Mountains Speak, Wise Men Listen

Last September the mountains began their annual speech to us. You know the one, about how cool it is up there in the higher elevation and how hot and dry it must be in Texas! And about how the leaves are changing color, that annual journey from green to yellow and orange and how beautiful the mountain passes are and how soon the snow flakes are going to fly and close off the mountains from exploration. And the plea to hurry before it's too late! So, if you're a wise man you learn to listen to that far off call and make the trip to where the mountains meet the clear blue sky. It all began in late September, 2013 when we loaded up the Jeep and headed out to what has become our favorite past time, the discovery of both new and old haunts where the air is cool and the pine trees fill the air with that fragrant, familiar scent.

This time we took a little extra time so we could explore what has become a favorite stop, Red River , New Mexico. It's always been a great stopping off place but we wanted to learn more about the town plus just relax after a long drive. They were having a big Aspen Day celebration that weekend so the town was busy. The skilift was open so we rode to the top, looked around and enjoyed the scenery from a beautiful viewpoint. We ate good food, walked along the river and enjoyed the cool temps.

We had arranged to meet our California friends, Jerry and Terry in Ouray for a few days of offroading. Our favorite place to stay is the Rivers Edge Motel, right next to the Animas River. A couple of years ago a bear visited us one night during one of it's dumpster diving trips. Beverly always hopes to see another bear and her luck held this year! The managers told us that they had been seeing a bear nearby. That afternoon we found a mama bear and her two cubs sleeping through the day under a tree not 50 yards from us. Of course we had to go see it but were thankful that they were so full of apples that they had little interest in us!

We were also happy to learn that another local couple, Bubba and Shirley, were in Ouray.  We all met for dinner that night at Obrien's Pub.  Good food! The next day we all took Last Dollar road over to Telluride. The trees were beautiful. We rode the gondola up to Mountain Village. Talk about a beautiful place! It's fun to see how the other half lives!! The ride is the only free thing I know of in Telluride! The remainder of the time we explored Yankee Boy and Stoney Pass near Silverton. Of course, we had to eat at Handlebars in Silverton.  It's a tradition!

Leaving Ouray, we went over to Lake City on the way home, another favorite place. This year we came back through Creede. It was a great trip with good friends and we look forward, God willing, to another one, or two this year.

From Red River it was just a short day's drive over to Ouray.  Upon arriving, during the afternoon Beverly got a chance to see a bear and her two cubs! The bear didn't want to be bothered but as Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing!"

One of the first things you see on Last Dollar Road is an old homestead, the sight where the first part of the original True Grit movie with John Wayne was filmed. There have been a number of westerns filmed in the area so we took a photo opportunity before heading on to Telluride.

Dave and Chad, owners of Rivers Edge, highly recommended the hamburgers with home made fries at the Cimmaron Cafe in Ridgeway. Boy, they weren't kidding! They were soooo good. The perfect end to a great day!

Let me explain this picture.  That's not something growing out of the top of Jerry's head. He just happened to be standing in front of those poles they use to mark the roads during the spring when they plow out the snow. It does make for an interesting picture!!

Our last day in Ouray was spent up on Yankee Boy Basin, driving around Ouray and relaxing near the river. Oh, and loading the Jeep for the trip home.

On our way home we stopped in Lake City for ice cream, then on to Creede.

A Tale Of Two Houses

Two of our kids are in the process of building new houses. Jennifer and Toby as well as Jordan and Ashley started houses in August and to say it's been an experience would be an understatement. Both have discovered that their plans can sometimes be delayed, postponed, changed or tweaked. However, the houses are coming together and everyone will be happy to see them finished. We are happy to report that both couples are still married! Here are a few pictures of the progress. More updates will follow with pictures of the finished product. Jordan and Ashley built their home on some acreage south of Abilene near Potosi.

Here are a few pictures of Toby and Jennifer's house being built on some acreage closer to town.

Lucky The Green Parakeet

Do you ever have those moments when you wonder "what was I thinking?"   I know I have and one of those moments occurred this past summer while Taylor and Presley were here visiting.  As we were looking out the window we spotted an unusual bird feeding at the bird feeder.  Upon closer inspection with the binoculars we discovered that it was indeed a parakeet!

Being the type of grandfather that wants to please and impress my grand kids, I proceeded to show them how easy it would be to catch it.  And, as my luck would have it, I caught it!  I just walked out there and picked it up while it ate.  Now that's where the trouble began. They didn't want to turn it loose and I didn't want to disappoint them and to make things worse, I didn't have a cage to put it in.  But a quick trip to Walmart and $40.00 later we became the proud owners of Lucky, the green parakeet. The name Lucky came from Taylor. It reminded me of the joke about the notice someone posted about their lost dog. It read: Lost: small black, three legged dog. Blind in one eye, hard of hearing, recently neutered. Answers to the name of Lucky!!

Eight months later he is still a member of the family.  We think it's time for him to migrate on but we don't want to disappoint the kids.  So, for now Mr. Lucky remains lucky.  However, he might not think so! By the way, how long do parakeets live?

Lucky's new home. It comes complete with a maid! Her name is Beverly!

Taylor and Presley have grown fond of Lucky, which makes it hard to turn him loose!