Wednesday July 11, 2018-Mountain Views at Rivers Edge Resort

Today we made a drive over to Lake City with our neighbors Joe and Jan. It was a beautiful drive, as all drives in this area of Colorado are. The drive over was uneventful but it began to rain shortly before we got to town. We decided to eat at the Packer Saloon and Cannibal Grill in Lake City for lunch. The ran had slacked up and we decided to eat outside. The weather was nice, cool with little wind, but just as we finished our sandwiches it started to rain again.

We walked around the downtown area for awhile after the rains let up some. We stopped in the Russ Brown Gallery. He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and now does paintings of military aircraft as well as nature, autos and portraits. He is very talented and worth a look the next time you are in town.

We drove back toward Creede but turned off near the top of the Slumgullion Pass (elevation 11,530) where we turned off toward Deer Lake in search of sighting some moose and other wildlife. We drove about 4 miles to the lake but the weather did not cooperate and it continued to rain. When we got to the lake, we walked a short distance to a viewing area where Stella and I have seen moose in the past, but they were apparently laying down someplace warm and dry and we didn't get to see any today. The rain and lightning made us leave after a very short time.

We did see a mule deer doe with her fawn as we drove out, but she didn't stay around long enough for me to get a picture of her. We did notice a solitary small trailer off to the side of the road as we came in. As we left we noticed some animals across a valley that were apparently grazing. There was a large group of them, so I took some photos. I assume that the trailer belongs to the sheep herder but we never saw anyone around the sheep or the trailer.

We couldn't tell what the black animal was, so I took  close-up and found that it was a black sheep. We thought it might have been a large dog, but we learned different.

We are planning more trips out into the mountains and I'll post more photos.

So long.

Wednesday July 4, 2018-Mountain Views at River's Edge Resort

Today is the 4th of July-Happy Birthday U.S.A.!-and we knew that there is a big parade in downtown Creede. We left at 9:15 for a 10 o'clock start of the parade and couldn't believe how many people were already there. The downtown area where the parade was to start was already blocked off and packed and parking was already spilling over onto the highway leading into town, so we gave up and went for a ride on our own.

We drove west out of town to the road leading to Middle Creek Rd. and Lime Creek Rd. for today's drive. 

My dirty truck parked beside the road with beautiful mountains in the background.

Those black specks are a cattle herd, grazing in the valley. If those cows only knew how much humans would pay to live in a valley with this view of the mountains!

Further down this creek were some anglers. It just looks so cool to see people fly fishing in the creeks. 

There was a lot of traffic on this road today. I guess others had the same thoughts as we did, getting out and seeing the sights of the area.

It is interesting to note that Lime Creek Rd. goes through a private ranch. We drove about 4-5 miles on it before the road narrows down to one lane and we turned around. 

More travels soon, so please return to check out more photos.

So long.

Monday July 2, 2018-Mountain Views at River's Edge Resort

Today our neighbors, Glenn and Lois invited us to ride along with them in their Jeep up the Bachelor's Loop and up the Rat Creek Trail. We have driven up the Bachelor's Loop before but never on the trail. The road is restricted to Jeeps or other off-road type vehicles. 

The road was very bumpy but their Jeep handled it very well. There are so many beautiful views on this drive, but these were taken on the highest point.

Notice the white patch of snow? Look below.

A group on some side-by-sides was also on the top at the time we were there. I've noticed that most of the riders in these type of vehicles wear masks or covers over their faces to avoid the dust. Luckily we didn't have to do that with the Jeep, just roll the windows up.

A side view of the Jeep and view in front of it. I'm not sure of the elevation on the top, but it's waaaay on up there! It is noticeably cooler up here too. If we'd stayed much longer, a jacket would have felt good. 

A closer view of the small snow patch that remains.

Look close and you'll see the moose on the right corner of the picture (brown spot). It was several hundred yards away and this was the best I could do with my little camera. It was awesome to see this magnificent animal. At one point it just stopped moving and blended in so well, if it hadn't been for her wiggling her ear, we would have missed her.

Please stay tuned for more beautiful photos of the Colorado mountains.

So long.