Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
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.

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




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.

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.
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.
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.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
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.
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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.
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Same Wavy Leaf Oak. Can remain evergreen (or considered a "live oak") in slightly warmer climes. We've yet to find acorns.
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Anyone know him?
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Looking south to Durango.
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Animas River Valley just north of town.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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.

Just like the one Eddy Merckx wore, but nicer.
For your dark Swedish id.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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