Ear to the ground:

“They should make soundproof underpants.”
- A local 9-year-old’s million dollar idea

Soiled plans

If you can’t beat ’em, why not eat ’em? That’s the theme of two upcoming workshops offered by the foraging folks at Durango Natural Foods.

First, get your shroom on this Sun., July 26, at the “Wild Mushroom Foray,” hosted by local mycology expert and all-around fun guy (who’s also known to enjoy a bad pun) Chris Ricci, of Majesty Mushrooms. Chris will be leading an hour-long trek through the San Juan National Forest, identifying any wild mushroom specimens along the way. Eager hunters should meet at the co-op (corner of College and 8th Ave.) at 1 p.m. Sunday where they will presumably be sworn to secrecy and/or caravan to the trailhead blind folded (Only kidding! That would be dangerous.) Make sure to bring along a small knife and basket to carry home your precious cargo.

Then, on Wed., July 29, local writer and green thumb extraordinaire Rachel Turiel will host a “Wild Weed Identification and Cuisine Class” starting at 6 p.m. at the co-op. Rachel will teach people how to identify common weeds that are not only edible but packed with more nutrients than most items grown on purpose in your garden. Learn when to pick weeds, which parts are edible, and how to prepare them.

The cost of the foray is $15 ($10 for DNF members) and the Wild Weed class is $20 ($17 for members). Kids are free at either affair with a parent. For more information, email design@durangonaturalfoods.coop.

If you build it ...

After Tunnel Falls, Kirshbaum’s and Toilet Bowl have their way with you, why not relax with a little front surfing? The Gore Canyon Whitewater Park (don’t worry, it’s just downstream of the legendary class V rapids) officially opened for business last week. The park is located squarely between Kremmling to the east and the Highway 131 Statebridge to the west, at the BLM’s Pumphouse Recreation Site.

 And while the park, which has been met with wave, er rave reviews, is a boon for late-season paddlers, it’s also being celebrated for another reason. It marks the first-ever in-channel diversion water right for recreation on the Colorado River.

Unfortunately, paddlers 60 miles downstream were not as lucky. The Colorado Water Conservation Board, which approved the Gore Canyon park, recently voted against a similar RICD proposal in Glenwood Springs – home to the infamous Glenwood Wave (for lack of a better name.)

Without the CWCB’s support, the case will move to water court where a final decision will be made.