The waning of summer in the mountains

Haying is almost at an end, schools are back in session, and wisps of fall are in the air. And still, there are touches of snow leftover from the winter. You can see small pockets on the Anthracites above.

Deer, deer everywhere. We have a ton of bucks visiting most days and lounging under the deck.

the quail 

Lots of other animals about as well. First sighting of a weasel this summer. It's awfully late in the season.

one of the infamous townie bikes

cute library in CB

outdoor patio at Garlic Mike's

A fun unexpected visit from Lisa and Charles who zipped over from Santa Fe. It was very short but we made the most of it. Nice we're close enough for a spur of the moment plan.The mania  of summer visitors has died down so Crested Butte was peaceful and back to the quaint town we know and love.

We finally took a drive down Carbon Creek. Wow, we'd been told there had been avalanche activity over the winter but had no idea the monstrous damage. My photos don't do it justice. The scope was massive.

Mark is here only for a week this time but we'll make the most of it. We have our next company coming tomorrow as well. Cliff and Tish flying over from Houston. Lots of fun will be had!

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!