Ear to the ground:

“That hike had more bushwhacking than a ’70s porno.”

– Local hunter’s girlfriend after being taken on an especially rugged elk scouting trip

A wheel deal

Cycling season is never really over in Durango, but next week, locals will gather to honor this past season’s champions.

Sponsored by FLC Cycling and Durango Devo, the “Community Cycling Celebration” takes place from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 3, at Carvers. In addition to bestowing accolades on Durango cycling champions of the past year – of which there are a few – there will also be a presentation on the back patio at 6:30 p.m., $1 from every beer and root beer sale will be donated to DEVO and FLC Cycling programs.

Cyclists will then have a day to recover before focusing their sights on the 2015 Iron Horse bicycle Classic. The super secret early locals registration for the 44th running of the Iron Horse takes place from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. at Mountain Bike Specialists. Regular old online registration opens at 9 a.m. (mountain time) Fri., Dec. 6, at www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com

The 2015 Iron Horse takes place May 22-25, with the ride to Silverton leaving the station on Sat., May 23.

Release the hounds

The dogs at the La Plata County Humane Society shelter have a new place to romp, play and do their other important business. Earlier this month, the shelter opened its new and improved play yard, complete with grass, trees and a tunnel for the more adventurous pooches.

The play yard was originally built in 2013, but the upgrades were added this fall to improve upon the dirt surface.

“It was good, but what I wanted for the dogs was something phenomenal,” Chris Nelson, the Director of Animal Services at LPCHS, said. “I always imagined the play yard with grass for the dogs to roll around on and with lots of trees for them to find shade. The play yard is a place where I want the dogs to relieve that built-up stress and for them just to be dogs,”

Landscaping work was done by  True Blue Landscaping, which laid sod, planted trees and added a walkway. A grassy hill was also built over the tunnel feature, a large plastic tube that was donated by Bonds Construction.

Although staff agrees the tunnel is probably the best part of the new and improved play yard, it seems some of the dogs have a healthy fear of the dark. “Some of the dogs were a little skeptical to go in,” said Nelson.

LPCHS is now looking for people to volunteer as play yard monitors. If you are interested, call the LPCHS at (970) 259-2847 or email volunteer@lpchumane society.org.