary, Kremmling
Co-op to the Rescue Back in June our children and grandchildren were having a 50th anniversary for us at our home in Hugo in what we call the “party barn,” otherwise used to house our motor home. Since it was about 100 degrees out, we moved a swamp cooler into the barn to keep our guests cool. Shortly before it was time for the guests to arrive, we lost power. We put in a frantic call to K.C. Electric and were told someone was on the way. When the linemen arrived, they quickly assessed the situation and within a short time had replaced the transformer. As they came down the pole, they were given a grateful applause. The swamp cooler quickly did its job and, thanks to the quick response of the K.C. crew, we had a great day.
Jim and Carol Mannis, Hugo
Response to Letter In a July Letter to the Editor, a writer was criticizing the United States by comparing renewable energy consumption per person to that of Germany and Spain. The rest of the story is necessary to put our lower usage here in perspective. Germany forces its citizens to pay for renewable power in their rates. Germans pay 36.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. Spain subsidized its budding solar industry with taxpayer dollars and is now begging for handouts from governments less foolish with their citizens’ money. I do not want to pay exorbitant costs for marginally productive assets, either in my power rates or through my taxes. Renewable power should be available to those who choose to pay for it but not forced on the rest of us. Brynn Johns, Bayfield Send your letter to the editor by mail to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver CO 80216 or email mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org. You must include your name and address to be published. Letters may be edited.
Join the discussions and giveaways at facebook.com/COCountryLife ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 5
[calendar]
[September] Through October 31 Mondays and Wednesdays Colorado Springs Farmers Market Western Museum of Mining & Industry 8:30 am-4 pm • wmmi.org September 5-9 Meeker Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials West of Meeker on Hwy 13 meekersheepdog.com September 6, 13, 20, 27 Dolores Curation Facility Tours Anasazi Heritage Center 2 pm • co.blm.gov/ahc September 7, 14, 21, 28 Woodland Park Farmers Market Center Street & Henrietta 7 am-1 pm • woodland parkfarmersmarket.com September 8 Cortez Harvest Beer Festival Parque de Vida 4-9 pm • montezumaland.org September 8 Westcliffe Ride Westcliffe Peaks Music Festival Various Westcliffe locations ridewestcliffe.com September 13-15 Vail “Living at Your Peak” summit Four Seasons Hotel livingatyourpeak.org September 14-October 28 Littleton Corn Maze Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield botanicgardens.org September 14-16 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival Town of Telluride tellurideblues.com
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 6 September 2012
September 15 Aurora Tour for Families Plains Conservation Center 9 am-12pm historycolorado.org September 15-16 Black Forest and Monument Front Range Open Studios Various locations frontrangeopenstudios.com September 15 Lake City Uncorked Wine & Music Festival Lake City Town Park 10 am • lakecityfestival.org September 15 Pagosa Springs area Night Sky Archaeoastronomy Chimney Rock Archaeological Area 6-9 pm • chimneyrockco.org September 15 Palisade Festival in the Park Riverbend Park 10:30 am-5 pm • colorado winefest.com September 15 Rye Fall Festival and Auction Home United Methodist Church 719-489-2779 September 21-22 Denver Fall Plant and Bulb Sale Denver Botanic Gardens botanicgardens.org September 21-23 Eastern Plains Pedal the Plains Various locations pedaltheplains.com September 21-22 Longmont Quilt-a-Fair Boulder County Fairgrounds 9 am-5 pm • 719-578-1947 September 21-23 Steamboat Springs OktoberWest Downtown and Ski Area steamboat-chamber.com
September 21 Trinidad Black & White Art Show Mitchell Art Center 5-8 pm • 719-846-6644
September 30 Granby Run the Ranches Granby Ranch 8:30 am • runtheranches.com
September 22-23 Aurora Arapahoe Kennel Club Dog Show Arapahoe County Fairgrounds 8:30 am-5 pm • arapahoe October 2 kennelclub.com Pueblo “The Capital Steps” September 22-23 Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Durango 7:30 pm • sangredecristoarts. Autumn Arts Festival org Downtown Durango 10 am • durangoarts.org October 4-7 Durango September 22-23 Cowboy Poetry Gathering Durango Strater Theater Children’s Consignment Sale durangocowboygathering.org Munchkin Kidz Mart munchkinkidzmart.com October 5-7 Cañon City September 22 Artful Women Exhibition Fort Collins Sunflower Bank Building Harvest Festival zontaroyalgorge.org Gardens on Spring Creek 10 am-3 pm • fcgov.com/ October 5-7 gardens/ Durango Parade of Homes September 28-30 Various Durango locations Bayfield durangopoh.com Bayfield Heritage Days Various Bayfield locations October 6 bayfieldheritagedays.org Calhan Women’s Rummage Sale September 28-30 Whittemore Hall at FairMancos grounds Balloon & Art Festival 8:30 am-2 pm • StretchBR@ Downtown Mancos aol.com mesaverdecountry.com October 6 September 29 Westcliffe Grand County Art Hullabaloo! National Public Lands Day Downtown Westcliffe YMCA/Snow Mountain Ranch sangresartguild.org/events/ 970-887-4120 hullabaloo/
[October]
September 29 Haxtun Corn Festival Quilt Show Haxtun Community Center 11 am-4:30 p.m. • 970-7746469 September 29-30 Westcliffe Alpaca Farm Days Maps to farms available at Westcliffe Library 9 am-4 pm • westcliffealpacas. com
October 7 Grand Lake Race for the Cure Pancho & Lefty’s 10 am • 303-386-2836
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SEND CALENDAR ITEMS
TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO:
Calendar, Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216; fax to 303-455-2807; or email calendar@coloradocountrylife.org. For more information on these and other events, visit coloradocountry life.coop
ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 11
[newsclips]
Colorado Leads in Net Metering
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In the last 10 years, more homes and businesses have added their own power generating systems to their property. Although less than 0.1 percent of all electric customers have done this and received credit for that electricity through a net metering arrangement with their local utility, growth continues. In 2010, Colorado had the second highest concentration of net metering participants. California led the list with 56 percent of the total, followed by Colorado with 6 percent, Arizona and New Jersey with 5 percent each and New York with 4 percent. — Energy Information Administration
A Powerful Education
Hydroelectric power was on display in late July when electric co-op representatives serving on the Colorado Rural Electric Association Board of Directors toured the Mount Elbert Pumped-Storage Powerplant on Twin Lakes near Leadville. This facility pumps water from Twin Lakes up about 1,000 feet to a reservoir known as a “forebay” between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when power costs are low. Then, during the day, when demand for electricity is high and it can be sold at a higher price, the water in the forebay is allowed back through the turbine, generating needed electricity.
READER CONNECTION Most everyone who answered the August question on what part electricity plays in America’s economic growth agreed that the two are intertwined. However, readers were also in favor of researching ways to become more efficient in our use of that electricity.
New Question for Readers We’ve all experienced an electrical outage at some time. What did you miss most when the electricity was off? Send your answer and its story to
info@coloradocountrylife.org. ColoradoCountryLife.coop 12 September 2012
Why Do We Send Colorado Country Life Magazine?
Y
You get this electric co-op magazine each month because it is the most convenient and economical way to share information with you as a co-op member. It takes the place of many mailings your electric co-op would otherwise have to send to you regarding services, director elections, member meetings, staff and management decisions and industry situations that you need to be aware of as an owner of the cooperative. Sending Colorado Country Life to you is one way the co-op fulfills one of its basic principles: to educate and communicate openly with its members. And by cooperating with other electric co-ops to publish this magazine, your electric co-op is able to send you this magazine for only 37 cents a copy, less than the cost of a first-class stamp.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 13
The Speed of Lighting Co-ops help blaze trails for efficient lighting technology BY MEGAN MCKOY-NOE, CCC
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After maintaining a steady pace for a century, lighting technology has begun to leap forward, fueled by tightening energy efficiency standards and hefty incentives for manufacturers. And despite a bit of price shock on some lighting products, co-op members — especially large commercial and industrial accounts — are working with their local, not-for-profit, consumer-owned power providers to see if emerging lighting options can curb rising costs.
Shifting standards
Congress first enacted improved energy efficiency standards for incandescent bulbs under the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. But when new lightbulb rules began to take effect in 2012, they were met with confusion. Under the law, by 2014 lightbulbs using between 40 and 100 Watts (W) must consume at least 28 percent less energy than traditional incandescents, which will
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 14 September 2012
Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives’ free app, “Save Energy, Save Money” for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, includes a lighting calculator showing the potential savings from replacing incandescent lamps with either compact fluorescent lamps or light-emitting diodes.
save Americans an estimated $6 billion to $10 billion in lighting costs annually. The measure also mandates that lightbulbs become 70 percent more efficient by 2020. In June, the U.S. House passed an amendment to stop enforcement of these standards, mirroring a funding freeze for enforcement efforts adopted in late 2011. Yet even if the provision becomes law, little will change. Congress has not repealed or adjusted existing lightbulb efficiency standards or changed the timeline for implementation. Major lighting manufacturers like General Electric, Philips and Osram Sylvania continue working to comply with the 2007 law. As the next wave of standards kicks in, traditional 75-W incandescent lightbulbs will no longer be available as of January 1, 2013, and 40-W and 60-W versions will no longer be available as of January 1, 2014. In the race to fill the nation’s growing need for efficient lighting comes a new breed of illuminators, led by light-emitting diodes or LEDs.
“Solid” lighting
Incandescent bulbs create light using a thin wire, or filament, inside a glass bulb, a delicate connection that can easily be broken, as frustrated homeowners can attest. In contrast, LEDs are at the forefront of solid-state lighting: small, packed electronic chip devices. Two conductive materials are placed together on a chip (a diode). Electricity passes through the diode, releasing energy in the form of light. Invented in 1960 by General Electric, the first LEDs were red. The color depends on materials placed on the diode. Yellow, green and orange LEDs were created in the 1970s and the recipe for the color blue, the foundation for white LEDs, was unlocked in the mid-1990s. Originally used in remote controls, exit signs, digital watches, alarm clocks and car signal lights, LEDs quickly gained momentum for large-scale lighting. By 2030, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates solidstate lighting technologies could reduce the amount of electricity used for lighting (currently 13.6 percent of the nation’s total) by half, saving up to $30 billion a year in energy costs.
Farming LEDs
Electric cooperatives are supporting LED study through the Cooperative Research Network-arm of the Arlington, Virgina-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Recently, CRN worked with Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative based in Anadarko, Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma State University Animal Science Department to evaluate LEDs at a farrowing operation and a dairy farm in the Sooner State. The project measured the effectiveness of LEDs in harsh environments and looked for any influence on animal behavior. T-Bar M Dairy Ranch, outside of Durant, Oklahoma, normally uses 250-W metal halide lights in its barns. CRN exchanged those bulbs in 10 fixtures with 120-W LEDs. After six months, the dairy had cut energy use by 55 percent
and boosted brightness by 30 percent. “Utility costs go up every year — that’s reality,” explains Tami Tollenaar, who manages the dairy. “To move forward in your business, you have to look for ways to be more efficient. LEDs are one of the things we can do to help us move forward.” CRN also worked with Robinson Family Farms, a 380,000-head hog operation in Holdenville, Oklahoma. The farm already used compact fluorescent lamps but had problems because those bulbs didn’t work well in harsh conditions. “Lighting for a swine facility is pretty important,” explains owner Rich Robinson. “We try to convince the sows it’s spring year-round to improve their eating habits.” CRN switched 25 fixtures from 26-W CFLs to 15-W LEDs. After six months, Robinson slashed his energy use by 54 percent. “I was worried because normally when you see an LED it doesn’t seem to put out as much light as a 150-watt incandescent bulb — it’s a different type of light,” Robinson says. “But, after installing the lights, I was surprised at how well they lit up the area. I think the LEDs actually outperformed the CFLs.” “The initial cost of LEDs is significantly higher than conventional lighting,” says Scott Williams, Western Farmers Electric commercial and industrial marketing manager. “Like all modern technology, you can expect the price to come down as the product develops. However, when you consider all the factors over the life cycle of a light, LEDs have already proved they save money.”
Shedding light on LEDs
Curious to know if LEDs are right for you? Homeowners can visit www.energysavers.gov/lighting to compare LEDs to new energy-efficient incandescent bulbs and CFLs. The Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives free app, “Save Energy, Save Money” for iPhone, iPad and Android devices, includes a lighting calculator showing the potential savings from replacing incandescent lamps with either CFLs or LEDs. Learn more at togetherwesave.com/Energy-Saving-AppSmartphones. For more in-depth information about LEDs and other types of solid-state lighting, visit eere.energy.gov/buildings/ ssl.
The T-Bar M Dairy Ranch, outside of Durant, Oklahoma, normally uses 250-Watt metal halide lights in its barns. Cooperative Research Network exchanged those bulbs in 10 fixtures with 120-W light-emitting diodes. After six months, the dairy had cut energy use by 55 percent and boosted brightness by 30 percent.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 15
R BY DERRICK HOWARD
PHOTOS BY ROB PALMER
Roger Tucker lifts the side panel of the truck canopy to reveal his goshawk Nova sitting quietly on her perch. A few brown feathers from her juvenile plumage intermix with the dark gray that will become her adult color. Her beige eyes will eventually deepen to a dark orange-red. (With maturity, the eyes of a male goshawk transform to blood-red.) Roger likes passage hawks, those caught during migration in the first year of their life. “They’re ready to hunt; they’ve made a living hunting on their own,” he says. He is proud of Nova, having trained her to hunt from the fist in just three weeks. She is focused and adept and ready for the chase. Roger is the apprentice director for the Colorado Hawking Club. He is a master falconer and has been hunting with birds of prey for 23 years. At the end of summer, he works with Nova to get her ready to hunt again after the molt. Once a year, Nova molts, or sheds her old feathers, for new ones. This begins in April or May and continues through the summer. New feathers push out the old feathers in a sequential pattern. Roger explains that when a hawk drops a feather on the right wing, it drops one on the left to stay balanced. The 12 tail feathers drop out in pairs. She maintains her ability to fly in this way. In the wild, the molt occurs during times that baby prey animals are abundant, making hunting easier. In the mews, the shed that is her living quarters, Roger feeds Nova well and does not handle her as much during this time. When The male northern hunting season approaches, however, Roger and Nova begin their training regimen. goshawks are large He brings her weight down and practices “jump ups” where she flies to his fist from the ground for a treat. They start at 10 birds, per night then move up to 20 or 30. After about three weeks of exercising, flying and getting used to people and dogs again, she inches long with a is ready for the new hunting season in September. While driving to the hunting grounds from his home south of Colorado Springs, Roger describes how to use falcons to hunt wingspan of ducks. After scouting a small pond for adequate game, a hunter releases his falcon into the sky. The bird climbs perhaps 1,000 inches. feet into the air and begins to circle. When the hunter flushes the
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[continued on page 18] ColoradoCountryLife.coop 16 September 2012
H H
HAWKS on the HUNT
Roger Tucker carries a first year (immature) goshawk to the field where they will train. ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 17
A first year goshawk returns to the fist for a tidbit after a practice flight. [continued from page 16]
ducks, the falcon stoops, or tucks its wings, falling into a dive straight down, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles an hour before striking its prey. “When it all works right, it is beautiful to watch,” says Roger. Falconry is a term used for the training of any raptor, such as falcons, hawks, eagles or owls. Today, Roger and some friends will hunt with hawks, more of a “close-in” affair. Two other hunters converge on the site near Pueblo. Chuck Butler, who is from the Pueblo area, and Dan Brooks, from south Denver, operate as general falconers. Colorado law requires a trainee to complete a two-year apprenticeship with a master falconer and pass a test before becoming a general falconer. “The Colorado test is harder than most,” says Roger. The state also inspects the mews and equipment that the owner will use for the raptor. While the mews are the birds’ indoor living quarters, a weathering area is an enclosed outdoor zone exposed to the elements. Chuck owns a Harris’ hawk, which waits patiently on the hillside then drifts down to join the hunters at their powwow. These dark-brown raptors bear splashes of chestnut color on the wings and thighs. White tips accent the black tail feathers. Harris’ hawks are social, often hunting with others of their kind. Today, the hunters will form its group. “Like wolves, they hunt in packs, usually comprising four to six individuals, each playing an appropriate role in the flush, the chase and the kill,” states falconer Tony Hill. “What they lack in speed and single-minded aggression, they tend to make up for with brains and guile.” While each man dons a leather glove, in case the bird wants to come to them, Roger retrieves flushing sticks from his vehicle. Although special falconry gloves are available, a welder’s glove or a bull-riding glove would suffice, says Roger. He warns that you must hold your hand up or the bird will walk up your arm to A mature goshawk returns to the fist after missing a rabbit.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 18 September 2012
gain the highest perch. The quarry today will be quail and jackrabbit, each a good test of the birds’ hunting skills. When everyone is ready, the friends form a line and walk through the brush, tapping and poking the cholla cactus with the flushing sticks as they go, hoping to flush out game. Roger enjoys the camaraderie of working with other falconers. They share common ethics about what they do and a love of hunting with hawks. He appreciates “the lifelong friends who practice the sport and understand your commitment and obsession.” Roger often hunts quail with the aid of his Brittanies. The younger dog, Piñon, will join the group later, when it is Nova’s turn to hunt. “The dog-hawk relationship is a lot of fun,” says Roger. A dog will point or flush and the hawk can learn to watch the dog. The hawk has an instinctive fear of canines, however, and must be taught to get used to them. Nova will not hunt rabbits with the dogs, because she has had dogs take rabbits away from her. She will hunt quail or pheasant with them, though, as long as they keep their distance. The hunt on this field is unsuccessful, so the group drives to another location to try again. They hunt mostly on private land where outside activities will not scare the hawk. Roger walks potential sites, looking for habitat with rabbitbrush, sage or cholla cactus. He keeps an eye out for rabbit scat and hints that one can listen for quail in the morning or evening if that is the intended quarry. Nova waits patiently in the truck on her perch while Dan’s red-tailed hawk named Wicked gets her chance. Wicked is primed to go. She sits atop Dan’s fist as he walks, her head bobbing and turning, searching for prey. “Most apprentices fly red-tailed hawks,” says Roger. “They’re easy, they’re fun. You can hunt all kinds of things in all kinds of
places.” These raptors are strong and rugged and will hunt even with distractions. Red-tailed hawks, like some other birds of prey, have light and dark color morphs, or variations. The Krider’s redtail is largely white-tailed and white-headed and virtually unmarked underneath. As a jackrabbit jumps up and sprints toward a fence, Wicked lunges into the air. The hunters break into a run, following to aide the hawk if she is successful. The rabbit tries to use the fence to escape the bird’s clutch, but Wicked pursues, yanked through the fence by the animal. The hunters converge on a successful capture. Dan is stoked, the pride and affection for his raptor apparent in his voice. Back at the trucks, Dan sprays down Wicked lightly with water and places a leather hood over her head to calm her. The hawks do not generally eat the quarry but their trainer will reward them for their catch with food. Finally, Nova gets her chance. Some call goshawks the gray ghosts for their elusive ways in the forest. Attila the Hun wore an image of this raptor on his helmet. Nova probably hatched in May or June 2011, left the nest in July then became independent of her parents in September or October, migrating down from the mountains for the winter.
Roger captured her from the wild in November 2011. Although smaller than the redtail, Nova uses her quick acceleration off the fist to her advantage. He thinks her weight is perfect for the flight today. Flying weight is critical to the hunt, and Roger speaks of it in tenths of an ounce. He estimates her weight at 28 1/2 ounces. Too heavy, and a bird is lackadaisical; too light, and the condition is unhealthy for the hawk. The hunters walk again, jabbing at cacti, keeping an eye out for quarry. Before long, another jackrabbit bolts, and with the shout of “Ho!” Roger releases Nova and scrambles after her across the field. The goshawk swoops low over the cholla, using her long tail feathers to outmaneuver the rabbit as it races away. The rabbit is fast, but Nova maintains pursuit. “She is relentless,” Roger later remarks. With a final lunge, Nova grasps the prey and tumbles to the ground. The rabbit is nearly four times her weight, but she manages to hang on. Nova has captured the biggest prey of the hunt. Roger smiles. “She is the best bird I have ever had.” Derrick Howard is a land surveyor, teacher and avocational archaeologist. He is currently writing a mystery-adventure book for the juvenile audience.
See more photos of the Hawks on the Hunt at
coloradocountrylife.coop. ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 19
[recipes]
A New Spin on the Muffin Tin
CCL and CREA spice up the lunchroom with help from new cookbook BY AMY HIGGINS || AHIGGINS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG Get Busy Mixing For $15.95 you can get your mitts on a copy of Muffin Tin Chef. Order yours by visiting mattkadey.com or muffintin mania.com. Or, enter to win a copy. Simply email your name, address and phone number to contests@ coloradocountry life.org. Be sure to put “Muffin Tin Cookbook” in the subject line.
Timely Muffin Tin Tips: After cooking your muffin meal, wash and dry the muffin tin as usual. Next, place it in the turned-off oven for a few minutes. The residual heat will dry up any remaining wet spots on the tin, which will prevent rust stains from forming.
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Colorado Country Life and Colorado Rural Electric Association staff organized a cook-off in which participants were asked to mix up something tasty by following a recipe from a new cookbook, Muffin Tin Chef: 101 Savory Snacks, Adorable Appetizers, Enticing Entrees & Delicious Desserts. The recipes in this innovative cookbook share a common bond: They’re all created in muffin tins. Not surprisingly, the fare our staff presented at the cook-off was, savory, adorable, enticing and delicious. Here are our favorites:
Mini Macaroni and Cheese 8 ounces whole grain macaroni (elbow) pasta 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided 2 large eggs 3/4 cup low-fat milk 1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt, preferably Greek-style 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes 2 tablespoons chopped chives 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 tablespoon grainy or Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3/4 cup panko (Japanese-style) bread crumbs Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain the pasta, return it to the pot and stir in cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs and stir in milk and yogurt. Add the egg mixture to the pasta mixture along with the sun-dried tomatoes, chives, cayenne, nutmeg, mustard, salt and pepper and mix well. Divide the mixture into 12 medium muffin cups. Heat the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in the bread crumbs and cook until browned, stirring regularly. Stir the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese into the toasted bread crumbs, sprinkle over the pasta mixture and bake until set, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before unmolding.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 20 September 2012
Corn Cakes 1 1/2 cups corn kernels 1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour 1/3 cup yellow cornmeal 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar or other granulated sugar juice of 1 lime 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/3 cup chopped cilantro 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 2 ounces) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pulse the corn several times in a food processor into coarse chunks, but do not puree. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the whole wheat pastry flour, cornmeal, jalapeño, bell pepper, sugar, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, egg, salt and pepper. Divide the mixture among 10 medium muffin cups and press down with the back of a spoon to flatten. Cook for 20 minutes or until slightly golden on top and set. Let cool for several minutes before unmolding. Serve with feta cheese on top.
[recipes]
Apple and Sausage Mini Quiches 7 ounces (1/2 package) puff pastry, thawed 4 large eggs 1/2 cup cooked chorizo sausage, finely chopped 1 small apple, finely diced 2 ounces Camembert or Brie cheese, diced 2 teaspoons grainy or Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon fresh thyme salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 24 mini muffin cups with butter. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the puff pastry into a 12-inch square. Cut 24 2-inch rounds using a cookie cutter, a 1/4-cup measure, or similar object about the size of the top of a mini muffin cup. Carefully press the pastry rounds into the prepared muffin cups, making sure the bottoms are flat. Poke the bottoms with a fork to prevent puffing. In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs and stir in the sausage, apple, cheese, mustard, thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Divide the mixture among the pastry cups and bake until the eggs are puffed and set, about 15 minutes. Let cool for several minutes before unmolding.
Find more muffin tin recipes at coloradocountrylife.coop.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 21
[gardening]
A Passion for Poppies
Durango artist creates floral-inspired paintings BY EVA ROSE MONTANE || ABUNDANTEARTHGARDENS.COM || GARDENING@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
I
It seems impossible to resist the sumptuous blooms of the Oriental poppy. But some of us are more taken by their beauty than others. Elizabeth Kinahan is one such woman. Kinahan is a Durango artist who has a copious collection of Oriental poppy paintings, and they are every bit as alluring as the living specimens themselves. Kinahan fell in love with poppies the first time she saw them, when she moved to Durango seven years ago. Painting floral subjects was outside her range of skill until she was commissioned to paint them. That was three years ago. She has since completed more than 40 poppy paintings. “I have been infatuated with the poppy image for years,” Kinahan says. “Their bright, translucent petals, and the proud and exuberant spirit they possess entice me to track them down every spring for paintings. Traditionally, they have been a symbol of the dream state, a transcendence of the physical world to a higher plane of consciousness. In the last century, they have come to represent those fallen in battle, serving as a reminder of our lost loved ones. For me, they have come to represent gratitude, joy and awareness and are the only subject that I paint for pure joy, their lighthearted flutter the harbinger of my favorite season. “ Although the deep orange is by far the most common variety I see as I nose around gardens in Durango at 6,500 feet, Denver at 5,200 feet and all the way up to Telluride and Crested Butte at 8,000 and 9,000 feet, there are other spectacular colors that are just as hardy. They include a bright lighter orange, true red, plum and bright deep pink. But the ones that most dazzle me are the pale pink and white varieties. Poppies perform best in colder climates and in most soils, including clay. And deer dislike them, so they’re a terrific choice for Colorado gardens. Plant these stellar beauties in the fall to enjoy their blooms in the springtime. If you plant them in the spring
you won’t see them until the following spring. Some of my favorite poppy companions are hummingbird mints, Ozark sundrops and Maximillian sunflowers. They have varying heights, but they have similar cultural requirements and are also considered deer-resistant, therefore they’re a good fit in the same bed as the impressive poppy. See Kinahan’s collection of poppy paintings at elizabeth kinahan.com.
Eva Rose Montane is a garden coach, consultant and designer. Read more gardening advice at coloradocountrylife. coop. Click on Living in Colorado and then Gardening.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 22 September 2012
ColoradoCountryLife.coop Septembere 2012 23
[outdoors]
Hooked on the Delaneys
Alkaline-rich, intermountain valley reservoirs nurture piggishly fat trout BY DENNIS SMITH
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Setting out to catch a big trout, let’s say 5 pounds or better for the sake of conversation, is unavoidably dependent on an auspicious combination of knowledge, skill, preparation and a generous but wildly unpredictable measure of good luck. Knowing where and when to go and what to do when you get there are essentials that can be controlled to a degree but may still be all for naught if Lady Luck doesn’t make the trip with you. In matters of fishing, luck — or lack of it — is often the difference between a trophy fish and an empty net. The Delaney Buttes Lakes, a chain of alkaline-rich, intermountain valley reservoirs lying west of Walden, have a long and highly regarded reputation for producing piggishly fat trout, some approaching the 10-pound mark. North Delaney Buttes Lake, in particular, is a state-designated blue-ribbon trophy trout lake noted primarily for its outsized brown trout, although monstrous rainbows and “cuttbows” (rainbow-cutthroat hybrids) lurk in its depths as well. The Delaneys already fertile waters, further enhanced by nutrient-rich runoff from surrounding farmlands, grow rambling jungles of underwater vegetation and vast herds of aquatic insects, minnows and crustaceans. Large lake midges, callibaetis mayflies, caddis flies, damselflies, crawfish, scuds, leeches, aquatic spiders and back swimmers supplemented by sporadic flights of ants, beetles, grasshoppers and other hapless terrestrial critters, including mice, offer the trout an endlessly varying smorgasbord. The unique combination of water chemistry, shelter from predators and a food supply that borders on obnoxious just naturally produces big, fat trout. For many of us in the region, the Delaneys are where you go if you want a reasonable shot at the mythical five-pounder. No guarantees, of course, just the opportunity. With that in mind, my sons and I are
ColoradoCountryLife.coop 24 September 2012
Big trout like this rainbow can be taken on the Delaney Buttes Lakes through the summer if one fishes at night uses, big flies and wades with Lady Luck at one’s side.
taking two of my grandsons to Delaney Buttes this month to see if the kids can hook their first big trout. Loosely defined as our “Annual Father’s Day Fishing Trip,” we try to make the pilgrimage to the Delaneys at least once a year. We plan the trip on Father’s Day (hence the moniker), but given the complexity of arranging our widely varying work and domestic schedules, we seldom pull it off until July, August and, in this year’s case, September — probably the most difficult times to fish the Delaney’s Historically, the best times to fish the Delaneys are in early spring immediately following ice-out when warming waters lure winter-hungry trout to feed in the shallows near shore, and in late fall when the brown trout aggressively attack anything invading their spawning beds on the shoals. The reverse is true in the summer: trout seek shelter from the blinding sun by retreating deep in the shadows of those massive weed beds where the water is
cooler, which greatly reduces the chances of getting a fly or lure to them without specialized deepwater gear and tactics. However, we’ve learned over the years that those same reluctant fish will venture into the shallows after dark to feed on nocturnally active crawfish, leeches and such. Our plan is to lounge in camp during the day and fish like mad through the night and the early hours surrounding dawn. My boys and I will use heavy fly rods and big, hairy flies that mimic crawfish, leeches and mice. We’ll rig the kids with their own gear, such as spinning rods, crank baits and Rapalalures. We’ve succeeded with this tactic in past years ourselves, so we’re hopeful the youngsters will hook some big ones too. We’re also counting on a heavy dose of good old-fashioned fisherman’s luck.
Miss an issue? Catch up at colorado countrylife.coop. Click on Outdoors.
[energy tips]
KNOW YOUR NUMBER Calculate energy use BY JAMES DULLEY
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How do you calculate your annual energy consumption?
A CCL SUBSCRIPTION MAKES A GREAT GIFT Did you know that you could get a Colorado Country Life subscription for $9 in-state and $15 out-of-state? Just call the nice people at CCL at 303455-4111.
You know my sister lives in Arizona and would really like to read about home. I will get her a subscription for her birthday. Thanks for the great gift idea!.
To determine how much energy your house consumes annually, check your utility bills and any other relevant receipts. The calculation will be based on total British thermal unit(s), or Btu, of energy used. A Btu is about the amount of heat given off by burning a wooden kitchen match. To convert various amounts of energy consumed into equivalent Btu, use the following conversion factors: • 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity = 3,414 Btu • 1 cubic foot of natural gas = 1,025 Btu • 1 gallon of propane = 91,000 Btu • 1 gallon of fuel oil = 138,700 Btu • 1 cord of wood = 19 million Btu Black & Decker’s Once you have calcuThermal Leak Detector can sense lated the total annual Btu, warm and cool divide this number by the spots throughout annual sum of the cooling the house. and heating degree days for your area — for the current year, not a historical average — which you can find via your local weather service. Finally, divide this number by the square footage of your house. The number for most houses falls between 10 to 20, which means a variety of energy efficiency improvements will be beneficial. Greater than 20 means your house is inefficient, and almost any improvement will help a lot. A number lower than 10 means significant improvements will be difficult to achieve without serious investment.
For more information on efficiency improvments to your home visit coloradocountry life.coop. Click on Energy Tips .
ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 25
[marketplace]
Register now for the CREA Energy Innovations Summit
Monday, October 29 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Embassy Suites Hotel 1420 Stout St. Denver, 80202
Learn about innovations in Colorado's electric industry.
• Rare Earth Metals • Power from Biomass • Developments in Car Technology • Smart Grid • Nuclear Power for the Future • Coal-fired Power Generation
Visit exhibits by industry experts
Register at www.crea.coop ColoradoCountryLife.coop 26 September 2012
SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION — Watch for kids getting on and off schoolbuses. Be careful.
[marketplace]
Advertise in MarketPlace. Colorado Country Life goes to more than 190,000 readers. Call
Kris at 303-902-7276 to place your ad.
ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 27
[classifieds] TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/month. Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay by credit card. Send your ad to: mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 phone: 303-902-7276 fax: 303-455-2807 email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org
CARS/TRUCKS/BOATS
FOR SALE
MACHINERY & PARTS
50 SUBARUS! (1995-2011) Outbacks, Foresters, Imprezas, Tribecas & more! Great prices! Warranties available! Dealer: www. MonumentMotors.com or 719-4819900 (574-08-13)
GRASSFED YAK MEAT FOR SALE. Delicious and nutritious. Delivery available. Fourth, half, or whole. 720-256-3364 (029-11-12)
SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North America’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings. THE place to sell equipment. 800-459-2148 www.sawmill exchange.com . (267-09-12)
2005 40’ ALFA GOLD MOTORHOME, 2 slides, loaded, nonsmokers, low mileage; 1985 Cadillac Barritz Eldorado conv., mint: 1932 Model A, 4 door, restored. 970-522-4600 (047-09-12)
CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION ANTIQUES ANTIQUE RESTORATION STUDIO — Antique conservation. Quality craftsmanship since 1974. Bayfield, CO, www.antiqueresdurango.com 970-884-1937. (988-12-12) BUY, SELL, TRADE, RESTORE antique woodstoves, cookstoves, early gas heaters, always looking for stoves, parts. Bob 303-902-7709 (049-09-12) CHAIR CANING, hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-547-0723. chaanita@q.com (858-04-13)
ANTLERS ANTLER CHANDELIERS made only from REAL antlers. We are the manufacturer and we sell all of our products at wholesale prices; save as much as 60% from store prices. Many other antler products and mounts, including 5’ moose mount, 56” elk mount and giant moose paddles. Showroom open May 15 through October 15 in Granby, CO. 15 years at this location, over 900 satisfied customers! 970-627-3053. (105-11-12)
BOOKS IZZY AULD’s incredible e-Books. Download mysteries, intrigue, suspense, from Amazon or B&N, www.izzyauld.com (014-12-12) RODEO ROOTS to Modern-Day Cowboys is a fine, fun book about rodeo. Great gift! $20. Bulk order discounts. Call 303-455-4111 to order one today. (106-12-12)
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.) EARN YOUR WAY TO $500/day mailing our postcards. National Homeworkers Association — Dept 7507 — Visit our website — www. easymoneyathome.com/500aday (911-10-12) FOR SALE — INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE and gun store. Cortez. Owner has health issues, 970-565-2474 (052-09-12) LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME opportunity. No sales, investment, risk. Training/website provided. Weekly/monthly income plus bonuses, benefits. Call Carrie 303579-4207, www.workathomeunited. com/ourabundance (932-10-12) NW MISSOURI BUSY, PROFITABLE convenience store/gas station. Price includes all inventory! Variety of food services. Seating for 25 in this extremely clean, well-maintained business! Could be owner financed. Servicing Graham, Maitland, & Skidmore areas, and the only one around! Call Rick 660-939-2296 www.rockyspitstop. net (059-10-12) PIANO TUNING PAYS. Learn with American School home-study course. Tools included. Call for info. 800-497-9793. (158-01-13) START YOUR OWN BUSINESS – home/internet. Simply the highest quality candles/beauty/fundraising. Enter free drawing. www.natures best.scent-team.com (831-11-12)
DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Clocks bought and sold. Call Robert 970-247-7729, bob.scott@ usa.net (109-09-12)
COACHING THE CONFLICT OF DIVORCE can lead you to your highest potential. Let us help. www.divorcefunda mentals.com (063-08-12)
ENERGY LET ME HELP YOU LEASE YOUR MINERALS for the best deal! 32 years of experience! Contact Michelle Smith, The Quiat Companies, (720) 318-2763 or (303) 759-1000, michelle@quiatcompanies.com. Visit us at www.quiatcompanies. com (065-12-12)
EVENTS QUID NOVI 3RD ANNUAL INNOVATION CONFERENCE - October 20, 2012, 970-267-0959, QuidNovi Festival.com “Where creativity meets” (994-09-12)
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE LOANS - $100,000 and up. Contact over 700 direct lenders nationwide — www.c-loans.com/r.cgi?r=000289 (911-12-12)
FOR SALE FIREWOOD – BLOCKED (NOT SPLIT) 15-17” seasoned Ponderosa - $8.25 per foot of your pick-up bed, moderate round. (8-foot bed: $66) or $50 per load of limbed not blocked random length pieces. (54” length and longer). You pick up. West Loveland area. Pole Hill Road (18E). 303-665-5749 saddlenotchridgellc@ gmail.com (939-12-12)
HEATMOR OUTDOOR FURNACES. Heat your home with wood, coal, used oil, or pellets with a stove that is backed with Limited Lifetime Warranty. Financing available. www.heatmor.com 307-710-6264 woodmountainstoves@gmail.com (058-12-12) OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS - $380 with warranty. Also sell portable concentrators and oxygen supplies. Repair and service of equipment. Aspen Concentrators Repair Service 719-471-9895 (040-12-12)
AWARD WINNING LONG-ARM QUILTING Services - Karen Niemi, 303-470-9309, http://creative. stitching.home.comcast.net, creative.stitching@comcast.net (846-02-13)
REAL ESTATE
HELP WANTED
GRAND JUNCTION HORSE FARM, 3130 A 1/2 Rd, 3550+ sq. ft. home on 14 acres. Newly remodeled, new central air, new boiler, new water heater, new roof, half brick ranch w/new vinyl siding. 5 bdrm, 3 1/2 bath, living room, dining room, large kitchen, large family room. New carpet/tile/wood floors. Full horse barn w/indoor stalls & outside runs. All steel fencing, arenas, loafing sheds on large pastures. Additional fencing around home & inground heated pool. RV building (50x28’), two large ponds, etc. $625,000. Ginny 970-260-9629, Terry 970-261-3001, Gtraudt@ edbozarth.com 3% to 6% to any REALTOR w/buyer (946-12-12)
$400 WEEKLY ASSEMBLING PRODUCTS FROM HOME. For free information, send SASE: Home Assembly — CC, Box 450, New Britain, CT 06050-0450.
HOWARD, COLORADO. Tree covered residential home site. Year round access. Owner finance. 719-276-7294 (050-10-12)
FREE FREE BOOKS/DVDS. Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com 888-211-1715. (814-21-12) JESUS’ BIBLE CURES GUILT, PTSD, and suicide. Dr. Edwin Vrell, pastor, Sacramentarian Christian Assembly. Call for appointment or cure by phone, 303-772-8825 (995-09-12)
HOBBIES & CRAFTS BOOKS, PATTERNS, CLASSES, knitting, felting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, natural dye extracts, Jacquard and Gaywool dyes. www. tablerockllamas.com Colorado Springs, 866-495-7747 (791-09-12)
HOUSEHOLD HELPS LOOKING TO REPLACE AMWAY PRODUCTS? Lose your distributor? I can ship to your home, no hassle, no salesman. Monika Cary 970-7242912. (982-11-12)
INSURANCE TURNING 65? Learn your Medicare options. Call for information or in-person appointment. Terri Schierbeek 719-447-5104. Licensed Independent Agent. (054-10-12)
“The fall of a leaf is a whisper to the living”
— Russian Proverb ColoradoCountryLife.coop 28 September 2012
QUILTS
LEADVILLE/MOUNT MASSIVE LAKES. For sale, 4bd/2b winterized home (turn-key) and membership at America’s premier trout club; near major skiing, golf, hiking. 623-687-5910 (057-09-12) MONUMENT. SECLUDED 5-acre homesite. Views. Utilities available. Terms. Easy access to I-25. $189K. 719-661-2027. (060-10-12) ROCKY FORD 20 ACRE FARM, call 303-995-2005 or email dan@afinc. net for details. (027-09-12) SAN ISABEL LAKE, CO - SMALL CABIN with well, electricity, large deck. Fishing, hiking, hunting. $55,000 719-271-4785 (067-09-12)
[funny stories] REAL ESTATE
VACATION RENTAL
WANTED TO BUY
WANTED: PROPERTY TO LEASE for hunting, fishing. We can offer landowners numerous benefits. 303-460-0273 (069-12-12)
KAUAI VACATION RENTAL, 2bdr, full kitchen. Minutes from beaches. $600/wk. 808-245-6500; makana crest.com; kauaiweddings.com. (756-05-13)
OLD COWBOY STUFF–hats, boots, spurs, chaps, Indian rugs, baskets, etc. ANYTHING OLD! Mining & railroad memorabilia, ore carts! We buy whole estates. We’ll come to you! Call 970-759-3455 or 970-565-1256. (871-11-12)
RELIGION BECOME AN ORDAINED Minister by correspondence study. Founded in 1988. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, PMB 767, 6630 W Cactus, B107, Glendale, AZ 85304. http:// www.ordination.org (441-12-12)
LUSH TROPICAL “BIG ISLAND” VACATION rental. Enjoy the real Hawaii, go online or call. www. vrbo.com/423408 1-808-443-8659. (066-01-13)
TICKETS
D.R. SELF-PROPELLED (16 or 18HP) field and brush mower. Grand Lake 970-531-1552 (068-09-12)
NFR & PBR RODEO TICKETS – Las Vegas. All seating levels available. Call 1-888-NFR-rodeo (1-888-6377633) or www.NFR-Rodeo.com. *BBB Member; Since 1990. (912-11-12)
VACATION RENTAL 3 BEDROOM BEACH HOUSE. Join other winter Texans on South Padre Island. Available winter months. $2400/mo. Call Sharon 832-275-2515 (884-09-12)
WANTED TO BUY
NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@ hotmail.com (817-10-12) OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1975. Call Wes 303-757-8553. (889-02-13)
Gift Givin g Guide
It’s time to let Colorado Country Life’s 190,000 readers know what you have to sell for the Holiday Season. Place an ad in this year’s Gift Guide. Deadline for the November issue
— October 1
Deadline for the December issue
— November 1
OLD GAS AND OIL items: Gas pumps, advertising signs, globes, etc. Pieces, parts, etc. considered. Also 1932-34 Ford cars and trucks, parts and pieces, too. Any condition. Brandon, 719-250-5721. (519-11-12) OLD POCKET WATCHES – working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209 watch doctor@hotmail.com. (870-12-13) VINTAGE FISHING TACKLE. I buy rods, reels, lures, creels, etc. Call Gary at 970-222-2181 (960-12-12) WANT TO PURCHASE minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. (402-02-13)
As our older son, Nicholas, entered the terrible twos, two major changes took place: We moved to another state and then found out we were expecting another child. The new baby needed a bed, so Nicholas graduated to a “big boy” bed. We brought out my childhood bed, which had a headboard and a tall footboard. Still worried that Nicholas would fall out of the bed, we pushed it up against the wall, leaving only one way to fall out. As time passed and the height of the terrible twos reached its pinnacle, Nicholas had an especially bad day. Quoting a familiar expression, I said, “You must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed.” “It’s the only way I can get out!” he responded. Mattie Cooper, Colorado Springs
A kindergarten teacher was observing her students as they were drawing. She walked around to see each child’s work. She noticed one little girl drawing diligently. “What are you drawing?” the teacher asked. “I’m drawing God,” the little girl answered. “But no one knows what God looks like,” the teacher said. Without hesitation, the girl looked up from her work and said, “They will when I’m done.” Lila Taylor, Stratton
When a friend of mine had a sudden emergency, I agreed to watch her daughter. She was doing a report on the California quail and asked me to check her work. One sentence puzzled me. She had written, “The quail lays her eggs when she’s sad.” When I questioned her she assured me that’s what it said in the book. I looked at the book and she was right. … sort of. It said, “The nest is usually a shallow depression lined with …” Sigrid Wyly, Black Forest
I was out walking with my grandson. He picked up something off the ground and started to put it in his mouth. I took the item away from him and I asked him not to do that. “Why?” my grandson asked. “Because it’s been on the ground,” I said. “You don’t know where it’s been, it’s dirty and probably has germs.” My grandson looked at me with total admiration and asked, “Grandma, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart.” I quickly said, “All grandmas know stuff. It’s on the Grandma Test. You have to know it, or they don’t let you be a grandma.” We walked along in silence for a few minutes, but it was evident he was pondering this new information. “Oh, I get it!” he shouted. “If you don’t pass the test, you have to be the grandpa.” “Exactly,” I said with a big smile on my face. Anonymous
Call Kris at 303-902-7276 for more information.
We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. At the end of the year, we draw one name from those submitting jokes and that person will receive $150. Send your 2012 stories to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email funnystories@ coloradocountrylife.org. Don’t forget to include your mailing address, so we can send you a check. ColoradoCountryLife.coop September 2012 29
[discoveries]
Provisions for Pedal the Plains
B
Bicyclists will converge on Colorado’s eastern plains September 21 to 23 for the first Pedal the Plains 166.27-mile bike tour through Colorado electric co-op territory. Among the riders will be a team of 10 electric co-op representatives. The team will be raising money for Energy Outreach Colorado, which helps those in need with heating bills. Find more about this venture at www. poweringtheplains.coop. With the upcoming ride in mind we found some bicycling accessories that are manufactured here in Colorado that are great for any cyclist.
FEAST YOUR
Connect Mobile Mount
IZE ON THIS
N
Nite Ize products for bicyclists get glowing reviews from Colorado Country Life staff. The Boulderbased company’s products include LED bike lights, key chains and marker bands as well as mobile phone holders. You don’t have to be a Pedal the Plains participant to appreciate the glow-in-the-dark spoke lights and carabiners, or the Connect Mobile Mount, which fixes nicely to bicycle handlebars. But don’t take our word for it; visit niteize.com.
[Fuel and Refresh]
D
Cozy Toe Time
When you swaddle your feet in Save Our Soles socks, it’s clear you’re slipping into something sweet. The Westminster-based manufacturer uses materials such as Core-Spun CoolMax yarn, merino wool and an Eco-Sole-Max blend, to ensure customers get the protection they need.
With hundreds of prints, such as Colorado
Columbine, Eat Sleep Train and Turtle Time, Save Our Soles has the right look for any sock wearer. What’s best is Save Our Soles will buy your socks back if you’re not satisfied.
For more information, call 866-274-6558 or
visit sossocks.com. ColoradoCountryLife.coop 30 September 2012
Primal Cycling Wear
D
Denver’s own Primal Custom is an official partner of Pedal the Plains. With durable, comfortable, great-fitting bike apparel, Primal is chosen by bicyclists worldwide. The company services professional elite teams, bicycle clubs, local bike shops, corporations and events.
Primal offers a terrific selection of
jerseys, bibs, shorts, accessories and more in several colors, designs and fabrics. The company’s customer service representatives assist clients in custom-
Developed in Boulder, Skratch Labs hydra-
izing these products to ensure they fit
tion mixes are great to fuel your body even
their needs and tastes. Simply tell your
if you’re not pedaling the plains. The clean,
Primal Custom representative when you
fruity taste is refreshing and doesn’t cause
need the apparel, create the design and
bloating like some electrolyte drinks do.
make modifications to your liking until
you approve it for production.
Hydration mixes come in lemon-lime,
raspberry, orange and pineapple. Buy a 20
Primal’s in-house design team has a
pack of single serving sticks for $25 or a one-
reputation for generating amazing work
pound bag for $19.50. Look for the mixes at
and spot-on turnaround time.
local bike shops or visit skratchlabs.com.
In September, Colorado Country Life
readers have a shot at winning a Colorado Touchstone Energy bike jersey. Just email your name, address and phone number to contests@coloradocountrylife.org by September 20. Be sure to put “Touchstone Energy Jersey” in the subject line.
To find out more about Primal Cus-
tom apparel, call 800-275-6953 or visit primalcustom.com.
Colorado Touchstone Energy Co-ops
PEDAL THE PLAINS SPONSOR OUR TEAM AND HELP TO RAISE MONEY FOR
To send your tax-deductible donation, fill out this form and send it and a check to: CEEI, c/o CREA, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216. Name: Address:
City: ZIP:
I would like to contribute:
❏ $20
❏ $50
❏ $75
❏ OTHER $
Donations will benefit Energy Outreach Colorado. Proud Sponsors of the First Pedal the Plains