News | Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers & Photographers

Let’s Have a Conference!

There’s good news across the country and in New Mexico, as we begin to get the Coronavirus pandemic under control and get closer to the normal life we had in the good old days. Although there are still more questions than answers about the rest of 2021, it’s looking good that RMOWP will gather for a conference September 26-29 in Alamogordo, New Mexico, home of White Sands National Park. See the May-June issue of Rocky Mountain Outdoors for photos of the Alamogordo area.

New Colorado Fly Fishing Guide

Ron Belak, longtime RMOWP member from Kittredge, Colorado, tells us that he recently published his second book, The Fishing Guide to 800 High Lakes in Colorado. He describes it as “the most comprehensive and up-to-date fishing guide for Colorado’s high-mountain lakes, covering all of the major mountain ranges in Colorado.”

Spring in the Colorado Mountains

By Maryann Gaug

Spring frees the creek to once again jump, gurgle and sing as it wends its way along the trail. © Maryann Gaug

Early April and I am already seeing changes along my favorite hiking trail near my house. No, the wildflowers are not yet blooming. At 9,000 feet elevation they’re still snuggled under at least a foot of snow, gathering nutrients to burst forth in another month or two. In this country May showers bring June flowers. April embodies a battle between Winter and Spring.

Conference 2021 in Alamogordo, NM!

No one really knows what 2021 will bring, but with the increasing availability of Covid vaccines and progress on treatments, let’s be optimistic and plan a conference. So, mark your calendars for September 26-29, that’s Sunday through Wednesday, in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Happiness and the Great Backyard Bird Count

By Virginia Parker Staat

“I don’t feed the birds because they need me;
I feed the birds because I need them.” ~ Kathi Hutton

bird collage — Backyard Birds © Virginia Staat

Sherry Zurey Dies

Sherry Zurey with husband Frank and granddaughter Emily Harrington — Sherry Zurey with husband Frank and granddaughter Emily – all award winners in 2011 RMOWP Photo Contest

Longtime RMOWP member Sherry Zurey, 78, of Golden, Colorado, died January 6th. We all remember Sherry’s lovely smile, cheerful willingness to pitch in whenever and wherever needed, and of course the scrumptious cookies she brought to conferences. She also served on the RMOWP board of directors and won several awards for her photography. She’ll be missed, but with happy memories.

National Park Service – 2021 Free Admission Days

Want to visit a national park, monument, or other National Park Service property this year and don’t have a pass? Choose the right day and admission is free.

Continuing a long-established tradition, the park service begins the year with free admission to all National Park Service properties on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 18. Then, there will be free admission on Saturday, April 17, the first day of National Park Week.

August gets two admission-free days this year, on August 4 for the one-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act; and on Wednesday, August 25, for the National Park Service’s 105th birthday.

There is also free admission on Saturday, September 25, for National Public Lands Day, and Thursday, November 11, Veterans Day.

There are 422 National Park Service properties nationwide, with at least one site in each state, and entrance fees ranging from free to $35 for the more popular parks. Park service officials said they hope that the fee-free days will encourage everyone to spend time in the parks.

The Great Chile War

This says it all! (Logo for Hatch, NM)

New Mexico and Colorado usually get along just fine. In fact, the two states share ownership of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which runs between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, and which many of the attendees of the Alamosa conference enjoyed riding.

However, a rivalry has developed over who has the best chile (or chili).

Laines Thrown out of New Mexico State Park!

By Don Laine

Tired of northern New Mexico’s cold and windy spring weather, on March 11 Barb and I, and our wonder-dog Zoe, headed south in Thor, our 24-foot motor home. Since our plan was to spend at least three or four weeks in New Mexico’s southern (and warmer) state parks, our first stop was at state park headquarters in Santa Fe to buy an annual camping pass. With pass in hand, we headed down to Brantley Lake State Park, just north of Carlsbad.

Autumn Splendor

Dallas Divide, Colorado, fall color — Autumn Splendor at Dallas Divide © Maryann Gaug

After a summer of hanging close to home, Rover, my camper van, begged me to take it camping somewhere, anywhere. Perhaps my restless spirit grew more restless as the aspen on the hills near my house started to change. With kids back in school, the campgrounds wouldn’t be quite as full and insane as during the Covid-19 summer. Time to look for gold in them thar’ hills!