Visiting the Not Crowded Spots of Colorado

 To escape the seclusion of the pandemic, we decided to travel to a place where walking outdoors doesn’t feel like you are suffocating in a sauna (you guessed it, we live in Houston).  Of course, the 2^nd reason was to travel to a place that is not crowded with tourism.  The Rocky Mountains National Park was not an option, so our best choice was to go to the north east of Colorado, near the border of Wyoming. 

We visited the Read Feather Lakes area for a week in the middle of July 2021, and stayed in a cabin we rented via an online service.  The cabin was in the Crystal Lakes community, secluded in a private hill.  The cabin was very welcoming, charming, and comfortable, like a home away from home with great views of the pine trees and the mountains. 

During our stay at the cabin, we were able to see moose, deer, and humming birds.  The area is very quiet with peaceful and friendly neighbors.  The area around Crystal Lakes has some hiking trails, which we did not get to explore because it was like a maze to find any.  Instead, we went to the Panhandle Reservoir, where the kids were able to swim for a bit.  The unpaved gravel roads around this area can be a bit slippery at times, so it is best to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle if you ever decide to visit.  The cabin stay was relaxing, peaceful, and it was a good opportunity to disconnect from civilization, and to connect with nature.  The downside of staying around this area is everything seems to be far away from attractions, grocery shopping (at least 1-2 hours) and gas stations, but after all, it’s a trade-off that is worth taking if you are looking for peace, quiet, and nature.    

On the first day, we visited Fort Collins (it is about 1.5 hours away Crystal Lakes) to do some grocery shopping at Trader Joes, and we found some good camping gear at lower prices at the Sierra Trading Post in the same shopping center.  Prior to doing some grocery shopping, we tasted some good Mexican breakfast tacos at Las Delicias (1311 N College Ave Fort Collins, CO, 80524) and since it is a mini grocery store, we purchased some conchas (pan dulce), tortillas, salsa, and Mexican candy (the kids love duvalin, Carlos V, and paletas payaso).  We also decided to take a stroll around the main street, and the Colorado State University campus.  The tortillas and the salsa came in handy to prepare some good Mexican tacos at the cabin during the week.  Hey, you can’t stop us Texans with Mexican heritage from bringing a part of home to our trips.  We do limit the kids on the sugar intake before you start judging!

In the middle of the week, we ran out of some pantry essentials, however, we opted to shop at the local grocery stores (about 20 minutes away from our cabin) to avoid the 1hr drive.   The grocery stores are located in the Red Feather Lakes Village, they do have groceries but healthy options are limited, unless you get to make it to the Farmers Market, which is only available once a week. We visited the Hilltop General Store, a merchandise type store that takes you back in time.  The store has antiques, used stuff, groceries (not a huge selection, but it has the essentials), pizza, and good ice-cream. 

We walked around some of the lakes in the area, and also stopped at the Feather Trading Post to purchase a hat for one of our kids to reduce sunburns while hiking.  The main street of the area has a rugged charm, the scenery looks like a movie from the wild west.  The street has a Mediterranean restaurant, two hardware stores, a post office, a boutique, a gift shop, and a library. 

The locals recommended to visit Dowdy Lake, which is part of the Roosevelt National Park.  This turned out to be a hidden gem.  The lake is used for fishing, kayaking (no swimming is allowed) and hiking.  Overnight camping is allowed, and there are some daytime picnic areas available where we got to enjoy our food while visiting during the day.  The lake views are great surrounded by pine trees, small boulders and mountains in background.  The trail around the lake is great for families, it is about a 2-mile hike around the lake.  The kids enjoyed the easy hike to the Frog Pond and around the lake as we spotted some boulders, a bold eagle, a snake, squirrels, and different types of birds.  The Park is just the right size for families to enjoy. 

Since we are into hiking with the kids (not strenuous), and the hiking trails around us did not catch our eye, we decided to travel to Wyoming, to the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.  We took Highway 287 North to Laramie, Wyoming and then took the scenic route (Highway 130) that turns into the Snow Range Road at the National Forest.  The scenery is extraordinary as it starts with the plains of the farming land of Wyoming with the great mountains in the backdrop.  Along the way, one can spot cattle, horses, and cozy rustic cabins within the vastness of the land.  Once you reach the town of Centennial, the scenery starts to change to forestry mountains.  The town of Centennial looks like a small village in the hills of Switzerland, but with the wild-west cowboy charm.  We stopped there for ice cream at the Country Junction on our way back, and the ice cream was really good.  

Since we only had one day to explore the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, we decided to stop at the Centennial visitor center near the entrance of the forest to grab a map of the trails.  We originally planned to hike the Laramie River trail, but it was closed, so we opted to go straight to Mirror Lake to eat our food at one of the picnic areas.  There are 3 trails at the top of the picnic area with views of the mountain glaciers.  We decided to take the shortest trail since we are traveling with kids.  We spent all day in awe admiring the scenery as we were hiking the Lakes trail that takes you to stunning scenery of the Lookout Lake against the mountains and glaciers of Medicine Bow Peak.  The trail is a bit rocky, but it is not bad to hike with the kids and you will find plenty of stops to admire the nature of the area such as wild flowers, boulders, butterflies, birds, squirrels, etc.   On our way back, we stopped at the Libby Flats observation point.  The views of the park are awesome from this point.  There is small trail that takes you to a small glacier from this point. 

Visiting this National Park was the highlight of our trip, we really wanted to go to the Rocky Mountains, but we were not able to find openings via the reservation system and we also heard it was crowded.  We are so glad we opted for this National Forest, with no crowds, awesome trails, and wonderful views.  On our way back, we stopped at the border of Wyoming and Colorado to take a picture next to the “Welcome to Colorado” sign. 

One day we were planning to just rest and enjoy the cabin, but ended up visiting the Abbey of St. Walburga on Highway 287, near the Wyoming border.  This is a hidden gem open to all visitors for spiritual retreats, prayer, and meditation.  We took the Way of the Cross trail, it is pretty small, but it has awesome views of the terrain from the top of the hill.  We reflected as a family on the stations of the cross as we were walking uphill.  

We also checked in at the visitor center, and were greeted by Mary, a really friendly nun who showed us around the Abbey, and welcomed us to stay for the Vespers service at 5:00 PM.  We stayed for prayer at the chapel, and heard the angelical chanting of the nuns as they were singing the psalms.  We also enjoyed gazing at the humming birds in the patio area of the Abbey.  On our way out, we bought grass fed beef sold at the gift shop.  The beef comes from cows raised by the nuns as a way to sustain the monastery.  We cooked the beef at our cabin, and made beef tacos, remember the tortillas and the salsa we had bought early in the week? Those tacos were heavenly!

Last but not least, on our last 2 days of the trip, we visited the Red Feather Lakes Village to rent and return some DVD movies we had checked out from the local library.  We also took the opportunity to use the free Wi-Fi, a commodity or luxury, one must say, we did not have at the cabin.  The local library has a good selection of books, DVDs, VHF movies (yes, those still exist), and science projects in the kids section one can check out.  

Across the library, there is a cabin museum from the early 1900s (the keys are available at the library).  Prior to leaving the area, we took a 15 min walk on Elf Road, a hidden path near the exit of the small lakes of the village with gnomes nicely postured in the woods.  The road has some kind of mysterious feeling (it must be really scary to tour that road at night).  The kids enjoyed walking in this part of the forest to see all the types of gnome figurines, but it was kind of creepy. We also walked around the lakes in the area, and spotted a geese pack.    

Overall, we had a great time tucked away in our temporary home in the cabin and around the area.  We enjoyed cooking and tasting homemade tacos, spaghetti, grilled chicken with salad, and baked brownies.  During the mornings, drinking coffee in the balcony was our favorite part, enjoying the great view.  This was our spot to eat together, praying the rosary, bird and animal gazing, and practicing tai-chi. The kids had a lesson in history of technology as they learned to use the DVD player in the cabin, and they learned how to play new board games.  This was a beautiful trip, away from the crowds, and a great opportunity to reconnect as a family, with nature, and with our spiritual life. 

Detrás de los Eclipses Hay Anécdotas Inolvidables

Si lo acepto, soy una “nerd” y tengo una fascinación total por los eclipses.  Desafortunadamente, por cuestiones de trabajo, no podemos viajar hasta las ciudades adónde se podrá ver el eclipse total del 21 de agosto, así que observaremos el eclipse parcial desde algún lugar en Houston esperando que haya cielo despejado (posiblemente en el campus del Centro Espacial Johnson, aprovechando la hora del almuerzo). 

Hace unos días, platicando con un científico de la NASA especialista en ciencias planetarias, me contó que viajará a ver el eclipse total a las Carolinas, aquí en Estados Unidos y que ya había planeado este viaje desde hace tiempo.  Obviamente, un científico en ciencias planetarias sabe todo sobre la mecánica de los eclipses, pero lo interesante para este científico, son los fenómenos que ocurren aquí en la tierra:  la temperatura baja (solamente en las localidades del eclipse total), se pueden ver las estrellas, los animales se van a dormir creyendo que es de noche y, sobre todo, capturar con fotografía las expresiones de las personas mientras observan el eclipse.   

Para mí, lo interesante son las anécdotas de estos instantes memorables.  Los eclipses son ese tipo de ocasiones especiales que responden a la pregunta: ¿Qué estabas haciendo ese día del eclipse? 

Mi abuela cuenta que su madre fue testigo de un eclipse solar total en México.  La bisabuela Susana era recién casada y se había mudado del ejido de Jesús María al ejido de la Puerta de Aguilar en el municipio de Doctor Arroyo, Nuevo León.  Susanita, como le llamaban cariñosamente, cocinaba calabacitas en la “lumbre” a la hora de la comida y poco a poco, empezó a oscurecer, hasta parecer que era de noche.  Las gallinas se fueron a dormir encima de los mezquites y los gallos empezaron a cantar, pues pensaban que ya era de noche.  Las personas que estaban con ella la dejaron ahí sola y toda la gente corrió asustada hasta la iglesia del ejido.  La bisabuela Susanita se quedó sola cocinando en la oscuridad y la única luz que iluminaba su alrededor era la “lumbre” en la chimenea de la cocina. 

Eclipse solar del 10 de Septiembre de 1923.

Mi abuela aún no nacía, pero la bisabuela Susanita le contó esta anécdota años después.  La abue no me supo decir el año cuándo ocurrió el eclipse, pero tengo algunas pistas claves: La hora aproximada, el año aproximado y el lugar. Si era la hora de la comida, el eclipse ocurrió más o menos entre el medio día y las tres de la tarde. La otra pista es que la bisabuela era recién casada; la abuela nació en 1924.  Para la locación, busque las coordenadas del ejido. Así que decidí ir a la página de la NASA que mantiene un archivo de los eclipses que han ocurrido, hay una calculadora que indica cuándo ocurrió un eclipse según las fechas aproximadas y las coordenadas.

 ¡Encontré la fecha! Al parecer, este eclipse solar total ocurrió el 10 de septiembre de 1923, aproximadamente a la hora de la comida. Todo parece coincidir, la abuela aun no nacía (aunque tal vez ya venía en camino).  Seguramente, según las creencias de la gente, la bisabuela no pudo salir con los demás por su estado y posiblemente se colgó un hilo o listón rojo en la pansa para evitar “malformaciones o cosas malas” en el bebé.    

NASA GSFC Eclipse Calculator

Hubo otros eclipses solares parciales en Matehuala, San Luis Potosí, lugar al que los abuelos se mudaron años después.  Sin embargo, el que más recuerda la abuela es el del 30 de Mayo de 1984.  El padre de mi abuela, el bisabuelo Bernardo, se sentía muy cansado y en el momento del eclipse, se encontraba sentado sobre una roca en la esquina de la calle Matamoros y Paseo Ángel Veral, viendo hacia el famoso crucero del Kilómetro 57.  La casa de los abuelos estaba a la vuelta, en la calle Matamoros #708, frente a lo que era en aquel entonces El Hotel Dorado (ahora hay un supermercado llamado Soriana). La abuela estaba lavando ropa en el patio y observo el reflejo del eclipse en un baño con agua.  Cuenta que el sol se veía a la mitad con forma de media luna. A la abuela se le quedo muy grabada esa ocasión, pues fue muy notable el gran cansancio del bisabuelo. Días después, al bisabuelo le diagnosticaron cáncer terminal y paso a mejor vida el 10 de agosto de 1984.  

En esa misma casa donde crecí en Matehuala, fui testigo de un eclipse parcial el 11 de julio de 1991.  Recuerdo que era de mañana y había mucha expectativa, ya que, en varias partes de México, se observaría un eclipse total, sobre todo, en la Ciudad de México.  La cobertura del eclipse ocurrió en los noticieros nacionales, así que muchas personas estaban al tanto.  Recuerdo que yo escuchaba a la gente asustada y algunos hablaban de enfermedades, mala suerte y tantas cosas más que alarman a un niño.  Ese día del eclipse salí y vi muchas medias lunas reflejadas en el pavimento debajo del árbol que estaba frente a la casa. 

Proyecciones del eclipse solar por medio de un árbol.

Los eclipses totales tanto lunares como solares, son eventos extraordinarios, aunque no ocurren con mucha frecuencia, son predecibles matemáticamente cientos de años en el futuro.   Tanto así, que ya tengo planes para el próximo eclipse solar, que ocurrirá precisamente aquí en Texas, el 8 de abril del 2024 (bueno, uno propone y la vida dispone).  El eclipse solar total del 2024 pasara por ciudades de Texas como San Antonio, Waco y Dallas.  En México, en ciudades como Mazatlán y Torreón.  

Algunos datos curiosos sobre los eclipses:

1.       Los eclipses siempre vienen acompañados en pares.  Un eclipse lunar ocurre aproximadamente 2 semanas antes de un eclipse solar.

2.       Las retinas de los ojos no son dañadas durante la totalidad del eclipse (cuando el disco de la luna cubre totalmente al sol).  Ojo, esto es solamente en las localidades donde ocurre el eclipse total.  El 21 de agosto, la totalidad tendrá una duración aproximada de 2 minutos y 40 segundos.  En todas las demás localidades donde se observará el eclipse parcial, es importante usar lentes con filtros especiales.

3.       La luna es 400 veces más pequeña que el sol y es 400 veces más cercana a la Tierra que el sol.  Por eso, desde la tierra, el sol y la luna parecen del mismo tamaño.  Cuando la luna y el sol se alinean perfectamente y la luna se interpone entre la Tierra y el sol, se produce un eclipse lunar.  El disco de la luna tapa al sol durante unos minutos. 

4.       La luna se está alejando de la Tierra 3.8 centímetros cada año. 

5.       Se cree que, durante los eclipses solares, se emiten radiaciones solares peligrosas y las mujeres embarazadas no pueden salir porque puede causar daños al feto.  Esto no es verdad. 

6.       Se cree que si cocinas durante el eclipse, la comida se envenena por las radiaciones emitidas por el sol.  ¡Esto no es verdad!  Es un mito. ¡Mi bisabuela cocinó calabacitas durante el eclipse solar de 1923 y vivió 109 años!

     Dedicado a los bisabuelos Susanita y Bernardo ;-)

Los bisabuelos Bernardo y Susanita,
Matehuala, SLP calle Matamoros
Frente a la casa de nuestra vecina y amiga Tomasita Briones.

On November 14^th, 2016, a TV crew from National Geographic Latin America visited the NASA Johnson Space Center campus in Houston with the purpose of creating the Latin-American version of the TV series “Brain Games” in regards to neuroscience and how it is applied to real life situations.  The show called “Asombrosamente” or “Amazingly”, seeks to demonstrate the application of neurosciences in daily life, as well as the brain functions during stimuli such as food and flavors, movement, perception, mental training, emotions and memory.

The NatGeo team selected a few talented individuals who are high achievers and recognized in the Hispanic community from the city of Houston.  Among these individuals, Leidos IS&GS employee, Dorothy Ruiz, a satellite engineer who works as a Ground Controller in Mission Control was selected to talk about how working in Mission Control as a Flight Controller exemplifies these “amazing” brain responses during space operations requiring immediate action to keep the Crew and the International Space Station safe while focusing on mission success.

Dorothy Ruiz and three other colleagues (Tom Holmes, Bill Foster, and Lawrence Moore) from the Ground Control (GC) group came up with a scenario and went through the motions of a mini simulation while the Nat Geo team was filming, to demonstrate a real mission control situation in space operations. The scenario involved a potential loss of communications between the vehicle and the ground due to a fault in an upcoming satellite while the crew is performing a critical procedure onboard the vehicle. In order to prevent this loss of communication, the GC has to save the day by acting fast and applying all the skills needed to get another satellite in a timely manner so the crew can continue on with their critical operations.   At the end of the simulation, Dorothy explained on camera how the scenario relates to each brain stimuli, such as movement, perception, mental training, emotions an memory. 

A real life situation such as this scenario involves immediate coordination, therefore requiring fast movements to access and monitor different tools to perceive the problem and evaluate the situation.  It  also involves different movements combined with emotions while communicating and reporting the situation to the team in order to transmit reassurance, trust, and a handle of the situation. An example of this is standing up in the flight control room to convey a sense of urgency to the Flight Director in regards to the situation while remaining calm and focused. In such scenarios, the GCs must provide a  fast but safe solution for mission success, knowing exactly what procedures to access, and the steps to take during such a high tense situation, exercising mental training and memory.  

The NatGeo team was amazed by the scenario exercised by the GC team and how well it fits the show objectives.  As one can see, being a Ground Controller in Mission Control Houston is no brain game, it is truly “asombroso”; an amazing example of the leadership and values displayed during day to day mission operations.  The episode will air all over Latin America sometime in the spring of 2017.