DUN magazine | Take Me To Your River

Check out Kati’s article in the August September issue of DUN magazine! Disc golf may have gotten a mention.  

PC: Allie Rouse

Pictured with @gettingoutdoors

gettingoutdoors:

Take Me to Your River

The river is more than a weekend retreat for us. It runs through our veins. It’s a way of life, our livelihood. For me it also symbolizes change–almost 15 years ago leaving the city life and venturing to the unknown. It doesn’t always give freely with conditions that can change in the blink of an eye, making it difficult for the average bear. I am forever grateful for our Papa Bear who is way beyond the average. I’ve watched our children grow from “fishing” with us in front packs to mending their lines better than many adults. 

As we continued on our Colorado journey, I was feeling the frustration of being sick and not running. (Probably the most I have not run in years. The upside was fresh legs for the couple of runs I finally felt like doing! And I found my one pair of shorts lost earlier in the trip. Winning!) I also had not had a lot of fishy time to myself. As our kids are still kids, fishing usually includes a lot of splashing and skipping rocks with obviously fewer fish. Sometimes not any fish, if you are not quick enough to get a line in before the chaos. 

We haven’t really pushed our kids to fish. We want the desire to come naturally from within. One night I was going to sneak off to grab some much needed solo river time. Shortly into my hike, I realized I had company. A certain little 9 year old decided she really wanted to fish with me. At that moment I knew that this was better than the moment of solitude I was seeking. I wouldn’t give anything for our night on the river. 

We wrapped up our time in Colorado with the epic stonefly hatch on the Conejos living for a moment in a tiny cabin in the middle of the fish camp full of people that plan for this hatch every year. We didn’t realize until we got there that it was happening. We couldn’t have timed it more perfectly and will be back next year–probably with many of the same people. What a special community where our kids made quick friends and rode their bikes freely through the camp. 

Of course we managed to squeeze in some stellar disc golf in Beaver Creek. It was way beyond amazing. I absolutely love my group of humans and savor these adventures we have together. Each year we have a theme song. This year was Leon Bridges’ “River”. 

So, forever and always, Take Me to Your River. 

COLORADO!

I will admit, I have been on mountain time since we got back from Colorado. So finally, here are a few pics from the trip. We had a great group of guys and the trip was an absolute blast. Can’t wait for next year! 

Fish happy!

Kati

gettingoutdoors:

COLORADO!
We arrived in southern Colorado with the door falling off the pop up while I was driving the truck pulling the pop up pulling the driftboat stopped on the curvy highway as workmen repaired the mountain where large boulders had recently fallen and set up camp in the Rio Grande National Forest. Capt. Rouse repaired the door. He’s kind of like MacGyver, which came in handy since the pop up wouldn’t pop up as we were setting up camp after dark. We lucked out with probably the best campsite ever with our own side of the mountain and section of the Conejos River. The next day the boys went to the river where Little Man threw rocks and sticks from sun up to sun down. (Sorry Leave No Trace. At least he didn’t pick any wildflowers). Little Miss battled with altitude sickness most of the morning and asked numerous times if we could pack up and go home. She rallied for an impressive hike and thought this was the best place in the world. We ended the day with a magical campfire followed by an excellent night’s sleep in our pop up palace. I am amazed at the comfort of the dense foam on plywood. The fresh air and stars aren’t too bad either. The sound sleeping was in spite of the fact that there was probably a mountain lion in the area as Capt. Rouse had smelled a strong scent on our little section of river. Stay tuned for part 3 of our journey in the Yampa Valley. Happy camping! Kati

Great start to Colorado 2014! Nice pike and rainbow in the Yampa Valley.