We're Not In Payson Anymore

Mazatzal Wilderness Area

In the language of the Aztecs, mazatzal means "an area inhabited by deer". We saw a lot of interesting flora and fauna, but no deer. Regardless, I'm sure they abound.

Looking into beautiful, and copper-rich, Barnhardt Canyon.

Agave toumeyana, found only in the Central Mountains of Arizona (except for one tucked under a Live Oak, Quercus turbinella, in the front yard of our house).

Agave toumeyana accompanies a Claret Cup Cactus, or Echinocereus triglochidiatus (funny thing is, we have a thriving Claret Cup under that same Live Oak?!?!)

Palmers Century Plant, or Agave palmeri

The predominant agave of Central Arizona.

And again...

Close-up of the rosette. Note the "ghost leaf" impressions left behind by subsequent, newer growth.

Chihuahua Pine, or Pinus leiophylla var. chihuahuana "Ocote blanco"

Similar in form to Ponderosa Pine, but with much shorter needles (grouped in 3s) and bark that blackens with maturity. The Mazatzal Mountains represent a northern extreme for this species found primarily in the Sierra Madre Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico.

Pringle Manzanita, or Arctostaphylos pringlei

Recent fire activity has appeared to allow these manzanitas, normally a understory plant, to grow taller and more erect. And the leaves appear especially large, perhaps due to the pruning affect of the fire?

The fearsome teeth of the Mazatzals.

The Magical Land of Az

A few findings from our explorations in the West Clear Creek drainage, near Camp Verde, Arizona.

An idyllic pool along West Clear Creek.

Soaptree Yucca, or Yucca elata

The prevalent narrow-leaf yucca of central Arizona.

Arizona Sycamore, or Platanus wrightii

Red Mahonia, or Mahonia haematocarpa

Framed by the colorful bark of an Arizona Sycamore.

Exposed, stream-side Sycamore root system.

Fremont Cottonwood, or Populus fremontii

Unusually convoluted bark of a Netleaf Hackberry, or Celtus reticulata

Lurking in the deep, dark recesses below the Mogollon Rim.

We're Off To See The Lizard!

A whole week off for Durango's school children, and nothing better than heading to Arizona for a final bit of warm weather before we start waxing skis and mounting studded bike tires.

Sunset from the campground at Navajo National Monument.

The rare 2-legged Pinyon Pine, or Pinus edulis 'Biped'

Navajo Yucca, or yucca baileyi var. navajoa

Spent yucca seed pod.

Littleleaf Mountainmahagony, or Cercocarpus intricatus

Community Service

Bouré Sportswear and other Durango business owners provide what they can to support their local community and the people that live here, and that's what makes Durango a unique place to live. And sometimes we need to take care of each other.

Roots

If you've called Bouré, then you know that Uncle H-Wade offers the best customer service ever. Ever! Need a Custom-Fit pair of shorts, no problem! Not sure what kind of clothing you might need for a future event. Wade's all over it! Need advice on how to live on 12-volts? Got it! How to finance and bond a $18,000,000 road project. Please! Here we try to explore how that kind of customer service is born.

This is the home Wade's granddad grew up.

He has been told that his granddad, Oren Getchell Moore (aka Daddy-O), proclaimed "it the nicest in Willacoochee, Georgia when I was a kid".

(L-to-R) Father Oren Getchell Moore Jr, John "Baby" Moore, mother Kathy Moore, Kitten Moore, and Wade (aka Oren Getchell Moore III) as a youngster (far right with both legs in casts). Note those worn out knees.

Wade posing with Hal McLean, living legend of Durango cycling, atop Lemon Dam during Bike Fweest 2008.

Animas Mountain Mysteries

Animas City Mountain rises about 1500 feet above north Durango. Mountain? Maybe more of a tilted mesa. I'm guessing (off the top of my head) that in 20+ years I've run, hiked and ridden Animas Mountain about 500 times. However it's done, it's steep and hard, offers great views and some fantastic vegetation.

Photography by Jeff Wagner, Founder of The Colorado Dendrological Society.

Quercus undulata, or Wavy Leaf Oak.

Not often found in our area. I huffed right by it 496 times before first spotting it with my wife.

Same Wavy Leaf Oak. Can remain evergreen (or considered a "live oak") in slightly warmer climes. We've yet to find acorns.

Anyone know him?

Looking south to Durango.

Animas River Valley just north of town.

Woolly Bully!

Bringing more wool to you! This photo was taken by Wade, near his home on US Hwy 160, about 10 miles east of Durango. If you didn't know, Wade lives out in the country - where they like to Move Mutton. Scroll below to see our latest Wool offerings.

Molteni Wool Trainer

Just like the one Eddy Merckx wore, but nicer.

Black Cross Wool LS jersey

For your dark Swedish id.

Piano Staircase

Thanks Jenny!