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
9/17/14
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
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!
7/28/14
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!
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| 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!
6/9/14
92 and Still Kickin'
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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.
5/12/14
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!
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!
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