August at Star Mountain with lots of family

A whirlwind 2 weeks with lots of company made for fun times. Mark came for a couple days, Paul, Sherry & Katie drove in from Texas, then Mark and Paul left for their major Alaska fly fishing trip. Tiffany, Penny, and Juliet flew in for a week, Sherry and Katie visited with them a few days, then off they went, and Mark came back for a day, and then everyone flew off. If you can't figure out any of that, it was just a lot of coming and going. I barely kept up and I was there!

We (Sherry,Katie, and wonderful neighbor Kathy) trekked into CB twice. Eating, shopping, and attending the art festival were included in the fun girls time out. No photos, but we also  had 4 girls movie nights. Moonstruck, Thelma and Louise, The Graduate (1967), and Groundhog Day. We reviewed and enjoyed them all. Maybe another side career for us.

A selection of photos from Mark and Paul's Alaska trip. Massive amounts of huge salmon and trout caught every day by both.

Mark and Paul saw all kinds of bear tracks and scat but no actual bear. Sherry, Katie, and I did back at Star Mt. This one was across the road close to our neighbors. Second sighting for me this season.

Stash of course

Lots of playground play and a new activity- trampoline air jumping. Penny and Jules both loved it.

The girls helped with fish feeding at the pond. We're still in the adjustment period with our newly delivered trout. We (Star Mt.) lost all our trout over the winter last year and had to order new. Expensive and hard to come by this year due to an increase of whirling disease (deadly to trout).

And Crested Butte has to include Third Bowl...

Geocaching has reemerged! For those not familiar, it's a GPS hunt and find hidden objects game outside in nature. We did it years ago and now the little girls have been introduced. Much driving, laughter, and fun was had. The little girls loved it.

Outdoor play for all the kids (big and little).

Ha! Budding photographer Penny.

Our newest yard space. Firepit. It's been a lot of fun this summer. First week for s'more's though. Yes, it was chilly but that's what the fire is for...

Some inside art activities especially on one very rainy day which even required a fire. Pretty amazing in August but that's the mountains.

This is the very special Big Rock from the resort we all stayed at for many decades. The resort does not exist anymore and has been turned into a regular home community. We kinda just made ourselves at home for a couple moments reliving the past.

Another Stash visit this time with Mark. His first time this summer. And of course strolling around CB.

Saved the last s'more night to include Mark

And much too soon it all had come to an end. What a fabulous visit with everyone!

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!