Awestruck at Star Mountain

This astounding wildflower summer continues. I do believe it may be one for the record books. Drop dead gorgeous in every direction. The crowds are here too enjoying all the area has to offer. Good luck finding parking in CB and make dinner reservations early.

Flap has returned! She's at least 11, quite elderly in the natural world. She usually goes straight for my daylilies but this first visit she passed them by. Even if she comes back and munches away I won't hold it against her. Just so happy to see she's still with us.

Columbine

sunflower

Mariposa Lily

mountain parsley

Aster

and more sunflowers

First timers at the Stash

Nice lunch at the Stash with my Colorado Springs family: my brother George, Linda, their daughter Andrea and her boys. Lovely to see you all!

Bucks, bucks, and more bucks. Our 3 amigos have turned into five on more days than not with a doe joining occasionally. They claim ownership of the cool dirt space under our deck and only move off when the human noise becomes too much. It's pretty amazing.

I went down with Mark while he checked out the fishing on our portion of Carbon Creek. It's a special amenity to have private fishing water in our community. It's quite beautiful now since the multi year restoration project was completed. Mark supervised the project and was happy to catch a good number of decent size fish all up and down the stream. He released all of them as the intent is to try and grow the population, so keeping the creek catch and release.

Lot of snow left on many peaks

Actual snow still left on Carbon Peak the last week of July. Amazing.

Our rancher's cattle are getting fat and sassy on Star Mt grass

The next family visit is happening with arrival later today. The Texas Adams, Paul, Sherry, and Katie start it off. Lots of fun will be had and then Tiffany is coming in a week with Penny and Juliet. It will be all girls around here starting Thursday. Mark and Paul leave for a 10 day fishing trip in Alaska. Happy fishing guys!

A most memorable visit with my talented artist friends

The most fantastic visit just ended with my Florida artist friends. Thank you Cheryl, Patty, and Mary for making the trip. I enjoyed every single minute. What amazing women you are.

First painting session. Down the hill from my house with view of Carbon Peak and old miner's cabin. The cattle weren't too impressed however.

Many of you will recognize the blankets in this. I know it's hard to believe in the middle of July, but yes, it gets chilly.

Rocky Mt. Chocolate Factory

We did Crested Butte of course. That included the farmer's market, Secret Stash,  art galleries, and a bit of shopping.

Painting session number two.  This was near Snodgrass Mountain with gorgeous wildflowers and limitless views. Let me mention perfect weather too.

Kids camp

Could not miss Gothic Mt. or the RMBL (Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory). Both amazing sights. RMBL is the tiny scientists space that started in 1928 and has grown to national importance. Scientists come from all over the world to study climate change and experiments were in every direction. No idea what they were all about but confident it's to help us negotiate the future.

Magic mountain spring water

cross country team

The magic ride over Ohio Pass which always includes the mountain spring and whatever crazy athletic endeavors people get up too around here.

Free outdoor Monday concerts in Crested Butte. Always fun and people watching is great. We were nearly rained out but hung in there and it passed. Take a moment and the weather changes, a saying that a lot of places have but it's amazingly fitting in Colorado. Great band too!

Our animal friends were present too.The 3 amigos (bucks) turned into 5 and we were trying not make too much noise outside as they wanted to hang under the deck. That's nature around here.
A second visit is called for ladies - much was missed!

And all the magic of the mountains

We're in the peak of summer now. Celebrations everywhere, out of town people crowding the sidewalks, and spectacular weather. Who wouldn't want to be here? As a matter of fact, I have company coming in a week. My watercolor artists group from Florida. So excited to show them all that is. There will be painting, jeeping, eating, shopping, and much fun to be had.

Amazing jeep trip up Brush Creek.  Wonderful views in every direction and the flowers are not even peak yet. It's a very well used trail by jeep and mountain bikes alike (and some horses).

Marmot - not thrilled he's eating my flowers

This is what I've resorted to to keep Mr. Marmot OUT -sharp tips may work

The animal sightings for the week. As you can see the fawns have started to appear. I've seen 3 more since the first. And the cattle are officially in, as in where all our homes are. Oh the joys of manure. What you do not see are any photos of hummingbirds. They are almost non existent, at least on our feeders. They are still turning up their noses at sugar water. Wildflowers win out.

The annual hot air balloon fiesta on July 4th from afar as we headed into Crested Butte for breakfast. We opted out of attending the 6am start this year. Been two years in a row...

The waterfall roaring as we've never seen it.

Skiers! My great zoom lens again- this was  a massive distance away.

Glacier Lilies - early wildflowers, a favorite of bears.

Ohio Pass is finally open. Our massive snowfall this winter caused many passes to open late and rivers continue to overrun. Wow. Lots of snow still up the pass and we actually saw skiers way up high, in July, crazy. There were a number of places that avalanches came down. The power of the snow is astonishing.

Colombine - Colorado state flower

The flowers continue in magnificent display. Amazing place we're in. Mark flies out tomorrow, boo, but back in three weeks. He's back to stifling Florida to work.

I haven't mention the book recently, but it's all coming together. Formatting and cover design are happening now. Pretty intense this process, but so very exciting. I'll be back with a launch date soon. Amazon here we come--