Random Summer Photos

A few random photos from this summer

Red Sun from the forest fires in the West

Evening parade

Backdoor visitor - Got carrots???

Early Summer blooms in neighbor's yard

Unusual Aspen 

Mine opening found in nearby foothills

Mine Tag

Sign at nearby laundromat

Crude but effective

Summer (?) is Here!

Where has the year gone? We are already into the second half of May! Summer is rapidly approaching. But if you listen to the media, Summer arrives this weekend here in the U.S. Seems that Summer now runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Not from the Summer Solstice to the Autumn Equinox. Hhhhmmm....somehow I missed that memo.....

hail - not snow - from a brief shower earlier this month

But if I were to base my opinion of Summer being right around the corner on the weather, I would have to say that we have a month or two to go. There has been a fair amount of precipitation here in Colorado - rain, snow & hail. But I'm not complaining! At least we're getting moisture.

Over the course of the next few months, I am going to be posting some of the articles I have been writing for various publications. (one of these days, maybe I'll get paid to write....) I'll post links to the publications so you can read some of the other contributions. I'll check in periodically, just to make sure everyone is behaving themselves. I know how rowdy y'all can get ....

Enjoy your Summer!

'Round the Campfire

Hubby and I went camping over the recent long Holiday weekend. Hard to believe, but it was the first time we had gone camping in our time together. 

The nights were a bit cool but the days were gorgeous! It was still quite brown and the leaves were just beginning to decorate the trees. Summer's warm embrace was still being held at bay.

I planted the Hostas I had brought from Arkansas two years ago. I really don't expect them to look this good when we come back, the deer may decide to have them for breakfast. I'm hoping the tomato cages I placed around them will deter the deer. 

We didn't see any deer close by while we were there but then we had brought our 'puppies'. Just their presence kept many critters at bay but the chipmunks were everywhere. Their antics kept us entertained for the better part of the afternoon.

We sat 'round the campfire at night and drank in the beauty of the stillness and the joy of the moment.

More Rocky Mountain Flora

I know I promised you a road trip today, but I had company show up unexpectedly yesterday. So the road trip into the mountains will have to be delayed till next week. Until then, I will leave you with some more photos of the flora of the Rocky Mountains. And don't forget to enter the giveaway I'm having. Click here!

Road Trip Down Colorado Hwy 91

These are a few of the pictures taken on a short drive on Highway 91 from I-70 to Leadville.

Granite marker commemorating the valley where the town of Kokomo once stood.
Kokomo was the site of the highest Masonic Lodge in the USA - elev. 10,618 ft.

Driving up Fremont Pass

Old Mining cabin & Outbuildings near Leadville

Clinton Reservoir near Fremont Pass

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is located in the town of Vail at an elevation of 8,250 ft. It is the highest botanical garden in the United States and is recognized as the foremost authority on high-altitude plants.

The Gardens' plant collection showcases more than 3000 plant species of high-altitude plants. And to a Nature Lover like myself, this was a walk through paradise!

Vail Valley

This week I'm taking to you to Vail.  Vail is located in the Gore Range, approx. two hours west of Denver, Colorado. The town of Vail was built as a base village for Vail Ski Resort which opened in 1962. It is the second largest ski mountain in North America. 

Vail Ski Resort

Gore Creek runs through Vail Valley

Looking west down the Vail Valley

Gore Creek School circa 1922

Tomorrow we'll take a walk through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens located in Vail.

Cat Tales ~ Wedding Hoorah!

Mommy is going to be MIA for the next week and a few days. She told Me that She is going to be very busy helping with stuff for the "Wedding Thing"!   
Hhrrmmp!   Doesn't Mommy know that Me is more important than any Wedding Shmedding Thing! 

But Mommy did promise to spend some extra special time with Me after the whole mess is over. And She promised Me a new Catnip plant or two.
So until then, there is going to be a whole lot of this going on......

And this.......

So stay tuned! Mommy will be back soon with lots of pictures! 

Purz and Catnip Dreams ....... Gomez

Brief July Update~Faeries, Pumpkins and a Wedding

July is flying by! I've been busy with house guests, grandchildren, Faery goodness, and Wedding plans. Hubby's brother and his family came out for a brief visit over the July 4th holiday. It was great fun seeing them.
With Summer Vacation going on, all the grandchildren have been around more than normal. We've been busy baking cherry fruit pies, making mud pies in the sandbox, and generally just trying to enjoy ourselves despite the Summer Heat.

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Most of the wildfires which were consuming our State have been brought under control. Thank You to everyone for helping to send the much needed rain our way. The desolation and despair which was left in the wildfires' wakes will linger for years. But Mother Nature has a way of healing that which has been ravaged. Wildflowers and Aspen Trees will come to grace many of the barren areas.
With my next show a week away, I have been busy creating more Fae goodness. A Fae house is nearing completion and some wee little gnomes are in the works. (Pics soon to come!)
The Wedding is rapidly approaching. Two Weeks from today! Many of the details have changed and evolved over time. There was some last minute scrambling to find another photographer. The joy of finding the perfect wedding dress - that fit! And numerous cake designs to ponder over. My blog will probably be inundated with photos over the next few weeks.

And the Free Range Pumpkin which took up residence in our yard has decided to lay claim to the front stoop. I have had to trim some of the leaves so we could find the first step.

And in retaliation, the Pumpkin is now growing towards the door. The Pumpkin and I are going to have to come to some kind of agreement.....

The Bees are as busy as ever around The Pumpkin's Blossoms in the morning hours. I don't blame them a bit - the blossoms are gorgeous in the bright morning sunshine. And we are all on Baby Watch. No little round bundles of Halloween-ness can be seen just yet. But I know it won't be long before one or (hopefully) more can be found on the vines.

Burning Bushes ...

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Burning Trees. Burning Homes. This is what the State of Colorado is experiencing right now. Vast expanses of forests are burning and within those forests are homes (or used to be) of thousands of people.

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Please say a prayer to the Rain Gods for us. May they grace us with vast amounts of moisture to extinguish the fires and quench the thirst which the land is now experiencing.

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