From Bombs to Bald Eagles

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal

I’ve come close to being blown up once. I thought today might be the second time. The first, was standing on the side of  a mountain with an olympic ski jumper turned patroller. I was touring a ski area and observing how the staff managed their avalanche terrain. One method in common use is a tram, a simple cable hung across a slope with a string hanging down from a pulley attached to the cable. Bombs get tied to the string and then released to float to the middle of the slope where they detonate. The elevated concussion is more likely to trigger a slide than a bomb planted on the slope. In this case, my host forgot to reel in the pulley to tie the bomb to until after he had lit the fuse. He handed me the bomb with the shrinking fuse and proceeded to draw in the line. I looked at the lit bomb and concentrated on slow thoughts. Ultimately the rigging took place and the bomb exploded at a safe distance. Nothing slid.

Today I thought I might be blown up during my run at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. This site, originally an open prairie northeast of Denver, became an important muntions and chemical weapons manufacturing site during World War II. It also housed German POWs. In 1980 it earned status as a Superfund site, granted to the most hazardous and polluted places in the country.  Remediation began shortly after the designation and in 1986 when bald eagles were discovered, politicians and citizens took steps to establish it as a National Wildlife Refuge. Bush Sr. made it so in 1992.

The public now has access on Tuedays, Wednesdays, and weekends during the summer though much of the Refuge is remains restricted. I passed through the entrance which still has barbed wire fencing and a militatry-type checkpoint. The road beyond led to a visitor center that includes a museum about the Arsenal’s history. The trails fan out from there and criss-cross the surrounding prairie. They consist of now-defunct roads or tracks with a few graded paths mixed in. The smooth surfaces translate into fast runs. My route passed by several ponds and lakes that support an diverse community of wildlife. I spotted three mule deer on the far side of the Havana Ponds and every variety of bird continually darted from perch to perch. The abundance of life hides what quietly sits underground. In 1961, a 12,000 foot deep well was drilled for the disposal of 165 million gallons of hazardous liquids. We stopped using it when well operations started triggering earthquakes. At one point on my run, I became uncertain of where I was and ventured off-trail to get found. I spent this reconnaissance with my eyes focused on the ground in front of me to avoid encouters with rattlesnakes and/or live ordanance. Eventually I found an old two-track that cut through waist high grasses. This linked into the trail I’d been seeking. I passed a sign that told me that the area I had just been in was closed to the public and I half-expected a truck full of elite commandos to appear to detain me. This didn’t happen. Instead, the wind at my back set the sunflowers waving in rhythm wiith my stride and I finished up without getting  jailed or exploded. What more can I ask for?.

Keeping It Local

Highland Bridge-A Pedestrian Link To Downtown Denver

Who Are The People In Your Neighborhood?

Highland neighborhood, on the uplands west of Lower Downtown, emerged when shouts of GOLD! drew European settlers to the region in the middle half of the 19th century. Separated from Denver by the South Platte River, it started as its own city. It only became an integral part of Denver when bridges and trolley lines connected the neighborhood to the commercial and industrial center on the eastern banks of the river. Today, the neighborhood is a mix of brick Victorians and bungalow-style homes that maintain a suburban character close in to the heart of the city. When people refer to the “Highlands”, this means the Highland neighborhood and West Highland neighborhood (exactly where you’d think it would be). Both neighborhoods are up-and-coming communities seeing significant development along the streets. My home sits in the middle of Highland, near the small business district at 32nd and Zuni. I’ll spread the word here about Pasquini’s Pizza, Duo Restaurant, and the Gallop Cafe. These eateries all share the same corner and are all worth a visit post run to refuel. My run today stayed local, leaving the house and following 32nd west to another funky shopping district at 32nd and Lowell. The colorful storefronts here impart a unique character to the area and attract patrons from around the city. I  loped around the block and headed back on 32nd with a detour around Highland Park to add some time near the end of the short route. After today’s run, I’m reminded that you don’t need to go to the trails or far from home to find a great run; just out the front door. I hope you consider lacing up and heading out yourself.