Late this summer, my wife and I took our three grandchildren on a float from Oxbow to the 33rd Street put-in. The experience was awesome, and we reveled in the excitement and joy expressed by our grandkids. What a beautiful and unique section of river. Families picnicked on the beach or launched various river crafts.

This experience should be available to everyone and encouraged by making access easy and safe. A mix of preserved areas, beach/picnic areas, and a vehicle-accessed boat ramp will offer a variety of experiences.

Commercial raft companies should have access to the ramp so that visitors or locals who do not have a boat can also enjoy this section of river.

Having another put-in will ease pressure the 33rd Street put-in experiences.

We live just above the 33rd Street put-in on Fourth Avenue. Over the years, the sound drifting up to us from busy days on the river has been noticeable, even more so for those living directly across Second Avenue. But hearing people enjoy themselves is more tolerable than most noise. Woe to us as a culture when the sound of laughter is unpleasant and disturbing.

The infrequent “bad apple” late at night – intoxicated and oblivious – can be found at any venue. River put-ins have not introduced them. I tolerate these individuals “blowing off steam” knowing that I did not escape youth without demonstrating similar behaviors myself at times.

Educating people about acceptable behaviors and the rules governing these public areas decreases unreasonable behavior while making their use more enjoyable for everyone. There will be people throwing trash on the banks, etc., but how do these individuals gain insight into more conscientious attitudes? Experiencing nature helps us value our resources, solitude and natural quiet more with each experience. Oxbow will encourage everyone to value a great local resource: the Animas.

Bill Karls

Durango