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.