Twins' first visit to Cici and Grump's house!

What a month! After two weeks in Colorado, including spending time with great friends and family, we return to Mountain Home and are visited by Ben, Myka, Charlie, and Tucker. This was the twins' first visit to our house and we had a great few days! The boys really enjoyed exploring all the new stuff at our house. They had a great time opening and closing all doors and drawers and making efficient use of a variety of kitchen utensils. We folded a comforter over the coffee table to protect them and the first thing they did was hike their legs and climb up on top. They especially liked the walk down our road in their tandem Red Flyer. We went to the Bull Shoals visitor center to observe the aquariums and to Gaston's Resort to observe all the peacocks, turkeys, and other fowl. The boys seemed to really enjoy all the new experiences. It is always special to be with Ben and Myka and the twins.

Colorado 2014: Grubb Reunion in Denver

We are proud to be designated as honorary Grubb family members. The Grubbs being the family members and offspring of my Mom's oldest sister, my aunt Vina (Viney)and her husband, my uncle Clay. Mom, Vina, and Clay would have enjoyed this gathering so much, were they still with us. Our families have been very close for as long as I can remember and it is always special when we can get together and share vivid memories. There were over 60 in attendance, many we knew very well, some we knew a little, and several we knew not at all, but we very much enjoyed being with all of them. It was so much fun visiting with all the cousins covering several generations and from all over the country. We were all gathered for a surprise 80th birthday celebration for sweet cousin Loretta, who resides in Denver.

Colorado 2014: Blue River

One advantage of accompanying the ladies to the Outlet Mall in Silverthorne/Dillon, is the opportunity to walk down and fish the Blue River below the Dillon Reservoir while they shop. This trip was particularly satisfying as I caught six fish in about 2 hours, all quality rainbows. Was getting thumbs up and whistles from a couple of guides on the river which made me feel pretty competent after years of trying to perfect my abilities on the river. I was brought back to reality later as our annual trip to Eleven Mile Canyon yielded nothing but a couple of baby trout. I often am humbled by failing to outsmart a creature with a brain the size of a peanut :).

Colorado 2014: On to Fairplay cabin/moose sighting

While at the cabin in Fairplay, we always include a couple of evening trips up the forest service road to the peak of Weston Pass as a "celebration" of the natural beauty, as well as opportunity to spot wildlife. Our first trip this year yielded a huge surprise. On the trip back down the mountain we spotted what was a horse in the road. As we neared, we were able to see it was a young moose, so we stopped the vehicle. We were thinking he would run away, however the ascent/descent routes were too steep, so he came directly at our car and casually went around us within a few yards. He went on down to lower ground where he probably reunited with his mother in the marshy area created by acres of beaver dams. The photos are not focused very well as he was coming at us at a good clip and I was so excited I didn't focus on the task at hand. Further down the road, we spotted eight elk grazing along the road. On our next trip up the pass later in the week, we spotted no wildlife.

Traditional evening trip to summit of Weston Pass with our good friends, Nancy and Kim Smith

 Traditional picture framed by mining strucure window

Traditional picture taken down the valley at Weston Pass

 Surprise sighting of young moose

 Young moose bypassing our car to reach lower ground

Always interesting wide-open skies out west

Colorado 2014: Salida and the Arkansas River

 Quirky sculpture and tourist

 Street art

 Interesting mural

 Our favorite must-do place to eat.  Boathouse on the Arkansas River; always ask for window seat that opens to the water

Arkansas River downriver from Salida.  Have caught some quality fish from this spot accessed from pull-off along Hwy. 50.  Latest was 19" rainbow that I let out of my net before I could get a pic (one of the prettiest fish I have ever landed).

Colorado 2014: More from Lake City

 18" brown trout on hopper - cast from farm bridge

 Nice pool - several fish from this hole

 Jeep trail riding on the upper ranch

 Greg, Diane, Larry, Charlcie on Gold Hill

Gathering wildflower seeds

Colorado 2014: Upper Ranch

4-wheel drive to Upper Ranch to view wildflowers, aspens, wildlife. Also, for weekly Wednesday evening steak fry on Gold Hill. Spectacular views, great food, and visiting with old and new friends.

 View from Steak Fry on Gold Hill

 Upper ranch lake

 Huge aspens on the upper ranch

 Lake San Cristobal as seen from Gold Hill

Grahams and Tabors on upper ranch



Colorado 2014: First fishing trip to Lake Fork of the Gunnison

Greg has a fishing lease on a stretch of the Lake Fork that runs through a working ranch. It is an incredible stretch of water, both in terms of the natural beauty and the fish that reside there. Had to spend lunchtime in the jeep due to a pop-up thunder and lightning show. A great day with a great fishing buddy!

 The "Gate" enroute to the river

 The ranch the river passes through

 Greg gearing up

 Greg landing one

 I paused to let this Merganser family pass thru

Brown trout caught on a hopper: FUN!

Colorado 2014: Pagosas Springs to Lake City, CO

Our good friends Greg and Diane invited us to visit them again at their cabin on Vickers Ranch in Lake City, CO. We always appreciate their hospitality and their friendship and they are such great hosts - this was our third visit to their wonderful place within a wonderful place. The jeep ride to the upper ranch, the steak fry on Gold Mountain, the yummy meals,evenings of recounting our college exploits and other stories of interest,the girls going to art class and shopping (really?), and yes, great fishing with Greg on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison, all add up to a memorable week. We also look forward to more breakfasts with them at Homer's in Little Rock when they are back home and we are finishing up our week spent with Ben, Myka, Tucker, and Charlie.

 Trying the Rio Grande again: no luck

 North Clear Creek Falls:  hidden gem

 The Graham retreat

 Grand view from the cabin

Full-time resident