Colorado 2014: Trinidad to Pagosa Springs

Luckily, we were able to get away for a couple of weeks this summer to return to our favorite destination - Colorado. We pushed on the first day to Trinidad, CO, where we spend the first night to rest, acclimate at 6k altitude, and a fun dinner at Bella Luna Pizzaria. Next day we took an alternate route on Colorado Hwy 12 on the way to our first trip to Pagosa Springs. I took a little time to fish the Rio Grande, which is in a beautiful setting. However, the water here, as well as on the San Juan, was off-colored and silty - due to extensive wildfires and record rainfalls. So fishing was fun, but catching was non-existent, as predicted by the fellow at the fly shop. On the way, we detoured down a dirt road that was access to several huge trophy-hunting lodges/ranches. We're not into the hunting part, but enjoyed the spectacular scenery and spotting deer and many groups of wild turkey. The drive over Wolf Creek Pass was thrilling, and our one night in Pagosa Springs was very enjoyable - the day capped by another fine dinner at Kip's Grill and Cantina. Off to a great start!

 Rio Grande river

 Deer family

 Young turkeys browsing the tall grass

 Former German Officer POW camp at Stonewall

 Wolf Creek Pass on the way to Pagosa Springs

Stellar Jay looking all fluffy and handsome

Dry Run Creek Redux

With her 16th birthday approaching, Jaden wanted one more opportunity to catch large trout in Dry Run Creek before she was too old for the privilege. Papaw is always ready for the chance to fish the only place he is able to access. So Ronnie brought Heather, Jaden, and Papaw for the week-end and we got to take them fishing for two days. It is always a treat to host family members - especially when we can facilitate fun days doing what they really enjoy.

Papaw wondering why I'm not netting his fish :)

 



Jaden with a big one!

 





Another great day on the river

Friend and fishing buddy Mark Koehler showing how it's done.  Bluffs downriver are at Buffalo City, just upriver of the confluence of the Buffalo and White Rivers.

 

The fishing gods smiled on me for the second time in one week!  The wadeable water, perfect weather, and a good fishing buddy all came together for a incredible day.  We fished our walk-in access at Buffalo Shoals and the river blessed us with literally dozens and dozens of fish, at least a couple of which exceeded 16".  "Wore us plum out!"  I failed to get a decent pic of fish - difficult to carefully handle the fish and take a pic at the same time.



More infant pics!

 Immature bald eagle

Fairly mature fellas not appreciating interruption of their watermelon and pancake morning snack. 

 

 

The young bald eagle flew up in front of our car near our house as we returned from Little Rock.  He was persistent in coming back several times - apparently the armadillo carcass he was on was mighty tasty.



Fishing again!

Bull Shoals Dam rainbow

 And another!

With all that has been going on in our busy retirement I have not had the opportunity to fly-fish in seven months. Was pleasantly surprised when friend Bruce Ritter called to invite me to join him at the Catch and Release area below Bull Shoals Dam. Finally, I had a free day, the weather was perfect, and generation pattern was favorable, so I enjoyed about 6 hours of the reason we retired to this area. I particularly like to fish this water as the trout are so healthy and sport the most beautiful colors, as you can see.

Chihuly exhibit at Clinton Library

Tabor twins enjoying the "reeds" 

Culture are us 

Enjoying some of the exhibits

The Tabor twins have their own blog, but heck, we can't not include some of their story on our blog also. It is so nice to be able to venture out with them now. So Ben, Myka, Charlie, Tucker, Charlcie and I took in the Chihuly exhibit. We thought the boys would enjoy all the bright colors inherent in these brilliant glass installations - they were a little in awe and such well behaved little museum visitors!

Visitors

 Tree swallow on our trout weathervane

One of our frequent visitors to the birdfeeders

92 and Still Kickin'

My brothers Ronnie and Steve brought Dad back up for a couple of days to visit, with the express goal of getting Dad to the trout water. At 92, he is not as ambulatory as he once was, but he is able to fly-fish thanks to the incredible resource we have in our state. Dry Run Creek is devoted and limited to youth and mobility-impaired individuals. They have installed a boardwalk to facilitate walkers and wheelchairs at the water's edge. Because of the height of the walk, I wader-up and net the catch. I sometimes get scolded when I fail to net properly and the fish escapes :) - which is usually OK, since it is a catch-and-release stream, barbless hooks only. It IS disappointing when Dad has a lunker on and I mess up - but usually plenty others are caught to make it OK. Charlcie and I very much enjoyed the visit of the Tabor men - always great to spend time with Dad and my bubbas.

Southern Born and Southern Raised

Charlie Monroe and Tucker Cash are proud to tout their southern roots.  So far, we have not been able to find biscuits/gravy or cornbread/beans in the puree' section of the infant food section at the grocery store.  Petition drive starting soon!

Spring is here!

Couldn't resist this picture of Mrs. Robin on her nest in a large dogwood tree just outside Charlie's front door. 

Charlie and Tucker Baptism

 Wonderful family!

 Proud Grumps!

 Great uncle Ronnie getting a head butt

 Pastor with the family

 Proud family members attending the special event

We sure are blessed

 

The week-end celebration continued on Sunday when the boys got to attend church for the first time and were baptised in a private family-only ceremony.  Very special time for all of us!



Post-party get-together

 Four Generations again

 Four generations again

Sharing "Sophie" the sacrificial giraffe

 

Ben and Myka were kind to bring Charlie and Tucker out to our hotel, specifically so the Great Grandpas could spend some more special time with them. It was great that Ronnie, Sally, Heather, and Jaden were able to spend the time with all of us also.  We sure appreciate them for bringing Papaw down for the events.  And to Tami and Kevin for making a long round-trip to bring Grandpa Charlie down.  We are blessed with such great families!



Charlie and Tucker Make Their Grand First Appearance

First Birthday Cake(s)

Great Aunt Sally with Tucker?  Charlie?  I can't tell!

Four generations: Pickell/Tabor

Four generations: Tabor

Grandpa Charlie with Charlie

Papaw Merrill with Tucker

 

After essentially being confined to home and Dr. offices for the first year of their lives, the twins are now "released" from this restriction.  So their first birthday called for a big celebration of their first year and also of being able to finally meet so many family and friends.  For most, this was the first time they got to see the twins and Charlie and Tucker had a grand time.  Ben and Myka had a birthday party at their house and the boys handled the situation perfectly.  It was extra special that the Great Grandfathers were able to be there for the celebration!



Annual Week-end celebration

Each winter, six couples of us travel somewhere in Arkansas for a week-end road trip. We have done this for many years as a continuation of our many, many road trips together following our soccer-playing offspring around the country. Even though the soccer-related road trips are no longer on our schedules, we have road trips in our blood and still enjoy being with our good friends - so we have at least two get-togethers a year to continue the tradition. This year our outing was to the new cabins at Lake Fort Smith State Park. A park that Arkansas should be extremely proud of - the facilities are top notch and situated in a beautiful setting in the Boston Mountains. As always, we had a great time!

Gobble, Gobble

We frequently have wild turkeys criss-crossing our property. And with the all the snows this winter, they have found free food that we put out for the small birds. When the ground stays snow-covered for more than a day, we toss the sunflower seeds on top of the snow for easy access for the birds. The turkeys have caught on and have become regular visitors. We do not make this a habit when the ground is not covered, and especially since big birds leave big reminders that need to be avoided. For the next snow, the food goes out away from the house :).

Charlie Monroe and Tucker Cash: The Tabor twins

Our special little guys turned 8 months old this week-end! Since they arrived 3 months early, they currently are at adjusted age of 5 months, but are making progress daily to catch up in their weight! We are so proud of Ben and Myka and their parenting of these big boys. Charlie and Tucker have their own blog, so I will not try to steal their thunder here, but want to include them from time to time as a reminder of how we are so pleased that we are in a position to help with their care and how much they mean to us. For more expansive coverage, if so inclined, visit Tabortwins.wordpress.com.

Salamanders

Something a little different while putting up garden hoses for the winter - these two little guys were hiding in leaves under the hoses. Not for sure, but I think the larger one is a marbled salamander and the smaller one is a spotted newt. Nice to spot different creatures enjoying our little piece of the world.

Pheasants 2013

Back to Highmore, South Dakota, for my second pheasant hunting experience. Although the number of birds was down statewide this year, and was physically challenging to negotiate the habitat to find them, we still managed to have a great time! The presence of a large number of hens and the improved habitat bodes well for a rebound of pheasant populations for next season. A great time with a fun group of fellas!

South Dakota sunrise

Getting ready for the march 

The fellas and Sally the wonderdog

Hunting strategy?  No.  Smartphone tutoring

Sandhill cranes out for morning feeding

South Dakota sunset