Bonnie and hiked 6 miles or so yesterday to Bill Lee's Laughing Valley Ranch in Spring Gulch south of Idaho Springs.
We went there to look over Bill's donkeys and mules. The hike itself was about 1000 feet up from town with the hike being moderately difficult. It was cloudy and overcast.
On the way there we stopped to rest on the side of Spring Gulch Road. While we were sitting there talking about what we would do if confronted by a mountain lion or a bear a mule deer jumped off a small bluff above us and down on the road and ran away possibly being chased by something what we don't know. Scared the bejesus out of us!!!
Met Brad and his wife Amber they help run the ranch. Met Bill and we discussed the particulars of using pack burros as part of our missionary travel throughout the 400 square miles of some of the most rugged landscape in Colorado.
We didn't discuss cost as Bill's not sure what he would charge. He charges $150 for a 5 day hunting trip. He's never run across a situation like ours so he needs some time to think about it.
As we walked down Bill's lane a pack of dogs ran up to us barking but turned out to be friendly. One was a chocolate lab the other a husky, a Shepherd mix and a couple of little yappy dogs one of which bit Bonnie on her shin and calf...didn't hardly break the skin.
Bill is reserved and introverted at least in the beginning when doesn't know you yet. The longer he and I talked the more open became. He thought we were Jehovah Witnesses but we quickly dispelled that notion.
He and I talked about home back in Illinois. He's from Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village. Told him I'm from Peoria but lived in the City of Chicago then in the suburbs including Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village. I told him Bruce Bell recommended him to me. He and Bruce and Chee Chee were good friends. Tony the homeless guy worked at one time for Bill.
We also discussed Bonnie and I pitching our camp on his ranch so we wouldn't have to board the burro in town which would annoy the neighbors due to the braying. Bonnie could drive her RV/van up and live in that while I would live in my tipi. Bill seemed amenable to that idea.
Bill also advised using 2 burris not 1as 2 works as a team encouraging each other.
Of course that would necessitate a higher cost.
We agreed to come back in a week to discuss cost and other details including whether we could bivouac on his land.
As we said our goodbyes we began the trek down to Idaho Springs. We got maybe halfway down the mountain when a storm dumped copious amounts of rain on us. Fortunately, Rick and Gina, from First Baptist saw us walking on Rt 103 and graciously offered to pick us up and take us home. We were soaked!
Bonnie and I are looking forward to going back in a week to meeting with Bill again.
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