So we are getting into a pretty simple routine: Sophie walks to new areas...visiting the many, many deer, dogs and rabbits that we encounter every day on those walks; work;leisurely drives; reading; and some hiking.
It is super dry here with pollen, but oh so cool and comfortable. Wish you all could come for a visit. Here are a few pictures I took over the week:
View of Lake City from a hill that we climbed:
Our bosses said there was not enough to do today so we got a surprise day off! Yoo-hoo! We were told about a beautiful scenic drive through a "town" called Powderhorn so decided to try...we ended up on the most beautiful dirt roads...one through aspens and wild lupines, another we got lost on and ended up meeting a nice young rancher and family who had at least 20 horses..she succeeded in getting us to buy some farm fresh eggs. .The correct dirt road took us past gorgeous ranches...each miles apart and we had a picnic near one just watching the cows.
After returning we went to today's big event in Lake City: the 50 mile endurance run through the mts called the San Juan Mts Solstice Run. These crazy runners ( mostly from CO or high elevation states) ran through the mts ..up 12,840 feet and down..thru snow and rain at times.
We just came back from watching some of the runners. 2 people made it just under 8 hours and the first woman under 11! Amazing...
So today we decided to take a hike in the Slumgullion pass around11,000 feet. It was open meadows, with lots of tracks of deer, coyote, bear , horse and more. It was slow going but we loved it. The views were spectacular and no bugs!
So we are getting into our work routines...work started Sunday and we do 5 days a week and the hours depend on the activity level here. Basically the routine is I do the morning Sophie walk early morning...we always meet up with deer and rabbits. She loves it! Then we start work at 9 and get assigned to one or more of the cabins that are vacated. The guests are told to clean up when they leave and so far they really have looked pretty good. My afternoon typically consists of nap, read and a little exploring time. At 4:30 we wash down jeeps and ATVs that have been rented out. We have an air compressor gun to get all the dust out and then a pressure washer to get the outside clean. They all come back well used but Don and I can knock one off in 20 minutes and we usually only get 2 a night. Then it is relax time again...Not bad! Monday nite we heard an Army Band play and there were at least 80 in attendance...a great ratio for this little town.
Today on our day off we took a drive up to Montrose and then over to Ouray, advertised as the Little Switzerland of the the west. Hard to get photos of this majestic town as the mts are so vast. We wandered the streets and drove in the hills..gorgeous, but it is too bad we had to travel by the main roads. The fun way is across the mts by jeep, but it took almost 3 hours by car. Next time we will bring our tent and stay over...
On the way there..cows everywhere in these vast plains:
The town of Ouray:
And neighborhood:
So today we did the "Alpine Loop" , the most thrilling and gorgeous drive I have ever done: about 6 hours through the peaks of the San Juan Mts, much only accessible by 4 wheel drive jeeps or ATVs.
Even though we don't officially start work until tomorrow, Jim and Nita comped us a jeep for the day. Below are just a few of the pictures I took:
Just wait until you see a full slide show:-)
So we have been surprised by the changes in weather since we started the trip. One the way we have had 2 hail storms and since we have been here we have had cold winds and rain at night ..around 35 degrees to mostly sunny, dry and warm...70s in the day. Really great weather on the whole.
Yesterday we went down to Creede to see the little mining town, but we got drenched. On the way home we saw the top of Lake Cristobal as the weather cleared and it was gorgeous.
Today we did part of the "Alpine Loop" . Still in driving mode with short walks as we still feel the altitude...hope we will be ready for work on Monday!
Don at Capital City
So what do you think?? Should we buy it?
Yesterday we arrived in Lake City and fell in love with the area immediately. Hard to find a more beautiful and serene home. It is an old quiet hippy town that has the character of the 50s. Everyone is wonderful and gracious and we know we will fit in well. Below is our site and soon after we arrived Jim and Nita hosted a BBQ to welcome us and gave us a tour of the area. The weather is great..dry, sunny and warm in the day, cool at night.
This morning we drove around and I could not stop taking pictures...probably have 100 already..and they don't do it justice. We have travelled all over but I really don't think I have been anywhere more gorgeous.
In the afternoon we walked around the town..easy walking from our home and met some very interesting people. One guy, George Carkin knew Eaton well and antiqued at the Sleigh Mill Antiques and spent time time with the Liscotts.
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