The Williams

Willy and Ellie Williams were former slaves (Willy even sporting his owners brand on his arm) that made their way west in the 1870's. Willy found work at a hotel in Lake City, CO. and Ellie took in laundry.The hardworking couple earned enough money to buy some milk cows and ran a successful dairy. This is the little house they built which was not meager for the times. Remember the town lots were only 25 ft. wide!

Hollywood

Last year when I returned to Texas,my friend was upset because her pretty daughter had moved to California. Hollywood to be exact. Many young women around the world dream of being a famous actress.
Have a look at this frame from an upcoming movie. J. Edgar(directed by Clint Eastwood)..to be in theaters in NOV. Yes that's Lenardo D'Caprio and Judi Dench in the frame with my friend's daughter Leslie (the pretty blond). She seems to be doing okay!

Potato Salad Bites

It seems in Lake City, CO you need to come equipped with few good hors d'oeuvres recipes. I made these Potato Salad Bites to take to a party and they were a hit.

Boil small new potatoes for about ten min. Rinse in cold water. Cut all but two of the potatoes in half. Using a melon baller , scoop some of the center out of the halves.
Peel the additional potatoes and add to the pulp you have scooped from the halves. Add ingredients to make your favorite potato salad. I added mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped onion,celery and green olives (salt and pepper).
Put a scoop of the potato salad into the center of each sliced potato. Garnish with celery leaves, sprinkle with Parmesan and paperika.... chill.

If you prefer a sweeter potato salad: leave out sour cream and olives and add instead sweet pickle relish.

More wild animals!

Someone commented that we seem to see more animals than most people do at a zoo, and that is probably close to true!
Lake City is the county seat (and only town ) in Hinsdale County. Hinsdale County was declared the most remote county in the lower 48 last year.

Just since May I have seen a mountain lion, 4 bears, 3 moose, a fox, a bald eagle, numerous marmots, rabbits, countless deer, including a newborn fawn, chipmonks and this big horn sheep

Chatting with the animals

Looks like my husband Tom is having a conversation with this buck. There is a menagerie of wild animals around us in Colorado and we love it.

The Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States and most of us get excited just seeing one.

Last year there was one that was always perched in a dead tree north of Lake City....actually on my route to the grocery store. I looked for him all summer, and he was no where to be seen, but, just this month, (actually the same month I saw him last year) there he was! Sitting high above Blue Mesa lake trying to spot a fish.

Home Again Home Again

What a Long drive. We have arrived back in hot dry parched Texas....But we love it. It is Home.

I will continue to post a few pictures from Lake City, Co.....Hopefully you guys will stay with me...Janey...This is an Aspen up against the Bluff...

Summers Over

It is with a heavy heart that I am packing today. My wireless connection will not be working in the morning so I thought I would say goodbye.

Fall is in it's full glory around here and it is difficult to leave. Clear blue skies, cool temperatures and fantastic fall color. I will post a couple of pictures today. Both were taken off of our deck. One in the Spring and the other today.Look closely and you will see that the green aspen on the left have turned golden.

Bikers

We have a large number of biking clubs that roar through town, and many stop to eat.. This group was able to find one parking space large enough for all of them. I thought it very fitting that they were lunching at Restless Spirits!

Take a Historic Walking Tour

Lake City, CO has an amazing number of historic structures still in tact (so many mining towns were wiped out by fire). You can sign up for an escorted tour of the Historical District at the Hinsdale County Museum (in the summer), or you can do a self tour... on foot.

We are very proud of our history plaques positioned directly in front of these nineteen century homes, businesses, barns, etc. The history includes photos and the history of that stucture from the late 1870's right up to the 1950's.

One of the owners of this sweet little house later became the editor of the Denver Post....and Susan B. Anthony slept here when she came to this county trying to get the vote for women.

No Lawnmower Needed

Driving through town yesterday I noticed a neighbors yard being mowed :)

Aspen Tree

The Aspen is a beautiful tree with white bark and little green, almost heart shaped leaves, that seem to dance in the breeze. In September, in these parts, the leaves turn a golden color before falling off. A few, and I am not sure why, turn orange and almost red. They are a treat to the eye. I captured this on on a drive just south of little Lake City, CO.

Football

It's football season in the U.S. Seems like there is a game on T.V. every night... and day of the week. Spotted this little fellow down in the town park. From the look on his face, I am figuring he is in an official time out!

Poppies & Aspens

On our drive back from Denver, CO to our little mountain town of Lake City... we stopped in the small ski town of Frisco. The summer crowds have thinned out and they are awaiting the onslaught of skiers . I was surprised to see some summer poppies still in bloom beside these two Aspen trees. The Aspen trees turn a beautiful color of gold...which I will show you soon.

The Sand Pit

Gosh this looks like a fun place to play. When my girls were small they just had an ordinary sandbox: one made out of wood and filled with a bag of sand. This one however has wonderful mountains and cliffs, a place where an imagination could run wild!

Food!

I promise this in not going to turn into a recipe site. Just wanted to show you a recipe I tried last night. We were invited to a cook-out and I was asked to bring an appetizer . These antipasto kabobs sounded easy and they were.
You marinade cooked( cheese filled) tortellini with black and stuffed green olives in an Italian salad dressing (over night). Drain, and then thread them on a toothpick with a half slice of folded salami. I also sprinkled them with cracked black pepper and grated Parmesan cheese.

Denver Art Museum

The weather was perfect for a walk through central Denver. This is the park in front of the State capitol building. The castle like structure on the edge of the park is the new Denver art museum. Crowds were already arriving in the park where the 1960's band The Beach Boys were preforming later in the day.

Weather Vanes

Well, we headed out of the hills to meet friends for a long weekend in the state capital, Denver. It is such a beautiful city. I will share more shots from our trip later.

Today I am back walking down the alleys of little Lake City. I noticed this very old (I am sure) weather vane on a barn. I wish I knew more about it. Notice the beautiful blue sky. All of our days usually start out this way. If we have clouds...they move in later in the day.

I think I will see if I can find other vanes in town....

Big Blue Bear

Had a wonderful long weekend in Denver,Co. attending a Rocky's baseball game (yeah! they won). Saw this enormous blue bear looking into the convention center!

I Like Alleys

At least here in Lake City, Co. While some of the old houses have been torn down. A lot of the structures along the alleys are still there from the 1870's. You will see small barns, outhouses, sheds and log cabins; even saw a chicken pen.

Art Studio

Meet Russ Brown. Russ has a one man art studio on our little main street. He paints mountain scenes but mostly vintage airplanes. Russ is a morning person and you can always find him at his easel at daybreak( with the door open).

Covered Wagon?

I love walking down the old alleys here. You find so many interesting things. I wonder if the old wagon arrived here in the 1870's as a covered wagon and has been sitting here all of this time?

Round Top

Our view to the south is Round Top Mountain. We are situated at such a high altitude that it is hiding behind a cloud this morning!

Black Billed Magpie

This large bird is a regular in these parts. He is a Black Billed Magpie. Here he looks like a street sign finial.

Peeping Tom!

I see you! You never know who will be looking in the window!

Come and Sit Awhile

We have miles of groomed trails along our waterways in this little town. Summer mornings usually always dawn cool and sunny, making them an inviting place to walk. Here and there they have thoughtfully placed a bench.

All Necessary Comforts

This lady (who I don't know) had no idea that this coffee shop bench came complete with it's own kitty...

Cowgirl

I have a girl friend here that is a cowgirl! She brings her horse up from Dallas, and she actually talked me into a trail ride. I was terrified at first, but ended up having a wonderful time. Linda's cabin is full of western memorabilia . These little leather outfits belonged to her and her brother. and were loving made by their Dad (back in the 50's) who was an upholsterer

Culinary Raft Trip

We had so much fun last night. We took a ten mile float trip down the beautiful Gunnison River that included dinner at Garlic Mike's.. which has an award winning chef. Fun!