Coming quickly to the end of the season

We are on our last week here, and how strange it is. The beautiful leaves have mostly blown away and we are supposed to be at a low of 23 tomorrow night. Florida is calling, although of course things are not normal there or anywhere, as the virus is not gone (it seems like it here - still no positive cases at all since 9/1). We will pack our pile of masks, take a deep breath, and fly down to the tropics.

I went for a wonderful walk in our woods and came across this. Bear or elk? We're not sure. We are slowly starting the winter close down of the house. Outside water off, hoses in, outdoor furniture in, etc. It's very hard to do, emotionally not physically. We plan to be back in mid February for a couple weeks, no white Christmas this year. Every year is different and this one is most definitely one for the records.

The deer are everywhere munching on the last of the green plants. They leave Star Mt. every winter for lower ground. If it's a normal year we get far too much snow for them to handle.

Small animal sightings. Great horned owl and red fox. Hadn't seen either one for some time although I heard the "hoo-hoo" a number of nights. We are but visitors here...

There's much to be grateful for in the midst of chaos. I send wishes to all to be safe, healthy, and find some joy even in the smallest thing.

Resplendent Fall

 

Fall is truly here with magnificent color. We've done some driving around to catch the golden hues. It goes in a such a hurry, I'm watching golden leaves fly off the trees in the woods as I write this.

We made a drive up to Gothic and our special Emerald Lake. I've been up several times and it has gone from wildly busy to back to the serene place I know and love. Off season is just about here.

We continued on to Paradise Bowl. What a gorgeous sight. A great jeep ride.

 
Views from our house. We are enjoying every minute of this glorious weather. We have just over two weeks before our time here is done for months to come. Back to Naples for the winter! We are in for a shock regarding temperatures. It's been freezing here at night and in contrast it's 88 high there. Whoa.

Our last company visit and fall arrives

Our last company has come and gone. Hands down the quietest summer we've ever had. Understandable... Paul and Sherry came back for hunting week and lots of fun was had even if hunting was not successful. Went for a drive to see fall color, a little early as it turns out. Paul did get to see Emerald Lake for the first time in years. This time it was not full of paddle boaters and canoes, more the quiet water we know. CB still busy, not sure why, but we managed to enjoy lunch and a little shopping.

Leaves are turning by the day and coyote and owls are making their noises heard every night. This has been a drought year so the grass was about done, earlier than normal. Our rancher came to take the cattle out yesterday - for greener pastures. It's always fun to see the cowboys at work. They are real hard working cowboys keeping a way of life going that doesn't exist in most places.   Yippee, no more manure and gates open until next July!

We only have 3 weeks left before our trek back to Florida. I don't know if all the seasonal people will come back this year as normal. The virus certainly has impacted every aspect of people's lives. Numbers are not terrible where we are in Florida but still... What a contrast between there and here. Not a single positive case in our small county here in Colorado since Sept 1. So awesome... crossing fingers it will continue through the winter.

Maryland, Aubrey and Braden, and Monarch Butterflies

Great trip to our old stomping grounds - Maryland. We got to see our old house and club (Mark was in the member guest golf tournament) and visit Heather, Brian, Aubrey, and Braden the COVID way. Hard to believe -we moved away almost 12 years ago.

Aubrey and Braden are the cutest kids ever but perhaps I'm a bit prejudiced. We were in their driveway with a handy tent covering us while the rain came down. Plan B of course. These days it could be C, D, or E with all the craziness going on.

We stayed with good friends Vicki and Bob and while Bob and Mark played golf, we took off for some fun. Absolutely gorgeous park called Quiet Waters was almost deserted as we walked.

I can now say I've been able to visit a dedicated monarch butterfly enthusiast who raises them and sets them free. It's all to help in the fight to save them. They are not listed as endangered (that may happen December 2020) but they are certainly very reduced in numbers, mostly from environmental causes. Vicki's friend Sandy is doing an amazing job of raising them in all their various stages. We each got to  release one in Sandy's gorgeous gardens. It's all about the milkweed folks...

The start of the new season - fall

 

A quiet week with fall close at hand. A dusting of snow on the high peaks and 30's at night. The aspen have not changed yet but that will happen soon enough. Everything moves fast around here. Very short seasons except for the winter. That's one realllly long season- 5 months or more.

Fun visit to CB having breakfast outside at Paradise Cafe. It's quieted down with most of the tourists leaving. School has started in most places or will soon in whatever form that is. Crazy world right now.

A baby rufus hummingbird. Most of the adults have been gone for two weeks. Hope he can manage on his own. We're down to only a few hummingbirds of any kind. They all seem to have an internal compass on when its time to go (back to Mexico in this case).

Full moon. That mysterious magical orb that shows itself every month in all its glory. It's extra amazing in our non light polluted area.

Cattle are everywhere as are the ranchers. Only a few weeks left before the big roundup happens. Thousands of cattle are brought down from every corner of our mountains and valleys to be sold or put in pastures for the winter.

Flap has come by to visit again. She looks in good shape, turning her coat to winter gray right now.

Deer are everywhere especially in our fenced in property. They're interested in all our remaining green plants.

Nice sighting of bighorn sheep. None of the big male rams though, just females. They live here even during the -20 degree winter.

We're off to Maryland next week for a member guest men's tournament at our old club and to have a socially distanced visit with  4 month old Braden and Aubrey who's now 2. First visit with Braden!