Winding down Star Mountain stay

 

The castles at sunrise

The time is growing short for us here at Star Mt. We leave to go back to Naples in two weeks. It was 35 degrees last night and the aspen trees are changing from green to gold by the day. We are enjoying all that surrounds us and consider ourselves so very lucky to have this place. Wonderful animals in every direction.

Wonderful sighting of huge bull moose as I passed over Ohio Creek Pass. 

The cattle coincidently are also here for only another two weeks. All the cattle ranchers bring their cattle down from the high mountain pastures or leased land (like ours) in early fall. They have grown enormously fat on Star Mt. grass over the last four months.

Another visit from Flap. She has been coming in our yard accompanied by a fawn but I can't believe it's hers. She is at least 14, so thinking she is way beyond baby bearing but maybe it's possible...

A farm on the edge of town is raising yak. Yak are originally from China, Nepal, and Tibet but are making a transition in the high altitude of Colorado mountains. I'm not seeing it on menus but apparently it's growing in popularity.

The deer are in their winter coats ready for the lonngg winter season here.  Many feet of snow and many days that fall to -20. That's REAL winter. And we'll watch it from afar - in sunny mild Florida.

The summer went by so fast...which is always does. Our last company arrives in a few days to enjoy our wonderful fall color. A last blast of fun before we leave. 

Moab

 

We decided to go on a three day trip to somewhere easily reached in a day. Moab was the choice. Our first time visiting this area which is famous for its incredible desert landscape with ancient canyons and scenic gorges. 80 mile an hour speed limits and signs to watch out for eagles in the road made it obvious we were already in a different place just after we crossed the state line.

I worked the camera hard. It was a tough project to narrow down the photos and I don't think I did the area justice. It is an amazing area and we will be back for sure.

Scenic highway 128 - truly amazing scenery and we hadn't even gotten to Moab. This is the mighty Colorado River. 

Arches - world famous national park. Right now you have to schedule a timed reservation to get in. We were fairly lucky in not as massive a crowd as it apparently usually is.  It was 97 degrees that day but we persevered anyway. Many stops and a lot of short strenuous hikes to see the many viewpoints. Arches galore, stunning vistas, and even petroglyphs.

Canyonlands the second day. It is enormous -almost 338,000 acres. We went to the Island in the Sky, just one of four areas, which alone took up the day. Marvelous extensive vistas but while the temperature dropped to a reasonable one, unfortunately that day California wildfire smoke had snug in. Still beautiful anyway.

We loved our visit and will go back, possibly in our jeep to do some of those wild roads. Stayed at a very fun retro hotel (Gonzo Inn) , ate a marvelous gourmet meal at Desert Bistro and had excellent Thai food the next night. Did a little shopping and then back home we went. Big success.