Back to Star Mountain

Fabulous to be back and trying to catch our breath, literally. It's almost 9,000ft here folks! It's been the longest time since we built the house that we've been away. (6 months). Our arrival had yellow sunflowers in bloom, deer everywhere, coyote and great horned owl poop on the deck, and the humming birds were back within a half an hour of putting up the first feeder.

Young buck coming to say hello

We missed the elk and their calving in our woods that happens early June, but upon arrival saw a ton of deer and they've been very active most of the week we've been back. Saw our first fawn two days ago. Brand new and probably born in our woods. And the deer spa area has been visited (dirt area under our deck) by many, who could by any calculation be some of Flap's babies. My rough guess is she's had at least 15 babies in the 9 years we've been here. What we haven't seen yet is Flap herself. It's not cause for alarm, some years she takes weeks to come visit.

Some of the last lupine

The last of the larkspur (beautiful but poisonous to cattle

While the wildflowers are beautiful it will not be the best year for bloom as we had low snowpack over the winter. We need moisture and now are in high wildfire danger throughout the state. Rain would be a help but almost non existent so far. The wildflowers bloom early and are less prolific in drought years. It's very reminiscent of the last big drought year 2012. I've put out our rainbarrels with hope.

Other changes coming a month later meant a harder time finding hanging baskets. I was lucky and grabbed up a matching pair at a local nursery. It just wouldn't feel right unless I have them up. This whole area puts up lavish displays of the blooms every summer regardless of the conditions.

Cattle were put in as soon as we arrived. A whole brand new set of steers to roam our fields until fall. Close those gates around your houses - quick!

We've been busy our first few days here. We took the jeep and headed over to Marble and Crystal River for some fun. I enjoyed painting and Mark had big success fishing. Those waters are not fished and there are native trout galore in the river. Cutbows and cutthroat - Mark must have caught 30 in two hours. Not crowded at all this time. Last year we went over Labor Day weekend which had to be the busiest days of the year. Mobs, all on their way to see Crystal Mill. And thank goodness the only restaurant for miles is a great one: Slow Groovin BBQ.

Ahh the Maharaja

We made it to Montanya and Soupcon right away. Been missing them! While there were no changes at Montanya, surprise, surprise Soupcon has been sold. We knew the owner had put it up for sale in the fall, but weren't prepared for the actual sale to have gone through. Someone with big chef experience and our meal was very good, but slightly different. Clearly the new chef/owner is putting his own take on the food, which is his right of course. Let's just say the jury is out so far on where we are with this. We will go back and decide.

No worries magic spring still going strong

Settling in, although Mark will leave in a week and start the summer schedule of coming back and forth from Miami 2 weeks at a time. And I leave in less than 2 weeks for a long weekend for Heather's baby shower. Much fun is being had with Tiffany and me planning that.