The nights are cooling off, the days are getting shorter and the kids are heading back to school here in Southwestern Colorado.  Something amazing to look forward to this fall?  Taking in the sight of Aspen leaves turning to gold with contrasting red Gambel oak brush, and green Lodgepole Pines!  What’s the best way to see these spectacular Colorado Colors? A high country jeep trail tour! Check out these videos about two great options:

Ghost Town Jeep Trail Tour

La Plata Canyon Jeep Trail Tour

We are offering 10% off our popular Trails & Rails package in the month of September! Mention this blog at time of reservation to receive your discount.

Haven’t heard of our Jeep/Train package before? This is a mild adventure for ages 1-100! Your day will start off with a breath-taking drive to Silverton, Colorado in our charter bus on the Million Dollar Skyway. Once in Silverton you will then meet up with our drivers and climb aboard one of our custom safari vehicles for our Mini Ghost Town Jeep Trail Tour. Then venture off the paved roads on to old mining trails heading northeast out of Silverton. Spectacular tumbling waterfalls, snow-fed rivers & cool mountain air greet you as you wind through the old mining towns of Howardsville, Middleton and Eureka climbing to 11,200 feet.  You will stop at Animas Forks to explore one of the most preserved mining ghost towns in Colorado with many buildings that are still standing surrounded by the high mountain peaks of the San Juan Mountains and rolling alpine meadows. After coming back to Silverton you will have time to look around town and grab lunch on your own. Finally, board the Narrow Gauge Railroad for the stunning trip back to Durango. Travel by a coal burning, steam-powered locomotive on the same tracks miners, cowboys and settlers of the Old West took over a century ago. Relive history with the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a truly spectacular journey on board the steam engine Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.  Travelers aboard the train have the option of choosing between the vintage coach or the open-air gondola.  The trip back down to Durango takes roughly 3 hours and 15 minutes.

As the lazy summer days are winding down, take some time to help out in your community! There are tons of opportunities and interest area’s to choose from.  Check out this article in the Durango Herald from Mild to Wild’s First Annual Float for Hope:

Float for Hope

Maybe you’re looking to speand some time abroad? The Durango Telegraph recently wrote an article on Silverton local Steve Leisle.  Over the past four years he has made numerous trips to Southeast Asia, incorporating volunteering into his travels. You can read the full article by following this link:

http://www.durangotelegraph.com/telegraph.php?inc=/10-08-12/second2.htm

In Durango this week? If all you have is a few hours, stay local with Trails 2000 this Wednesday, August 18th.  Volunteers are needed for trail work on the Skyline Trail (off Jenkins Ranch Road in Skyridge) from 4-7pm.  www.trails2000.org for details.

Stop by our office at 50 Animas View Drive in Durango for some amazing deals!  The sale runs today and tomorrow, August 7 & 8, from 9am to 4pm. Stop by soon for the best deals!

Used

Personal Flotation Devices $10

Wetsuits $20

Booties $7

Helmets $7

Duckies

Blue NRS $299

Blue AIRE $349

Bandits $519

Double $699

Rafts

Vanguard $1299

Dry Bags $20

2 for $30

3 for $45

Gas Cans $5

NEW

All Kayak Paddles 25% Off

Paddle Gear 30% Off

Personal Flotation Devices

MIT and NRS 25% Off

Extrasport 50% Off

Pyranna Kayaks 30% Off Unless Demo

Canoes and Flat Water Boats 35% Off

Rebel $499

Thought the rafting season was over? Think again! Recent rain has brought water levels up for some great splashes in a raft or inflatable kayak.  Water levels are measured by the volume of water flowing in the river using CFS, (cubic feet per second).  Keep up to date by checking water levels at the USGS link here:

Lower Animas CFS

Due to the recent hot weather our Jeep Trail Tours are able to go above tree line earlier than in previous years!  The wildflowers are out early, speckling the mountainsides with bright colors.  On recent trips to we have seen the beautiful Columbines in bloom and mountain sheep out on the ledges.  We have also been seeing two bears on our ghost town tours in the mountains surrounding Silverton.  All of our Jeep Trail Tours provide great opportunities to sit back and take in the spectacular panoramic views as well as learn the history of the area from our knowledgeable guides.  Come explore Colorado over two miles above sea level in one of our custom open-air tour vehicles!

Looking for something new to do in Durango?  Opportunities are continuously changing as rivers run dry, seasons change and new passes open up.  How will you know what is going on?  Never fear, we have all of the news of what activities are in the past, present and future.

-Past -

Piedra River: Sadly, the season for the Piedra River has ended.   The Piedra (located in between Pagosa Springs and Durango) this year had an unusually short season this year, generally runs throughout June.  Catch this fabulous river next year, and enjoy Class II – IV rapids through this extremely scenic canyon!

Dolores River: The Lower Section of the Dolores River, located near Dolores, Colorado, has also stopped running for the season.  Due to the fact that this is a dam-release river, opportunities to raft this river are scarce; if you are planning on rafting the Dolores, be sure to look for release dates; there were only 3 this year!

-Present-

San Miguel River: The San Miguel River, located outside of Telluride, Colorado is open to rafters looking for an intermediate adventure.  This river runs with primarily Class II water, with Class III rapids throughout, through red rock scenery dotted with contrasting green pines.  Catch this river while you can; it only runs through the beginning of July!

La Plata Canyon: After much delay (due to avalanche-caused damages) the rugged jeep trails are finally open in scenic La Plata Canyon!  Head up to elevations upwards of 12,000 feet for the best panoramic views in the area!

Durango Melodrama & Vaudeville: Looking to liven up your evening with a bit of theater?  The Henry Strater Theater is now presenting “The Tavern”, also known as the Melodrama.  Slip back into yesteryear with this amusing performance located in the historic Stater Hotel!

Vallecito Reservoir: Now is a great time to hit the lake!  Open year around, Vallecito Reservoir makes a great mini-getaway from Durango (only 22 miles away).  Enjoy hiking, fishing and boating in a beautiful location! 

-Future-

Durango Mountain Resort: July 10th thru August 1st, Durango Mountain Resort offers its 24th Annual “Music in the Mountains” festival, offering classical and world music in a beautiful outdoor setting!

You’re preparing for an adventure out on a raft, and want to make a hearty meal before you hit the river, preferably one with yummy local ingredients… But how will you ever find food local to Durango?  Never fear, there are plenty of places to gather fresh and healthy food; here are a few of our favorite places to stock up on local goodies:

- For many, meat is the basis of most meals.  Stock up on locally raised, organic, grass-fed meats from Foxfire Farms, a company who strives to be sustainable and to promote bio-diversity; and more importantly, has the best darn lamb we’ve ever tasted!

- Another brilliant choice for meat is James Ranch; these guys set out with the goal to go “beyond organic” by practicing more “natural” styles of raising livestock.  For a real treat, try one of their artisan cheeses…our pick is the Belford!

- Got a sweet tooth?  We recommend heading over to Honeyville for some locally processed honeys, jellies & other treats.  Don’t forget to check out the bees through the window of the live glass beehive!

- Undecided about what local goodies are for you?  Take a visit to the Durango Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings for some downright delicious treats.  Many of the previously mentioned vendors find a home at the farmers market, as well as several other local farmers, bakers and artisans.

Don’t feel like cooking, but still want some local goodness?  Several local restaurants feature meals that are made with local ingredients; check them out!

- Turtle Lake Refuge: On Tuesdays and Fridays, stop by Turtle Lake to enjoy their tasty and unique “Local Wild Life Lunch”; the menu changes from day to day, so there is always some delicious, new creation to try!

- Cyprus Cafe: Serving scrumptious, Mediterranean fare, this cafe serves locally grown veggies and natural meats.  We recommend grabbing a spot on their patio for the ultimate summer experience!

- Bread: Stop by Bread, for some locally made baked goods; tasty muffins, cookies, sandwiches and, of course, bread!

James Ranch Calves

As you know Mild to Wild offers deluxe camping on our 2 to 4 day river trips, where our guides cater to you!  Whether you’re looking for a mild river for the whole family, (San Miguel river or Moab’s Colorado river) or an adults only high adventure trip, (Upper Animas and Piedra rivers), we have the perfect over night trip for you! But what to do when our guides aren’t the one’s organizing your trip and cooking you gourmet meals?  Here are some tips to help you have worry free nights under the stars:

1. Make a list.  We cannot stress this enough! As camping is an escape from the everyday, you won’t always be able to find an extra water bottle or can opener when you’re out in the wilderness.  Sit down and make a list of everything you will need a week out, then you can add on little things throughout the week.
2. Find a campsite.  The days of heading off into the woods till you find somewhere to sleep are over!  With kids in tow its better to know exactly how long it will take you to get to where you’re headed.  Be sure to make reservations on weekends and especially on holidays.
3. Check the weather before you leave! Along with that, make a rain plan.  That could be a deck of cards to play in the tent or tarps to cover the cooking area.
4. Start small and within adventure limits for all family members.  When camping, setting up tents and cooking are part of the fun! Let everyone have a role.

Teach Kids about Campfire building and safety with Candy Campfires!

Ingredients:

Mini Marshmallows

Coconut

Red Hots

Sunflower Seeds

Tootsie Rolls

Pretzel Sticks

Large Gummy Bears
Procedure:

1. What are the first two things you need to start a campfire? An adult, (giant gummy bear) and water near by (juice box) incase you fire escapes!
2. Build the campfire ring using the mini marshmallows.
3. Place sunflower seeds inside to represent the dirt.
4. Build the A frame from the pretzels.
5. Put coconut inside the A frame as the tinder.
6. As the fire warms up put the red hots in to represent the hot coals.
7. Place the tootsie rolls on last representing the large logs.

Looking for the perfect way to spend your time in Durango with your kids?  While our company offers an abundance of activities in the Durango area, there is so much more going on!  The following goings-on are our top picks for what to do in the Durango area this summer for the little guys:

1. We admit, we are a bit biased, but we think we’ve got some great summer programs for your kids.  Join Mild to Wild for any of our kid-oriented specialty programs, and spend summer like never before!  This summer we are featuring Youth Raft Guide School, Youth Day Camp & our Youth Inflatable Kayak Course.  Join us for these fun and educational courses this summer! (970) 247-4789
2. For the budding botanist or mini-zoologist in your home, we recommend a trip to Durango Nature Studies; this educational organization offers an array of fun summer activities, focused around learning about our local ecosystems.  Arrange a guided hike on their 140-acre nature center and learn more about the environment around you, or sign up for a hands-on workshop!  Better yet, sign up for the summer day camp! (970) 382-9244 www.durangonaturestudies.org
3. Colorado is known for its mountains, and also it’s ski resorts.   We know what you’re thinking; there’s no skiing in the summer!  And you would be right.  But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun at Durango Mountain Resort!  During the summer the resort offers an abundance of fun and outdoorsy activities; take a trip down the alpine slide, play a round of mini-golf or take a trip up the chairlift!   (970) 247-9000 www.durangomountainresort.com
4. Does your little one have an eye for sparkly bling?  Then the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour will be a fun excursion they’ll love!  Travel underground on the mine’s train and learn about where it all comes from!  Pan for gold, maybe you’ll hit the mother load!  (970) 387-5444 www.minetour.com
5. It’s a rainy day, but your kids still want to be active.  And who can blame them?  We recommend a trip to the Durango Community Recreation Center.  Kids can try out the climbing wall, and learn the basics (good prep for outdoor rock climbing later on!)  If swimming sounds like fun, be sure to check out what the Center’s pool has to offer; with a waterslide, toddler pool and hot tub, you won’t let the rain cramp your style!  (970) 375-7300.