Favorite Things

Why is this a favorite thing? I love this little vase with pine cones on the front. With no florist in town, and certainly no flowers in my yard.....I have discovered that I have a never ending supply of pine boughs!
 Expecting guests tomorrow. They are friends of my sister and they are from Germany. They have been in the U.S. on a driving trip of the west. Here for only a couple of days.... but I am afraid the weather forecast doesn't look promising. I was hoping we could take them on a hike...So what should we do an a rainy day? No, it's not raining today....but promises to the next two days.... Stay tuned....

Guard Deer

 My friend Sandra and her husband  have a house near us here in Colorado, and in Texas. She called this week and said she had forgotten a pair of shoes and could I bring them to her? No problem. Well, I wasn't expecting this guy to be parked by the garage door. The same door where the key pad is....which is how I get into her house. Driving up didn't seem to faze him.

In case you didn't see that rack! I thought about leaving, and coming another day. But, when I got out of the car...he just gave me a look...and then ambled away...Mission accomplished.

It's Fall

         Well, almost. The Aspen trees are certainly starting to turn.

                                             
                          and the hills are looking golden

There's a Party Goin On..

The first clue that there was a party going on

Nothing fancy, just friends gathering at the pavilion by the pond.

Walking around the pond..you could see the fish!

Great View

See we just grilled hot dogs.. but, the weather was perfect.
.....and the fellowship GREAT!

In Search of the Train

We were delighted , this week, when we were invited to be part of a small group going on an expedition of sorts...in search of answers to questions about the old Denver and Rio Grand Railroad, that ran from Sapinero,CO to Lake City from  1889-1933.All traces of the train were removed in '33, including the tracks. Several miles north of Lake City, we visited the old Nathan C. Carr Ranch to try and find out how the Medera Water Tower (located on that ranch), which serviced the train, got it's water source.

 Below is all that is left of the Carr Ranch family home built in 1890. I scouted around and found a chip of pretty pink and white flowered china, a button and a green marble, proving to me that there was life here at one time.

      Several other structures were still standing on the property (well almost).

      Just a gentle reminder that we were in Mountain Loin country!

 Leaving the Carr Ranch (water questions answered). We trekked along near the end of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River (before it spills into the Blue Mesa reservoir);actually walking the  old railroad bed. We were looking for any signs that there was once a bridge.(shown on old photos). Two miles in (from our starting point)  the pilings were visible on the river bank. Although, several of us turned back at a mile and a half! After all we had roamed around the Carr Ranch, up and down hills, for over an hour. Very interesting adventure!

The Hidden Waterfall

 On Saturday, returning from our hike, we came upon a couple trying to push their wrecked vehicle off of the road. The car would not start after hitting a large deer (may he rest in peace). We drove them into Lake City since cell phones do not work in that area. Thankfully neither were hurt.

While they were unloading their vehicle, I stepped through the bushes and discovered this waterfall cascading down into the river. Can't tell you how many times I have passed this spot and not seen this sight because it was hidden by foliage.

Slippin n Slidding

 Cutting through the campus of Western State Colorado University

After driving sixty miles, running several errands and loading up our car with groceries we always cut through the Western Campus to a fast food place, where we order a soft serve ice cream cone, to enjoy on the long ride home. We were brought to a stop by this site. A bunch of college students having fun on a warm day!