Bear!

My cousins were here this past week, and I was so happy that the smoke from the forest fire west of here was not drifting this way.

We had some fun outings, but a favorite thing to do was taking an afternoon nap on our back deck. There is only on chaise lounge back there, so first come, first serve. Here, Becky is covered up with what we call the bear blanket (faux). Speaking of bears, they kept saying how much they wanted to see one.

So, when my neighbor called and said that  one was romping up and down their street ....we rushed over. Happy to say they got to see it...and I think it was the highlight of their trip!

Gold!

Occasionally, we get invited to the Wednesday night picnic on top of Gold Hill. You have to be invited by a resident, as it is a privately owned mountain.

The picnic is way at the top of that mountain with a postcard view of our lake.

The usual practice is to bring something to grill for yourself and a dish to share. Although with our present fire ban we could not build a fire in the grill. Oh and by, we are sitting adjacent to one of the only two gold mines (the Golden Wonder) still operating in the state of Colorado. The gold ore extracted by only a half dozen workers is sent to Nevada to be processed.

Mining was the reason  our little town was developed.. The above picture happens to be the workers of another mine, the Golden Fleece which was just to the right of the lake. (approx. 1880).

Today's Adventure

I have my cousins and a friend visiting, which is why I haven't had time to visit your blogs.
Today we drove south of the lake to Cataract Trail Head which begins right at the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. A few shots.

Our State flower, the Columbine

We stopped at a sunny picnic table on the way back at Lake San Cristibol to eat our lunch

They were watching the kayakers 

We have been blessed with perfect weather. 

Up Along Alpine Gulch

A drive up along Henson creek is a favorite drive for me.

I like walking down to the little bridge that is the beginning of the Alpine Gulch Trail.

The view from the center of the bridge is pretty in either direction.

Even though it has been very dry around here. There is still enough watering cascading down the mountain.

The beginning of the trail is lush and inviting, problem is there are many water crossings (with no bridges) and a lot more uphill than this. Sure is a pretty day around here.

The Wrangler

There is a small coffee shop down in town that has music at night out back.

The owner has a great voice and has recorded a couple of CD's. Although the guy in this picture is a wrangler from and outfitting ranch (Cadwell Outfitters) east of here and comes into town to entertain on occasion. I got one of the brochures the other day about their trail rides.

The outing that caught my eye was was an overnight pack trip to a rustic 1890's mining camp. You of course go by horseback and spend the night in a small log cabin lodge. Oh wouldn't this be a fun "girls"trip. Problem is I can't find any GIRLS to go. :(

Pretty Day

For the last few days, out skies have been beautiful and blue. A nice contrast from previous weeks where we have had smoke drifting over from the fire in western Colorado.

Today I attended a luncheon in a private home which was to benefit for our Arts Council.

Donna our hostess  has a  lovely home complete with some pretty little white ducks.

We were ushered onto a shady side porch where there was a cute garden shed,

all set up to serve us Mimosas.

After a drink and a nice time visiting, we were ushered into an adjoining room where tables were set up to serve 25 ladies.

The little vases on the tables with fresh flowers were so pretty and from her yard.

I did not take a picture of the elegant lunch, but felt compelled to snap one of her spice rack in the kitchen. Someone with this many spices is surely a good cook!Which she is!

Just a photo of three good friends. The two on the left are long time friends from Houston where I use to live. They have also bought summer homes here. Robin on the left even bought an Inn. Betty I met years ago, here in Lake City,Co. She also lives near me in Ft. Worth where we both call home in the winter. There is a lot going on here...and it seems most of it includes food!

Local Art

We have a lot of events here in Lake City, Colorado in the summer. Some people say it is like summer camp for adults. One of the first events of "the season" is the annual art show and reception featuring local artists.

There is always a long table in the center of the room with appetizers furnished by our local merchants.In most cases it is the first time getting to see friends you haven't seen since last September.

Local wildlife seemed to be a popular theme this year

Black Bears

Moose

and a cougar taking center stage in the handmade quilt.

There were also watercolor landscapes,

and a photograph of The Dillon Peaks which are north of here high above Lake Blue Mesa.

I liked this collage done by my friend Ruth. She recently won first place in the sate with another of collages. 

There were even some locals musicians there to entertains us.

Fun Event...I hope that you are having a great week.

A Tradition

I made all of these noises about eating healthy lately...which I am trying to do. In reality I am eating most anything, just smaller portions and trying to cut down on carbohydrates and sugar when possible. My husband does not share my dietary habits...so

when in Lake City, he usually wants to go down into town after dinner for an ice cream at our old fashioned soda fountain. I am not up to date on the history of this quaint old building, although I do know that at one time it was a pharmacy. We like to get an ice cream( I get a kiddie cup) and sit on those benches on the boardwalk, which is a great place to people watch.

They do have a nice place inside to sit and this charming courtyard which is between the 19th century buildings.

So, if you are ever in our little town...stop by the San Juan Soda Fountain.

The Hikers

The Continental Divide snakes through our county here in  Colorado (Hinsdale). The Continental Divide is an imaginary line that in the US runs from the Mexican Border to the south, to the Canadian Border to the north, a high ridge dividing the water shed. One side draining to the Pacific Ocean, the other to the Atlantic.Despite the fact that the distance is approximately 3,100 miles it is becoming a popular hike.This season it seems there are over 400 on the trail.

We met these hikers today when we gave them a ride back to the trial head. D.G from Memphis,TN, Honey Buns and his wife Knock on Wood from Washington D.C. and Commander from Virginia.Yes, they all take nicknames on the trail, and if I understand correctly...they are not allowed to pick their own , but they are bestowed upon you. The hike normally takes five to seven months at a pace of 18-30 miles per day. All four of these kids (as we refer to them) have completed both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. When they reach Canada they will be awarded a Triple Crown Certificate since they will have completed all three grueling trails. Quite an accomplishment.

Nice Kids!

To read more about the Triple Crown Hikes, go HERE

The Messy Cook

I just finished making a large pan of zucchini lasagna (trying to eat healthy), and put it in the freezer. Doing my best to meal prep, so I can enjoy our guests this summer. Another day I will make a meatloaf and chicken enchiladas wrapped in cabbage leaves. If you don't want to eat healthy...you are going to go hungry around here!

Now if I could just find someone to clean up the mess I made...

Go Early

We are under an Air Advisory here in our little valley, due to the fire near Durango, CO. Despite the fact that the actual  fire is over sixty miles away (as the crow flies)...the smoke is blowing this way. For some reason it seems to get worse as the day goes by,

which is a good reason to get our walk in early. This blooming Lilac Bush caught my eye,

as did these Poppies near an old old historic home.

This little Doe ( with very big ears) didn't seem bothered by us. She was too busy having dandelions for breakfast.

....and then we spotted this, which we knew had to be just passing through.

It was an old Ford and according to it's license plates a 1934 model.

We even got to meet the proud owner. Seems he was driving through town after having been to a vintage car show in Pegosa Springs, CO where he won first place in his division. We had a nice visit and he showed us all of the fancy additions he made when doing the restoration. It is fun walking around this little town...you never know what you will see, or who you will meet.

What a Difference A Day Makes

...or should I say a shift in the winds.

This was the smokey view that we had all  afternoon yesterday. There is a forest fire in Southwestern Colorado...and when the wind blows this way we are almost choking on the smoke,

and then with a shift in the wind direction we are back to our beautiful blue smoke free skies.
The fire I am speaking of is called the 416 fire and it is still raging north of Durango, Colorado. For pictures of that fire, go HERE

A Morning Walk

There is only an hour time change between Texas and Colorado...but we have a hard time adjusting, and find ourselves getting up way too early.

So we drove south of town at the first hint of light to have a walk at our lake ( San Cristobal). The above shot is of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River as it meanders toward to Lake.

We usually have pretty heavy winds in June, but this morning it was very calm.

So calm that there were great reflections in the water.

I was excited to see a small Bald Eagle, but wishing I had brought my camera that has a better zoom. There usually is an Eagle at the lake, but you have to go early. 

Where Am I

I feel sure that most of you know that we spend five months of the year in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. We have been coming here to escape the Texas heat for some twenty years now, and fourteen years ago we built a log home.

Lake City is a tiny old mining town that by all counts has escaped the changes of modern times. It is the county seat of Hinsdale County(the most remote county in the lower 48) and the only town within it. The winter population is only about 374. The picture above (taken by my sister Polly) is our downtown area. If you would like to know more about Lake City, go HERE

There was very little snow (moisture) over the winter so the fire danger is very real. We have a couple of fires burning in Colorado and several in New Mexico which is to our south.

Yesterday, Tom and I made a very early morning trip down to our only bakery. All of a sudden a large group of firefighters (Bureau of Land Managements Craig Hotshots)descended on the little place. They had just extinguished a small fire to our southeast  and were looking for something to eat. Firefighters around here have a hero status. ...and thank goodness for them.

We had rain in the evening and overnight...and there was not one person complaining about it.

Come back again for posts about living in the quaint little place.

Janey