Balloons and Butterflies

a hot air balloon lifts off outside my bedroom window

the view as I walk toward Gothic

This organization take people out trail riding. This is just up from our house. I like to watch the people getting ready for their ride.

Daisies....a favorite of mine

trail riders starting out

and trail riders on their way

My favorite Columbine

Aspens

Aspens waving in the breezes

the trail on Snodgrass

So hard to believe that the Corn plants are this far
along this early in the season

Mt. Crested Butte

Last night I chose not to set my alarm for this morning as there was nothing pressing for me to do in the morning. Since I took my rental car back yesterday, my wings have been clipped somewhat until Danny gets here next week and leaves me his vehicle. So as I lay sleeping this morning, I was awakened by the unmistakeable sound of a hot air balloon preparing to lift off right outside my bedroom window! About the time I realized where it was, a little girl began to squeal "it's going up, it's going up". I jumped out of bed and ran for my camera, threw open my bedroom porch door and snapped a couple of pics as it rose rather quickly into the air. I didn't mind a bit getting up earlier than i anticipated to be able to witness that show. Since I was up, I ate a little breakfast and put on my walking clothes. I hoped to walk to the Snodgrass mountain trailhead. I really surprised myself and not only made it to the trailhead, but hiked up the Snodgrass trail a pretty good ways. There were a LOT of bikers out today so I had to move off the trail quite a bit to get out of their way. I think I was gone for about three hours total and got home just in time for an afternoon sprinkle. We have been having some rain every day since I've been here. As I sit here typing, it is raining pretty hard with lightening. We need this rain really bad as the whole area is pretty dry. I am disappointed in the wildflowers this year. They really look more like the end of July, first of August instead of the beginning of July. Most of the locals say everything is about a month ahead of itself. This will probably mean an early and short show of color in the Aspens this year. I'm hoping that with the recent rains, the wildflowers might perk up and put on some more color in the next couple of weeks.

Fourth of July, Crested Butte Style

staking out a spot for the parade

even RV's got into the action

This guy was covered in Spanish Moss

quite a few old cars in the line-up

love the doggie with the sunglasses!

lots of little kids have these "scooter bikes" with no pedals. It's amazing how fast they can go.

this float really got into the parade with music blaring and bellies rolling!

a little local talent

these ladies were walking behind the dragon to demonstrate "scooping the poop"

Of course there have to be pageant winners. These are from the Cattlemen Days in Gunnison

These are some serious athletes

anyone that can plank for as long as these people did are really in good shape

this sweetie pie was handing out fresh cherries as part of the Farmer's Market float

Highlight of the parade...the guys from the Mountain Research Center in their homemade Corn Plant costumes

This little guy was singing the whole time he was holding up his cloud

.....and the end of the parade

This is the first year that I have been here early enough to see the Fourth of July Parade. Unfortunately, because of the very dry conditions across Colorado, we are under a fire ban so the fireworks on the mountain that usually accompany this holiday didn't happen. The parade was very colorful and I was amazed at how many people came out for the parade. At the end of the parade there is a "water zone" where the firetrucks douse people with water. Apparently, the float occupants used to throw water balloons at people and not everyone enjoyed getting soaked. Now you have to go to the "water zone" where they KNOW you want to get wet. I was also excited to see that the food tents that are usually here for ArtFest are also here for the Fourth, especially my favorite KaramelCorn!

Summer 2012

Mount Crested Butte

This summer I arrived in Crested Butte a week and a half earlier than usual. Danny and Hallie will not be here until next week so I am on my own for a few days. I rented a car today so I could shop in Gunnison for groceries and go to Walmart. I took my time shopping and driving into Crested Butte. This is one of my favorite views as I drive into Crested Butte from Gunnison.

Deer Creek Trail

Gothic Mountain

Our view at lunch with Gothic over to the right out of the frame of this photo

We found out that our phones worked way up here.

I think Aspen trees are so beautiful

Today was our last day here and although we were tired and sore from our hike yesterday, I rallied and went with Danny on one more hike. Once again we went to a new place and even though it was uphill most of the way, it was so much easier than yesterday because the ground was dry. We ate lunch overlooking the East River Valley with a beautiful view of Crested Butte to our left, Snodgrass in front of us, and Gothic to our right. Once again, this will be a gorgeous trail with Spring flowers and Fall Aspens. Tomorrow we will go back home. This has been a welcome retreat.

Another Day of Beauty

Paradise Divide...I never tire of this view!

Hallie and I hiked around this lake last summer. The lake level has been lowered for winter and I was really surprised that there was very little water in it.

Fall color with the moon shining above

Danny crosses this frozen creek to show me how to step across

The Ruby Range

The view to the left at the top of the trail

The view to the right at the top of the trail

hiking back down in the snow and mud

We sat down to eat some brownies about half way down and this was our view.

This is our second day here in CB. We woke up to another bluebird sky and Danny decided to take us on a hike to a new place, Cliff Creek Trail. This hike almost killed me! We knew the hike was all uphill for 2.3 miles at 9,000+ altitude, but we had no idea that the entire trail would be mud and that the mud would sometimes be mixed with snow! It was very difficult to travel through that, and we often left the trail to walk beside it through the underbrush just to get out of the mud. We were rewarded with gorgeous views of the Ruby Range and will probably walk this trail again if the conditions are better. We could tell that the trail would be even more beautiful with the spring flowers or the fall aspen color. After supper, we went to see the movie, The Help, at the local theater and when we came back home, I noticed a big black lump in the neighbor's yard. Danny backed up to shine his light on it and we were both surprised to see that it was a PORCUPINE!