Sustainable Town-Boulder, Colorado

We visited Boulder, Colorado on June 9. One of my favorite things about the environment is green design. Boulder has a downtown that is partly blocked off to cars- there is a pedestrian walkway down a few blocks- so people can walk to the shops or bike or scooter if they please. The downtown is revitalized with art and music events, a farmer's market, cafe's, shops- just a great place to hang out with a great community vibe.

Part of the pedestrian walkway.

People friendly sign and map.

Local Shop with its own flavor.

Cool sign emphasizing walking.

Local Art!

National Parks- Arches/Canyonlands

Arches/Canyonlands National Parks

While in Moab, Utah-we stayed at a campsite right next to the Colorado River surrounded by red canyons. The evening of June 30, we went to Arches National Park. We took a short hike to Delicate Arch to view the arch at sunset. I did not realize that the arch would not be facing in the direction of the sunset- it was like look at the arch, turn around and oh there is the sunset. Still it was breathtaking.

The spec in the middle of the arch that's me.

Photo Credit: Trish Seelman

The next day on July 1^st we went to Canyonlands National Park that was about an hour drive through the desert just to get to the park off the main road! The park was beautiful of course and had many different types of geological features like the needles.

Part of Needle District in Canyonlands.

We did not get to see much of the park though- our original hike was cancelled due to the fact part of it was underwater. We instead took a short drive around the park to a few lookout points. When I go back out West I would definitely want to explore this park more.

Canyonlands National Park.

Photo Credit: Trish Seelman

The Ladies at Canyonlands.

Photo Credit: Kristen Meidt

That night on July 1^st-we had a final dinner at an authentic restaurant- La Hacienda- we also got a chance to walk around downtown Moab, Utah which was a very charming town with little shops and cafes. I love walkable towns with local flavor!

Book Reflection: Restoring the Colorado River Ecosystems

Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems: A troubled sense of Immensity    By: Robert W. Alder

This book I feel was the most important book we read for our trip out West. This book goes through all the projects that have occurred along the Colorado River (dams and all) and how these projects have affected the wildlife and vegetation of the river. As a class we followed the path of the River through the West.

            In Colorado, we spoke with the Western Resource Advocates who told us about the infamous Colorado Water Compact that divides the water of the river into the Upper and Lower Basin States. While in Rocky Mountain National Park, we stopped and saw where the Colorado River began.

In Utah, we camped next to Flaming Gorge Dam’s reservoir. We also camped next to the Colorado River when we were near Moab, Utah.

In Arizona, we hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and saw how the river had carved out the immense canyon. We visited the controversial Glen Canyon Dam and camped next to the Dam’s reservoir, Lake Powell. We also saw how the river cut out the picturesque Horseshoe Bend.

In Nevada, we witnessed Las Vegas and how the damming of the Colorado has made that city possible. On the border of Nevada and California we drove by Hoover Dam and took picture of its reservoir, lake Mead.

 In California, we saw the irrigation canals that carry Colorado River water to cities and farmland. I did research on the various state and federal projects in California and how they distribute the River’s water to the many thirsty Californians.