Fields of flowers, magnificent views, and bouncing with family

And mountain enjoyment continues... Took the whole gang up to Red Mountain. James got to break in his truck with 4 wheel driving and all went well. We saw elk, opened lots of cattle gates, saw cows and more cows, (Hey Nancy, the deceased cow was mostly gone when we got back- nature doing its thing), and some fishing was attempted in Red Mountain Lake. Scared elk out and this had clearly been their bedding down place the night before - lots of indents in the grass. No luck fishing but there was a strange sighting - salamanders. They were thick in that lake. That's a new one...

our traffic jam on the way (a neighbor actually)

James getting ready

The Rock and the truck (it needs a name!)

elk babies and mamas a runnin' away from us

monument plant - they bloom every 2 to 5 years and can get to 7 ft tall

Sherry and I explored the swampy woods -close eye out for bear!

There have been afternoon showers most days since Paul, Sherry & the kids got here. Very welcome with so little rain for weeks. And the hummingbirds have decided, as of yesterday, that our feeders are back in favor. Masses of hummers are slurping up the sugar water - looks like we could be back in the craziness. And with all the fields of flowers up by Red Mountain, not a single hummingbird was seen. What's that about?

Salsify - cousin to dandelion with huge seed balls

I'll be back with another report in a few days. The fun continues until Tuesday, then everyone leaves, including Mark - for a two day business trip.