A good weekend……...

 Guess who tagged along when we came west ??    He's quite popular out here in Bronco Country.

 Last week, our view on the  5+ mile "walk" in Dennis Weaver Park.    Check out the link for details but yes, this is the same Dennis Weaver from Gunsmoke (for those of a certain age ).   It is a beautiful place with stunning views and a haven for wildlife and birds.    Supposedly, it is a good eagle sighting area altho still early in the season.   Signs at the nearby Ridgeway State Park indicated recent sightings of mountain lions and bears (including a mother with cubs).  

Early Saturday morning I went over to the State Park for a program on bird banding.    The bander looked about 12 but she has been doing this for 7 years (traveling about the SW) and is working on her Master's in Biology.  

The first bird caught in the nets was a robin.    Even I could identify it even if the red breast didn't seem as vivid as I remember.

 I don't think you can see the netting in this pic but they hang them in various locations and check them every 10-15 minutes.   In cold or hot weather, they check more frequently.

 They place the collected birds in colorful homemade bags.

 The next bird was a Wilson Warbler.    She placed him upside down in a pvc pipe on a scale to weigh it.

 The tiny metal band filled with info on how to contact authorities should you find him someday.

 The next bird was a scrub Jay ….. she is measuring his leg to determine the proper sized band.   He was a fighter and it took two to manage him.

 On each bird, she blew on the breast feathers to determine the amount of fat on the bird.   Their skin is transparent (think featherless baby birds ) and fat deposits are visible.    The Jay kept grabbing her fingers with it's very sharp talons ( or is it claws ?….I looked it up and talons are on birds of prey altho it indicated that other birds have them as well….I thought talons sounded more fierce than claws).   He was given a pencil to hang on to and that seemed to quiet him….and saved her skin.

Next up was an orange crowned Warbler but I never could see the orange.

 We were on the banks of the Uncompaghre River which flows from the mountains to join the larger Gunnison River.    It irrigates our valley and Ridgeway Reservoir provides excellent recreation.
It is a beautiful river.
 

  It was a fascinating morning.   I can't identify many birds but I appreciate those who can and all of the efforts to educate the public.  

On Sunday, I enjoyed the 'Savor The San Juan's Tour' of 7 area homes with a local chef preparing food  from the local farms.    I had the most amazing bread pudding, incorporating local peaches,  savory and delicious salisbury steak from our Cobble Creek chef .    The gazpacho was delicious, the asian cucumber soup I passed on as well as a yak burger.   I did try the lamb bratwurst.    It was a fun afternoon and very popular.   We ended at a turn of the century saloon  for  local wine and beer tastings and more desserts.

In a couple of days, we will welcome Mark and Annette from the flatlands.    We will be easy on them the first couple of days but then we'll show them our world from the top of the mountains.  

It's all about the views………..

 Labor Day weekend found us at Jeff and Jen's beautiful home on the Columbia River.     Sitting high on a bluff overlooking the river, we watched and heard  the planes take off from PDX, the sailboats and jet boats and the huge transport ships sail the river.  

Decorated in exquisite detail, the home is comfortable and inviting.    The large windows , both up and down, bring in the river views.

 The kitchen lights are just one of the many touches that Jen is noted for.

I liked these "dinner plate sized" hibiscus….. and that is faux grass !!

On Sunday, we drove east along the Columbia Gorge , watched the kite surfers, did wine tasting in Hood River (lots of wine tasting) and 

 then spent the night at Skamania Lodge.   It reminded me of the national park lodges.    The food and service were excellent and there were plenty of activities to keep a family busy.    The golf course looked challenging with it's narrow pine-lined fairways.    Maybe next time.     We would like to go back and hike the trails as well……no altitude to deal with !      

It was a short visit but filled to the brim.    Thanks for a wonderful visit.     We flew back to Denver on Tuesday and had another couple of days filled with shopping and more shopping and catching up with Becca and Lizzie.    Jenna is using her many creative talents at the "Little Black Chair", a shop specializing in Annie Sloan Chalk paints.   Check it out if you need to transform a mundane piece of furniture.

We spent several hours at the Denver Botanic Gardens to see the magnificent display of the  Chihuly exhibit.      Photos do NOT do it justice.   

I left the buildings and people in this shot to show you the size and scope of this piece as we entered the Gardens.

The pieces were all organic and whimsical and in  brilliant color on this cloudless day.

Of course, nature continued her daily work……..

More texture in the Japanese gardens with this stone path…..it appears to undulate due to the shading but was flat…. volunteers and staff placed the smooth stones.

…..on gossamer wings……..

Later , the Gardens will be open at night with the sculptures lighted……The exhibit remains until November.    ( I didn't 'enhance' any of the pics….I might have cropped a couple but otherwise they are all straight from the camera )

We enjoyed the beautiful drive home thru the mountains …. altho it is 5 hrs of driving, it never gets boring and the stop midway at a  Costco is a nice treat.    

Like the wind…..

….we drove.     We did a bit over 2000 miles in 3 days !!    We did not drive faster than 5 mi over the limit. ( 75 in Texas )   We ate a breakfast at the hotel and then fruit during the day and had dinner once we stopped for the night.    We only drove from about 8 to 8….no after or before dark.       I found that most, if not all of the rest stops and restrooms were clean ( I judge restaurants by the cleanliness of their bathrooms as well and have been known to never set foot in the them again if I rate the BR  disgusting ).     We stayed at Holiday Inn Express and found them to be very clean and modern…..decor in the last one in Amarillo was almost too modern and it had a TV in the BR….but the beds were comfy and they all have nice pillows.   

The drive was easiest on the first day, not so bad on the 2nd day and we were saved from total discomfort and boredom by the gorgeous scenery once we crossed into Colorado on the 3rd.    

Temperatures hovered in the high 90's for the first 2 days and was 103 in Texas.    But, over 8000 ft in Colorado it was 58 degrees and 75 when we pulled into our garage.    And the air is fresh and dry !!

I took no pictures and we had  no urge to stop and sightsee….we were very singleminded.   

It was good to get back to TV.   Altho the heat and humidity were amazingly uncomfortable, the golfers were out.    P bought a new PB paddle with plans to play but commonsense dictated and the paddle stayed in the bag.     We kept ourselves well hydrated thanks to cocktails at the Scott's .    

We'll look forward to heading back again in November.   

Toto, I don't think we're in Colorado anymore…...

Very early Tuesday morning, we headed East from Montrose via a plane with PROPELLERS. !!   I don't like those smaller planes particularly and when I walked outside to the stairs of the plane and didn't see jet engines, I was a bit appalled.   I kept thinking about those stories of props coming apart and slicing someone in half.   Fortunately, we were well forward.     It started up with a roar and a bit of vibration and we slowly lifted into the air.   I wish it would have been daylight so I could see my favorite mountains but by the time we got to the Front Range ( a VERY short flight), the sun was rising and  I could see familiar landmarks.
 
After a 3 hour wait, and a tasty fresh oatmeal bowl with assorted fruit, we took our seats in a much larger jet for the trip to Orlando.         It was a smooth quiet flight.   And then, about 30 min from arrival, they called for a Dr or a nurse…… I waited and hoped  for someone else to ring their call bell.   I sure didn't want to volunteer but finally offered my services.    It was relatively minor, a middle aged woman who became non-reponsive, cold and clammy and very pale ….. I was a bit concerned when I couldn't get a BP and her pulse was very weak but with oxygen, she slowly came around.  There isn't much room to deal with something like this in the back galley.   The Flight Attendants were great.     I'm assuming I will get free travel,( first class of course) for the rest of my traveling days and since I was flying non-rev, I gave them Jon's name and I'm sure he will get a big pay raise .    Actually, all my years of physical assessment skills came into play and looking back, I don't feel like there was anything I missed or could have done differently.     I was just happy it wasn't something like a death or a real young person.    The EMS were very professional and I gave them all the info I had.     I'm sure she is fine but probably a bit embarrassed  by the whole event.  


So we are back in the land of HIGH humidity and HIGH temperatures.    It is like a swamp out there.   I see people on the golf course and I know that we acclimated to it somewhat in previous years but I'm not sure how.  

We're heading back on Friday with the other car, filled with 'stuff ' that we can use out there more than here.     And, in the fall , we'll leave the Jeep in Montrose so we have a car there when we decide to take the propeller plane again.  

It's nice to be back…..the house looks good, TV is resplendent in blooming flowers and everything is very green.    We'll catch up with neighbors and John and Freida and then hurry back ……. The mountains are calling and I must go……. (John Muir said it first )

Mi casa...

 Maybe on our "Bucket List" someday.    Mike and Lizzie (red jeep) went on the Rubicon Trail in the Sierra's with friends from Microsoft.   Lizzie said it was the best thing ever.   It requires tent camping for several nights and NO possibility  of turning around unless you need to be towed out $$$$    The food and supplies were brought in by helicopter…..including a Grand Piano !!    My kind of camping I think…..except for the sleeping on the ground and non-flushable facilities.

 I've been trying to get a view of the house and the lighting just doesn't work too well….not that I tried too hard.    The windows on the southwest side bring in a lot of light.   Notice the lack of wall decor behind the table.    I like an uncluttered look so a big mirror might go there.

 View towards the front door.    The walls are painted a yellowish buff color and it is a real chameleon, changing colors from beige to yellow depending on light.    We had it in the Pennsylvania house and Jenna reminded me how much I liked it.    A hotel in Telluride used it throughout according to the girl at the paint store so I feel in good company.    Powell Buff by Benjamin Moore but anyone will mix it.

 The great room… I should have bought 2 sofas instead of the loveseat and sofa but I didn't realize the room was as big as it is.  The color is a wheat shade instead of the lighter color in the pic.

 The bare study…..a work in progress…….we had the closet made with a pocket door and shelves for storage.  

 Your room……large TV on opposite wall , currently sitting on a box….large closet.

 View from entry…..it's not a big house…..about 1900 sf but certainly perfect for the old and slow.

 Kitchen works very well.    Drawers and cabinets have the soft closure feature.   Nice big pantry-type storage area to left of refrig.     I have BLACK sinks and love them.   No more scratched stainless.   We opted for stools at the bar instead of backed high chairs.   These are comfy and easy to get on and I find that people actually sit on them …. the ones in Florida have backs and are cumbersome even tho they turn.

 We like our comfy king bed despite almost needing a ladder to get in.     I opted for bedspreads on all of the beds so I didn't have to deal with bed skirts.  

 Landscaping done and we like the river rock.

We are taking up a collection for patio furniture…..but for now, chairs from the MH work fine.   Love the fancy grill that showed up on our patio when the kids visited.       The overhang gives great protection from the SW sun.  
The season is getting booked so make your reservations soon.     Mark and Annette in Sept and a couple weeks later, Guy and Judy will arrive in Oct.      We can't wait to show them our part of the world.

His fame keeps growing…………….

I 

This picture appeared along with an article in the local daily paper, The Montrose Press  a couple of weeks ago.    He's known around the PB crowd as a generous and very nice coach.    Now, if all that advice would rub off on his wife.     He plays almost everyday unless we are hiking or jeeping.

Earlier in the week, we headed out on an "exploratory" hike with Jessica and Lynn.    The hike was recommended by the Silverton Visitor's Ctr and had not been done by the Hiking Club.    So we went along to see if it was worthy to be added to our extensive list of day hikes.       Near the trailhead, we came across this car outfitted with a metal skirt.     Can you guess why?      Marmots !!     They crawl up into the engines and eat the wires and rubber stuff.    The HC has had to avoid certain hikes due to the history of packs of marmots causing large problems.  

Much of the hike was following animal trails along the mountain.   We started above 11,000 ft on a beautiful sunny day.    The barely visible path was narrow and a bit rocky as it wound along.   Our destination was 2 alpine lakes.    But at times, we had to bushwhack our way in dense brush, grasses and bushes.    Could have used a machete !    We did have a guide book and it did say that the trail disappears frequently.  

We saw numerous waterfalls below us and eventually came to this steep climb.    Jessica and I opted to take advantage of a nice log and have lunch while the guys continued upward.   They found the lakes but said they were not worthy of the climb.  

A group vote decided that the trail was not worthy of inclusion in the Cobble Creek Hiking Club.    But it was a nice outing…. we saw a lot of evidence of elk and I'm sure they saw us but we only saw a marmot.  

On Sunday, we drove over to Crested Butte for an art show.    It is almost a 2 hr ride but pretty and we had never been there.     The town has preserved it's quaint , vintage 1800's  buildings.    It has a western feel and altho I didn't capture any of it with my phone, it was a delightful way to spend a few hours.    And all we bought was lunch.   The art show was very high end.    There is another one this weekend over in Ridgeway that we will have to check out.    Crested Butte is known as the "Wildflower Capitol" but they were fading .  

We came back a different way, thru Kebler Pass , known for the largest stand of aspen in the world.     It just goes on and on for miles.    I'm told that in the fall, when the leaves turn, the traffic is bumper to bumper.  










I'm still trying to get decent pictures of the house and the landscaping.    Still no grass but he promises by Monday……..
Stay tuned……..