A bouquet for a special BFF...........

Why we live here............

 AKA "tossed salad"...... and yes, I did scoop it up and we ate it !     But I DID NOT take it to the Hiking Club pot luck.    Instead, my cauliflower "wings' were gobbled up quickly and we only took home ONE bean burger.....    

( all of the pictures were taken with the iPhone and I could not  edit them or rotate in iPhoto )

This morning we headed out early to the Molas Lake trail ( part of the Colorado Trail ) as our destination.   It was 6 miles south of Silverton so about a 90 min ride.....but one of the most scenic in the entire US, so we didn't mind.  

We were at about 10,300 feet most of the hike but there were a lot of ups and downs so it felt like we were really climbing at times.     It was coolish (mid 50's ) when we started but with the sun, we were able to shed some shirts.  

This was a hike recommended for it's wild flowers.    Vera and Bonnie are the experts and altho they identified most of what we saw, I tend to forget the names so just enjoy the views.    Altho the iPhone is great for hiking, it just doesn't do close up focus really well (when I'm out of breath and grabbing a picture on the go ) and many of the flower pics are blurry and not blog worthy.

    

This is called a Death camus.....don't eat the bulb. !   We did see the Blue Columbine but it would have required  trampling tender vegetation  to take it's portrait and I have gazillions of pics of it.  

 The open fields were full of color.....

 We could hear the waterfall and rushing stream long before we saw it.....

 Our destination was this overlook, high above the Animas River and a view of the approaching Silverton-Durango steam train....note the smoke off in the distance.    The train stops down there to let off  hikers and fishermen and they can catch another train back.   There are no services....it is true wilderness. It was thrilling to hear the train whistle as it approached.   Bud estimated it was about 1800 ft below us.    I don't think I've ever been anywhere more beautiful than this spot.   It was breathtaking and serene and nature in all it's grandeur.    And we walked to get there !!

Happy Days...........

Becca has wanted to see "Wicked" for years.    We tried to get tickets to Broadway when we lived in Ct. but it was sold out so we all enjoyed "Phantom..." But she has persisted and last fall, she 'suggested politely' that we might all want to see it when it came to Denver.   We bought the tickets way back then and the big day finally arrived on July 3rd.    It was a spectacular production and perfect for a girl's night out.  

  

We drove over to Denver the day before.   Because we had the whole day, we opted for the scenic route and enjoyed at least an extra 2 hours of sitting in traffic waiting for construction and accidents.    It was not fun.   But we made it in time to celebrate Lizzie's 17th birthday !!   Nicholas and Kelsey were home from Oklahoma City and Alex hustled over from his job as Asst. Golf Pro at Lakewood CC.    How did everyone grow up so fast?   It seems like just last week that I managed to dislocate Lizzie's shoulder when she was 18 months old and we were playing on the floor.......!    I hope she doesn't remember !   And today she passed her driver's test.......in this tricked out Jeep!   She's good at driving it on the jeep trails so city roads must not have been any problem.... 

The summer art festivals are in full swing and on Friday, we braved the crowds and wandered the Cherry Creek Art Festival, celebrating it's 25th year as a premier show.   It is very high end but it's just a good walk around and great for people watching.    Mike scouted out an excellent restaurant ,.... keeping in mind our limited way of eating.     An outdoor lunch at True Food Kitchen, one of a few owned by Dr Andrew Weil with an emphasis on the "Anti-Inflammatory Pyramid" that he has designed, was very special.    I don't agree with everything he recommends but it is a good and easy way to eat healthy.



 The next day, we all piled in the car and headed up to the mountains and to the picturesque Victorian town of Breckenridge.   ( Note who they put in the 3rd seat of the car.....just like the BMW commercial ) !  

Another day, another art festival.    This one much smaller but  the scenery was much better.    We all liked the woven glass pieces.

On the small lake in town, there were the bubbles with kids inside.....trying to stay upright.   Fun !

The iconic Victorian Main Street was a slice of Americana and  4th of July celebrations.    The firemen and kids and water hoses made for a fun and wet combination. The opposing  teams tried filling their buckets first while  spraying everyone and everything.    

Along the banks of the Blue River, the crowds were claiming their favorite spaces for the day and the evening fireworks.    Live bands, food vendors and happy faces were everywhere.

The growing season is very very short at over 9,000 feet but these gorgeous flowers were everywhere  and seemed to glow in the sun.

   A perfect weekend with our wonderful family....what more could we ask for ??........


















....maybe a good haircut and matching hats ?

Benign neglect........

In a minute, I would give up the blog.   Don't take it personally..... But if I did, I would have no way to remember what we did or didn't do or who we did it with and when we did it.   I depend on this feeble journal to keep track of yesterday, last month, last year and 8 years ago.   

So, when the mood strikes or the camera gets used or we do something worth remembering, I'll show up.     

Meanwhile, the Connecticut crew came to the West.     We spent a few days in Glenwood Springs, a charming picturesque community next to the stunningly beautiful Glenwood Canyon and the rushing Colorado River.    One time we said we'd want to live there..... I still could.    We stayed at the Hot Springs Lodge which is across the street from the world famous historic Hot Springs Pool and Spa.   

 The water bubbles out of the spring at a steamy 122 degrees.    Watered down a bit, one part is 104 degrees and the main pool is about 92-94.   It's only 3-4 feet deep but perfect for family fun.   And, you can bring in all sorts of floats and balls and such plus in the pic above, there is a large water slide.

Andy and Mason were either swimming or rafting or busy at the Adventure Park.    We had full days 

and fun evenings.    

 Pretty tulip from a bouquet I bought at the market.  

The 3 grandparents went exploring one afternoon up to a small community called Redstone.   There is a castle there but it was out of sight and we didn't want to pay the entrance fee so we had a nice lunch and enjoyed the spring flowers.  

 We've been busy but it's been good busy.    Paul played in a PB tournament in the next town over.    Two days of 100 degree unrelenting heat made for difficult conditions for players and spectators alike.    He and his partners  did really well in their divisions.
Somedays, I'm thinking I may give up golf and take up PB seriously.     I have only played golf ONCE since we got here and can't say that I've missed it one bit.    But most days, I just enjoy my morning 4+mile walk.     No hiking due to conflicts but were looking forward to a 3 day hiking trip the end of the month.      
Meanwhile, we're heading over to Denver tomorrow to help Lizzie celebrate 17 years, catch up with Nicholas and Kelsey who are home from Oklahoma City for a week or so and enjoy some fireworks.  

A view of the San Juan's one evening as the sun was setting....... I love those mountains.    

A good walk...unspoiled..........

 If it's Wednesday, it's a choice between MahJong  at the Club or out in the grandeur of nature on a hike.    I chose the hike.    Paul chose neither and played PB.

The plan was to do the Keystone Gorge outside of Telluride.   Because of the melting snow and afternoon heavy rains, the San Miguel River was wild and loud and angry and impressive.    The trail follows the river, often
very close to the deafening turbulence.

We were going downhill but it was no easy feat.    The trail was narrow and rocky and eroding in areas so that it was only wide enough for our shoes and our poles.   Sometimes, we were at the river's edge.   Other times found us high up teetering on a narrow shelf.   It was not always for the faint of heart but I felt fairly secure and steady.

This boulder field was a challenge and was long and tedious.   A misstep would have been painful.

After about an hour + , we finally reached the sturdy bridge  and 

crossed over to begin the ascent up to a mining road and a return to our cars.   The climb up was STEEP and breathtaking....literally.     Frequent stops for respiratory therapy were needed.   This was not an easy hike, despite what the trail description said.    It was even recommended for families !   No way would I take kids on this, at least not in the spring with the high dangerous waters.   But it was exhilarating and challenging and a good days walk.     (Disclaimer:    I take all my pictures with the iPhone 6 Plus.   I can't deal with a big camera when I'm out and about (unless we are driving) and although I don't get decent flower pics, I'm fairly pleased with the rest....considering it doesn't weigh anything.)

I've been trying to broaden my repertoire of recipes.    There are unending sources of plant based inspired recipes and I've tried a few....some OK, some tossed and inedible and then, there's the occasional winner.     This is the making of a delicious stir-fry.    We served it over rice noodles but brown rice would have been equally tasty.    The meat-like strips are known as soy curls.   I just recently heard about them.    They are loaded with protein and made with just soy....nothing else.    They come dry and you reconstitute them in liquid.   I used soy sauce, made a nice stir fry sauce and it tasted like chicken.....really !!   Would be great as tacos, or in spaghetti or as pulled pork which apparently is the most popular use.    I don't think most people could tell that it wasn't meat.    I don't normally try and duplicate any meat product.     We just eat our whole food unprocessed starches, veggies and greens and are very happy.    But this was a good find.  

And speaking of cooking.............awhile back, we gave Jeff and Jennifer a couple of nice sharp Wusthof knives.    So now I feel a bit guilty and maybe a little responsible for this nasty slice that Jenn acquired ...... cutting a piece of MEAT !!   See, we told you that meat wasn't good for you!!   She'll be away from golf for awhile but hopefully, nothing permanent.    Heal fast Jenn.   

  

And, guess who came to Colorado today !!     Can't wait to see them in Grand Junction on Sunday.   

It's all about the mountains......

Southwestern Colorado is a jaw-dropping, awe inspiring visual experience.     To see the beauty every morning on my walk makes me so happy and thankful.    This is the panorama that never changes and yet always changes.  

 But today, we were able to go into the heart of the San Juan's and the rugged peaks  surrounding Ouray     The Cobble Creek Hiking Club chose The Portland Mine trail.    The trailhead is at the edge of town and we were soon in a shrub oak and pine forest.    The views were stunning as we climbed

up and up and up.    Elevation gain was 1000 ft and the Overlook area was at 9200'.    It took us about 90 min to go up......that included stops to breathe and take pictures and stay hydrated.

There were a few wildflowers beginning to show their colors.    Above is chokecherry.   They are quite fragrant .    We had a tree when I was growing up and mother made the best chokecherry jam out of the astringent and bitter berries.   We only tasted them ONCE as kids.  

I was thrilled to see the Red Columbine.    It looks much different from it's relative, the state flower but is very impressive among the green.  

Altho the group starts out together, we end up getting spread out but always meet up for snacks.   This was at the Overlook, a view of the amphitheater formation that surrounds Ouray.   Paul is relaxing on the left.    Weather was perfect, in the mid 60's and mostly sunny.  

I hope you can see this message in the dirt.   Coming back down, we came a different way and altho there were directional signs most of the time, our group had concerns about taking the wrong trail.    But we shouldn't have worried.....our intrepid leaders left my name and arrows pointing the way at every fork.  

We hiked about 5 miles and a bit over 3 hours.   I would go back in a minute.    It was a perfect walk !