Ladies Who Lunch

I've always disliked that phrase (ladies who lunch). Sounds like a bunch of ladies who have nothing better to do. The ladies in this picture are constantly busy giving back to their community, even when they just live here in the summer The majority of them living elsewhere in the winter.

They just happen to make time on Thursdays, at noon, to have lunch together. We usually meet at a local restaurant, but  we wanted to try  out the new gazebo at our pretty little beach. So, we all packed a picnic, and enjoyed the shade in the gazebo, the  constant breeze  blowing through, and the sounds of the river crashing by..

We had so much fun, we did it again this Thursday. Picnicking at the county pavilion at Red Mountain gulch.

Do you like to picnic in the summer?!

Another Party

Every Year for the last ten years or so. My husband Tom and I throw a party, to try and get the townspeople to join Friends of the Theater for a repertory theater (one of the best in the country), that is about an hour away.. The party has gotten very large, so we had to move i,t from our home, down into the Anthony Gallery in town.

We mail invitations to over one hundred people, and also put it in the newspaper the week before. My friend Sandra always comes up with great ideas for table decorations, and the ladies in town (at least 40) all bring their best appetizer.

Some folks , of course, just come for the free food and wine, but the majority do sign up to be members, and several make large donations

The real draw, though, is the talented young performers  that volunteer to come over and entertain us.
Pictured here, members of their band, and singers ,from the Creede Repertory's current production, Guys and Dolls.

A great evening!

Trail Runner's

A huge group of really fit runner's converge on our little town, for a marathon and a half through the mountains, every year near the summer solstice.

Looking like fire flies in the night, they gather downtown for the very early...very cool 5am start.

and they are off!

Here, the runners experience the first of many icy cold streams they must cross. Higher altitudes (they have a 14,000 ft altitude gain on the race), will have them crossing snow fields.

Here comes our winner. A twenty nine year old web designer from Aspen, CO. 9hrs.4min.
We were amazed that he didn't even look tired.

In case you were wondering if I ran the race. Aww, no. That would be me on the left....under the tallest shade tree with my friend Betty....Cheering as the runners came in,

and that would be my Tom, in the center of this picture, who you can always count on  to volunteer.

photo credit to: Silver World Newspaper for the start of the race photos.

Nothing Fancy

We  don't have a lot of fancy places to stay in our little town. No resorts with swimming pools, or high rise condos with balconies. What we do have, are a lot of little old fashioned, rustic if you will, tourist cabins. After the the mining days, this place almost dried up, until folks from Texas discovered how good the fishing was, and the cool summer temperatures.

These little one and two bedrooms cabins were built between 1938 and 1947. They are right in town, so you can park your car, and walk most anywhere you want to go.

This particular cabin caught my eye the other day on my walk, because someone had built

a little play house in the side yard.
Come to our town where you can be a kid again!

New Faces in Town

We are always happy to see new faces in this little mountain town, especially young ones. Don't get me wrong, all new people are welcomed with open arms around here.

I met this new, young couple, last week at the movie theater open house. When folks see a new face around here. They will say something like "why don't I know you?" Which is exactly what I said. Seems a couple of years ago, they rode motorcycles through this town, fell in love with it.... and bought a cabin. Trust me folks, that is not uncommon. It is a long commute for them, since they are still working, and live in Michigan.

I visited with them for awhile, and found out that they both work for a major airline. I of course discussed the fact that I was a stew back in the sixties. I need to work on not talking so much about myself, and ask more questions. I left without even asking WHAT they did for that major airline.

Imagine my surprise when I later found out they are both captains ...and that pretty little blond pilots an Airbus!!!!

It's Fence Day

We are in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado for the summer,

and poppies bloom around here in June.

Linking to: Good Fences

Speaking of Kayaks

When we were  kayaking at the lake (previous post), there was only one other couple of the lake. We met them as they pulled their crafts out of the water. Seems they were from the Denver area, had lived there all of their lives, and never knew about this place.

I have to confess we were all wanting a closer look at the ladies kayak, that appeared to be built out of solid wood. Her husband said he got bored last winter, and built it. It is made of Aspen wood. I thought it would be heavy, but it was much lighter than her husbands.

Summertime Fun

There are so many things to do around here, especially for the physically fit.

Our daughter's family has been here all week, and they found more than enough activities to keep them entertained.

If you don't want to go hiking, fishing, 4 wheeling, rafting or horseback riding, you can always go kayaking..

 It is great exercise

and can be very relaxing.

Speaking of relaxing. Grandson Jack has the right idea.

This is one of my favorite things to do.

I hope that you too are having a relaxing week out there in blog land.

Brush Creek

A favorite activity of ours, is hiking. We have numerous groomed trails in the area, for all hiking levels. You really should acclimate, before over-exerting yourself at this altitude.

So, with daughter number two, and family visiting from Atlanta, Georgia we chose Brush Creek Trail to hike. Which is easy to moderate.

Of course, I am always lagging behind, taking pictures

The trail climbs parallel to Brush Creek, and as a bonus, the views across the way are pretty

Someone is constantly asking "where's Janey?" I can hardly keep up...they just won't slow down.

There was a familiar smell in the air, that had me trying to stay close. I kept asking "does anyone else small a bear?"

 Hmmm, I thought so. Our black bears around here, don't like humans, so if you leave them alone they will usually leave you alone.

Some flowers are just starting to bloom along the trail, including the wild Irises

You climb high above the creek, and then two miles in, you are back at creek level.

We get Kerry and family to pose for pictures, beside the creek

 

and then we climb higher, and sit on rocks to eat our lunches, where there are fewer mosquitoes.

Thanks for hiking along with us...on to the next adventure!

Goulash

It was a very pleasant evening, so we went down to Packer's for dinner. The people who opened the restaurant/ bar are from Wisconsin, but that is not exactly why the place is called Packers. More on that later.

Many of the businesses here hire young people from eastern Europe, to work the tourist season. This is not uncommon. I have met young adults doing the same thing recently in Canada, and Alaska. Packer's hired someone from Slovakia, and the young person ended up buying the business. Everything is the same...good food, friendly service, etc. etc. With one or two exceptions. See that pot stewing on the fire pit. I enquired what was in it? ...and got the reply Slovakian Goulash,

 and I am not sure that I had seen this sign before either...but I certainly agree! Sorry about the blur.

Going to take a blog break. Daughter Number 2, husband and four teenagers, are here. I am a bit busy.I barely have time to post, and certainly no time to read your blogs...which isn't fair. I will return...Janey

After Dinner

One thing,. we do without exception, every summer, is have guests. Our daughter #2 (we have 5), has arrived with her family for a few days. Her kids have grown up coming here. Kerry (#2), and her husband Joe now have four teenagers.

It has been our tradition , to go down into town after dinner, and play in the park. In years past, it has been a game of Wiffle ball, but these kids, from Atlanta, have all been members of an ultimate Frisbee team.  Charlie is explaining to Gramps, how to properly throw the Frisbee.

The truthful reason, for going down into town, is to get here before this place closes. If you been with me for a while you will remember The San Juan Soda Co.

It is where they have a wonderful, old fashioned, soda fountain in the back serving big scoops of ice cream.

I hope that you are planning a wonderful weekend, I know we are!

A Fence

For those that don't know, my husband and I have migrated to the mountains for the summer.

I took this photo this week on a drive around the lake, just south of town. I like wood fences. They don't seem to last very long at this altitude, probably because of the harsh winters. Maybe it's the fact that they weather so, that I like them?

Linking to: Good Fences

The Beach

Sometime after we left last Fall, someone was busy making a little beach, down by the river.

It is complete with sand, umbrellas, chairs and even a gazebo.

It is a great place to dig your toes into the sand, and watch the river flow by.

Tom, who loves the sun (and going to the beach,) is delighted.

This area is where a large creek, Henson Creek coming down the mountain from the west, flows into our river, The Lake Fork of the Gunnison....which is flowing from the lake I showed you.

So now, you can come to the mountains, and hang out at the beach!

Bird Watching

If you have been reading along, you would know that I have taken up vegetable gardening. Another thing on my list, is to join a bird watching group.

click on photos to enlarge

I enjoy watching the Steller Jays that eat the bread that I put out every morning. I don't have a feeder, because they attract bears up here. The birds finish off this pile of bread in no time. There aren't many birds that hang out at nearly 9,000 feet... where I live.

Sometimes, I go down to the lake and look for this guy (a Bald Eagle). I know the tree he likes to perch in, looking for his breakfast. So, I was excited when I read that there was a new bird watching group, that meets early Sunday mornings ...out at the lake.I bundled up, since the thermometer read 40 degrees...and headed out to the lake. I even talked hubby into coming along

Imagine my dismay, when there was no one there. Obviously, I need bird watching lessons . :)

I will let you know when I spy a bird..... or the bird watching group.On to the next thing on the list. Janey

Our Lake

The skies cleared, and it was a beautiful morning yesterday to drive out to the Lake. Yes, we are called Lake City...so of course we have a lake. Just three short miles south (walkable), is the reason for the name.

Click on photos to enlarge

I am a little biased, but I believe it is a pretty idyllic mountain lake It was 52 degrees, by the time we got there , and the air was crisp and clear. I was actually supposed to meet a bird watching group out there. More on that tomorrow.

We ended up just taking a leisurely drive around the lake, since there is a road that completely circles it.

 Makes me wish I had brought a picnic.

Once all the way around, we are back to the small dam, where you can see our river ( the Lake Fork of the Gunnison), running north and into town. You may notice the lack of crowds. That is because no one knows about this place. So shhh. Actually, the merchants in town could use a few more visitors. So pass the word!

Opening Night

Last night Tom and I headed over Slumgullion Pass, on a rainy cool evening, to the opening night dinner, and play at our favorite repertory theater (about an hours drive).

It is truly a beautiful trip, even in this weather. Note, we do not have to deal with a lot of traffic. That is Bristol Head Peak ahead on the left.

Zooming in, and through the windshield.

The dinner is always in an old mine, now the community center, under this mountain.

The twinkly lights marking the entrance.

Then, it is a short walk...or drive since it was raining, to the old Opera House, that now houses the theater, and has for fifty years.

Posing here, at intermission, with two Lake City friends(me on the left). Ceil and Sandra, and I are all three hostesses in Lake City at the wildly successful  :) Victorian High Tea, held in August. Oh, the play was Guys and Dolls, and it was terrific. It was a long drive back over the mountain. I have to stay awake and watch for animals, for the driver, that seem to like to hang out on the warm pavement late at night. The trees on top of the pass had fresh snow on them, on our return trip. A fun filled evening.