The

Tuesday Hikers
Boulder, Colorado, 19592013

a history through stories Created and compiled in 2013 by Betsy Hunt, Hans Schreuder and Richard Holmes

Credits
Book layout design and copy editing: Mary Headley of Information Engineering Company Cover art (Lake Isabelle in Indian Peaks Wilderness) and photo editing: Richard Holmes Computer support: Ellen Champion, Ian Schreuder and Tymen Schreuder Editorial reviews: Kate Secrest, Sally Scheetz and Jean Zambrano Photographs: Contributed by various members of the Tuesday Hikers

Tuesday Hikers on Switzerland Park hike, June 2010

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1 Early History and Early Memories ..................................................................... 3

Early History ....................................................................................................................... 3 Early Memories .................................................................................................................. 5 related by Nancy Kraushaar ............................................................................................... 5 by Betty Sherritt ................................................................................................................. 6 by Betsy Hunt ..................................................................................................................... 6 by Nancy Allen ................................................................................................................... 8 by Ellen Champion ............................................................................................................. 8 by Hope Leighton ............................................................................................................... 9

Stories about Former Memorable Hikers ........................................................ 11

Jean Anstine (19222011) ................................................................................................. 11 by Betsy Hunt ................................................................................................................... 11 by Jo Anne Smallwood ..................................................................................................... 11 Yardley Beers (19132005) ............................................................................................... 12 by Barbara Taylor ............................................................................................................ 12 by Jo Anne Smallwood ..................................................................................................... 13 Charles Yeomans (19182012) .......................................................................................... 13 by Janet Holdsworth ........................................................................................................ 13 Hanne Williams (1922present) ........................................................................................ 14 by Betsy Hunt ................................................................................................................... 14 Imma Stanton (1923present) .......................................................................................... 15 by Brenda Hutchinson ...................................................................................................... 15 by Marge Maagoe ........................................................................................................... 15 Chris Marshall (19292010) .............................................................................................. 16 by Barbara Taylor ............................................................................................................ 16 by Richard Holmes ........................................................................................................... 16 Sandy Jacobs (19352008) ................................................................................................ 17 by Gwen Brodsky (Sandys daughter) .............................................................................. 17 by Madeline Goldhawk .................................................................................................... 17 by Sharon Howrey ............................................................................................................ 18 by Linda Bailey ................................................................................................................. 18 by Hans Schreuder ........................................................................................................... 18 by Sara Michl ................................................................................................................... 19 by Kate Secrest ................................................................................................................. 19

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Personal Hiking Stories ................................................................................... 21

Memories ......................................................................................................................... 21 by Ed Gauss ...................................................................................................................... 21 Hiking with Ed Gauss ........................................................................................................ 22 by Richard Holmes ........................................................................................................... 22 Memories from the Early 1990s ........................................................................................ 23 by Virginia McConnell ...................................................................................................... 23 Memories ......................................................................................................................... 23 by George Thompson ....................................................................................................... 23 Random Memories ........................................................................................................... 24 by Elaine Taylor ................................................................................................................ 24 Hermann Mengs Walking Sticks Story .............................................................................. 25 by Betsy Hunt ................................................................................................................... 25 Snow and Ice .................................................................................................................... 27 by Sheryl Holmes .............................................................................................................. 27 View from Mexico ............................................................................................................ 28 by William H. Prescott ...................................................................................................... 28 The Impact of the Tuesday Hikers on My Life .................................................................... 29 by Bill Campbell ................................................................................................................ 29 Hiking Memories .............................................................................................................. 30 by Sharon Foster Howrey ................................................................................................. 30 From Australia .................................................................................................................. 30 by Christine Holland ......................................................................................................... 30 Coffee! ............................................................................................................................. 31 by Hans Schreuder ........................................................................................................... 31 Mocha? Who said Mocha? ................................................................................................ 32 by Richard Holmes ........................................................................................................... 32 A Wine and Cheese Hike ................................................................................................... 33 by Linda Bailey ................................................................................................................. 33 A Gneiss Wine Story ......................................................................................................... 34 by Madeline Goldhawk .................................................................................................... 34 Reflections ....................................................................................................................... 34 by Peter Divine ................................................................................................................. 34 Ceran St. Vrain in the Rain ................................................................................................ 35 by Kathleen Flynn ............................................................................................................. 35 My Lost Hearing Aid ......................................................................................................... 36

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by Jody Adleman .............................................................................................................. 36 A Memorable Hike ............................................................................................................ 37 by Richard Holmes ........................................................................................................... 37 Getting Lost ...................................................................................................................... 37 by Paul Korda ................................................................................................................... 37 A Love Story ..................................................................................................................... 38 by Jim McConnell and Kate Secrest .................................................................................. 38 Memorable Hikes ............................................................................................................. 39 by Hans Schreuder ........................................................................................................... 39 Gold Hill Potlucks .............................................................................................................. 40 by Carole Arnold ............................................................................................................... 40 Getting Lost at a Gold Hill Potluck ..................................................................................... 42 by Rita Reasoner .............................................................................................................. 42 Switzerland Park Hikes and Picnics ................................................................................... 42 by Betsy Hunt and Bill Campbell ...................................................................................... 42 Halloween Parties ............................................................................................................ 44 by Dorothy Coltrin ............................................................................................................ 44 The Photographer, Richard Holmes .................................................................................. 45 by Betsy Hunt ................................................................................................................... 45 Popular Scenic Destinations .............................................................................................. 46

The Disappearance of Pat Wallace .................................................................. 47

Next Door ......................................................................................................................... 48 by Kathleen Hyland Contrino (Pats neighbor) ................................................................. 48 Getting Closer to My Mother ............................................................................................ 49 by Katherine Moore (Pats daughter) .............................................................................. 49

Changes Along the Way .................................................................................. 51

Leaders ............................................................................................................................. 51 Offspring Groups .............................................................................................................. 51 The Early Tuesday Hikers ........................................................................................... 51 The Thursday Hikers .................................................................................................. 52 Colorado Trail Volunteers .......................................................................................... 52 Other Offsprings ........................................................................................................ 52 Current Hikers Snapshot ................................................................................................... 52 Newer Trails and Destinations .......................................................................................... 53

Why Do We Hike? ........................................................................................... 55

by Betsy Hunt ................................................................................................................... 55

by Phyllis Schwartz ........................................................................................................... 55 by Richard Holmes ........................................................................................................... 56 by Elaine Taylor ................................................................................................................ 57 by Maryann Balassa ......................................................................................................... 57 by Sally Sheetz .................................................................................................................. 58 by Hermann Meng ........................................................................................................... 58 by Hans Schreuder ........................................................................................................... 59 by Holly Clark ................................................................................................................... 59 by Donna Seaman ............................................................................................................ 60

Poems ............................................................................................................ 61
Happy People ................................................................................................................... 61 by Sandy McCoy ............................................................................................................... 61 Tuesday Hikers ................................................................................................................. 61 by Kathleen Flynn ............................................................................................................. 61 Aspen in Autumn .............................................................................................................. 63 by John Rapoza ................................................................................................................ 63 Haiku ................................................................................................................................ 64 by Mary Headley .............................................................................................................. 64 A Meditation .................................................................................................................... 65 by Madeline Goldhawk .................................................................................................... 65

In Closing ........................................................................................................ 66 Appendix: Names of Tuesday Hikers Over Time .............................................. 67

Tuesday Hikers ................................................................................................................. 67

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Introduction
This is the narrative of the Tuesday Hikers, a living history as told through stories. Vibrant, rich in detail, these stories come from the fertile minds of our many hikers. There has never been a written record of the group and, because of its longevity and the aging of its members, this is the time to do it. Fifty-four years of hiking provides a wealth of knowledge to draw from. Probing into the origins of the Tuesday Hikers, the first section is about early history as it evolved from a 1959 YWCA walking group. Memories from the earliest members provide personal accounts essential to the foundation of this history, and stories about memorable hikers of the past who are not with us anymore are emphasized. Recollections from both long-time and recent members continue the narrative. Next is an array of personal hiking stories, dynamic and lucid accounts of a variety of hiking experiences. The main focus is on these individual stories happy, funny, scary, eventful and thought-provoking. They provide a perspective not possible by the writings of just a few people. And, finally, we ask ourselves why we hike. How do we benefit? How are we fulfilled? What pleasures do we derive? What do we learn from the outdoors, the wilderness? What do we learn about ourselves? Personal and philosophical answers are provided in the section called Why Do We Hike? Some are humorous. And some reveal innermost feelings of people we thought we knew. In addition to stories about the people and the hikes, there are photographs, poems and an appendix listing Tuesday Hikers from various lists over the years. Although there are many photographs in the book, it is not possible to include a picture of every member. The persons singled out are those from long ago or who held a special significance to the group as a whole. Other photographs are mostly selected at random to include a variety of people.

Indian Peaks Wilderness

The 4th of July Trail to Arapaho Pass continues to amaze, though weve seen it many times before, July 2008

Blue Lake it doesnt get any better than this, July 2010

C H A P T E R 1

Early History and Early Memories

Early History

n June 1959, the YWCA sponsored a hiking group. The original purpose of the group was for fellowship and to acquaint people with hikes near Boulder. The group hiked until noon and then had lunch. Most of the hikes were close to town, including Mt. Sanitas, Gregory Canyon and the Mesa Trail. A YWCA program from the summer of 1959, shown below left, billed the Tuesday Hikers as offering An opportunity for mom and the kids and visitors too to get acquainted with the natural beauty near Boulder. The first identified hike was on June 9, 1959, to the Natural Theatre on Flagstaff, starting at 9 a.m. at Baseline and Flagstaff Road, as shown in the announcement below right.

Article reprinted courtesy of the Daily Camera

By 1961 the hikers began meeting at North Boulder Park, and ventured further into such areas as Camp Dick and Eldora. Meeting times were generally 9 a.m., but sometimes varied according to location. Mrs. Wyndham and Mrs. George W. (Marion) Unger were the coordinators. Initially, participation on the hikes was limited to women, children and guests; men were allowed to join the group in the early 1980s. An early photo of the Tuesday Hikers on an unidentified trail is shown on the next page.

 Earliest known photo of the Tuesday Hikers, available from YWCA archives, circa 1960

Newspaper announcements of the hikes began appearing in the Daily Camera during the summer of 1960; for some reason the hikers were referred to as a walking group. Some of these early clippings are shown below.

Article reprinted courtesy of the Daily Camera

In 1964, Suzan Plummer was in charge, at least through 1966. She was referred to as the group coordinator. By 1966, a distinction was already encouraged between slow and fast hikers.

 A 1967 YWCA brochure advertised the Tuesday Hikers as a walking group

Early Memories
The earliest memories by Tuesday Hikers, including those from long-time members Nancy Kraushaar and Betty Sherritt, are recorded below. related by Nancy Kraushaar Nancy remembers starting to hike with the group in 1961 when Eleanor Bartlett told her about it. She said there were about 10 women then with destinations such as the Mesa Trail and Jamestown. When they returned from the hike, the driver was paid for gas on a mileage basis to take the burden off the drivers. Nancy recalled that the Y was leery of continuing to sponsor the hikes because of possible liability problems. Nancy hiked with the group for 40 years.

by Betty Sherritt I attended my first Tuesday hike after it was mentioned in the YWCA sheet of activities in about 1966. I had recently started my youngest in school, which freed me midday for an interval. I longed to do a brisk pace. The rest started, too, at a somewhat slower walk. The one person I clearly remember was Nancy Kraushaar, not by her name, but by her distinctive hair and face. I was impressed with how fast this sprightly group got beyond the rest of us. Also at one of these beginning hikes, they announced a party, which I attended in the downstairs of someones home. Im sorry, these are but sketchy memories. I went occasionally when I wanted more than anything to get into those marvelous mountains on a wonderful day. But soon I had found tennis connections and dropped in when I could. Note: Betty hiked regularly again in the 1990s. by Betsy Hunt In the early 1970s I was on the program committee at the Boulder YWCA. I noticed a group in the brochure called Y Hikers. I was told it was a group of women who met on Tuesdays in the North Boulder Park parking lot and walked different places. The Y no longer had anything to do with it, but retained it in its brochure. In 1973 a friend of mine, Anna Marie Robb, asked if I would like to join her and her hiking group. I was surprised when she took me to the Park to find a group of very active women who ventured far into the mountains weekly. I was hooked! As the mother of young children who was not working at that time, I found this outlet saved my sanity and took me into mountain areas I had not yet discovered. I hiked every Tuesday for those first two years, rain, snow, wind or shine. The group at that time was only women, about 20 or so, and some were much older than I was. They inspired me to see that as I aged I could continue to enjoy hiking in the high Rockies. Now in my 70s I am gratefully continuing to hike. The reason that this group has continued for so many years is because we are intentionally unorganized. There are no officers, no committees, no costs (except helping pay for gas for the driver), and you dont have to let anyone know you are coming. Most of these women were strongly independent, and there were two of them whom I especially remember for their accomplishments. One was Betty Lane, known as The Flower Lady. She knew the names of every wildflower actually all three names of each one! I learned so much from her. She also was one of the founders of Boulder Hospice and the Mary Sandoe House. The other woman was Mary Galey, who had come to Chautauqua from Oklahoma as a child. She raised her family in the cottage directly behind the auditorium. When Chautauquas 20-year lease with the City of Boulder expired in the 1970s, the city 6

wanted to take over the property for development. Mary was outraged and turned her anger into a wonderful book on the history of Chautauqua, The Grand Assembly. Mary is also credited with saving Chautauqua by having it landmarked locally, decades before it became a National Historic Landmark. During the late 1970s a group of families decided to go on a camping trip together. Some were Anna Marie and Joe Robb, Nancy Allen, Mary Galey, Betty Sherritt, and myself, my husband, Buzz, and all our children. The first year we went to Middle St. Vrain, hiking up the road with all our equipment, and we had to portage across the river with a rope. The second trip was to the Gore Range. In the 1980s as more and more couples retired in Boulder, men started to appear with their wives. In fact my parents, Bob and Connie Fernie, who moved here after retirement, joined the hiking group in 1982. The group swelled and eventually became so large that we had to split up to go to various trails. This also allowed for faster and slower groups to form. In the 1990s a group started going in the winter to Snow Mountain Ranch, the YMCA camp near Fraser. We rented two cabins for two nights for about 15-25 people. Food duties were planned ahead for breakfast and dinner. We did cross- country skiing and snowshoeing during the day, and each evening we had happy hour and dinner together in one of the cabins. One year we might have gotten lost in a blizzard, our first afternoon out, if Ellen Champion had not been familiar with the trails and led us along a fence to the Nordic Center. Another memorable event at Snow Mountain Ranch was the morning that Hanne Williams, German born, was cooking French toast for our breakfast. She pulled the sheet containing all the toasts out of the oven and promptly dumped them on the floor. Oh my, she was sure there would be no breakfast now. But John Rapoza quietly leaned over, picked them all up, put them on the pan, and we ate every one of them. She couldnt believe that we Americans would eat something off the floor! For four years around 2005, we rented a big reunion cabin at the ranch so we could all be together. It was great fun and luxurious in its grand living/dining room and double kitchen, but then the prices went up, and we found it was more economical to rent two smaller cabins. As experienced as most of the hikers are, we have in the past experienced some dangerous hikes in the mountains. In the 1990s six carloads of us went up to the Moffat Tunnel to hike up to Heart Lake. It was a very hot June day. New hikers, Sandy and Arthur Bierman from New York, had joined us, and we were happily hiking along in the trees for a long way. Most people decided not to continue up to the Lake as they were not sure of the weather. Hanne Williams and I and a couple of men wanted to risk it. We got to the lake, sat enjoying our lunches, then looked back and saw the blackest clouds we

could imagine. Realizing there was no cover above timberline, we started quickly down the mountain. Hail came down upon us, such as wed never seen. When we finally caught up with the others, we all were slipping and sliding in the hail with it continually pounding us, and peoples ponchos were getting torn off their bodies. We got lost a couple of times because the hail had piled up so high we couldnt see the trail. Sandy and Arthur were struggling down the trail with only their light summer clothes on. Most of us got a bit of hypothermia and were getting shaky, as the temperature had dropped precipitously. When we finally arrived gratefully at the cars, we found some people, especially Arthur, were really in bad shape. We made him strip off his wet clothes and wrapped him in a quilt. He and a couple of other men were ill from that hike. We all learned the necessity of bringing more clothes than you ever think you will need! by Nancy Allen Here are my memories of Tuesday Hikers in 1970. Two elderly ladies who had both been missionaries in China were an important part of the group in summer. We have to see the columbine again they exclaimed. We will picnic near them, dont worry about us. You proceed on your way. These members of the Tuesday Hikers were able to walk with us into their 90s. Ruth Howard was another who loved joining us into her late 80s. Such inspiring ladies to those of us younger ones. Charles Yeomans, Mary Jean Willis, Betty Lane, Nancy Kraushaar and Jean Anstine were regulars in the 1970s and I always looked forward to visiting with them. Black Lake, Glacier View, Mills, Blue Lake, Isabelle and Niwot Ridge, Middle St. Vrain Mountain with alpine forget-me-nots, Fern and Odessa Lakes were favorites for those of us in our 40s and 50s. One day heading for Sawtooth Mountain, Mary Galey drove some of us and our kids in her jeep over rough roads to begin our hike on an overnight backpacking trip that was great fun. We got as far as Red Deer Lake and camped with the kids, who were mostly in elementary school. In attendance at the site were Anne Marie Robb, her husband, Joe and their golden retriever, Judy and Connie Travers, Nancy and Scott Allen, Betsy Hunt, Mary Galey and son John and a few others. It was an unforgettable experience for us and the kids! by Ellen Champion Tuesday Hikers are active all year, no matter what the weather. Sometimes up to 30 hikers, sometimes only two or three. Summers we went into the foothills and Front Range mountains. Winters we hiked many Boulder County Open Space trails. When there was snow, many took the Ski Bus to Eldora Ski Area, where we had a 8

choice of downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. Our choices each week were partly dependent on reports from participants who had recently hiked some trails, and reported about snow and wet conditions, or flowers viewed. I started hiking with the Tuesday Hikers in 1974 with Jean Anstine. We were in many activities together, including spinning, knitting, weaving and training Girl Scout leaders how to prepare their troops for camping trips. Nothing was better than hiking together for many years. I have always loved wildflowers, and hiking with Betty Lane was a challenge for me to remember all the names of the flowers. Betty had moved here from the East Coast to retire. She had not learned about the wildflowers until she came here. I carried a small flower book, and had to relearn the names each summer. I took Betty on hikes after she could no longer go with the group, and the slower we walked, the more tiny flowers we would find along the way. by Hope Leighton I was so excited to learn that you were writing a history of the Tuesday Hikers. I started hiking with the group when I retired from NOAA in 1977 and went regularly for several years. I remember that the YWCA was still sponsoring the group at that time. Some of the primary movers were Florence Ross, Mary Galey, Jean Anstine and Nancy Kraushaar. I was going very little even before I moved to Wichita in 2007. Those were good times. I enjoyed so much getting out with people and exploring the Colorado mountains. Miss them. In addition to the daily hikes we did some extended trips. My favorite was the trip to Arizona to hike across the Grand Canyon from north to south. That takes planning. And spending a day at Phantom Ranch was great. I do a lot of reminiscing about the good ole days, especially about Colorado, but am content in Wichita, too. Im doing well for a 92-year-old. Ill be looking forward to seeing your history. If you are aware of anyone else who might remember me, tell them hello.

 Wildflowers along Crater Lake near the Moffat Tunnel, July 2007

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C H A P T E R 2

Stories about Former Memorable Hikers

ithin any group of people there are those who stand out from the rest by sheer force of personality. They are especially memorable as they inspired us by the lives they led. The stories in this chapter are about some of those people.

Jean Anstine (19222011)

by Betsy Hunt When Jean took over as our leader in the early 1980s, we didnt realize what a true leader we had received. For years she had been an active Girl Scout leader. She was also a leader in the Boulder Handweavers Guild as she was a spinner, knitter and weaver, a true fiber artist. Jean always had a smile, was always happy and accommodated everyone. She could be counted on to do whatever was needed without complaint. As the group began to grow in the late 80s and early 90s, and we split off into different trails, Jean kept us all in line. The Snow Mountain Ranch cross-country ski trips were also under her leadership. She organized about 20 some people in two different cabins and kept track of the finances, not an easy task as some would drop out and others want to join in. In the later 1990s, we noticed Jean was becoming unable to handle the details of planning and money. It seemed dementia was creeping into her life, and eventually she had full-blown Alzheimers. Her family had to sell her house, and she moved to a care center where she lived the rest of her life. When I last saw her sometime before her death, she did not remember who I was, but acted as if she did. She greeted me with that wonderful smile, and had I not known the truth, I would have thought she was just fine. by Jo Anne Smallwood When hiking on a summer day with Jean, she disclosed that she was a spinner of yarn and loved doing that. She said that she did not spin on Monday evenings because once she got started, she might easily spin all night and then would not be in good shape for the Tuesday hike.

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Yardley Beers (19132005)

by Barbara Taylor Yardley proposed a new hike to the group on Sept. 2, 1997. It was an overcast day and Jamestown was in the clouds. We began at Yardleys cabin nearby and followed an irrigation ditch, then cut through the woods to a difficult stream crossing. It took almost an hour to get the group across. The water was high and rapid, and the rocks were very slippery. Several members emerged in various degrees of wetness, but no one was hurt. Sig Anderson slipped all the way in. He ended up wearing my bright green wind pants the rest of the day and must have had a time explaining to his wife why he arrived home in such strange pants. After drying off, we plunged on through the jungle behind Yardley and found an easy crossing to the Ceran St. Vrain Trail. Maria Edwards and I stuffed ourselves with sweet juicy raspberries along the way. We returned by way of the trailhead and had lunch on the rocks below the bridge. I made Sig drink some hot echinacea tea to ward off pneumonia. I guess it worked, as he returned my pants the following Tuesday. We walked up the road to the cars by Yardleys cabin and were back at North Boulder Park by 2 p.m. _____ The following article by Barbara Taylor in the July 1988 Colorado Mountain Club newsletter was condensed by Richard Holmes: Some people have a persona that resonates with nearly everyone they meet. Yardley Beers was one of those. He grew up in Trenton, New Jersey, and studied physics at Yale. After receiving a doctorate in physics from Princeton, he worked on a radar project at MIT, served on the faculty of NYU, and then came to Boulder to take a position with the National Bureau of Standards in 1961. Hiking was prominent in Yardleys life, and he led trips for the Colorado Mountain Club for more than 20 years. Although his trips tended to turn into exciting adventures, he was always well-equipped and very safety-conscious. As a long time amateur radio operator, he always carried a radio. He also knew when to quit. On a hike up Mt. Sherman, a 14er, he heard a hissing sound coming from his metal-framed backpack. The clouds overhead were black, but there was no thunder or lightning in the area. He removed the pack and turned around to see his daughter and another girl had their hair standing on end. We took off in a hurry, he said, and hadnt used a metal-framed pack since.

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Yardley retired from the Bureau of Standards in 1979. From trips with his wife to England and Scotland, he became interested in an archaeological site on the Isle of Man, and the former physics professor began work on a degree in British history at CU in 1983. Two years later, he participated in a dig on that island. Through the years, hiking continued to play a role in Yardleys life. The Beers had a cabin near the Ceran St. Vrain Trail area, and sometime along the way, Yardley became involved with the Tuesday Hikers. by Jo Anne Smallwood One summer day, a small group of Tuesday Hikers were out on a trail. As it approached lunchtime, Yardley mentioned that his cabin was nearby and we could go there to eat lunch. What an interesting place his cabin was. It was truly a get- away, pleasant but rustic. It amazed me that it was lit with strings of tiny lights, like those we use on Christmas trees. It served the purpose and certainly did not use much energy.

Charles Yeomans (19182012)

by Janet Holdsworth On a cool, Tuesday September afternoon in 1995, I was surprised to see Charles Yeomans at the Post Office in shorts, no less. How are you? I sputtered. Im great, he answered. I just finished hiking with the Tuesday Hikers. You should come, too. So the next Tuesday I also became a Tuesday Hiker. The Tuesday after Charles returned from a hiking trip in Europe, he appeared with a novelty two hiking poles. Its the latest thing in Europe, he explained. It caught on quickly, and now many of us use two hiking poles. In June 2000, on our Tuesday hike to Miller Rock at Ceran St. Vrain, Charles announced, I just got back from hiking my last 50-mile segment of the 500-mile Colorado Trail (from Chatfield Reservoir to the top of Kenosha Pass), and he showed us the patch on his backpack to prove it. He was 82 years old. It has been a privilege to have known and hiked with Charles Yeomans. (He died in April 2012 at the age of 94 years.)

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Hanne Williams (1922present)

by Betsy Hunt Born in 1922, Hanne came to the United States as a young woman, having lived through World War II in Germany. She was a member of Hitlers Youth Group, as were most young people of her age in the 1940s. Hanne lived in a barracks with other women for six years, an experience that led her to believe she never wanted to live in a group home ever again. Upon arriving in New York, she got a job in the office of a hospital, where she was employed for many years. She met a well-educated Jamaican, whom she married and enjoyed a life of culture and adventure with for quite a few years. After his death, she decided to move to Boulder, where she bought a house in North Boulder and began teaching fitness to residents of an Independent Senior Home, as she had been a gymnast in Germany and was very fit. After being introduced to the Tuesday Hikers, she was always there, ready to take on any challenge. And she loved to be the head of the pack. Hanne and Imma Stanton, her good friend who was from northern Italy, always amazed us as they raced up the trails like two mountain goats. They did not want anyone to be ahead of them, and it WAS difficult to beat them. The amazing thing is that these women continued to be indomitable hikers well into their 80s, a high standard set for the rest of us! There are tales of Hanne included in others hikers memories in this history, but I would like to add one more. As a European, Hanne believed in dressing up for any hikers gathering and could put together a costume that put the rest of us to shame. She also loved social gatherings so much that she bemoaned the fact that people left as soon as they had finished eating and did not stay around to socialize more or sing together. Today, Hanne is living in a senior residence, as her health and memory are failing. She did not go willingly, as her memories of those years in Germany were still fresh in her mind, but she now realizes the blessing of having people and help close by, a good lesson for us all.

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Imma Stanton (1923present)

by Brenda Hutchinson Imma, a member of the Tuesday Hikers for many years, has a unique and colorful personality. She came to Boulder from Italy when she was in her late 50s to marry Bill Stanton, who was dean of CUs Leeds Business School and a marketing professor. Born in 1923 and true to her Italian background, Imma arrived for the hikes looking very stylish and wearing her make-up, with not a hair out of place. One particular hike was one we will not forget. We were going to hike up to Lake Isabelle, over Pawnee Pass and down the other side and walk out to Monarch Lake, which was a distance of 15 miles. The other hikers were Luke Fernsebner, Hanne Williams and her brother-in-law, Ken, Imma and myself. As we were ascending the pass, Ken collapsed so Hanne led him back, insisting that we continue. We stopped by a small lake on the other side of Pawnee Pass and had lunch. Immas lunch was always the same turkey sausage, rice cakes, fruit and a beverage. We continued after lunch to Monarch, where Bill was to meet us, having driven over from Boulder. Needless to say, we were weary coming out, but when Imma saw Bill, she hurried towards him, exclaiming excitedly, Bill, Bill, I hope you brought me some tea because I forgot my water and I havent had anything to drink all day. Imma had not mentioned this all during that hike. One day, on her way to meet the Tuesday Hikers, Imma was stopped on 9th Street by a Boulder policeman. When he told her she was speeding, she replied, Yes, I know, but I am in a hurry. Then he pulled out a notepad and started asking questions, when Imma said, Will you wait while I go tell my hiking friends at the park not to leave without me? Guess who did NOT get a ticket! by Marge Maagoe One Tuesday morning as we gathered to choose our hiking destinations, Imma said, Some day we should hike from Bear Lake over the Flattops Pass to the Onahu Trailhead. It is only 18 miles, and Bill (her husband) will pick us up. Some time later, a group of hikers did it with her, and I believe Hanne Williams was one of them. Imma always loved horses and found them irresistible. It was at the end of a hike along the Middle Fork of the St. Vrain River. We were all back at the cars in the 15

Peaceful Valley parking lot along with a group of horseback riders. I was talking with one of the riders, and we were standing at the head of the horse. Imma had taken off her hiking shoes and put on her nice street shoes. She came towards us, and I dont remember if she even asked permission, but she said, Its been a long time since Ive been on a horse and there she was. We were all startled, even the horse. She had vaulted onto the horse. At the Arnolds picnics, she would always get Dirk to put her on a horse. She was hoping she could ride again when she moved back to Italy. Imma was also a very good cross-country skier. She would go up to Eldora on the senior bus and manage to ski most of the cross-country trails by the time the bus was ready to leave.

Chris Marshall (19292010)

by Barbara Taylor Chris Marshall was the quintessential Tuesday Hiker a big man in more than just size. He originally retired in Estes Park with his wife, Beth, but soon moved down valley to Louisville, where he was not only close to beautiful hiking trails, but also enjoyed the social interaction of a hiking community. His favorite hike was Cub Lake. In a moment of quiet meditation, those who loved him can feel his spirit there. Chris also was an avid reader. He was a charter member of the Tuesday Hiker Book Club, where he shared his thoughtful insights. by Richard Holmes What an eclectic, energetic and stimulating collection of people from a variety of backgrounds and occupations. Those were my thoughts after my first few months with the Tuesday Hikers in the late 1990s. A common denominator flows through the group a love of the outdoors and a desire for mountain adventure. Befriended almost immediately by Chris Marshall, I was soon siphoned into the book group. I thought that was because of my literary acumen, wise detachment and effervescent humor, but I was wrong. They only needed another male body the book group was mostly women. So I hiked and read books. Chris had an easy-going way about him, always cheerful, a pleasing disposition. While hiking near Lake Haiyaha one morning, somebody spoke of having lunch. It was before 11, and I whispered to Chris, Isnt it too early for lunch? Without

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hesitation he replied, Its never too early for lunch. I knew then I was going to like Chris. He was one of the most mild-mannered, thoughtful and enthusiastic persons Ive ever met. I think it was his ready smile, his pleasant demeanor, that struck me upon our first encounter. We hiked many miles together before he had to drop out of the group to care for his wife, Beth, whose diabetic condition continued to worsen. Misfortune struck again when Chris was diagnosed with cancer. He died in 2010, but his memory lives with me as a real friend.

Sandy Jacobs (19352008)

by Gwen Brodsky (Sandys daughter) There is a photo of Sandy standing on the top of Devils Tower in Wyoming around 1958. He has completed the roped climb up one of the chimneys to the summit and a wooden sign behind him reads, tongue in cheek, No Climbing beyond This Point. In that era, technical routes saw more ravens than climbers, and the humorous commentary at the top defined Sandy, if not the generation: understated and restless to keep climbing. If you asked Sandy, 50 years later, about a particular hike or snowshoe, he unfailingly would declare it just delightful. His few, unpretentious words did not explain the passion he felt for being in the mountains. It was all written in deeds, instead. He rarely missed a Tuesday. He would sip his coffee at the meeting spot, leisurely listening to the days ideas for a route swirl around him until the group invariably seemed to default to wherever Sandy had researched, mapped and suggested. On the trail, he was happy near the rear where he could slow his gait to mountain time and engage in conversation. He would sometimes playfully strike off cross-country. Or, he would lose himself in the combination of light and scene that made a memorable photo. In his turn of phrase, he was scampering to a summit, communing with the elk or heading out to strap on a couple of skinny boards. I do not believe that Sandy would say being in the mountains was Zen-like or spiritual; he was a lifelong chemist, at home with molecules. In his own unaffected way, I think he simply would say that the hills are hands down the most enjoyable place to be. by Madeline Goldhawk Sandy hiked with the Tuesday Hikers for a number of years. He loved the mountains dearly and always lingered long in the high country. We shared stories, 17

each about our own years of wonderful times in the mountains. I learned that Sandy had had some vivid climbing adventures in his youth. Sadly, Sandy became very ill and was no longer able to hike with us. Over his final months, he kept in touch by email. One day I told him of meeting three people near James Peak who were on a trek along the Continental Divide Trail. They had started in Mexico and were moving north with strength and speed. The idea of hiking the Continental Divide excited me. Sandys reply was that he was remembering when we were young and the Continental Divide was our playground. I love thinking of our younger days in the mountains in that way. by Sharon Howrey My favorite story of Sandy Jacobs is when we were snowshoeing, some of us going uphill and strong. Sandy said, Oh, youre just a bunch of tigers! When it came time to name the new SOB (Seniors on Bikes) group of bicycle riders, we went with his thought and called ourselves the Tigers. This group really epitomizes the name! I miss Sandy and all of his helpful comments. by Linda Bailey I cant remember any funny stories but I will always remember Sandys great appreciation for the beauty of nature. He always said, It doesnt get any better than this. Somehow that still resonates with me today. Sandy was a gentleman and an intellectual, albeit a modest man. by Hans Schreuder Even smart people need to be saved sometime. Sandy went snowshoeing once with us in Rocky Mountain National Park. After about five miles, nine of us stopped for lunch. We were close to a snow overhang just waiting to become an avalanche. Sandy, with his usual excessive energy, saw that area as a challenge that he wanted to meet, so he decided he was going to climb up. Fortunately, Jutta Schmidt challenged him by taking his hiking poles and warning him that he was planning to do something crazy. The three other ladies (Judy Gunkler, Maddy Goldhawk and Kate Secrest) in his car supported Jutta, and they finally talked him into not doing the foolish climb. I applauded him for finally listening to his four wives. He laughed about that. On another snowshoe hike, there was deep snow along the creek trail at East Portal. Sandy was leading the trip on the way back along the creek (not the normal trail). Suddenly he went down to his butt in the snow. We tried to get him to go back to the main trail but he refused. Ultimately he managed to plow on and continued making a trail along the creek. We followed, totally in awe of his persistence. It resulted in a truly lovely snow trip along the creek. We will have to do it again some time in memory of Sandy. 18

by Sara Michl On our Tuesday hikes, Sandy was invariably full of good humor and good ideas about where to hike. He was relaxed and interested in everything, often amused by conversations around him. He was fully engaged in life, always learning. And he was wonderfully supportive of his fellow Tuesday Hikers. by Kate Secrest Sandy Jacobs Last Hike: He was in the throes of receiving chemo treatment for his lung cancer and sidelined from hiking because of it. After many months of absence, Sandy showed up on a February morning to snowshoe with us. It was glorious to finally see Sandy, as his illness had kept him from socializing. We all fawned over him, as he declared that he was out of shape and very weak from the chemo. We vowed to go his speed and insisted he accompany the group to Peaceful Valley. Sandy was partially into the snowshoe trip when he became too tired to continue. After much fussing from his harem of admirers and at his insistence, we left him in an open area close to the campground and continued on our way. He insisted that he simply wanted to enjoy the peace and solitude of that lovely winter day. When we returned, he was glowing from his experience: He was renewed by his commune with nature and had seen a mountain lion while waiting for us to return. That was to be Sandys last time in his beloved mountains.

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C H A P T E R 3

Personal Hiking Stories

group.

he stories in this chapter are by, or about, current members. Their inclusion is to provide perspective, humor and a personal view on hiking with the

Memories
by Ed Gauss I began hiking with the group in 1992. Jean Anstine was the informal leader. The group was much smaller then, and we all went to the same place. But other than that, the format was pretty much as it is today. Hanne Williams was our strongest hiker in those years, and few could keep up with her. My youngest daughter, Emily, adopted Hanne and hiked with her when her school was out in the summer. Betty Lane was our wildflower expert, and my other daughter Elizabeth hiked with her and learned about wild flowers. Occasionally, a few of us explored off-trail, such as a traverse over the ridge between Blue Lake and Isabelle Lake. I was the instigator of such adventures. Regulars in that explorer group were Hanne, Carolyn Cohen, Imma Stanton, occasionally Betty Lane, Charles Yeomans and I forget who else. We also bagged a few 14ers. We did Bierstadt one October day, leaving Boulder at 5:00 a.m. and were on top by 10:00 a.m., whereupon it began to snow. We were back at Guanella Pass at noon, and by then there were four inches of snow on the ground. This was before a boardwalk was built through the dreaded willows. The mud there was frozen on our way in, so we just walked across it, but it was ankle- deep on the way out. We also did another ascent of Bierstadt in better weather and after the boardwalk had been built. On another trip we bagged Quandary Peak; on that hike were Monty and Doris Montgomery, Imma, Hanne and myself, as well as a fellow who came out from the East. One year we did Grays and Torreys, camping out the night before on the Guanella Pass road above Georgetown so we could get an early start. This was the 4th of July weekend. We were the third car at the trailhead, but I counted 150 cars there when we returned. Other 14ers we bagged were Sherman and the trio of Lincoln, Bross and Democrat. The screeing down the side of Bross proved a bit of a challenge to those of us who were not skiers. When Hanne was still hiking, I led a small group off-trail from near Loch Vale to a small, unnamed lake to the north. We then bushwhacked to the back trail 21

descending from Lake Haiyaha. Route finding is not the easiest on that traverse, and troubling us that day was an ice layer that had formed on a rock slab we had to descend. Hanne was having trouble with her balance. So Elaine Taylor went ahead and found a safe route while I stayed with Hanne. There may have been just the three of us on that off-trail adventure. I once found a different way to Miller Rock for the group going up from the north, using an old forest road from the village of Raymond. Another time I led the group to a small lake, off-trail, north and downhill from Diamond Lake. Yardley Beers always talked about an off-trail climb of The Ironclads, so I researched that route and led the group up that a few times. As the new century began, I developed a fluttery heart valve, and while my cardiologist assured me I would not drop dead on the trail, it did cause me to become the slowest regular hiker in the group currently. In defiance of that flutter, I joined another climb of Bierstadt and was one hour behind the leaders in getting to the top. I still do off-trail adventures, but it is hard to show others the route when my pace is the slowest. I turn 80 this year, and I believe I am second only to John Rapoza as being the oldest regular male hiker. I now pick my hikes most carefully and avoid any that have much uphill on the way out. I am known to comment that when other men are pondering Playboy centerfolds, I look at maps looking for new places and new adventures.

Hiking with Ed Gauss

by Richard Holmes Ed Gauss leads unusual hikes. Wherever you go, the destination will probably not be by the normal route. You will arrive, sometimes wondering how you got there. Or maybe there is no definable destination just an irregular loop beginning from a trailhead, then off the beaten path, over and around some features, and bushwhacking much of the way back. One such hike began at Heil Ranch on a mild December morning. We left the trail part way up the Lichen Loop and pressed on through tall grasses, up and around thick underbrush, and finally bushwhacked our way to an open area above the cliffs overlooking the trail we started on. I never knew the cliffs were there. We had lunch overlooking the valley, then looped back to the main trail. This was truly a wonderful hike. Then there was the hike from Bear Lake to Dream Lake, passing by Nymph Lake. What could be simpler? Not simple enough as it turned out. Skipping the usual trail, Ed takes us along Bear Lake for a short distance, and then locates a not so obvious path that goes straight up the hill, steep, to intercept the main trail at Nymph Lake. In years of hiking up there, Ive never seen this route.

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Another time he started somewhere off Trail Ridge Road. Connecting with the Ute Trail, then hiking off onto another path, Ed takes us around a ravine, loops a rock outcrop, pushes an elk off the trail, reaches another path and crosses more tundra. A big horn sheep threatens, then decides to make a run for it. Somehow we rejoin a trail that met another trail that takes us across more tundra and back toward the road. Ed kicks a marmot out of the way and strides up to the highway. I think Eds many years of flying as a bush pilot in Alaska have sharpened his navigating skills. How does he find these ventures? Ive often felt he sneaked around these places years ago when no one was looking, maybe even in the dark, and just memorized them. So that is why I like to hike with Ed Gauss there will be a surprise on each outing.

Memories from the Early 1990s

by Virginia McConnell Its fun to recollect those happy days on the trail with the Tuesday Hikers! For many months, several years actually, I conscientiously packed a lunch and planned to spend the day in the mountains early with new friends and old, enjoying those glorious hours. I relished the beauty, the freshness, the fellowship, and I am grateful to those who unobtrusively arranged it. This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson sums up how I feel: The influence of fine scenery, the presence of mountains appeases our irritations and elevates our friendships (Culture, The Conduct of Life, 1860).

Memories
by George Thompson Harry and Jean Nachman told me about the Tuesday group back in 1992. My first hike was with them going up to Arapahoe Pass. That hooked me, as I had never hiked before. Harry was one of my favorite people. I remember Yardley Beers, who, it was said, was 90 at the time. He stopped halfway up Lake Isabelle trail and said, This is a beautiful spot. Im going to stay here and take a nap. You can catch me on the way back. And he did! Betty Lane spotted wood lilies on the way up to Cub Lake and said, They only bloom every seven years. She didnt have her camera with her, but because they are so special, she decided to come back up with her husband later to take pictures of them. Betty, also in her early 80s, passed out from heat on the way up to Mills Lake. This scared everyone. We got her back up, and she was determined to go on without the help that I offered. I said I would carry her pack. She said, No, you are NOT going to carry my pack. The day I cant carry my pack is the day they carry me out!

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In about 2004, a lady, Joyce Bogard, whom few of us knew, fell against a rock three miles above the Camp Dick Trail to Buchanan Pass. We didnt know it at the time, but she had broken her kneecap. She refused to walk, so I tried my cell phone, to no avail. I jogged back to the campground manager, who said no phones work there, but there was an emergency phone a half-mile up the road. I called and we ended up with 10-12 volunteers. The first crew diagnosed and stabilized her. Then more help came with a rolling stretcher, which is on a balloon tire with four ropes extending. A man was on each rope and they pulled her out, bouncing down the trail. About four to five years ago in the summer, a group of about 12 Thursday hikers went up to Rocky Mountain National Park, parked at the Glacier Basin park-and- ride, took the trail out of the parking lot to Bierstadt Lake, then on to Bear Lake for lunch, a distance of about three and a half to four miles one way. Our plan was to hike a big loop, returning from Bear Lake by way of Glacier Gorge and the Glacier Creek Trail, on to Sprague Lake and on back to our car. Our plan failed. One of our female hikers, who shall remain nameless, had lunch with all of us sitting around Bear Lake. It started to rain, and everyone scrambled to put on rain gear and head toward the Bear Lake parking lot, with the intent of going on to Glacier Gorge and to finish our loop. Fortunately, we counted heads and realized one person was missing, and who it was. After much looking around and calling out, we decided that in the middle of the rain gear scramble, she must have taken the trail back that we had come up that morning. We had to assume she did not realize the rest of us were planning to do the big loop. We sent two fast hikers, Bruce Johnson and Jerry Bebernes, chasing after her and the rest of us boarded a bus back to our cars. If we were right about what she did (and of course we were not sure) and the trail she was on, we decided there were two places she could come out, either on the road at Bierstadt trailhead or on down to where we had started at the Glacier Basin park-and-ride. We had agreed that if we could not find her within about three hours, we would have to notify the park rangers. I took my car and sat at the Bierstadt trailhead for about one and a half hours, watching for her; sure enough, here she came, and about ten minutes later, Bruce and Jerry showed up, as they had never caught up with her. She had no idea we considered her lost and were looking for her, as she said she thought we were all in front of her the whole time, and she was just racing to catch up! She apparently decided to stop hiking with us, as we did not see anymore of her after that.

Random Memories
by Elaine Taylor Were not DISorganized; were UNorganized, quoting Jean Anstine. 24

Why was Hanne always up near the front? (paraphrasing) I feel like Im being pulled upward. (balloon, from head?). I think she mentioned feeling light, so it was easy for her to go forward. I enjoyed the Italianess of Imma. She called me Elena. I was late to arrive at Chasm Lake one Tuesday. I was facing the final scramble, when I met her descending, already having lunched. Others have probably mentioned Yardleys Ironclads. A trip to Beers cabin and Sig falling into the creek. As he got older, Yardley would time himself on the trail, lunch at a certain time, then nap, there or at the trailhead. Charles Yeomans was always ready to demonstrate the approved way to use hiking sticks. Willy Unsoeld said, I miss his readiness to tackle bigger hikes in a moderate way, like Estes Cone and Twin Sisters. The only constant is change. Ive been with Tuesday Hikers 15 plus years. Ive watched the once-vigorous change their choice of destination, later followed by regretted absence. Ive seen a change in myself; hikes that originally oppressed now seem like an outing; my feet are tougher.

Hermann Mengs Walking Sticks Story

by Betsy Hunt Escaping with his family from the Russians in Yugoslavia during World War II, Hermann ended up in Wurtenberg, Germany, after the war ended. In 1955, at age 19, he immigrated to Denver, where his uncle had the Archway Cookie Company. Hermann and his parents were offered jobs there. Not only did he learn to bake, but he also met and fell in love with Maria, who was also employed at Archway. They married right away. After a few years, the company was sold and Hermanns boss found him a job as a roofer work that he had never done, but was willing to try. Being ambitious, he eventually became a foreman and worked there for 30 years. Maria became a professional pastry decorator. They lived in Erie for a number of years, and he and Maria had two daughters. Forty-five years ago they built a house on Flagstaff Mountain and he still lives there, though in a different house now. His brother-in-law had a painted gourd up on a pole, and it had interested Hermann. So he started getting gourds for Maria to paint; he cut holes in them for birdhouses. Their daughter, Heidi, found gourds to buy in California, which led to their producing many gourd birdhouses and selling them at the Boulder Farmers Market. Maria passed away in 2000, and, in his grief, Hermann took over the painting of the gourds. One day he decided to cut down a small aspen and paint it for a walking stick. He was walking with the City of Boulder group at that time, and a man walking 25

behind him asked, Where did you get that stick? Asked if he would sell the stick, Hermann declined the offer, but that gave him an idea. He made another and sold it and the rest is history. He has been selling them to friends and at McGuckins store for the past eight years. He has an inventory of almost 300 at his home right now. The birdhouse gourds are also taking over his home and garage!

Hermann Meng displays some of his hand-painted walking sticks and gourds, March 2013

Producing these works of art has been an evolving education for Hermann. With no artistic training, he has become an amazing artist! To get the sticks, he scours the aspen groves around his home. After cutting them, he peels off the bark in the spring, dries them, paints stripes with acrylics every six inches down and then does his magic. Wildflowers, birds, intricate designs, and bird and animal pictures he has cut out and glued on decorate the sticks. The tops are decorated with beads, jewels or feathers. While in Iowa a few years ago, Hermann and a friend were visiting a man who, Hermann noticed, had one of his gourds in his kitchen. The gourd had been a gift from someone, and imagine the mans surprise when he found that Hermann was the artist! The man was so impressed that he told Hermann he could have all the gourds he wanted, as he grew gourds on his farm. Now, after two trips there, and bags full of gourds, Hermann has more than he can paint. Being an early riser, Hermann gets up at 4:00 a.m., makes his coffee, and then sits down in his kitchen and paints. As he watches the sun rise behind his sliding glass doors overlooking Gross Reservoir, he is on his way to finishing another walking stick. It takes about two days to finish one. He charges $25 for them. Quite a bargain! 26

Snow and Ice

by Sheryl Holmes On feeling embarrassed/humiliated/mortified: Ever find yourself lying head downward on a steep, snowy slope with about 12 faces staring at you? Cant remember how or why you slipped off the trail, though it might have had something to do with being a first hike on snowshoes? This was me, in January 2007, on one of my very early trips with Tuesday Hikers on (or rather off) the Betasso Trail. Seemed like forever that I lay there, trying to figure a way to get upright without sliding into the creek, when I heard a voice say, You need to get your feet under you. I later learned this was Anita Landess. Without thinking, I somehow grabbed my pole, pushed hard, did some sort of flip and was standing. People cheered, and I was famous for a few seconds. I really dont know how this happened because I am not particularly agile or innovative. I could not possibly pull it off again. Also in my brief hiking career, I managed another slip while crossing a tiny streamlet at Lake Isabelle. This time I broke an ankle, though I didnt know it at the time. Something was obviously wrong when I removed the boot and my ankle puffed up. One feels like such a fool, and this was recorded for one of Richard Holmes slide shows, though I remained anonymous. Hikers are so kind, and one woman I had not known brought snow to make a compress, another lent me a second pole and carried my pack, and Stuart Williams, a former paramedic who fortunately was along, taped my ankle for support. Many folks waited and checked on me while I hobbled down the trail. That was embarrassing enough, but when I got to my car at Dellwood, it wouldnt start and I had to beg a jump from another hiker I had not met before (and have never seen since to thank properly). I later realized there was nothing really wrong with the car, but it is a stick shift and I could not depress the clutch far enough with the injured foot to make it start. Certainly should have realized that! And, speaking of my car, I drove a group to snowshoe near Camp Tahosa/Beaver Reservoir, but the car refused to make it up the icy hill. After many attempts, many suggestions from the men in the car and one unsuccessful attempt by one of the men, I had to back down, park and leave the #@^# car, and then cross-country trek through the woods to finally meet the other group who had had no problem navigating the hill. Everyone was a good sport and is still speaking to me. I no longer offer to drive when I think there could be more than a quarter inch of snow or ice on roads or parking areas. We all have bad days, make mistakes and inconvenience other hikers, but most memories are of beautiful country and friendship, so we get past the embarrassments and they become something to joke about.

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View from Mexico

by William H. Prescott My sojourn with the Tuesday Hikers was relatively brief. I was living in Boulder in 2007. At the beginning of that year, at the age of 62, I became unemployed for the first time in over 30 years. Years before, I had considered volunteering for the Peace Corps, but family responsibilities intervened and it never happened. When I lost my job in 2007, I decided it was time to revisit that goal and I applied for the Peace Corps. There was an extended time period between beginning the application, being accepted and departing for an assignment. During that time period, I heard about the Tuesday Hikers. I am not sure when I first heard of them. I believe I met George Thompson at a party given by a mutual friend, Susan Eriksson, and George mentioned the group to me. In any event, I learned of the Tuesday Hikers and the Thursday offshoot and where and when they met. I started hiking with them in about April of 2007. I continued almost without exception until the first of October 2007, when the Peace Corps shipped me to Mexico for a 27-month assignment. I remember at the end of one hike, we discovered that one of the participants was missing. The route that day was a one-way hike involving two different parking lots and some car ferrying. Two of us retraced our route looking for her while others checked both parking lots. The Park Rangers interviewed us for a description of the missing woman, and I was struck by how little any of us remembered about her. Yes, she was fairly short. She was wearing a jacket, and maybe it was blue? Or was it green? Was she carrying hiking poles? Fortunately, she turned up at one of the other parking lots within an hour or so. She had not been clear on the plan for the day or the name of the beginning and ending points. She had briefly been out of sight of the group at a stop and made a wrong choice about the direction we had taken. After that event, in all of the hikes, I made a point to walk at the rear of the group and do what I could to see that no one was left behind. I thought of this episode when I read the email correspondence on another hiker that was lost earlier this year. I enjoyed my time with the Tuesday Hikers. It is the only time I have found a group that took hiking seriously. The few other times I have hiked with groups, I found it less satisfactory: The pace is slow, they stop more than they walk or they cancel altogether. So most of my hiking has been done alone. But the Tuesday group keeps up a good pace and goes for decent distances. Through them I was introduced to many of the wonderful trails in the area. At the end of 2009 and my Peace Corps assignment, I stayed in Mexico, so I have not hiked with the group for five years now. However, I still have fond recollections of the hikes. I occasionally think about spending summers in Boulder and hiking with the group again.

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The Impact of the Tuesday Hikers on My Life

by Bill Campbell I suspect that many other Tuesday Hikers have found that by joining this informal group their life styles have changed, perhaps like mine, dramatically. It is hard for me to believe the adventures Ive had which occurred directly because I have been associated with this group. I started hiking with the Tuesday Hikers three years before I retired in 2004. I found out about the group from Betsy Hunt, whom Ive known since childhood. At first I was only hiking on Tuesdays. Then George Thompson got several of us to extend that to snowshoeing on Tuesdays in the winter. Later, George started a spin- off group of hikers and snowshoers that meets on Thursdays. Both of these groups have led to my extensive international adventures. Through the Tuesday Hikers I found out about David Gerstels European hiking trips. The first was in Slovakia and Poland in the Tatra Mountains. Since then I have taken five more trips: in Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Liechtenstein and Austria, and Montenegro and Croatia. I had always planned to travel in my retirement, but I never thought it would be so physical. My brother got me started on biking about six years ago, and it has become a major part of my life. Speaking of physical, David introduced me to Herman Hindriks European biking trips. Ive biked around Lake Constance. I also biked in Spain, in Ireland, in Italy and now in Portugal. Perhaps the biggest adventures Ive had started with my overhearing a conversation on a Thursday hike. The discussion was about an upcoming trek in Nepal. People who were on that hike said I perked up immediately. I had friends who had done the so-called Everest Base Camp Trek in the early 70s and I had always wanted to try one. The organizer of the trek, Around Annapurna, was, of course, Brenda Hutchinson. I had never met Brenda Hutchinson but had heard much about her, both as an avid biker and strong hiker. I called Brenda that night. I not only hiked the Annapurna Circuit that year but have since hiked four more treks: Langtang, Everest Base Camp, climbed Island Peak at 20,305 feet and returned to the Annapurna region. In addition, because of Brendas leadership, I have become involved in helping two schools in the Everest region. Nepal has become one of my favorite places with many new friends there. As I said in the beginning, Im sure many other Tuesday Hikers have similar stories. What a great place to make new friends and find new adventures.

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Hiking Memories
by Sharon Foster Howrey Id just like to say that my husband, Phil Howrey, and I were introduced to the Tuesday hiking group via Janet Freeman. Those were the days of 6-mile or more hikes, complete with Sandy Jacobs acting as sweep. I always got hungry before the group stopped for lunch, so I would eat my food l-o-n-g before the group did. (And that didnt include snacks along the way!) What a great way to safely explore the mountains as newbies. We were introduced to Indian Peaks and James Peak Wildernesses, not to mention Rocky Mountain National Park and local favorites like Walker Ranch and Heil Ranch. If we werent riding bikes, we were out on the trails. My favorite folks to hike with besides Janet included Maddy Goldhawk, because she knows flowers; Hans Schreuder, because he hiked at my rate; and Judy Gunkler, because she knows a lot about EVERYTHING! Actually, I dont think I hiked twice with the same group of folks and there were always such interesting conversations. A lot has changed in the group. Phil is no longer with us, and Im hiking with friends, but not necessarily on Tuesdays. However, the mountains, the smell of the pine trees, the beautiful waterfalls, the color of the aspens, the multicolored stones is the same whether its Tuesday, Wednesday and even on the weekends! And we have those wonderful snowshoes with George Thompson on Thursdays to look forward to this winter. Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts. I hope to join the group on a hike again soon.

From Australia
by Christine Holland I moved to Boulder in December 2004 from Australia, but didnt think of hiking until the spring, and think I first went out with Tuesday Hikers in May 2005. I read about it in the Daily Camera. At that time, all Tuesday Hikers met together at North Boulder Park and Rita Reasoner would first ask the long hikers to go off, then the rest would break into carloads. I went with the short groups for three weeks, but after getting home without having even managed a sweat, I decided to try whether I could manage the long hike. The first time I went to join them, someone, I think Terry Hardy, warned me it would be 13 miles, which I considered doable. It was a month or so later, when we got home from Lawn Lake and Crystal Lake at 7:00 p.m. that the Early Tuesday Hikers started to go earlier than the rest.

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I had only been going a couple of weeks when someone suggested King Lake. After a couple of miles, we got into deep snow, and after another couple of miles of post-holing (and putting my foot through into the creek), my driver, Pat Wallace (it was terrible to hear what happened to her), sensibly decided to turn back, but some others kept going. I heard later that no one actually got to King Lake. I thought then that I had gotten into a group of crazies. Other memorable days include the hike to Diamond Lake and Corona Pass. The group got very separated to the extent that some people were waiting at the cars more than an hour before the drivers, Ted Smith and Sandy Jacobs, who were busy taking photos of flowers. I think I was the third last back, as I went up to Corona Pass as everyone else was coming down. As I crossed the meadow near the end, a thunderstorm arrived and lightning struck just ahead of me. Meanwhile, one of the drivers had returned early and left with only one passenger, leaving 12 people for two cars, a very uncomfortable trip down Boulder Canyon. I do remember our hike up Audubon. There was only one car with five people. The storm arrived very suddenly, we hadnt even seen it from the peak. The strong hikers, one of whom hadnt been up to the peak anyway, took off. That section above the tree line never seemed longer. I have two very different memories of Homestead Meadows. The first was of hiking with Jim McConnell on Susan Harriss birthday. After we ate our sandwiches, Jim produced ice cream. Jim also manages to produce some good meals from his little stove. The second memory was less good, as we lost two people on the way back to the cars (Ive almost gone the wrong way, too). Fortunately they realized they were wrong after a while and turned back. That was when we discovered that the whistles we all carry are actually useless after a fairly short distance. As we got towards the next winter, I was amazed to hear that we just kept going on snowshoes. I discovered that it wasnt difficult, but never liked deep soft snow. Im sure there are lots of other things I enjoyed, like sitting in a meadow just covered in all sorts of flowers or by some of the beautiful lakes. We dont have many lakes here in Australia, as it was never glacial.

Coffee!
by Hans Schreuder All of the hikers in the Tuesday Hiking group are committed to long hikes or snowshoe trips. Many of us think we deserve a reward on the way home by going to Kind Coffee in Estes Park, The Stone Cup in Lyons, the Caboose in Nederland, Vics or Breadworks in Boulder or Noa Noa in Golden, depending on where the hike has taken us. Especially dedicated to this noble effort are the three authors of this history, along with Bruce Johnson, George Thompson, Paul Korda, Carolyn Ingalls,

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Hermann Meng, Dorothy Coltrin, Maddy Goldhawk, Jody Adleman, Kate Secrest, Larry Kane, Libby Rosenzweig and others. Weighty topics are discussed at this time, such as the presidential election, the magic of yoga, who has had or needs a knee or hip replacement, and what the best diet is lately, with special emphasis on gluten- free foods. Especially the latter has performed magic on some of the hikers. After a certain amount of hugging, we reluctantly part company until the next sojourn.

Breadworks in Boulder is a popular post-hike gathering spot, July 2011

On one of the coffee breaks, we actually managed to arrange what appears to us now to be a successful relationship between two people who are not even part of the hiking group. We met a younger lady in her late 40s who, at some point in time, injected herself into our conversation and mentioned that she had a best male friend looking for a girlfriend. I mentioned that I had a female friend who had just moved to Boulder and who was looking for a boyfriend. Phone numbers were exchanged, and the male friend did call the female friend; they have been dating now for two and a half years. Needless to say, I am monitoring this relationship carefully to make sure it keeps going in the right direction.

Mocha? Who said Mocha?

by Richard Holmes Could a hike be complete without stopping for coffee or ice cream on the drive back? Of course not. Thats when the real socializing begins. After a long hike, weve 32

earned the right to stop somewhere for liquid sustenance, relaxation and unhurried conversation. Besides, our sack lunches just take us so far. For example, how could we not stop at Kind Coffee in Estes after a long trudge in the Park on a hot summer day? Ever since our discovery of the Kind Shake, a vanilla shake kicked up a notch with espresso and chocolate, most of us have been programmed to grind to a stop at their front door. Only an insensitive, uncaring, caffeine-intolerant carpool driver would pass this place by. In Lyons awaits The Stone Cup for our post-hiking potations. If the penalty for speeding in Lyons is incarceration for an hour at The Stone Cup, then its probably well worth irritating the local gendarmes. And the caboose up in Nederland. This old railroad car converted into a coffee house is an imperative stop for returning Caribou Ranch hikers. In addition to its unusual setting, its cloistered interior shuts out the din and clatter found in most other coffee grottos. Then there is that strangely named coffee shop in Golden, the Noa Noa. It snares those thirsty hikers returning from Table Mountain, White Ranch Park or some such, offering not only mochas and Bhakti Chai, but also a decadent espresso-laden shake. Finally, we have Vics and the Breadworks. Being near North Boulder Park, these are a catchall for stray hikers and a repository for the confused. When we cant think of any place else to go, we end up there. And the passengers of the callous drivers who wouldnt stop on the way back can find respite at this pair of coffee houses. Vics has a great outdoor seating area. The Breadworks, as a bakery, can fulfill pastry needs, as well as Chai cravings, mocha moods, decaf coffee for the timid and Ovaltine for the undecided.

A Wine and Cheese Hike

by Linda Bailey The Tuesday Hikers are up at Niwot Ridge on a wonderful late summer day for their annual Cheese and Wine Hike. Blue skies abound and the views are spectacular. Everyone is relaxed, eating and sipping wine. Hans Schreuder, who has, shall we say, an avid appreciation of women, is propped up on his elbow facing in the opposite direction of the action unfolding at his back. Someone says, Look, Hans. Linda Bailey is taking some clothes off, (or something to that effect). Hans, so lulled into peace by the sun and food and reluctant to turn over and view the clothing removal of just one layer by Linda, says, Could someone just give me a mirror?

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A Gneiss Wine Story

by Madeline Goldhawk Every now and then, the Tuesday Hikers decide to party along with their hiking. Sometimes it is wine and cheese in the outdoors, sometimes cookies or chocolate to celebrate a birthday. Some years back, someone surprised a birthday gal with a bottle of wine for the group. Gathered around a large flat rock we shared tiny cups of a nice bottle of merlot. A small amount was spilled in a depression in the rock. It glistened ruby in the sunshine. It was soon to evaporate into the mountain air, so irresistibly I leaned forward and slurped up the wine, to the amusement of all. Ah, I appreciated the mountain flower bouquet with a hint of granite! Red wine fortified with granite keeps you strong on the trail and happy with your friends.

Reflections
by Peter Divine I first heard of the Tuesday Hikers soon after I moved to Boulder in 1980. I took square dancing lessons and joined the Swinging Singles Square Dance Club, where I met Florence Ross. Florence told me how she hiked every Tuesday with the group that met at North Boulder Park. Of course, I was a working person, so I couldnt hike on Tuesdays, but I wished that I had a group to hike with regularly. Florence lived right there on the corner of 9th and Dellwood. Betsy says that Florence was the leader of the group, but Florence must have been too modest to say so. Florence died within a year or two after I met her. Years later, her house was razed and a new one built on the lot. More than 20 years passed before I first joined the Tuesday Hikers on January 21, 2003. Brenda Hutchinson had reminded me about the group while we were trekking in Nepal in the fall of 2002, but it was January before I was able to make it on a Tuesday. On my first Tuesday, there were two of us who were brand new. The other one was a guy named Hermann (Meng) and he was a maker of walking sticks. Now, ten years later, I still dont know his last name. The leader of the group was Rita Reasoner (but for many months, I thought her name was Rita Neil because of her email address). That day, I ended up climbing Deer Mountain with Brenda, Imma and Allen Gerard. There was a lot of ice on the trail, and, of course, Yaktrax had not yet been invented. So it was a very treacherous hike, but everybody was a good sport. Imma had just turned 80 and was an incredibly strong hiker.

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Ceran St. Vrain in the Rain

by Kathleen Flynn There is no such thing as a bad hike. Some hikes have anomalies, unusual circumstances and even challenges, however. One such hike was the August 2, 2011 adventure that took Janet Holdsworth, Steve Swan, Hans Schreuder and me to Ceran St. Vrain, a trail very familiar to Tuesday Hikers. Just feet from the trailhead, we crossed the St. Vrain River on the sturdy foot bridge and began our journey along the shaded trail. The bright east sun peaking through the aspen and pine branches illuminated the summer flowers and brightly colored tents of campers below the trail. All was well and familiar until we came to the fork that goes northwest towards Miller Rock. We wanted a longer hike and decided to go in a more northerly direction. Soon the trail became a very rough Jeep road, about 15 feet wide and covered in course sand. We trudged along uphill, downhill and sometimes sideways in the sand until we reached a view of Longs Peak, where we enjoyed eating lunch. A young man and his daughter had clambered up from their rental cabin just below our vantage point, and we suggested places they might want to explore. The Jeep road had been arduous, and we thought perhaps the fork looping back to Miller Rock might be more enjoyable, so we returned that way and found the other Tuesday Hikers at the massive outcrop. Jim Caldwell was on top of the rock while his wife, Beulah, Duffie Lannin and Jo Anne Smallwood sat enjoying their lunches in the shade below. Steve and I were eager to return to the car before the rain began, which was threatening, so we started down a road that looked to be trending southeast. When Hans and Janet joined us, we questioned whether we were on the right track. Shoulders shrugged and heads wagged, but no definitive directions were forthcoming. We pressed on despite the fact that all of us knew the usual trail leading from Miller Rock had a fork and a kiosk just a few hundred yards from the rock. The road we chose looked well-used and level, so we were not bothered by the scattering of rain drops around us. After about two miles, we had another discussion about continuing or turning back. One curious thing was that we could neither see nor hear the St. Vrain River, which is noticeable from the regular trail. Admittedly lost now, we looked for anything positive and noted, when the steady rain began, that it mixed with the sandy soil beneath our boots, mitigating the mud. We reached another fork in the road and decided to take the one leading downhill. After another mile or two we approached a large green metal gate with a sign announcing we had reached the Glacier View Ranch. The sign included a phone number, so Hans tried to call but did not get a cell signal. 35

Again, we discussed turning back and then we heard children laughing. Ahhh, someone must be around this ranch. We snaked around the gate, and Janet and I sought some protection from the steady rain under the roof of a shed while Steve and Hans walked toward the sound of voices. Several minutes passed. I was able to remove my poncho and add a layer of clothing under it to ward off the chill that the rain and wind forced on us. Janet spotted Hans across the corral area beckoning us to come. We hurried through the rain until we reached Hans and Steve, who told us that the camp counselor had given them directions to the trailhead via Oberon Road. I had lost my confidence several miles back regarding both the wisdom of continuing on an unknown path and following my companions, so I verified the camp counselors directions both with Steve and the driver of a pickup who was entering the camp as we were exiting. We made our way through several groups of playing children, and walked down a well-graded camp road to Oberon. The rain had quit, leaving puddles we hopped away from whenever a car passed by. Janet and I stepped up the pace, and made it back to the car quickly where we found, to our surprise, Jim, Beulah and their group just loading up their gear. We regaled them with the story of our estimated nine-mile hike, while we removed some very wet ponchos and muddy, sandy boots. A good time was had by all.

My Lost Hearing Aid

by Jody Adleman My name is Jody and I had been hiking with the Tuesday group for a few months in 2010. I am very hard of hearing. I was finally getting new hearing aids that would be custom-fit in the ear canal. While they were being fabricated, the audiologist loaned me two hearing aids that were not custom; they were $3,000 for both. I had signed something to the effect I would be liable if lost or damaged. Well, we were hiking at Heil Ranch, and I was feeling great. It was my birthday! It was very windy and we were almost at the parking lot when a blast of wind came up, and I went to grab my hat from blowing off. To my horror, I realized my left hearing aid was gone! I had no idea where I had lost it. It was very small, and blended in with the tall grasses and trail. I am thinking I am out $1,500. So I start backtracking the trail. A bunch of mountain bikers blew past me. I am thinking, OK, I need a birthday miracle now! After I had gone about a quarter mile, my thoughts were, This is so futile; it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Distraught and upset, I decided to go back. I turned around and looked down; low and behold, there it was on the middle of the trail!!! It hadnt gotten run over by the bikers. Perfectly intact! What are the odds of that? My birthday miracle came true!

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Post note: Two weeks later, I was running errands in Boulder. When I got home my right hearing aid was gone! I couldnt believe it. So I backtracked to all the places I had been. The last place was a Chinese restaurant. The staff and I searched the place up and down, but to no avail. Totally depressed, I headed back home. I was crossing Broadway near the university, and I swear to GOD, there the darn thing was in the middle of the road, unscathed!! For real! Another miracle. In my head I heard the theme to The Twilight Zone.

A Memorable Hike
by Richard Holmes Can you imagine the hiking group spending nearly two hours for lunch? It happened. In August 2006, 18 of us, mostly the early group, carted a veritable feast up to Blue Lake bringing wine, assorted pastries, a cake, cheeses, crackers, and veggies and dip. This was in addition to our usual sack lunches. As we sprawled out on a grassy area overlooking the lake, people just continued pulling things from their packs. I was stunned at the quantity and variety of foodstuffs spread out on the ground. Each person seemed to have brought a special treat to share. But it was the watermelon that dumbfounded me. Who would haul one of those up there? So we ate and talked and sipped wine and explored cheeses and sampled sweets and goodies and dipped our veggies and talked and ate some more. A grand repast. A serendipitous event. Many pictures taken. Many memories retained. I can still see Rich Blanchette cutting the watermelon, Maddy Goldhawk studying the wine bottles, Linda Bailey lying flat looking up at the sky, Bob Stulac looking concerned, someone reaching for cheese, and, with an inscrutable smile, Kate Secrest calmly surveying the situation. No one was in a hurry to leave. We just enjoyed the moment, never knowing we would remain that long. With the beautiful, windless weather it was just magic. Were we supposed to be in Indian Peaks with a group that large? Probably not. Were we supposed to haul wine bottles up to Blue Lake? Probably not. Were we harming or disturbing anything? Probably not. Sometimes wonderful events are just waiting to happen. Let them unfold.

Getting Lost
by Paul Korda Ever gotten lost on the trail? I have and heres my tale. A group of around eight of us Tuesday Hikers went to Button Rock Reservoir on a beautiful summer day in 2010. We were a pretty hardy bunch and managed to stay together for most of the trip. Most of the trip wasnt enough for me, though. Somewhere near the summit of

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the hike, I got lost. There were people in front of me and people behind me. So how could this have happened? It happened because I took my eyes off of the trail momentarily. Before I knew it, I was somewhere off the trail. I kept going in the general direction I thought the trail was taking. After about a half an hour of bushwhacking I found the trail but no sight of my hiking buddies. I kept marching forward in the hope of finding them, eating lunch perhaps. No such luck. I kept walking towards what I thought was the parking lot and eventually made it there. Still no sign of my hiking partners. I headed back on the path and around a half mile later, I met up with my group. While they were happy to see me, they also were frustrated, as they had been looking for me for a couple of hours. My advice: Stay within sight or sound of those youre hiking with.

A Love Story
by Jim McConnell and Kate Secrest Jims version: I was part of the group that broke away from the Tuesday Hikers to form the Early Tuesday Hikers. We wanted to go higher and longer on our hikes. In September 2005, Kate Secrest retired and joined the Early Tuesday Hikers. As we gathered in the circle at the North Boulder Park parking lot to decide our hike destination, I thought she was very attractive. She ended up riding in the back seat of my car to and from the trailhead. We hiked together and talked a lot during that hike. She was in a relationship at the time, so it was just friends. Kate agreed to host the St. Patricks Day party the following March, so that caused us to stay in touch. By that time, we were getting closer. By the next month we moved in together. Something about hiking I guess. There you have it. Kates version: I had met Jim on one of my first Tuesday hikes but didnt give it any further thought. In fact, I have no memory of riding in his car that first hike; I must have been too busy babbling to my buddies in the back. Then Judy Gunkler asked me if I was dating anyone, and I responded simply yes, not wanting to fill in the blanks about how his days were numbered. Judy just had to tell me why she had asked: Jim had called her to find out more about me. Hmm, now my attention was turned toward Jim. Who was this man? I needed to get to know him. So little did Jim know that our friendship was premeditated. I purposely hiked at the end of the queue, as Jim was always sweep. I remember one winter day, we arrived perhaps 10 minutes after the rest of the group to the lunch spot because we had stopped so many times on the trail to just talk. Apparently Jim and I cant walk and talk at the same time; multitasking is for those who are not courting. The St. Patricks Day Party: Lets just

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say that altruism in offering my home for the party was a secondary goal. I needed an excuse to stay in touch with Jim when he was hired away from Tuesday hiking. The rest is history. Now Jim and I give hiker parties throughout the year, and it is always with a fond memory of that first party.

Memorable Hikes
by Hans Schreuder On an Early Tuesday hike, one of my first hikes with the group, it seemed the others were eager on the way down to set a new record. Coming originally from Europe, I like breaks. Hence I suggested we stop for a break at a scenic place. One of the ladies turned to me and said, We never stop on the way down. Fortunately we broke with precedent and stopped for a rest. We had a lovely political discussion (six democrats, two republicans and one person who was either a libertarian, a Whig or a Tory). Jim McConnell is the social chair of the Early Tuesday group. He showed his sociability by the following: One day we were snowshoeing at Jenny Creek and becoming very hungry and cold at lunchtime. Jim whipped out his trusty little hot stove and cooked us a nice little meal of beans and ham. Needless to say he was loved by all of us. I met a lady who, on the very first hike, indicated a need to talk to a man about a situation with her husband. It turned out that she needed the advice from a caring lawyer, and we had a lawyer who fit that description perfectly in the hiking group. About a month later, she and the lawyer were together at the end of the hike. It turned out that we had a two-hour wait before some of the other hikers showed up. She wound up getting good advice from the lawyer while waiting for the others. One day in the summer of 2012, five of us in a carpool went to Button Rock for a hike. Libby Rosenzweig and Kate Secrest were two of the five. After a good hike and lots of camaraderie on the way back, Libby mentioned that she wanted to sell some gold jewelry. She asked if anyone knew a jewelry store that they would recommend to get a fair price for the gold. As usual, I opened my big mouth and suggested she have Kate do it because I thought she would get better value since she had a more expensive presence. Libby rather strongly disagreed and the topic was dropped. A couple of weeks later, about 10 of us went on a hike near Eldorado Springs. At lunchtime, the Libby story was recounted, and I again thought I had been right, that Kate might get a better price. At this point, Libby stood up and proudly proclaimed, What makes you think Kate or anyone else in this group would be better at obtaining a good price for the jewelry. Im the only Jewish one here. Its in my blood. None of us could top that and we had a good laugh. Are Hans and Jutta Schmidt related? This came up in one hike. Jutta is very proud to be from Prussia. Hans is descended from a Prussian mother. He is very interested 39

in his family tree. When he encountered a name of one of his ancestors, he thought he recognized it as being the same as one of Juttas ancestors. This did not make Jutta happy at all, as was very clear. Fortunately, the names were different. Peace was restored. On a snowshoe trip from Peaceful Valley via the Sourdough trail to Beaver Reservoir, it started snowing heavily nice large snowflakes. I could have stayed out snowshoeing in that weather all day! Some of us wanted to spend time there till dusk, but wiser people prevailed. It was easily the most enjoyable trip I ever took with the group.

Gold Hill Potlucks

by Carole Arnold For many years, Dirk and I have enjoyed hosting a day of hiking and food from our very humble, historic, rustic, old cabin in a beautiful setting the mountains west of the town of Gold Hill.

The Arnolds rustic cabin near Gold Hill, August 2011

I dont know precisely how many years we have been doing this. It probably began just after we were married in July of 1999. We had been hiking with both the Tuesday and the Thursday Hikers then. We had the Thursday group up for a hike/celebration. It was a great day; we decided to do it again the following year and expanded it to include the Tuesday Hikers. For Dirk, it is a continuation of his lifes pattern of hosting large events on the property that his family has owned for so many years. His parents bought this land for the purpose of recreation and educational use in 1950. We like to think that the Tuesday Hikers do get a little more out of the day with fellowship, hikes, great food and conversation, and Dirks historical anecdotes along the way. Our property is only 25 minutes from Boulder, surrounded by national

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forest, with views of the great divide and access to hundreds of miles of trails in all directions.

The Arnolds host an annual potluck and hike at their Gold Hill cabin, August 2007

At first we did this in July, but, after Rita Reasoners day of getting lost, we changed the date. It is now held on the second Tuesday of August. I believe the heat added to Ritas decision to come back another route, and it definitely added to the stress of us who were waiting and/or looking for her. I know she is putting her own story about this into this book [see next story below], and I am looking forward to reading that. Our experience of it is probably worth noting. It was the only big thing that has happened at our picnics, ever. At first, when we found her missing, we werent sure how to find her. Dirk took his car, and others did also (cant remember who) and they drove the roads around where they had been hiking. I called the sheriffs office fairly soon to ask, How long do we wait to report a missing hiker? Their response was immediate. Within a very short time, we had the Gold Hill Fire Department and the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue folks at our cabin some of whom had medical training. I think there were about 15 or more folks to help. While waiting for them to arrive, I brought my horse up and saddled her. I thought it would be good to ride out because I could go to places that cars could not, and it would be faster than trying to hike. My problem was, there was no one else there who could ride a horse to go with me, and I thought it would not be smart to head out alone. (We wouldnt want two search parties going on!) Just about when 41

the emergency personnel had finished questioning the hikers who had been with her and collected all of the information they needed, a car drove up and Rita got out of it! The medical people checked her out and watched over her very thoroughly. We were most grateful and impressed with their service. Many people enjoy and look forward to coming up to the cabin. We have a beautiful setting and several horses. Usually, we have a few guests who want to ride a horse, and we always accommodate them and give instructions when necessary. Over the years, many of us have become unable to hike like we used to, so this has become an opportunity for us to visit with old friends and new hikers, without having to walk more than we want to. Several people enjoy going for shorter walks and, of course, just sitting around and visiting. As said, Dirk and I enjoy hosting this event and always look forward to it. We hope to be doing it for many years to come.

Getting Lost at a Gold Hill Potluck

by Rita Reasoner At one of Carole and Dirk Arnolds summer potlucks in the early 2000s, I did my own thing. A group was hiking with Dirk, and we came to a fairly steep uphill section. I decided I didnt want to do that, so I turned around, figuring I could get back to their cabin. After a time, I went up a hill, thinking I would see the cabin from a high point, but just saw more trees and hills. So I went back down, and it generally came on me that Id better get some better thinking going. I started making cairns. This was along an old road. Then there came a time when I could see down in the draw where the road was. I knew if I got there, I could get a ride to a phone and call someone. So I started down over the talus slope. Again, it came to me that I better be careful as it is harder to find someone off trail than on trail. After a bit of scrambling, I heard a motor on the road above and used what strength I had to heave my plastic water bottle up. Luckily, it hit the road and the driver stopped. I climbed up, got a ride and arrived at the cabin after the search party had assembled, but before they took off. I was glad that at least I didnt get everyone searching for me. I sat under the structure that the Arnolds had built and people brought me food. I dont think I have been lost since that experience! (Mentally, maybe, but not physically.)

Switzerland Park Hikes and Picnics

by Betsy Hunt and Bill Campbell In 2007, we decided we would like to share our little bit of heaven with our fellow hikers. We are fortunate to spend most of our summers in a mountain community called Switzerland Park, which is off of Sugarloaf Road.

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In the early 1900s, three men from Dighton, Kansas, took the train to Boulder to find a cool place for their wives and children to spend the summers. A Boulder barber directed them to his 20 acres along the North Boulder Creek, which he wanted to sell. After they sealed the deal, they realized that this was more land than they needed, so they formed a corporation and sold shares to their friends. Our grandparents, from Kansas and Oklahoma, bought shares and built cabins there. There are now 16 cabins, the clubhouse, and a caretakers house and outbuildings. The same families still own the cabins; thus five generations have now spent summers there.

Tuesday Hikers sitting outside the clubhouse at Switzerland Park, June 2010

In early June, we invite everyone in the Tuesday and Thursday hiking groups to join us for a hike or to just to relax and visit in the cool mountain air. There are several destinations for easy or more rigorous hikes, or the clubhouse porch for those who have left their hiking days behind.

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 Tuesday Hikers enjoy lunch at the Switzerland Park clubhouse, June 2010

After the hike of two or three hours, everyone convenes in the clubhouse and pulls out their hiking lunch; we provide brownies and lemonade. The antique Boxball Alley is tempting for many to try, and the more modern ping pong table always has a few takers. The pool table is also there for any who dare. In addition to the chatter of people, one might hear Peter Divine playing lovely tunes on our very old piano.

Halloween Parties
by Dorothy Coltrin Tuesday Hikers are a very busy group. Besides hiking and snowshoeing in the winter, the group has a variety of parties. My favorite is the Halloween Party. Like most parties, people bring potluck dishes. So we have a chance to sample a variety of foods and spend some time chatting. Often I get a chance to see people I might not hike with on a regular basis. The best part of the party is that everyone comes in costume. This is a well- traveled group. So this year, someone came in a burqa and another person in an authentic kimono. In the past, we have had a female flasher, Genghis Khan and one of his female companions, a lovely butterfly and the Obamas. I remember one year our Australian hosts, Christine and Greg Holland, wore their homeland hats that had hanging moving balls that keep the flies at bay. Christine was one of our very

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dedicated hikers in the Early Tuesday Hikers group during the time Greg worked under contract for NCAR for about three years starting about 2007. The list is endless. Sometimes the costume is so good that initially I cant recognize the hiker! In the last hour, Jim McConnell gives out prizes for the best costumes. Of course, everyone gets something because every costume is unique. Thanks for the chapsticks and shopping bags, Jim. And the Halloween questions that most of us try to answer are crazy! We laugh a lot and have a good time.

The Photographer, Richard Holmes

by Betsy Hunt A dainty dragonfly, a beautiful bunting, a frosty forest or a roaring river these are all glorious photos that our resident photographer, Richard Holmes, might project on the screen as he presents an annual slideshow. But we might also see hilarious shots of a sandwich missing our mouth, of us lying on the ground silently meditating or a bunch of bare feet in a cold stream. Richard is in front, in back or beside us as we hike, so that he can always get the best shots of the Tuesday or Thursday Hikers. He usually ends up at the back of the pack as he catches a butterfly or the last wildflower of the season. For over 10 years, he has photographed us. In 2007, he began his annual slideshow, a marvelous variety of nature shots taken wherever he has found a good subject and of our weekly treks. The best part of the show is that he carefully selects the photos to tell our story and puts it to music AND some very humorous commentary. Talent and a sense of humor combine to make it an annual memorable evening. We are pleased that his photos have found their way into this larger story of the Tuesday Hikers history. Now they can be enjoyed by all for years to come.

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Popular Scenic Destinations

Of the many places the Tuesday Hikers go, some destinations stand out as being special and are often repeated during the year. These places are appealing because of their especially scenic trails or the dramatic views upon reaching trails end. Arapaho Pass This hike along the 4th of July Trail in the Indian Peaks Wilderness is enjoyed not only for the views, but also for the profusion of wildflowers along the way. The traverse above timberline toward Arapaho Pass and Lake Dorothy offers a dramatic view into the valley far below. Once you reach the Continental Divide, the entire Western Slope opens up. Blue Lake One of the higher lakes, Blue Lake lies in a cirque in the Indian Peaks at 11,352 feet. Its rocky trail shows evidence of thousands of boots pounding on it each year. Elusive to the end, Blue Lake only pops into view during the last hundred feet of hiking. The peak across the lake is Mt. Toll. Since the high trail is snow-prone, some hikers have been turned back from too much snow even into July. Lake Isabelle At nearly 11,000 feet, Lake Isabelle is another beauty, popular not only for the view of Indian Peaks across the lake, but also for the proliferation of wildflowers along the way. Numerous lunch spots are scattered along the sloping flower-strewn shoreline. Bear, Helene, Odessa and Fern lakes Starting at the Bear Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, the lively trail passing four lakes is a popular one- way hike involving a car shuttle. The large elevation changes present a variety of hiking terrain with spectacular scenic views along the way. Bear, Nymph, Dream and Emerald lakes This is another series of lakes starting from the Bear Lake trailhead. An easy, forested hike ending at Emerald Lake, where gray jays try to steal your lunch, is a favorite for newcomers to the area. Cub Lake The Cub Lake Trail, one of the most popular hikes in the lower elevations of Rocky Mountain National Park, has been a delight for decades. From the fresh green foliage of early spring into the vibrant forest of yellow aspens in the fall, the tree-lined shore of Cub Lake is the perfect lunch stop. Moose often visit here. The Loch and Mills Lake by way of Alberta Falls Though two distinct locations in Rocky Mountain National Park, a common trail to a fork covers more than half of the distance. About a mile straight ahead to the west, The Loch gradually emerges through the trees almost as an apparition. Its irregular rocky shoreline offers many lunch stops. The elongated Mills Lake, about a mile to the left from the fork, sits beneath Longs Peak and appears sandwiched between steep terrain on both sides.

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C H A P T E R 4

The Disappearance of Pat Wallace

n early July 2012, a tragedy occurred in the Tuesday Hikers group. Pat Wallace was reported missing while hiking the Buchanan Pass Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park west of Allenspark. She has not been seen since. Hans Schreuder, who was in her car that day, gives the following account: On July 3, 2012, five of us set off in a car pool to Camp Dick to hike the Buchanan Pass Trail to the Coney Flats area. We agreed to meet for lunch at the large rock along the stream at 12:00 p.m. (I found out later it was called Timberline Falls.) Soon, Lynn Kimball and I went ahead of the three others, Pat, Dorothy Coltrin and Trudy Nickola. We arrived at the Red Deer Lake/Coney Flats trailhead junction and waited there for a while. Just when I had told Lynn that we would soon see Dorothy and Trudy but not Pat, the latter showed up and joined us. She appeared to be her usual quiet and assured self. I was surprised to see her show up ahead of the other two. Pat indicated the other two could not keep up with her and told her to go ahead. We wandered around there for a while away from the junction, and Pat sat down to eat lunch near the bridge. At 11:30, Lynn and I decided to go back to meet the others for lunch at the Timberline Falls rock, as we had agreed. We asked Pat to come with us twice. Both times, she said that she was going back her own way, indicating the 4x4 trail she was standing on. That puzzled me since, although it is probably shorter, it is a rough way to walk, and I knew she had a bad knee. Lynn and I came back to Timberline Falls at noon. There clearly had been miscommunication with the other two ladies, since they were not there either. Lynn and I went back to the car after lunch, wondering where they were. Trudy and Dorothy showed up at the car about an hour after we did, as they had gone up the Red Deer Lake Trail for some distance. All of us knew that Dorothy had to leave at 2:00 to go to a dinner engagement, so when Pat did not show up, we started asking people coming back from the Buchanan Pass Trail and from the 4x4 road if they had seen her. Only one man

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coming down the 4x4 road on his bike said he had seen her at 11:30, about the same time we last saw her. I was puzzled that we had not seen him there. He said he had gone on to the Red Deer Mountain Lake area and did not see her going there or coming back. About 2:30, Dorothy and Lynn went to Peaceful Valley and called 911. Search and Rescue and the Boulder Sheriffs department people showed up quite promptly and took charge. Pats daughter and grandson flew down to assist in the search, but, as of March 2013, she has not been found nor has any sign of her clothing, water bottles or hiking poles.

Next Door
by Kathleen Hyland Contrino (Pats neighbor) The following commentary, written specifically for this book, is a version of one Kathleen shared in an editorial to the Boulder Daily Camera on August 1, 2012. It hints at one possible explanation of Pats disappearance, but there can be several others. Im ready to go, its reported she said to her hiking companions in the Tuesday Hikers club on July 3, 2012, just after lunch. Ill take this other route back an easier one, she announced. According to the news accounts, my 74-year-old next- door neighbor, Patricia Wallace, an experienced world hiker, ventured off alone that afternoon on the Buchannan Pass Trail. Ill meet you at the trailhead, Pat assured them. Pat never did meet them. Today is July 30th, and she hasnt been seen since. Not a trace. After 24 hours missing, it became known that Pat was in the early stages of dementia. Little lapses we noticed, said her daughter Katherine to the media, arriving from Pennsylvania to assist with the search, which was staged from her moms home, next door to mine. One day in May, standing in my driveway with Pat and her sheltie, Julie, I was telling Pat about leaving later in the week to visit my mom for her 89th birthday. Is she in good health? Pat asked, looking at me from under her battleship-grey, all- weather cap with earflaps. Yes, I said, shes hard to keep up with, really. Its a blessing. Holding Julies leash tight while she twirled and wagged, Pat said with a smile, Yes, well, a blessing it surely is. How wonderful, Kathleen time with your mom is very special, she said lovingly, giving Julie pats and rubs with me. Pat went on that day to tell me about a time when her mom was suffering from Alzheimers, when Pat was visiting her in the care facility, along with brother. Pat told me shed started to want to take charge of things to command her mom to eat and do what the doctors tell you. Shortly after that and near death, her mom grabbed Pat, waving an insistent hand one morning, and quietly said, Patricia let me do this my way. Pat seemed pleased to remember this in that moment. And

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well, well that was that, Pat told me, her sunglasses off now, looking right at me through to the bright Colorado mid-day sun beaming behind my back, just over Indian Peaks. Pat wished me a good trip with my mom and reminded me to enjoy every moment. She waved goodbye to me and led Julie back onto the sidewalk to continue their walk. Now, when Im out tending to her beautiful wildflower garden that graces her now-empty home, I think perhaps my dear neighbor, Patricia Wallace, was doing it her way, too, that July 3rd afternoon. Taking an alternate route. Going alone. Choosing an easier trail, westward, through Peaceful Valley upward and across the Divide to her next door.

Getting Closer to My Mother

by Katherine Moore (Pats daughter) Pats daughter, Katherine Moore, told an interviewer for the Daily Camera that not everything about her ordeal was negative, saying she would never have learned about a different aspect of her mothers life had she not gone missing. The excerpts below are from an article in the Daily Camera (Daughter of missing Lafayette hiker says ordeal has brought her closer to mother, by Cory Lamz, August 29, 2012). I wouldnt have had any reason to know these things about my mom unless she passed away, Moore said. We had a very parent-child relationship. My mother was not my friend. She was there to teach me things. My mother never raised her voice to me, but I definitely knew what my job was. Moore said she and Wallace "co-habitated," when speaking about what it was like to live with a woman she knew very little about when growing up. Wallace had an adventurous spirit and was at home when she was hiking, Moore said. But Moore didnt learn about that side of her mother until her mother was declared missing. My perception always of my mother was that she was always such an anxious person, always on guard, always nitpicking. Moore said. I always felt like this woman never truly relaxed or belly laughed and I was regretting her never feeling that. But when I was looking through photos of her and her friends (after she went missing), and she just had this look of pure joy on her face.
Article reprinted courtesy of the Daily Camera.

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 Cub Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, early autumn 2009

Lake Isabelle in Indian Peaks Wilderness, July 2010

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C H A P T E R 5

Changes Along the Way

years.

s time passes, an organization evolves, changes occur, people come and go, and fresh thoughts emerge. These are some of the changes noted over the

Leaders
The first known leaders (known as coordinators) were Mrs. Wyndham and Mrs. Marion Unger in 1961. In 1964, Suzan Plummer took charge. Florence Ross led the group in the 1970s. She lived on the southeast corner of 9th and Dellwood, right across from North Boulder Park. When Florence died in the early 80s, Jean Anstine took over and led us for many years, until 1997, when her health began to fail. She chose Rita Reasoner to succeed her. Rita kept us organized, not an easy task as the group continued to enlarge. Rita had an excellent way of keeping us quiet by calling out an offenders name when they were interrupting the process of route planning. When Rita retired in 2007, no one was brave enough to take it over, so Phyllis Schwartz, Marcia Millikan and Betsy Hunt divided up the spring, summer and fall quarters and let the winter quarter take care of itself. Hermann Meng became our substitute leader, and he did such a good job that now hes been promoted to full-time leader year around.

Offspring Groups
The Early Tuesday Hikers Some folks decided they wanted to hike earlier, farther and faster, so they formed the Early Tuesday Hikers group in 2001, as indicated in an email from Mary Price to Trish Morphew-Lewis, Barbara Stiltner, Madeline Goldhawk, Caryl Matson, Connie Holsinger, John Buchan, Judy Gunkler, Lynn Shader, Mary Nakashian, Rita and Neil Reasoner, and Steve Clausen. This group started yearly wine and cheese hikes, usually led by Kate Secrest. Social events, such as a Halloween party, a pizza party (with pizza flown in especially from Chicago), a wine and cheese hike and a New Years Eve party became regular items under social chairs Jim McConnell and Kate Secrest.

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The Thursday Hikers George Thompson wanted to hike more often, so in June 2003, he started a Thursday group of stronger hikers, some from the Tuesday group and some who were friends of his. They follow the same format as the Tuesday Hikers, and George emails them, as necessary. This group tends to snowshoe in the winter more often than the Tuesday Hikers. Some people choose to enjoy both Tuesday and Thursday groups. Colorado Trail Volunteers In 2008, Terry Hardie managed to make the Tuesday Hikers officially the adopters of section 14.1 of the Colorado Trail. This section of trail runs from Chalk Creek to Browns Creek and is located on the east side of Mt. Princeton and Mt. Antero, near Buena Vista. Twice each year, a number of volunteers from the Tuesday Hikers have helped maintain our adopted section, which is one of the best maintained in the entire 500 miles from Denver to Durango. Other Offsprings Over the years, several other small groups have formed: Some Tuesday Hikers started a book club, where people meet monthly to discuss a chosen book. Several of the Thursday Hikers have a music group, where people share their talents monthly. A Monday movie group consists of people who love movies, and meet the third Monday of the month for a movie and dinner afterward. A growing number of hikers get together to take hiking, skiing or snowshoeing trips every year. Additionally, there are small groups of people who have become good friends and gather at various times for lunch, hikes and other activities.

Current Hikers Snapshot

Currently, the main Tuesday Hikers group still meets at North Boulder Park, typically splitting into two or three subgroups. On a good day, 30 plus people show up, usually more women than men. The Early Tuesday Hikers group meets 30 minutes or an hour earlier, initially near the Marriott Inn, and now near the Social Security Office on Pearl Street. About 20 people show up. The Thursday Hikers group also meets at North Boulder Park. It typically has about 15-20 people.

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Most people are retired and, if married, often come without their spouses. Many of the people in all three groups snowshoe in the winter; some ski as well. As we moved into the 1990s and 2000s, more people began showing up, and a greater variety of hiking destinations became available. Around this time, Rita Reasoner put an announcement in the Boulder Daily Camera, giving the details on our meeting time and place, and her phone number to call for more information. This appears in the Get Out section of the paper on Friday, Monday and Tuesday. The starting time varies with the season, being earlier in the summer. As time passed, equipment changed, the CamelBak was introduced and hiking poles became common. What began as ordinary ski poles became high-tech, variable length poles designed just for hiking. More recently, stabilizers for hiking boots were developed to provide better traction on snow and ice. In 2006, we decided that we needed to have an email list of all the members. Jack Zeller graciously agreed to take on this task for the Tuesday Hikers. For the early Tuesday Hikers, Ted Smith was initially in charge of the list, later replaced by Bill Rawsky. George Thompson communicates by email with the Thursday Hikers group. Whenever there is a need to communicate about time changes, special events or other pertinent information, these men send out a notice by email.

Newer Trails and Destinations

In the 2000s, some new destinations were discovered, either because we didnt know about them before or new trails were constructed. Some of the newer trails are Table Mountain and Mount Galbraith near Golden, and Mayhem Gulch west of Golden off Highway 6. Picture Rock Trail in Lyons opened in 2008. Near Eldorado Springs are the Goshawk and Spring Brook trails, and, most recently, the Fourmile Link Trail and the Benjamin Loop at Betasso Preserve.

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C H A P T E R 6

Why Do We Hike?

n an effort to have as many people as possible contribute to this narrative, we asked our fellow hikers to share their thoughts on why they hike. by Betsy Hunt

I just figured it out! Why do I hike with the Tuesday Hikers? Because for about 1,500 Tuesdays, that is what I have done. Its a habit that I cannot break. Why do I hike? Because that is where Ive met most of the friends with whom I now associate. You know the saying, Birds of a feather . Why do I hike? Because nature is where I feel most fulfilled. The change of seasons, the change of weather, the trees, wild flowers, birds, rivers, all fill my cup. Why do I hike? Because my body has grown to NEED to walk and hike up and down hills and mountains. I believe the health that I enjoy is a direct result of my years of hiking, as it nourishes my body, mind, emotions and spirit. That is why I hike! by Phyllis Schwartz It was the summer of 1992, and I had taken a years leave to decide where I wanted to retire out west. Somehow I knew that I was a western soul trapped on the East Coast my entire life. Id spent most of that year in Sedona, Arizona, which I had pretty much decided would be the place. So much so that I had actually bought land there, even though I had to put three more years into my teaching career in Connecticut before I could retire. By mid-May, it had gotten a little too hot for me in Arizona, so I decided to honor my desire to really LIVE in the Rockies before returning to Connecticut in August. I honestly had not even considered retiring in Colorado, as it had way too harsh a winter with way too much snow, a thought held by many living on the East Coast. I left Sedona with a trusty friend and we made our way to Colorado. We stopped in many towns, each time my companion asking, Is this where youll spend your summer? After ve or six different towns, we made our way to Boulder. When I was asked that question one more time, my answer was a resounding YES. Dont ask me why. I just knew that it felt right. Having made that decision, I went about nding a place to rent for the summer. I found one on Colorado Avenue where CU students live, but it wouldnt be available until June 15. I therefore settled into the campground at Canyon Boulevard and Fourmile Canyon for 10 days.

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Should anyone remember, that particular June was rainy, not the best weather for camping. I gained an appreciation for the homeless during those 10 days of camping in the rain. I learned that the library was a fantastic place to spend some of each day. Then there was a movie theater at Broadway and Baseline (Baseline Shopping Center) that offered $1 movies, and I saw more movies during that time than the rest of the summer. Lingering over my one meal at a restaurant also was a strategy for getting away from my wet tent. Arriving with a newspaper or a book in hand seemed to give me permission to stay a little longer than normal. However, my best discovery that summer of 1992 was the Tuesday Hikers group. My rst day meeting with the Tuesday Hikers somehow matched me up with Betsy Hunt, and who could ask for a better person for a stranger to meet! As we hiked, we discovered that we both had worked at Camp Shoshoni in Rollinsville as camp counselors, Betsy a year before me. Then we discovered that she, too, had lived in New England. She was also the mother of three sons, and we both had named one of them Peter. Added to all of this, we found that we were members of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority while in college. WOW, it seemed I had met someone to whom I could relate on so many levels. I think it was Betsy, but I could be wrong, who said to me when I was telling about my mission to nd where I wanted to retire out West, that a Colorado winter was nothing compared to a New England winter, where snow stays piled and quickly becomes grey and ugly from late November to March. Of course, being from the East Coast and having been subjected to all the news of how much snow Colorado had and what wonderful skiing it offered, I didnt really believe her. However, it did put a doubt in my mind. The only way to nd out was to actually come and live through a Boulder winter after I had retired. So, I did exactly that and by March of 1997, having moved here in September of 1996, I was a believer and traded in my racy Toyota Supra for a four-wheel drive Jeep and bought my home, which abuts open space in Superior. The Tuesday Hikers has now been a huge part of my life for the last 16 years, and I am SO GLAD that I met Betsy in the summer of 1992. I love the reaction of my East Coast friends, who think Im so hale and hearty for living in snowy Colorado. I still keep the incredible weather in winter a secret. by Richard Holmes Exploring is in my nature. Discovery, revelation, wonder and surprise. Whats around the corner, over the rock or beyond the ridge? Hiking provides these things. I feel most myself when surrounded by an expanse, whether prairie, forest or tundra. But it is mountains that most inspire me. They are special. Mountains hide things. Then they reveal things. Like a waterfall through the trees, a stream in the forest, a lake around the bend. From the mountains come reflections on life, the cosmos and the unimpeded thoughts that flow from solitude. 56

Hiking provides silence. It gives me quietness. When I walk alone, I often pause to sit on a rock outcrop and ponder things. One doesnt think small thoughts while gazing up at the sky through the forest. When hiking with company, visual observations become spoken, the constantly changing surroundings stimulating the conversation. Nothing is ever static while hiking. Something is always changing the view, the trail, the weather. The surroundings seem constantly in motion, and this movement feeds an inquisitive mind. And finally, hiking is exhilarating, but for me, must have some elevation gain. This pumps the blood flow, perks up the mind, gets adrenalin moving. Then, at some point during the hike, a descending calm settles in as I become one with my surroundings. by Elaine Taylor Why did I join Tuesday Hikers? For years wed been subscribing to the Boulder Daily Camera because our two boys were required to read news articles for school. So, for years Id seen the weekly notice about Tuesday Hikers. At that time, the description said, Hike at your own pace. That sounded good to me, so why doesnt hike uphill fast sound good? After son #2 graduated from Fairview High School, Tuesday Hikers was the first (and only!) group that I investigated to fill my former Fairview volunteering time. My first year with Tuesday Hikers, I never repeated a hike, at least not in the same way. I learned about trails Id never known existed. I made new friends (actually, Friends). Hiking trips in Europe were part of the reason; we were living in community together. I totally forgot how valuable the Tuesday Hikers was for me to easily be able to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. What a downer it was when I turned 62 on a SUNDAY, and had to wait til Monday morning to celebrate, by getting my own Golden Age Pass from the Boulder District Ranger!!!! by Maryann Balassa When my husband, John, and I moved to Boulder in 1994, friends from our Unitarian Fellowship told us about the Tuesday Hikers. We quickly checked it out and were so glad we did. The group has meant so much to me. I learned right away not to plan anything else for Tuesdays, and have seldom missed a Tuesday hike, snowshoe or ski in all those years unless I was ill or injured. The friendships I have formed in the group are very important to me, and I have learned so much about the trails in the area. I treasure the memories of hiking with friends. Note: Maryann is still vigorously hiking at age 86.

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by Sally Sheetz My remarkable good fortune was to find the Tuesday Hikers group. First of all, I dont even live in Boulder. Westminster people dont hike; they arent obsessed over mountains or canyons or raging rivers. They dont have a clue about wildflowers or faraway vistas; they exercise indoors. And then there are the Tuesday Hikers themselves. A more educated, well- traveled, warm, generous and inclusive group of individuals I have never met. I have found some of my most treasured friends amongst you. I absolutely love the Boulder Tuesday Hikers. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this extraordinary group. by Hermann Meng I started hiking with the City of Boulder hiking group in 2001. They only hiked two times a month so, when I was invited to join the Tuesday Hikers, I jumped at the chance to hike every week. I was so out of shape and exhausted after the first hike, I thought, this is not for me. I could not keep up with Imma, a petite lady who was always at the head of the pack! Intimidated, I quit for a month. Rita called and wanted to know why I didnt return. Too embarrassed to tell her I could not keep up, I said, I will be there Tuesday, and have returned every Tuesday when possible. I hiked when Rita was the organizer for about six years, until she needed a break. I was asked to take her place, and now the group has grown to about 20 to 40 hikers every Tuesday, ready to split into smaller groups and explore the trails for the day. I cant count or name all the trails we have hiked, and I always look forward to the next hiking adventure. We have seen bears with cubs, coyotes, deer, elk, moose, rattlesnakes, foxes, beavers, weasels, raccoons and many varieties of birds. We have also seen a large variety of mountain flowers, with Richard lying on the ground, taking numerous pictures. Hiking in the fall with the changing aspen colors is my favorite time of year to hike. Many of our group members also organize picnics and parties. It is a reunion for all the hikers who do not hike anymore. At times, 100 people attend, and its an absolute pleasure to see and talk with everyone. We all look forward to these events, and a good time is had by all. We have many talented people in our group. Richard Holmes is a photographer, and he can be seen taking pictures everywhere we go. He then compiles his photos and presents a slide show of his work. This brings back so many wonderful

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memories of the sights and places we have seen. John Rapoza is the writer of the group, and his poetry and stories are amazing. I make walking sticks and canes some of you have them. I made my first hiking stick after my first hike and have since accumulated a garage full of them, but I still always look for the next perfect stick to work on. I also paint birdhouses made from gourds. The enjoyment I get from hiking in these beautiful mountains and the friendships I have made are a very important part of my life. We are so very fortunate to live in a place where natural beauty surrounds us. If everyone would try hiking just once, we could fill the trails with friends. by Hans Schreuder I have often pondered this question of why I hike, especially when I am climbing a particularly steep hill, trying in some fashion to keep up with some ridiculously strong 74-year-old woman who seems to be going even faster than she did on flat ground. Clearly, the main purpose is to enjoy the beauty of nature all around us, highlighted very occasionally by such events as seeing a porcupine going up a steep snow-covered hill while completely oblivious to the people watching it. But there are other reasons, too. Why are some people obsessed with doing three miles per hour even on the steepest terrain? Are they simply trying to show how macho they still are? Or is it because it is such great exercise that in the evening they can collapse on their sofa, with a beer or glass of wine, totally exhausted, but feeling really good? That was certainly something I looked for in the past, but it is now sometimes offset by some pain in either my foot, my knee or my hip. Or is it the opportunity to talk to friends or acquaintances? Clearly, this must be a reason, as I have seen some people talk constantly during the hike, even at times when I am having a hard time even breathing. Perhaps it is an opportunity to be away from ones spouse, as it seems that a large number of the participants are married, but only one of the two shows up for hikes. Whatever the reasons, we all seem to have a good time and thrive on being with good people. by Holly Clark My reasons to hike with the Tuesday Hikers are as follows: They have discovered the fountain of youth in the Indian Peaks. I hope their zest for living, energy and enthusiasm will rub off on me (a new retiree).

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Its the best kind of Rocky Mountain high nature, altitude, huffing, puffing and humor with friends. No one is upset if a person decides to sleep in or skip a week. If someone is lost or if there is a trail incident, someone will step up. If you are curious about a far-flung destination around the globe, its guaranteed that one of the Tuesday Hikers has been there and is willing to share the experience. Theres a flexible dress code from the latest REI fashion with bling to been in my closet for 20+ years. I get a chance to see my highway dollars at work on Highway 36 and on Broadway, while practicing self-calming techniques (Im a hiking commuter from Denver). Post-hiking coffee at Breadworks tastes better than the local Starbucks. by Donna Seaman I moved to Boulder in November 2008, when I became semi-retired. In spring of 2009, I saw a small notice on the back of the sports section of the Boulder Daily Camera. It said Tuesday Hikers, meet at the North Boulder Park at 8:00 a.m. I showed up and I became hooked in the best way. The Tuesday Hikers are a group of friendly, welcoming people, and I was immediately welcomed into the group. I have learned about many hiking trails in Chautauqua, Indian Peaks and Rocky Mountain National Park. I could never have found all these trails on my own. Most importantly, I have made many new friends. Fresh air, exercise and great people. Thank you Tuesday Hikers for being a great part of my life! P.S. They also hike on Thursdays, and have great parties! ______ If the above descriptions of why we like to hike are not convincing enough, see the photos in this book for the ultimate in persuasion!

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C H A P T E R 7

Poems

ome Tuesday Hikers chose to submit their feelings about hiking with the group in poetry.

Happy People
by Sandy McCoy Tuesday Hikers, A gathering informal, quite friendly, Id say Trim, toned and tan, looking more than OK. Fair weather or foul, theyre off to the mountains, Scrambling up hillside, sliding down boulders. No matter, the season, no matter the terrain, These intrepid hikers rarely complain. Then come home smiling, contented and tired, For the generous mountains gave all they desired.

Tuesday Hikers
by Kathleen Flynn Early on each Tuesday morn the Tuesday Hikers group Gathers together at the park to hear the weekly scoop.

Where do you want to hike today? Is there a group of five? How long will we be away? And who wants to drive?

After the details we confirm that each hiker has a pack. Drivers direct their riders to cars and load gear in the back.

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Off we go to a nature show Its beauty beyond compare. We might see deer, we might see elk In spring we might see bear.

The trailhead we seek is now in sight lit by a sky of blue. We lace our boots and start the route pairing up two by two.

We cross a stream and within a mile we see the cascade that feeds it. Photographers want a picture here and ask us to wait a bit.

Along the trail are flowers in bloom Columbine, Pasque, and Fireweed. At the marsh we look for moose hoping there to see them feed.

The sun is glaring overhead and someone notes the hour. We stop to eat and open our packs our lunches to devour.

We turn downhill late in the day and see to our delight A herd of deer in the clearing near their rumps a snowy white.

Back at the park were somewhat tired even though quite hale and hardy. After we pay and go our way some hikers want to party!

This Tuesday Hikers tale Ive told is common all year round. Its the most joyful way I know of to spend time with friends Ive found.

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Aspen in Autumn
by John Rapoza New England born, I often scoffed At the Aspen fables Im told Where the leaves are only one color As they turn from yellow to gold.

I remember the oaks and the walnuts And the other hard woods that Ive known Where nature has tinted its dying leaves Into bright reds, yellows and browns Where the trees stretch up to the heavens And the leaves lay a carpet so grand Where they come from all over the world To witness this beautiful land Ive now come to enjoy the real beauty of life Where the aspen are always in sight Where Colorado performs its magic As the leaves flutter toward the light This year Ill not be traveling East Where the leaves are brightest Im told Ill walk along the trails I love Where the leaves turn from yellow to gold

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Haiku
by Mary Headley I wrote these various haiku (Japanese-style three-line nature poems in stanzas of five, seven and five syllables) to reflect my abiding awe of natures grandeur, which I often feel on outings with the Tuesday Hikers. Snow steeples skyward, tall, hoary pines groan and pray Methuselah reigns. The fast-melting stream swirls to a yin yang circle, ducks dotting the flow. A new-born spring day: robins bow and trumpet sweet, make verdant blades salute. Star-petals glimmring, fragrance throbbing a pear tree by the moon bewitched! Independence day: poppies explode, cherries chime, stars wink at the child. Leafless trees laden with plump partridge plums: winters cornucopia! Oer the crystalline mountain tops, a blue jay drops: celestial jewel.

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A Meditation
by Madeline Goldhawk The essence of this poem came to me while meditating with hiking friends in the forest of the Ceran St. Vrain Trail. We pause in our miles of hiking to lie down quietly on the forest floor. I Lying still, we note the gentle motion of the trees, tall and strong, yet yielding to the wind. Lying still, we watch the clouds, swirling across the sky, swift reminders of the passage of time. Lying still, we hear the sound of wind, birds, and pine squirrel, for we have ceased our chattering. Lying still, each alone and yet together. II We lie small and quiet against the earth, noting the towering strength of trees rising straight from the ground to sky. Crowns of branch and needles in lovely patterns are arrayed touching tree to tree and tree to sky. At peace on our piece of earth, we gaze at soaring beauty and muse beyond, into the blue of wonder. III Two pine trees rose separately from earth, grew tall and leaned together on high to touch and hold in woody embrace. They sway together in a windy dance to the creaking of an ancient forest tune. IV When we are very old, we will hike into the forest only a very short way, and lie down to meditate, and rise to chat and to eat lunch, and share chocolate and maybe some wine. Then lie down again to meditate.

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In Closing
Over 40 people have contributed to this history of the Tuesday Hikers. Without these personal stories, this book would not have been complete. For it is more than a history it is a narrative of individual experiences, personal accounts that breathe life into what could have been a static recounting of the past. We dont measure our time with the Tuesday Hikers in weeks or months. We measure it in years, decades. And we especially measure it in life experiences. With the ebb and flow of members over time, lives connect, friendships form. After many years, we realize we are more than just friends and acquaintances we are like family, a loosely connected, extended family, unified in the love of being outdoors. We are an ongoing entity, organic, vibrant, flowing with time.

Hans Schreuder, Betsy Hunt and Richard Holmes enjoy coffee and relax while working on this book project, January 2012

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Appendix: Names of Tuesday Hikers Over Time

From time to time in the past, member lists of Tuesday Hikers, Early Tuesday Hikers, and Thursday Hikers were compiled and recorded. Below are those lists we were able to obtain easily.

Tuesday Hikers 1978

Agnes Fredericks Barb Martig Betsy Hunt Betty Lane Charles Yeoman Claudia Giacoma Edna Shibley Ellen Champion Elvie Proffitt Florence Ross Gertrude Casey Ginny Paddock Hope Lieghton Irene Dean Jan Folsom Jean Anstine Jenny Welch Joyce Stockdale Lee Johnson Marian Brandenberg Mary Jean Willis Maude Kane Nancy Allen Nancy Krauschaar Pearl Hamilton Ruth Howard

1982
Agnes Frederick Angela Bucholz Anna Marie Robb Anna Marie Sterks Babs Hoffman Betsy Hunt Bob Femie Charles Yeomans Connie Femie Dorothy Johnson Dorothy Scovill Dorothy Shirley Elisabeth De Jong Elvie Proffitt Erlene Chrysler Florence Hanneken Florence Ross Francine Houde Gerda Martin Bai Ginny (Virginia) Paddock Jean Goddard Jill Wedlake Marie Raeder Mary Galey Mary Jean Willis Maude Kane Mildred Walto Nancy Kraushaar Neil Purrett Ruth Howard Susy Koromsa

1983
Anna Marie Robb Anne Turner Betsy Hunt Betty Lane Beverly McKinney Charles Yeomans Dorothy Johnson Elvie Proffitt Frances McKinnon Gerald Krassa Hope Leighton Janet Budko Jean Goddard Jenny Walsh Lucie Krassa Marguerite Blanke Mary Galey Maude Kane Miriam Davidson Nancy Kraushaar Pearl Hamilton Ruth Howard Shirley Evans Sid Paris

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1986
Agnes Fredericks Barb Martig Betty Lane Charles Yeoman Claudia Giacoma Edna Shibley Ellen Champion Elvie Proffitt Florence Ross Gertrude Casey Ginny Paddock Hope Leighton Irene Dean Jan Folsom Jean Anstine Jenny Welch Joyce Stockdale Lee Johnson Marian Brandenberg Mary Jean Willis Maude Kane Nancy Krauschaar Nancy Allen Pearl Hamilton Ruth Howard

1994
Anna Marie Robb Babs Hoffman Bernice Bender Betsy Hayes Betsy Hunt Betty Lane Blair Smallwood Bob Fernie Bob Foland Bob Stulac Carol Curran Carolyn Cohen Carolyn Hansen Charles Yeomens Chris Marshall Cindy McCarthy Claire Sidell DAnn Kavanaugh David Sawyer Don Hayes Don Willis Doris Hiza Doris Montgomery Dorothy Beers Dorothy Rapoza Ed Gauss Ed Wasmuth Ellen Briggs Ellen Champion Ellen Snyder Emily Stulac Georgia Muro Gerry Wilson Ginny Paddock Ginny Ward Hannelore Williams Harry Nachman Hope Leighton Imma Stanton Jack Kraushaar Jean Anstine Jean Goddard Jean Haywood Jean Nachman Joan Smallwood Joel Stein John Marks John Rapoza Kathlaleen Cook Kathryn Miller Keith Kohen Libby Kohnen

Marge Foland Marilyn Kimsey Marilyn Wasmuth Mary Grey Mary Stein Mary Jean Willis Michele Ferrand Monty (Weldon) Montgomery Nancy Harding Nancy Kraushaar Nancy Sawyer Nancy Lee Pate Paul Curley Paul Winston Rita Reasoner Ruth Comerford Steve Dunn Sylvia Ryland Thea Phinney Vickie Ruwitch Vickie Winston Vince Muro Warren Almquist Wilma Hirsch Yardley Beers

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This list contains the names of people who have hiked with us for the past several years. It does not necessarily mean they are hiking with us now, and there are undoubtedly some omissions. This list also combines all three hiking groups. Many people in the Thursday and Early Tuesday groups have also hiked with the main Tuesday Group, and a redundancy of names is avoided by combining the three lists.
Abigail Sperry Aldona Schwartz Allan Gerard Anita Landess Ann DiGiano Ann Key Ann Khan Ann Scolnick Anna Grinberg Anne Mills Art Gabriel Barbara Brussell Barbara Taylor Barbara Turner Bernice Bender Betsy Hunt Betty Thacker Beulah Caldwell Bharat Kaul Beverly Baker Bill Alexander Bill Belew Bill Campbell Bill Rawsky Bill Vander Minden Bob Mozar Bob Stulac Brenda Hutchinson Brenda Tabaka Bruce Johnson Carl Tinstman Carla Abbott Caren Barlas Carey Sanchez Carmen (Mari) de Onis Carol Gibson Carol Hermes Carol Smith Carole Arnold Carole Forgan Carolyn Ingalls Carolyn Rose Hart Caryl Shields Charlene Coutre Christine Guzy Christine Holland Christine O'Toole Cindy Jacobson Claudia VanWie Clydda Stafford Connie Eppich Connie Esch Cynthia Neil Dale Picciano David Bailey David Bray David Diener David Smith Deborah Carlson Diana Hoguet Diana Munson Dirk Arnold Don Deana Donna Marino Donna Seaman Doris Montgomery Dorothy Coltrin Doug Hofmeister Duffie Lannin Eben Carsey Ed Gauss Eileen Egloff Eileen Koch Elaine Taylor Elinor Sorenson Elle Steinfurth Ellen Champion Ellen Flannelly Ellen Snyder Ellen Winkelman Emily Stulac Eric Moon Evie Brau Evie Cohen Fran DiGiano Frank Eddy Fred Fewolf Gabriele Sattler Gail Moyes Gary Albrecht Gary Baughman George Brandon George Thompson George Oetzel Ginger Samuels Ginny Hackney Gloria Brown Gwedolyn Fuehring Hafez Hafezzadeh Hannelore Eckmann Hans Jordan Hans Schreuder Hari Narahari Hassie Taylor Hazel Ludwig Hermann Meng Herman Sievering Holly Clark Jack Proctor Jack Zeller Jan Larson Jane Price Jane Wheeler Janet Freeman Janet Holdsworth Jean Nauenberg Jeff Frant

The Most Recent Hiking List 2013

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Jenny Favell Jerry Bebernes Jim Caldwell Jim Cushing-Murray Jim Eastman Jim Gagen Jim McConnell Jim Rhomberg Jo Anne Smallwood Joanne Estrada Jody Adleman Joe Esch John Austin John Rapoza John H Taylor John Martin Taylor Joseph Staron Joyce Paavola Judy Gunkler Judy Lamaitis Judy Lance Julie Chapin Justin Perkins Jutta Schmidt Karin Campanelli Kate Secrest Kathleen Flynn Kathie Stenberg Kathy Randall Kay Cody Keith Brunell Ken Combs Ken Gossett Larry Hanan Larry Kane Larry Thomas Leni Buhler Leslie Lord Libby Rosenzweig Linda Bailey Linda Batlin Liz Janson Lofton Henderson Lou Crnkovich Loraine Burger Louis Diamond Lynn Kimball M Chasteen Madeline Goldhawk Maggie Cox Marcia Millikan

Margaret Alfonso Margaret White Maria Edwards Marianne Holcomb Marianne Van Pelt Marilyn Newsom Marjorie Maagoe Mark Rosenblum Mark Wenzeil Mary Anderson Mary Beth Mary Mac Ferrin Mary Headley Mary Nakashian Mary Price Mary Tharp Maryann Balassa Maury Kroopnick Michelle Hofmeister Mike Duignan Mike Raudenbush Miyuki Kuroha Monika Rutkowski Mont McAllister Monty Montgomery Muriel Jacobs Nan Judson Nancy Bosch Nancy Hawkins Neil Purrett Nicki Haller Nicole deLorimier Norman Lowery Otto Verdoner Pat Estridge Pat Groening Patricia Oswald Pat Peterson Pat Wallace Patricia ( Pat) Irwin Paul Korda Paul Tabaka Paula Gossett Peggy Mansfield Penny Triggs Peter Divine Peter Gowan Phyllis Schwartz Ralph Vickrey Richard Blanchette Richard Holmes

Rita Reasoner Rita Riis Roger Gridley Ron Schwartz Ronnie Gerard Rosie Piller Sally Scheetz Sam Mells Sandy Carpenter Sandy Corricello Sandy Gagen Sandy Jacobs Sandy McCarthy Sara Michl Scarlett Massine Sharon Belew Sharon Howrey Sharron Chapman Sharon Silva Sheryl Holmes Shirley Jin Shirley Mosburg Sondra McCoy Stephanie Buller Steve Clasen Steve Swan Sue Jackson Suzanne Ginger Suzanne Schuelke Terry Hardie Tetti Kapsinski Ted Smith Tim Triggs Tina Berthelot Tom Hoban Tony Baker Trudy Nickola Valerie Parker Valerie Sterling Virginia Gebhart Virginia Cottingham Virginia Michael Vithal Patel Weiyan Chen Wendy Phillips William Alexander William Prescott

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