Stewards of the Land - The Durango Herald

Life beneath the snow and ice

Winter in Southwest Colorado is finally here! In this weather, our local animals have many survival strategies – they may migrate, hibernate or adapt their lives to the new surroundings. ...

DATE: Dec 25, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Knowledge of trees helpful all year

It can be depressing to see fall leaves blow away into the dark days of winter. But conifer trees are always full of life. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, there is plenty to learn abo...

DATE: Nov 20, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Rural cemeteries: Forgotten history in lonesome places

The wind rustles the grasses and snow silently covers the graveyard tombstones. These monuments in stone are chroniclers of past lives; the witnesses for cherished souls now gone. Expression...

DATE: Nov 6, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

You should go check out wildflowers in the mountains

Stop complaining about the rain. Really, it’s not that bad. Did you forget about the drought we were in and the risk of catastrophic wildfires? I think you need to take a walk in the mountai...

DATE: Jul 24, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Spring rain means no fires? Think again

The recent spring rain may lull you into thinking there won’t be much of a fire season. And there may not be – this summer. But fast forward to next June and think about how much more fuel i...

DATE: Jun 26, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Get outside with San Juan Mountains Association

Everyone at San Juan Mountains Association loves our Southwest Colorado summers, just like you do! What a beautiful time of year to simply enjoy being outside, hike, camp, horseback ride, mo...

DATE: May 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Looking for something new? Get to know Mud Springs

The Bureau of Land Management Special Recreation Management Areas offer a unique combination of terrain scenery and climate that allows for nearly year-round recreation close to town and are...

DATE: Apr 24, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Be a good neighbor and help to prepare for any wildfire

May 2 is National Wildfire Preparedness Day At a recent wildfire conference in Tucson, Arizona, we took a field trip up Mount Lemmon to view, among other things, the community of ...

DATE: Mar 28, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Stay up late tonight, check out the stars

The longer hours of darkness in the winter make it a perfect time of year for stargazing – night starts early, so you don’t have to stay up too late to enjoy the stars! The air temperature i...

DATE: Feb 21, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Christmas trees have uses after holidays

’Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the tree lot, many creatures were stirring and wondering, “What?” What to do with these trees that now have no home? Could we find them a place...

DATE: Jan 23, 2015 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Stay warm outdoors in the winter

By Mark Winkworth San Juan Mountains Association Getting outdoors in the winter is a great way to have fun and get some exercise, and staying warm is the key to fun an...

DATE: Dec 27, 2014 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Christmas-tree traditions have Victorian roots

By Ruth Lambert San Juan Mountains Association With the founding of Animas City (1876) and Durango (1881), local residents often celebrated Christmas holiday traditions...

DATE: Nov 22, 2014 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

Photos: Fashion at its bestSnowdown Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Snowdown Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Photos: Snowdown on SaturdaySnowdown’s Canine Fashion Show and Outlaw Josie Pete’s Golf

Snowdown’s Canine Fashion Show and Outlaw Josie Pete’s Golf

Photos: Snowdown Rock-em-Sock-em Snowbots pillow fights

Snowdown Light Parade can boast another successful yearLights flashed, fire trucks wailed and a foam cannon spewed suds

Bright lights, screaming fire trucks and children bundled up so thoroughly it seemed like an army of Michelin men had taken over downtown Durango. Yep. It’s the much anticipated Snowdown light parade, this year distinguished by a crowd of onlookers peppered with scrabble tiles, Clue characters and playing cards.

Locals flocked to Main Avenue on Friday to get a look (and maybe a Smartie or two) at the floats parading through town on various, creatively decorated vehicles. There were some obvious standouts at this year’s board game-themed parade. After a fire truck’s opening sirens came the Purgatory car, toting a brightly lit ski bum moonlighting as a DJ, likely giving the women of Durango some unpleasant déjà vu. Best dressed had to go to the Colorado Department of Transportation’s bulldozer, wearing the most believable Hungry Hungry Hippos costume seen yet. Biggest crowd pleaser? The dancers boogieing to Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” while the crowd sang and wiggled along. But what got the biggest rise out of the onlookers was the white plumes of motorcycle exhaust, courtesy of the Harley-Davidson club. The smell of burning octane was a convincing enough reason for people to briefly unclutch the rails and step away from their coveted positions at the front of the fence. Last but not least, another machine spewing its interior into the crowd: a foam cannon, the first one to make an appearance in the history of Snowdown. Much better received than exhaust, it extracted gleeful screams from kids and adults alike. jbowman@durangoherald.com