I'm back! The sights and sounds of Southwest Florida

 Yes, I do exist! The virus I had (not COVID -multi time tested) kept going and going. It lasted a month in the end. Lost track of everything including blog posts. Back on it now.

Our Thanksgiving dinner at Rosy Heritage Farm. Amazing place - raising heritage breeds of animals and extensive vegetables and herbs. All organic and an elevated menu served. A 45 minute drive from us in the country. Felt like we were in another state entirely.

Had so much fun this past week with our friends, Bob and Vicki. Longtime friends from Maryland. The guys played golf every day and Vicki and I explored. This was Edison and Ford winter estates. All decorated for Xmas and well worth the trek. Amazing grounds and buildings built in the 1920's

Of course there had to be a beach day. The weather was perfect all week. We just soaked it all in...

Key Marco Cat

Having only just read about this, shame on me, we headed to Marco Island to visit their delightful historical museum. This is a sculpture replica of the cat outside the museum. In reality it's only 6 inches high highly protected behind climate controlled glass, low lighting and no photography allowed. A wooden statue 1,500 years old found in the muck at Marco Island in 1896 carved by the Calusa Indians. It's been with the Smithsonian for years and is back on Marco for a 5 year loan. There's a full time security guard there just for this - the only way the Smithsonian would let it out of their sight. Lots of great artifacts and information - visit if you get the chance.

Back in the land of white sand beaches and swaying palm trees

 

We made it back to Naples - actually two and 1/2 weeks ago. Quite the contrast, as we flew out with two inches of snow on the ground and 15 degrees to be greeted by 90 degrees in Naples. I promptly came down sick with a monster of a cold/cough and am just now emerging back into the world. Haven't been sick in 6 years. I think I'll try to avoid it for another 6 - no fun at all.

Naples is already hopping and its not season yet. More accurately, a lot of people never left which is an interesting trend. All the wonderful tropical life including regular sightings of bald eagles. I know recognize their high peep call. A whole different world of sounds and creatures from where we just came from.

A new experiment for us - helping monarch butterflies. They are very endangered across the country and since Florida has the native milkweed plants that monarchs exclusively lay their eggs on, we've just planted half a dozen plants in our backyard. Really crazy stuff as there were caterpillars right away on the plants and a few monarchs have landed on the bushes. They've been around for a week now just flitting and eating from the flowers all day long. So far so good. 

Another grand experiment- the children's book has been published and is live on Amazon! Penny and I spent a lot of Covid months writing a story and sharing drawings, some in person but mostly long distance and via a wonderful digital art program called Procreate. The characters are all hers and I painted backgrounds. This was one of the more amazing lovely projects I've ever done. What fabulous memories I will have forever.

Fall leaves have blown, snow flurries are here, and bye bye Star Mountain until next year

It's that time again. After a whirlwind last10 days we are closing up the house and leaving for Florida. We enjoyed every bit of the remaining fall color with our great neighbors and our last group of guests The leaves have virtually all blown off on the last few days and a snow dusting  has ensued. Clearly time to go to balmier climes.

Tommy fishing in the Crystal River

Slab of marble from Marble, CO. Famous places have this marble including Jefferson Memorial.

We took our good friends Kathy and Tommy over to Crystal Mill. Their first visit and I think they'll be back. It's so gorgeous and we picked a perfect day. Of course had to enjoy the barbecue too. It's the only restaurant in town but absolutely yummy food. 

The deer are dwindling - off to lower ground for the winter

The last of the color and a nice grouping of elk outside Crested Butte. They have been scarce (probably because its hunting season).

Such fun with Buddy and Peggy. They zoomed up from Texas for a look at mountain fall before it disappeared. Ohio Pass and the magic spring. Secret Stash and W Cafe were also part of the mix. Gotta experience the mainstays in food around here. We jeeped over Paradise bowl but alas no views as the snow rolled in. They were good sports anyway. Definitely our last jeeping adventure for the season.

More elk sightings, this time right in front of our house. A bull (6x6!) and his harem wandered on by. Amazing to watch. Buddy and Peggy enjoyed the spectacle.

And so it ends with freezing temps at Star Mt. and high 80's in Naples. It definitely will be a bit of a transition. Back next year...

Nature at it's finest - peak fall color in the mountains

Another week gone by with family back for another great visit. This time Paul and Sherry were back for hunting week and fall color. The elk hunting sadly was not successful but the fall color certainly was.

Gorgeous color and people everywhere - photographers galore.

We trekked up to CB and Gothic to take a look at the color there too. 

Fun dusting of snow on the peaks. It is that crazy time of year when you don't know from day to day what the weather will bring.

The end of the bull saga. He refused to leave for a number of days but finally was escorted out. Bye.