Bear Creek hike

These are huge Aspen trees.  Amazingly tall

Curious Marmot. 

We hiked to Colorado's only Geyser. Doesn't spew very high, but boils rapidly every 30 minutes or so. We saw the show.

Then spills over into creek. Very sulphur smell

We've had lovely warm days. Typical mountain weather--have to hike in the morning because clouds come up early afternoon and then big chance of rain.  

McPhee Reservoir with that afternoon mountain storm in background.

Telluride

We are still aching from yesterday's hike. Wanted to take it easy today and went out for a drive to see what we could find. Made our way north to Telluride, stopping along the way at interesting vistas and sights.

It's gorgeous mountain  scenery every where one looks. 

Had lunch in Telluride.  Of course, not many shops or restaurants open but we found a place that offered take-out and shared a yummy Calzone. Hard to figure out what is open and what is not--just have to drive up and see for ourselves. Appears that Telluride is geared up to open June 1st. Hard to get info as visitor centers not open and internet info is sketchy or inconsistent.  

A singing White Crowned Sparrow

Playing with my camera

Hiked a trail we remembered from several years ago. Didn't get to the end because snow got deeper as we got higher in altitude. Made it to 10,600' and turned around. Was a good one.

Good butt shot!? He bolted too quickly. 

Colorado

First good view of the San Juan mountains. That's our destination. Stopped in Cortez, Colorado to fuel up and a few groceries and then another hour to our destination north of Delores.

Priest Gulch campground. Here we are for the next week. Will remembered this campground but he didn't remember actually staying here. I remember being here several years ago, actually twice because I recall the hiking trail across the road. We have full hookups here which is always nice.

And it is located on the Delores River. Lots of water flowing, however still no campfires allowed here as fire danger still high. No rains yet this spring. This was a destination two years ago when major forest fire caused the whole San Juan National Forest to close. We haven't run into any burn area yet which of course we are happy about. Perhaps that is farther into the woods. We will see when we get out exploring the area.

One more day in Arizona

Diamonds on the water

Largest Blue Heron we have ever seen

Out canoeing and fishing

Black headed Grossbeak

Now the holiday is over and things cleared out. Should stay longer now that not so many people but we want to move on up into Colorado. Up early in the morning and we'll be on the road

It's Memorial Day

Had a visit with a Park Ranger and finally got some answers. The three campgrounds close to this area are open but driving around we find many that are still closed.  It's because some of the most popular ones are contracted out to concessions who then manage them for Forest Service. They are staffed with people who can oversee that CDC guidelines are followed. According to Ranger, the Forest Service here couldn't even get enough toilet paper to stock the rest stops let alone enough manpower to oversee that campgrounds follow mandated guidelines. There are, however, lots and lots of "dispersed camping" sites available if you are self contained and can find them. It's a common option in this part of Arizona.  Just gotta know where they are and not mind a rough dirt road to get to them.

We drove out to a high spot Sunday morning to catch our St Andrews streaming church service. Watched it on smart phone. We had quite a Cathedral setting!!

Streller Jay

Sunsets are something else. 

It's Memorial Day

Had a visit with a Park Ranger and finally got some answers. The three campgrounds close to this area are open but driving around we find many that are still closed.  It's because some of the most popular ones are contracted out to concessions who then manage them for Forest Service. They are staffed with people who can oversee that CDC guidelines are followed. According to Ranger, the Forest Service here couldn't even get enough toilet paper to stock the rest stops let alone enough manpower to oversee that campgrounds follow mandated guidelines. There are, however, lots and lots of "dispersed camping" sites available if you are self contained and can find them. It's a common option in this part of Arizona.  Just gotta know where they are and not mind a rough dirt road to get to them.

We drove out to a high spot Sunday morning to catch our St Andrews streaming church service. Watched it on smart phone. We had quite a Cathedral setting!!

Streller Jay

Sunsets are something else. 

We took the canoe along this year. Left the inflatable kayak home. Our old bones appreciate getting in and out of a canoe as a little easier. This quiet lake is perfect for paddling around.

We had fun fishing. They stock this lake with Rainbow Trout and we each had some luck. No interest in cleaning fish so we catch and release.

We spotted the Bald Eagle pair and found the nest. One chick

Campground is full up tonight. Lots more people with Holiday weekend upon us. Rules in place. No visitors to campground, registered campers only, can't come in to pick a site, they assign one to you. This particular campground does have pit type toilets and they are cleaned 5 times a day. Other campgrounds are open to self contained units only. We are self contained anyway so no issue there.  Limiting number of people and vehicles on each site, however we are seeing some family gatherings that looks to me like they are bending the rules.

We hiked along the Rim this morning. That's hiway 260 way down there. Clear morning and don't know how far we could see but looked forever.

Plenty of Elk around.

Western Tananger. 

I recently got a new camera to replace my broken one from last year and am enjoying playing with it. Especially the zoom lense.

A Red Crossbill--first year, not full color. They look like they have a broken bill. It's so they can pick seeds out of pine cones.