September

We did our annual jaunt around Crystal Lake.   This is a 4 mile trail at 9700 ft but fairly flat so the altitude isn't an issue.    The lake has been drawn down due to a crack in the small dam so the reflections are not as 

impressive and it gets pretty boggy farther out.

This was the only wildlife.   In years past, we've seen moose in the boggy areas and a large fat porcupine.   The bear claw marks on the trees are fresh and a reminder that we are in their territory.  

Yesterday we headed up Last Dollar Road, it is up and over the mountains to Telluride.   Had hoped the aspen were at peak but we were a few days late and there were bare spots and some dull color.   Still a pretty drive but busy.    It is very very rough and narrow and has water crossings.   On each end, it starts out a gravel road and some try it in ordinary cars despite the warning signs to use 4 wheel drive.     I have so many good pictures from previous years that I took none yesterday.  

This is the finished Alex.   They were so pleased and have spread the word so I have had some requests.    I think I may start charging a small fee to cover my supplies and the double mats. 

  

This is Scout.   He is a Cattle dog and the picture is terrible.   She sent me several and sometimes he is light grey, other times dark brown and then black.   We had a chat and she says he is black.   He has one blue eye and one brown altho I had to use other pictures to figure that out.   I'm glad I don't do this to keep food on the table.  It can be stressful....

And here are the silver medal winners in the Delta tournament !!   Their opponents were in their 40's !!   When you get up in years, there isn't availability to play with your peers so you get challenged mightily by the young and agile.  But they looked great and held their own and impressed the challengers.    Well done.  

The hummers are gone for the year and I will miss them.    We discovered that 3 fat raccoons tried their best to climb the pole to the feeder at 2:30 am.  They succeeded in spilling sticky water all over the patio.   We put out a taller pole and that seems to have stopped them.   

We'll be traveling for a few days ........ be back shortly.

PS.   The tomatoes came back, started to ripen and the deer returned....... how do they know????