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Saturday, July 4th, 2009 - USA Independence Day
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On our way out of town for the day, we paused to gaze down at the Independence Day Parade.
It was just getting on it's way as we were leaving.
We've always really liked going past this one particular spot on Red Mountain Pass.
This time, we decided to stop for a little photo shoot.
This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.
It's Molas Lake, just south of Silverton (and just North of Molas Pass) on 550.
I took this additional shot for the benefit of my friends Ginger and Tom.
They have a 5th-wheel and are planning on doing a bunch of traveling at some point.
I think they'd really like this place.
At breakfast that morning (Christmas House B&B), we heard from one of the other folks that Ouray was going
to have some kind of zip-line event at the Ice Park that day. So, we checked on the timing and made sure to get
back in time to check it out (and maybe join in the fun).
Here, we're watching as a couple people were just about to go
(they had two lines set up; both angled down from right to left across the gorge).
This photo was taken from the bridge which you'll see in other photos below.
It's an optical illusion that makes it seem like it's going down fro left to right.
It definitely goes the other way (and if anything, my camera was crooked).
The platforms which the people are standing on are for viewing ice climbers.
The bridge at the very top of this photo is where I took the last photo in this set from.
This event was put on by San Juan Mountain Guides. They charged $10 per person.
This is where they took the money (it was a very welcomed break from standing in the direct sunshine).
Here we see the SJMG guys helping a couple people getting ready to zip.
This is a waterfall under the bridge which you see in the photo immediately above.
Here's Karen, all suited up, standing outside of the harness/helmet shelter.
A young man was just about to zip away here...
...and there he goes.
Another look at people standing on one of the viewing platforms, gazing down into the gorge.
As I got up near the front of the line, I began to examine how they were doing this whole thing up close.
They are very good at what they do, and were directly on top of everything happening,
and really good about explaining everything to the riders.
We decided that I'd go first so that I could record Karen coming toward the camera as she zipped over the gorge.
Here she is, getting read to jump over the railing.
After we both zipped over the gorge, we drove down to another bridge
to watch a bit from below.
Here's a compilation of the video that I recorded at this zip line event...
Ouray Flare Parade
That evening, we headed up to the 550 overlook to get in line for the annual
Independence Day Flare Parade.
Here are Karen and Sandi among some of the other paraders.
I bought some magnetic LEDs from ThinkGeek.com just before our trip,
and decorated Sandi with them for the Flare Parade.
At first, when we drove up at the sign-in location to pay the $10 fee, I got a little snickering from some in the crowd
Once they saw the LEDs spelling out USA on the hood and the others used as accents elsewhere around the FJ,
and the rock lights dancing beneath, there was no more snickering.
Here we go...the Flare Parade is finally getting on the road...
Here is video that I recorded on the parade route.
Due to YouTube's 10 minute limit, I had to split this one into two segments.
Here's the first...
...and here's the second part...
Here is a video of some of the fireworks that night, after we got done with the Flare Parade...
Here's one last view of Sandi's USA LED light decorations before packing them away and getting to sleep...
Here is a video showing Sandi's rock lights in action...
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