Changing seasons.......

 We headed out in two different directions this week  to try and capture the amazing color show.  

On Thursday, I had my old and trusty Canon T31.   It has served me well on treks near and far.  along with my favorite lens, a Tamron 18-270.    But it is bulky, heavy and big.     For the past 6 months or more, I have researched and studied alternatives.   I settled on the mirrorless Canon EOS M50.    It is compact, very very light and all of my lens will work with an adaptor.    It came with a 15-45 which seems to do all that I want for now.   It has all the latest technology..bluetooth and wifi and a big touchscreen.   I think it is perfect.

Had to sneak in one of my roses in the evening light.....





 Near Kebler Pass, Crested Butte area..... leaves were at or past peak in many places.    But lunch was good at an Asian bistro and a nice walk down the streets of the this "last great Colorado ski town" which was voted #1 ski town in the US by a ski magazine.   It's western, victorian theme is well preserved.  

And then yesterday, we headed south to Last Dollar Trail.    It is about 25 mi from here and is the alternate road to Telluride.   It is only 20 miles long but definitely not the speedy way to go.  And you do need 4 wheel drive (we did see an occasional regular car but it is a rough ride) and it is impassable in rain/snow.    It meanders along Ralph Lauren's massive ranch and other cattle ranches along the way.           No color at the lower levels.   Aspen only thrive above 8000 ft.   We have a few in our yard but they say they only last about 8 years or so down here.   Ours , at about 10 years, still look healthy.   I would miss them dearly if they go before me.  

Around 10,000 ft the trail begins  the gradual descent into the valley.   At about 9,5000 you start to see the homes that have cropped up.   Massive (ie $$$$$$$) homes with equally costly views are homes to the rich and famous.     I'm not sure how they tolerate the altitude when they fly in for their brief stays.   This is the view from the airport road looking towards Telluride...(the highest commercial airport in North America).    Lots of private jets hanging out on this day.  

 Of course, when you get to the valley, it's hard to resist the gondola ride up and down the mountain.   This day was very busy in town.    We heard there were several weddings and it was an absolutely perfect day.

Lazy times...

.... around here these days.      Social season still in full swing and golf shows no signs of slowing down.    But you can feel the changes in the air as the days are a bit shorter, the sun not so hot and the trees beginning their colorful fall show.       It's my favorite time....

Today we are headed to Crested Butte for some lunch and then a return on a jeep trail or two to see the color.    The largest aspen stand in the world is near Crested Butte and in high season it is jammed with photographers determined to get the perfect shot of the beautiful golden aspen.   Hopefully, it is too early although the news said the colors are about a week early.    

I've ordered a new lighter camera with all the latest and greatest.    Mine was great but now it is over 10 years old and not as sharp and user friendly....( kinda like my brain and other body parts).  It is to arrive tomorrow and I'm anxious to explore it and hopefully, be impressed.     I've heard that the new iPhone X and the newer ones have great cameras and it would make sense to have it all in one package but I don't think I'm there yet.   My phone is getting slower and and older but the new prices are impressive..... 

The sisters are currently on a Viking cruise on the Rhine and thoroughly enjoying it.    My mother and I did a guided trip to London and Europe  and their pictures bring back many good memories.   Lots of cathedrals and castles and fairy tale villages.    Makes me think that it's time we did something similar...... I really want to do the Viking cruise in China.    Golfing friends say it is the best thing they've ever done.     

Meanwhile, I have decided to tackle the books and videos of Game of Thrones.    I do like books in a series because they never seem to end.    It was this or Harry Potter ..... ( yes, opposite ends of the G-XR spectrum)   

So I started the first book and it's a challenge to keep track of the characters but by the time you finish the 818 pages , you get a pretty good idea of who's who.    Then, it was on to the 2nd book. 

  

I did some searching for pictures of the main characters in the HBO series so I could put a face to a name.   I'm sure they are much prettier on the screen than in the book.    So that piqued my interest and last night we watched Season I, episode I.    As I expected, a lot of heads roll and the perfect bodies are all glistening and naked.  ( Except for the ones who are gross and filthy and vile.)  The book is vivid in it's gory descriptions and dialogue.    Graphic is a mild word.   I suspect that the film goes about as far as it can.    I had to do some explaining to P on the character connections and I'm sure I would have been befuddled if I hadn't read the book or at least a synopsis.      The plot lines are incredibly complex and all the genealogy of the Kings and castles is vast.   I can't imagine how an author can develop all of this.   But that's why I write a diary instead of a science fiction fantasy bloody novel.       But it is compelling and I will spend more of my days absorbed in it.

Stay tuned for camera update.......

Let's do it again next year.........

 A spectacular, All American memorable weekend.    Just so many highlights and unforgettable moments.     ( warning...long post as I have to capture all this for my aging memory cells).


We flew back to CT on Thursday and into  the high heat and humidity conditions.     The kids' schools were on early dismissal as not all are air conditioned.

On Saturday, we headed over to West Point for the Labor Day concert by the West Point Academy Band.    All career musicians with amazing talent.    Altho they have an outdoor concert every Sunday evening in the summers, the highlight is this night.    Many many years ago, we used to drive the 90 min several times each summer.    Jon took Mary Beth over on their 2nd date .... ( she had received an appointment to the Academy but did not accept it and went to U of Colorado)  We got there early to get our space on the natural amphitheater for the perfect view.    The Hudson River provides the stunning backdrop.   Notice the large barge passing by on the right.    Earlier there was a huge yacht heading north out of NYC.     The boys wandered the grounds and were awed with the history and the cannons and the majestic grey stone architecture.    They are avid 'Hamilton' fans.  I left the picture taking to Jon but don't have them at the moment.         We were treated to various groups practicing while we snacked and knit and people watched.     The music was of course patriotic. Don't we all need a bit of John Phillip Sousa to set the mood ?    They did Broadway hits, rock and a wonderful Proud Mary rendition altho the talented singer in her combat uniform and boots was a far cry from Tina Turner in 5 inch heels.     (the soldiers on grounds all wear the camouflage or their band uniforms).   But the performers were true professionals.   The highlight and most memorable was the finale "The 1812 Overture".   It is moving and just so awesome with cannons booming.     And then there were about 30 minutes of the most amazing fireworks, bursting closer than I thought possible but not unsafe as it was over the water.  

And then, because we hadn't  had enough fun, Monday rolled around and it was time for the 57th annual Newtown Labor Day parade.    Over the years, I don't think we missed any of them.   We used to ride our bikes to the parade, only about 5 miles but it was all up hill and we warmed up quickly in the early morning chilly air.   Of course, the ride home was much more fun.   Thru the various years, we marched, decorated floats, blew up balloons and waited for our favorite entries      I also don't think it's ever been rained out.    This morning dawned hazy hot and humid.    We had put out our chairs the night before.    By 7 pm on Sunday eve, there was a solid line of chairs along the parade route.    The next morning, when we arrived, a tech company advertised  with water bottles on each and every chair. 

 A view of Main Street with the flagpole that has been there forever and created consternation for many a vehicle unfamiliar to the courtesies and nuances of navigating this intersection.  This is a main road ( Route 25) that they close for almost 3 hours and the detours  long and tortuous  to get around. .

 The award winning NHS Marching Band leads  the parade.    This year, due to the unrelenting heat, they were allowed to dress more relaxed.   This is Mason .... they voted not to play a march and instead made another choice which wasn't my favorite but then, I didn't have to march and play and sweat.

 Andy was all in.......

Here's a mixture of the sights and colors..........

Lots of local fire trucks (there are 4 fire dept. in Newtown....even tho it's only about 25,000 people, it covers 60 sq miles ).    This one must be in a private collection as the "Last Resort and Engine 1 & only"....

Senator Blumenthal   marched.  

We had great seats in the shade.....

The Shriners in their noisy little cars have been in every parade I've been to......and always the crowd favorite as they zip around in their formations.

Newtown's Main street is a quintessential New England town with colonial homes dating back to the 1700's.    The weekly Newtown Bee  has been printed since 1870 (and owned by the same family since 1877) and it's weathervane is a well known landmark.   

Elvis showed up as Jon and the boys watched....

The Revolutionary War was represented...

As was the Civil War.....

And the bees and butterflies.....

The rooster on the top of the church has bullet holes in it from Revolutionary soldiers using it as target practice.   ( Rochambeau camped just down the hill ).

And after we got home, this was a cool respite before it was pickleball time......



It was a perfect weekend and we hope to make it  an annual event.....or as long as we have kids in the parade.  

We're back in beautiful Colorado where it is actually raining and there is a light dusting of snow on the mountains !!

I got nothing.......

.......much to say.    Well, actually I have a lot to say but will pass on my opinion of the state of affairs in our world/ country/White House.     And that's as political as I'm going to get.      Fortunately, I am not very involved with Facebook.....just a glance to see what the grands are up to and monitoring my art groups and plant based food groups.  

We took a drive the other day and stopped at one of the picturesque rest areas in Glenwood Canyon on 1-70.    We happened to park in front of this sign ......good for a chuckle.

Otherwise, it's been quiet on the western front......eyes are working, hair is always an issue and we've had some rain !!        I took a watercolor class and appreciate what I learned and have branched out from struggling with flowers to studying clouds and mountains.    And I"m drawing a bit and it feels very good.      Golf is not a high priority of late altho I look forward to cooler days and getting out again.    Roses have been a bust this year and the peonies have some dusty fungus (too much shade the book says).     The ducks are on their 2nd round of little ones.....I didn't know they did that.     We need to get into the mountains and back on the trails.     But first, we are going visiting for a few days.......

I can see clearly now.........

    I had the 2nd cataract done 10 days ago.   Again, a non-event procedure wise...this one seemed even quicker.    I arrived at 6:45 am,  eye drops for about an hour while I knit with a warm blanket over me, procedure at 8 after a bit of Versed in my IV (didn't even feel any sedation....was hoping for a nice trip or nap )...... and P  was there by 8:30ish and I was home well before 9 am.   All very efficient.       

The next morning, I noticed that I could read without glasses !!!    After the first eye was done, my distance vision had improved dramatically.    I did not notice the  brightness of colors that others have mentioned.     But to be able to read unaided was like a miracle !!   I have worn glasses or readers since my mid-40's and this is such an amazing and unexpected happening.   Maybe he told me somewhere along the way that the lens would help both near and far but I apparently missed that part.   I just expected better distance.   When I saw him the day after surgery and mentioned my delight, he said that it might be too soon to expect it to last.    But, it has and I am so pleased.   I notice that I prefer glasses in the evening if reading or knitting when my eyes become tired.    And I will get a new prescription in a couple weeks to have on hand.    All in all, a perfect outcome that I really wasn't expecting and so glad I didn't put it off.  

Meanwhile, not much going on our here in the high desert.    We have had wild fires non stop much of the summer and the smell of smoke lingers most days and the mountain views are obscured.   The Hiking club has curtailed some of it's activities and the Rec Center is encouraging the Pickleball players to stay inside.      We're in monsoon season but so far have had very little afternoon rain.   The mountains have had some deluges but the lightening causes more fires.    The rain does seem to clear the air for a bit so we could really use our more normal weather.    But until we are all working to do what needs to be done to fight climate change, I"m doubtful that our planet is going to return to the old normal.   It is a scary thing.   

 I'm a member of the Montrose Center for the Arts and we held a Plein Air event ...... about 24 artists, local and from around Utah and Colorado, came, painted out in the elements and displayed their work to an appreciative crowd.    All works had to be completed on site and in two days.    One guy said he fought off ants crawling on him...but not biting ones.

    The show was held at the Ute Museum, just down the road from us.    It's a beautiful place with a reverent and colorful tribute to the Ute nation that is a part of our state and region.    There are teepees on the grounds and the burial site of Chief Ouray's wife, Chipeta.    He fought for the rights of his people with the Federal government and altho treaties were signed, they were all broken.   He died on a reservation in OK  and his homestead is the site of the museum.    I guess I'm on a soapbox this morning but if you have the time and interest, Ken Burns "The West" is a sobering look at the development of the West.   It is not a proud time in our history and the treatment of the Native people, or of any minority was appalling and unrelenting......    And what we don't learn from history, we tend to repeat.

 This was my favorite piece.   He won 2nd place.   He was the one who fought off the ants at the bottom of the Black Canyon.

This is a similar take on almost the same place....again a favorite but it wasn't entered as he didn't complete it in the required time and instead, finished it during the show.     These are lousy pictures but I snapped them quickly to take back home to show P.    

Otherwise, life is good and we enjoy watching the ducks and the occasional heron.  

July.........

We live in the most beautiful place.   Our daily dose of nature never disappoints.   This was captured  by Jon from the Thursday night concert in Ridgeway.    The setting sun reflecting on Courthouse Peak ( on the right).   

 Andy and Mason came the end of June ( the day after school FINALLY ended after endless snow days and storm days were added to the school year).

We have a very busy airport in Montrose, serviced by all the major airlines from major cities.   We know many of their schedules and can determine if they are early or late as they descend over the house and golf course.    Yes, you can fly directly into Telluride but if you've seen the runway at over 9000 ft high, and surrounded by higher peaks, you might find MTJ less anxiety provoking.

Andy's selfie.....

 Mason came armed with an art project after his acceptance into an advanced art program.   He was capturing the fence and mountains to explore perspective and light source.

We so enjoyed having them for 10 days.   They beat us at pickleball.....well, they beat me.... Mason tried golf and was impressive..... Andy learned to drive stickshift in the ancient Beetle and both were captivated at a concert by the Air Force Academy Band.      Mike and Jenna drove over and Jon flew in so it was a full and happy house.

The wildflowers are at their peak right now.    But, we are under severe drought conditions with low snowpack this winter.     We found fewer flowers and almost dry streams and waterfalls.    Paul attended an information meeting on 'water' and they said it is as bad as in the 30's.    Water is a very big deal in the West.    Laws control who and how much and water rights are passed down for generations.    Just last year, Colorado passed a law allowing rain barrels.   Prior to this, they were illegal. Captured water meant that it did not go into streams and lakes and therefore was not available to those entitled to it.

 We drove the winding narrow shelf road (meaning you drop off if you get too close to the edge) to 12,000 ft to marvel in the breathtaking views in Governor Basin.

 Our road is wayyyyy down there......this was an easier part.

Once we got back down to 10,000+ , we had a picnic beside Twin Falls....just a trickle of it's usual self.

I must brag a bit ..... I played in the 16th annual Lady Bug golf tournament last weekend at our club.   I have to say that I played really really well with several pars, long putts that dropped in and long drives that went the way I planned (hoped).    My partner did not play well so we had no expectations.    Well, I won 2 skins and we won 3rd net in our flight.....we split $160 in the Pro shop.     So now I have a bundle of credit (added to the previous winnings from the earlier tournament) and nothing I really want to buy.    I don't need any clubs, I have plenty of clothes and shoes.    Such a dilemma to have !!

The 2nd cataract surgery comes up soon and I will be glad to have the process behind me.   The procedure is a non event but I was bothered by severe light sensitivity for several weeks.   My distance vision is so much better as is night driving.

We talk about traveling but summer is just about perfect right here.