Thanks for all of the comments guys, I am having a great life in retirement.
Rod, the canyoneering is actually very safe if you are rigorous in your set up and equipment, and it doesn't matter if you are going down 20 feet or 200 feet. We can get to some amazing places you couldn't otherwise get to.

Bob, all of the trees you saw are aspens which turn a golden color in the fall. I don't know of any birch trees around here, but there may be some.

Peter