Exploring the mountains and elk

Much fun was had on Sunday when we took the Rock on an all day trek to Ptarmigan Lake. Over Cottonwood Pass, then winding up and up, to finally hike up the last mile to the 12,300 pristine lake. Mark had been once before and was anxious to see it again. Crystal clear water, gorgeous peaks all around, and huge trout. Mark had some hits but no fish. Next time... It was sunny but brrr cold and windy as you'll see from my outfit. Saw a new animal we didn't know - American Pika. So cute, they live at the high elevations in the rocks. They look like a cross between a big mouse and chipmunk with no tail. None close enough to get a good photo sadly.

The Rock from a long way away

marmot friends

On an after dinner drive at dusk we came across a bunch of elk just outside Star Mt. at Castleton. Nice to see them around again. Should be heading into our woods soon for the bugling extravaganza. This was a monster size elk across the road from 30 cows (female elk) His harem probably...lucky guy.

We are official Colorado residents all the way. Obtained our driver's licenses and registered the jeep this morning. I was asked if I'd ever had a Colorado license, "No", I said, then quickly retracted. Oh, yes, of course I'd had one - about 40 years ago. "Well, I have to look it up, but we weren't doing much with computers then," he said. Yeah, got it - I'm OLD.

In the clouds, deer, and rainbows

We are in fact a house in the clouds and here are the photos to prove it. At almost 9000 ft we have our own weather system. Means lots more snow in the winter - not sure if that's a good thing, but nature wins every time. We wee little humans just have to deal.

Seasons are a changing... The deer appear inside our fence at all hours of the day now, attracted by the spent wildflowers and grasses. They'll be here for another few weeks and then poof, vanishing for the long winter. Lots of does with their twin fawns, including yes, good old Flap and her babies. As is typical, she lets the fawns wander around our house on their own for a very long time before she shows up. Not like the other mother deer at all. Hmph I sniff...

fawn lost her spots but not gray yet

We've had rain off and on over the last few days and some spectacular color shows have lit up the sky. These photos are not color retouched - pretty amazing...

Rolled into Crested Butte for lunch and a few errands. Nursery did not have their daffodil bulbs yet, typical here somehow, local roasted coffee freshly ground and packaged now increased in price by $2.00. (they apparently think a lot of their coffee beans), and walked around in the chilly weather (40's) with a dusting of snow on all the peaks. Wow, really - can winter be that close? Yikes!

I have been remiss in reporting books read. Somehow with all the company and excitement of baby Penny I did finish 4. Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron - new author to me but entertaining story about small town southern female judge turning detective to solve a murder. I'll be reading more in this series. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny (yes, it's baby Penny's name reversed! pure coincidence) I've read a couple of hers - also female solving murder story set in Canada. Hmmm, what does this mean about my taste in books?  Anyway, next is Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, highly recommended by one of my blog book authors, but unfortunately, I disliked it a lot. All the characters were completely unlovable and the character flaws they  had were not resolved by the end. Lastly, another author that I've read multiple books - Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn.  Very consistently good.

Til Oct sweet Penny, and fall at Star Mt.

I'm back at Star Mt. Goodness, it feels like two months, not two and a half weeks. Penny is now a major part of my heart. What a doll baby!  I'm putting the last couple photos up knowing she is changing every day and by the time I get back to see her (late Oct) she'll be a different baby altogether.

Getting ready for the beach?

Fall has arrived in full force here. All the hay is put up, cattle being moved in every direction (ours are still here - for probably another two weeks) The aspen are just starting to turn, and everything else is a haze of golden color. Still a little disoriented from my travels - not the least of which is the absolute opposite environment in which I live to that I just came from. Coyotes howling in the night, deer in my front yard, and a porcupine in the driveway this morning. And 38 degrees when I walked!

deer are turning gray for the winter

Mark comes home Thursday. Hurray - we've been apart for nearly 3 weeks. Will we need to reintroduce ourselves?

Penny, cats, and time passing

Back again reporting from babyland in Virginia. Goodness the time is going fast. Penny is already 3 weeks old! Fair warning - for those of you who yawn over baby pictures, pass on and come back in a week or so. I'll not be back on Star Mt. for another 6 days.

Penny's new friends the monkeys

ooh, so sweet

Just can't get enough of little Penny. She is growing by the day and has such a darling personality already. She is still fighting a nasal infection causing multiple doctor visits and icky medicines. We're hopeful that the latest medicine will get rid of this nasty bug. For someone who is only 3 weeks old she is a strong little trouper!

Sunday lounging

Tiffany and Chris's cats have been "adjusting" to baby Penny. This photo is of Elmo finally coming close to his mommy while Penny is sleeping. Can't blame them - they've lost the lead status in the house... Wait til Penny can toddle after them!

Penny's adventures

So the baby Penny adventure continues. There cannot be another baby as precious anywhere. Now there's a definitive sentence...

Penny loves the bath (starfish carefully placed by Daddy for modesty)

Mommy do I like this?

Auntie Heather visiting

Nana(me) amused by Penny's antics

In my excitement getting here I forgot to post a couple of photos of my interim stay at my parents house. Due to hurricane Irene, I had a lovely few day visit rather than an overnight stay. My mother is a stupendous gardener, transforming any yard into a magical place. I, sadly, do not appear to have inherited the talent, but I keep trying. I wish I had taken a photo of the "before" backyard, but just try to imagine a bare place...

Mark is back at Star Mt. without me.He reports fawns are everywhere (stocking up on food for the winter I think) and Flap and twins are around (ate leftover cherries Mark threw out??!!) He's not been there alone before, but I'm sure he'll manage well. We won't see each other for three weeks with his schedule and mine - longest time by far in our married life.

Penelope Louise

I did not get out when scheduled due to Hurricane Irene - finally, finally arrived on Tuesday. Whew... So my every minute is currently dedicated to baby Penny (and Mommy Tiffany) This is all you get folks, and a more perfect baby does not exist (just a tad prejudiced perhaps)-

Isn't she precious!!