We visited lovely Durango recently with the monks from Gaden Shartse Monastic University. I’m the tour director and I believe this is our 3rd or 4th visit to Durango.
We did a blessing at the Rotary Park bridge when a group of four tubers came along. Just after the foot bridge, two were caught in an eddy behind a rock and unable to get out. One abandoned her tube and was forced into the current screaming for help, The first thing I noticed is that none of them had life jackets on.
I sprinted towards the end of the bridge to help. As I turned the corner, one of the others who had abandoned her tube reached out and was pulling the frightened tuber towards the shore, I went back to the bridge where I observed that the other tuber was still in the eddy unable to free herself. We could not do anything, as the current was to swift to enter the eddy. Finally, after five minutes, she freed herself and made her way towards her friends.
During lunch at the Himalayan Kitchen, the monks and I discussed the incident, I got up from the table and headed to the Police Department and met with one of the deputies. I suggested that never should anyone be allowed in the river, tubers and boaters, without life vests!
The officer suggested their hands were tied. Someone must have the power to change this! Every year two to three people drown in the Yuba River near Grass Valley, California and there are signs, “Do not enter the river!” It is swift, very cold and bigger than the Animas.
I suggest the city council, or whomever enforces the river, develop a mandatory life vest ordinance to protect tubers, boaters and the beautiful city of Durango.
Lobsang Wangchuk
Long Beach, CA
