Cows, goats, restaurants galore, and views to die for

The days have been going by way too fast. So much to see, so much to do while Heather is here. We have not wasted a minute. Even took a couple of pictures of the local goat farm on the way back home.

Heather and I shopped in CB, had lunch at a place we've heard about but not gone until now. Ryce - which was really good. Cute inside and river view with Asian food. Warning though - when they describe a dish on the menu as fiery - they mean it. Heather's mouth was burning...

grilled duck salad for me

More eating out ensued.  Took Heather to our newest "special" place - Soupcon. Excellent as usual. Only place I can think of here where the menu is gourmet, the waiters are dressed in white pressed outfits, tables have beautiful white linen coverings and napkins, and the guest attire?  Jeans, shorts, and whatever...

The view to the alley out the front door of Soupcon

Taylor Reservoir next. Mountain thunderstorms around us,m but we were able to see everything we wanted and buy a blueberry pie at the famous Nugget Cafe. Yes to all family who's coming, we will save you some!

Photographer Heather hard at work

Donita's Cantina last night. Boy, was it busy. Everybody is here. Margaritas and Mexican food - yum...

Last adventure drive to Lake Irwin for Heather and me. Lots of people camping and fishing. We didn't make it to poor derelict Irwin Lodge, the roads weren't really passable for the Tahoe, but the views everywhere were terrific.

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Ohio Pass

And here's Heather trying awfully hard to bond with our cows. They weren't having any...

Parade, mountain majesty, and zipline

The crazy 4th of July CB parade did not disappoint, and so fun that Heather was here. Thousands of people lined the streets of that tiny town, and all the wild, weird, and wonderful showed up.

Forgot to mention that indeed, the cows (around 120!) are back at Star Mt. and we immediately closed our gates. They were let in the night before Heather got here. Moo greetings for her...

We also took a drive down Carbon Creek Rd just for fun. Lots of beaver ponds, beautiful scenery, and flowers. Heather was at it again, taking massive numbers of photos.

Okay, the zipline. It's located close to the top of Peachtree lift, if you're familiar with the ski resort. Amazing experience - heart pumping, scary, but exhilarating. 40 foot high platforms - 5 different lines, string bridges, and the last line went 30 miles an hour. OMG - definitely wondered what I had gotten us all into, (I think Heather was thinking this too) but it was really fun. Thank goodness Mark had his camera, I, unlike normal, did not have mine, and was much too concerned about life and limb to worry about photos...

Platform is much higher than it looks

Gretchen holding on for dear life

Heather zipping

Coyotes have been heard every night and this morning, although Mark and I evidently are so used to this particular noise, we didn't hear a thing two of the nights. Heather sure did...

Whoo hoo - flowers, flags, pizza, and paintings

My paintings are up in the gallery and now we'll see if anyone pays attention. It's a very popular gallery and packed full with many artists' work. I don't know if I'll sell a thing, but the exposure is great!

And I neglected to mention that Flap is back (our semi-resident deer - so named because of a loose piece on her right ear) and she is, as always, alone. Happy you're back! And saw an elk on our walk in the woods this morning. We had four in our yard at dusk a couple of days ago, so they're not all gone yet. The pile of mommies and babies are though.

Flap

Deer (not Flap) caught in mid-air

Heather's here - hurray! We jumped right in and went to the CB farmer's market (the town is wild, clearly ready for 4th of July), had lunch at Secret Stash (fig pizza and meatball pizza - I liked both a lot, who knew), and drove over to Gothic to see what was what. The flowers on the way in Mt. Crested Butte were spectacular! Heather and I took a million photos.

Only in CB, apparently a dog waiting to drive

 Last stop was believe it or not, the Gunnison cemetery. Heather noticed on her drive in, the magnificent flag display there. First time for all of us and it's a beautiful, peaceful place. The flags were amazing and so patriotic.

Back to CB tomorrow for the craziest 4th of July parade ever. And stay tuned - on Tuesday we have scheduled - get ready - the new zipline tour up on the mountain. 2hrs, 5 stations, finale jumping off a tower in harness. And yes, Mark is doing it too!