Clear Creek Waterfall

I don't know anything about geology, but according to those who do, the La Garita and San Juan mountains formed about 30 million years ago. Eruptions from massive volcanoes, like the Creede Caldera, were followed by tremendous flows of ash and mud. As the layers of volcanic debris cooled, crystals and mineral ores collected into veins and pockets and created extensive mineral fields.It is because of these ancient volcanos that we find several beautiful waterfalls in this area, including the Clear Creek waterfall, which we visited last week. From Clear Creek, we can see the western side of Bristol Head mountain in the distance. The eastern side of Bristol Head is the view from our cabin window and the namesake of our neighborhood.

Denver

Spent an-all-too-short weekend in Denver with Charlotte and Hannah. Can't rave enough about The Brown Palace Hotel -- it's The Plaza of the West. Continuously open since 1892, it features stunning architecture, Mexican onyx stonework, and cast-iron railings around an eight-story atrium, where they serve high tea every afternoon. We ate one dinner at the hotel's Ship Tavern, a Prohibition-Era bar with great food and service.

Didn't take many pix, but some of the highlights from the weekend included Union Station, the Farmer's Market...

... buying shirts at the original flagship Rockmount Ranch Wear store (circa 1909)...

...dinner at Sushi Sasa, walking around Lower Broadway, 

a hot afternoon at the Botanical Gardens... 

... and, of course, spending time with my two favorite peeps! 

I miss them already.💔

Up and Over: The View Above Creede

Today was a spectacular morning -- perfect for hiking the Up and Over trail above Creede.

The view of Creede from about halfway up.

Look carefully and you can see the old silver mines hiding in the shadow of the rock.

No filter needed on the blue Colorado sky.

On the way down, two trails converge in the wood...

Mining has colored the flume yellow, and left giant piles of tailings to traverse.

All total, including the walk back through town: 3.9 miles, 9,858 steps,
equivalent to 52 floors vertical climb. Best way to exercise @9000ft.

Our "Neigh"bors

Burros and Burning

It's been a full day in Creede on a sunny summer Saturday in June. In the morning, some brave high-altitude athletes ran in the Runoff Runoff marathon along the Rio Grande. No, I didn't run, but I did serve bananas, energy snacks, Gatorade and water at the aid station along the route. The race is a benefit for local water reclamation, so I was happy to support.

After the race, I headed into town to see the start of Creede's annual Burro Race -- 10 miles up the Bachelor Loop -- and you can't ride your donkey, you have to pull him! Everyone was dressed up for the event, even the donkeys.

Sadly, while we had a fun weekend in Creede, the 416 Fire in Durango spread to 16,000 acres. It's 50 miles away, but late Saturday, smoke filled the skies here in the valley. 

 Sunday is the Gravity Derby, followed by a community cookout. Never a dull moment...

BEAR!!!

So, we go for a walk after dinner. We see a bear in our path. It's right in the road. It has to be 300 pounds. We freeze. We point. I have no idea what to do. Throw a rock? Back away? Run?

Then John runs right at the bear! 

He's not going to let the bear escape without taking some pictures.

Oh no! A human! The bear runs from John...

Help! A man is chasing me!

I'd better get out of here!

See ya! 

Quick Trip Back to Cali

Spent Memorial Day weekend in SoCal, where we saw lots of cousins who were in town to celebrate Brendan and Claudia's wedding. Here are some highlights:

Claudia and Brendan celebrate after they conclude their vows.

Benjie and Hannah at lunch overlooking the ocean.

John, me, Hannah, Benjie, Carrie, Floyd and Marcia.

More posing in the photo booth at the wedding reception.

Richard sings karaoke as Brendan, Dennis and Justin cheer him on.

And on our way back to Creede, this classic tourist shot at the Four Corners.

The Land

 Mineral County is a beautiful place to explore by car and on foot.

The Rio Grande, the third longest river in the US, begins high on the eastern slopes 

of the Continental Divide just west of Creede. Collecting water from many rivulets and smaller streams, including Willow Creek, which flows through downtown Creede, the Rio Grande gathers strength for its 1,800-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. 

95% of the land in Mineral County is publicly owned,
so these vistas should stay pristine for a long time.

Love Lake feeds one of the streams flowing into the Rio Grande.

The Weminuche Wilderness, named for a band of Ute Indians who once lived here, 

boasts of peaks from 10,000 to 14,000 feet.

Mother's Day Moose 2018

OK, so I couldn't be with either my kids or my mom today 😢, but Mother's Day 2018 didn't go to waste. Check out these spectacular shots from a sunny Sunday in May.

We arrived at Road Canyon Reservoir about 10 AM. 

There was a beautiful sky, but it was too windy for fishing. 

While driving away, I saw my first moose!

She was just chilling by some wetlands, eating new shoots on the willows.

So many beautiful ranches with snow-capped mountain vistas.

Look how clear the water is in Seepage Lake.

Seepage proved to be a better fishing spot, too. 

John caught one, but broke his line while reeling it in.

And we had a nice picnic lunch.

Happy Mother's Day, Ma. I missed you.