A drive and a flat tire

Breakfast at the Lodge restaurant again, back to RV to stream our church service and then went for a Sunday drive to a location called Penetant Canyon. It's mainly a jumble of rocks left from a volcano eruption a gazillion years ago.  

Farmers and ranchers of the area painted an impression of Guadalupe on the canyon walls in early part of 20th century.

Now the canyon is a popular place for recreation and especially rock climbing.  We watched several groups pick thier way up the walls. 

The only thing left of community of LaGarita is this well preserved and still used Catholic Church which dates back to 1924.

Started back and soon had to pull over with a flat tire. Will had it fixed in no time and we drove directly back to campground. Now, we have to figure out where to get it fixed. More to see out there but wanted to get off back roads driving on a spare tire.

A famy of Mergansers on the River

Saw these two horses in field by the road. The miniature horse reminded me of "Eyore."

Rain coming in at sunset. 

A Trail ride

I wanted to take a trail ride but Will was less interested so I went by myself. Nice ride, we went along the Rio Grande River and then up into the hills for some stunning views of the valley below.

We bought some new fishing equipment so we could fly fish on our own.  There is a lot to learn about the finesse of fly fishing. Fun but definitely harder.

Releasing a trout.

Colorado State flower is the Blue Columbine. They are blooming now.

A Pine Grossbeak! A first for us. That's called a Life Bird in "birder language."

Big Meadow Lake. We hiked around it and then fished it.

Still trying to stay safe.  One can get a false sense of security out here. It's here too so we are careful.

Beautiful Colorado

Brewer's Blackbird

Out for an evening walk along the River on resort property we spied a nest way high on canyon wall. Young birds were screaming their heads off, or we never would have noticed it.  We had to go back and get our spotting scope to see what it really was. Turned out to be a Red Tail Hawk nest with 3 chicks. They will be ready to fledge soon. 

We watched the antics for a long time through the scope. Will go back to check again as we did not get good look at adults--only heard the loud piercing cry as she left her babies.

The wide Rio Grand Valley south of Creede

Continental Reservoir where we had best luck catching fish! The sky and water are the same amazing blue!

This bull moose was a fun spot on the way to Reservoir.

Sunset over Antlers RV Park

Those Redtail chicks again. Mom is nestled in behind and hard to see.

Father's Day and more

We moved just down the road again to a resort and RV Park called, "The Antlers." Now we have full hookups so we can use our little electric heater to help warm the RV on mornings like yesterday when it was 28 degrees! Does warm up quickly when sun comes up but makes one not do anxious to get up and out of bed. The water hose was frozen so no fresh water for a couple of hours.

We are still right on the River and plan to stay here another 2 1/2 weeks

On this happy Father's Day we went to resort restaurant for a wonderful breakfast on the patio overlooking Rio Grand River. Both kids called with Father's Day wishes, and greatings from the "girls" which were very much enjoyed.

Then time to check into Church. We have good wifi connections here so we were finally able to hook up my iPad to our TV and stream the service from St Andrews instead of having to drive into town.

Then we packed a lunch and went on a scenic drive to Summitville which is an old gold and silver mine that closed in the 80's because of pollution concerns. Now it is an active "Superfund" site where the EPA is still spending huge tax dollars to keep the natural drainage from contaminating the water source. It's called Summitville because it is at 11,500 feet and was a spectacular drive up to the summit and back down the other side and a loop back to campground. Made it a 100 mile plus day of enjoying Colorado.

There is still snow up there

Unfortunately there is a lot of "beetle kill" so lots of brown, dead trees. The young forest coming up is healthy but going to take a lot of years to return to what it was. It's the way it is these days in the Rocky Mountains.

One lonely dead tree above the timberline.

Fly Fishing Float trip

We did a half day float trip down a section of the Rio Grande to try our hand at real fly fishing. Our guide, Finn, was excellent at manuvering that boat between rocks and rapids to keep us where he wanted us to be--and tell us where to cast. He was a wealth of knowledge and taught us a lot. We do, however, require much more practise.

If nothing else, it was a grand 4 hour float down the river. 

It has been really hazy in the mornings of late. Discovered there are at least two fired burning west of us, west of Durango and we can see the results in air quality. Until wind comes up mid morning and blows it out.

We drove about 30 miles this morning to try our hand at Trout fishing the Continental Reservoir. We went with low expectations because we felt like we didn't know what we were doing.  But with the knowledge that we certainly won't catch anything if we don't try--we picked a spot on shore and threw in our lines!!

Success!! Was great fun.  We each got two nice Rainbow Trout.  Now, actually, I was watching Will's line when he went off to do something and that's when a fish took his bait and I reeled it in.  Now my question-- is that my fish or his?!?! (tee hee)

It was a lot of fun and gave us a lot of confidence. 

But then wind came up and we both got chilled so called it a day and went to Freeman's for lunch--best hamburgers in Mineral County.

Btw, we catch and release. No fish cleaning--yet anyway.

Out and About

Foggy morning after a shower overnight. Beautiful creeping up the valley. Much nicer than smoke from fire that is plagueing Tucson right now.

Favorite view looking towards headwaters of Rio Grand River

Clear Creek Falls is roaring. All the streams and rivers are way up from other years at this time.

Creede

We have moved farther into Rocky Mountains to another familiar campground near Creede.  This eclectic  town is nestled in a truly mountain setting and our camp is right on the Rio Grande River out of town about 5 miles.

Downtown was busier than we expected but then it is opening up plus it is the weekend.  Our big dissapointment is that the repitory theater that is located here has called off the entire season. We actually expected that might be the case--too bad, was always a fun thing.  Word is they might do something creative--like outdoor theater come July.  I hope so.

Again I hung my hummingbird feeder and never takes them long to find it. This time it is stuck to kitchen window for more hours of entertainment.

We had some weather come in today. Didn't amount to much here but surely looked awesome.

And then. . .Aeri graduated from Kindergarten. She had quite a year--started in Singapore, then second semester back in New Jersey, and then school at home.  All ended up successfuly. We should all be so resilliant.