Grand Lake with the Johnsons, Joe Curcio and Margene Crossland

One of our first nights home, we packed up a picnic and went to Chautauqua to hear Peter Kater and Carlos Nakai.  It was pretty hilarious with two dogs in tow and all our picnic stuff.  Not easy getting around.

How cute are these two?!

 That first weekend, we were invited to Win and Cinda Johnson's at Shadow Mountain Reservoir in Grand Lake.  We drove over Trail Ridge Road early Sunday morning, listening to Kater and Nakai CDs we had bought at the concert the night before and just ate up the scenery and the peace of that beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park.  How lucky we are to live so close.  Joe and Margene, from San Carlos, met us there and we had a wonderful relaxing get together at the Johnson's fabulous lake house.

Joe and Win on our walk into town.  Cinda and Jim took
the car in case it rained and we all needed a ride home.

Margene and I.  I really didn't need that coat but it sure looked
like it was going to rain.

One of the older houses in town-for sale for $990,000 and
it needed a lot of work!

Beautiful lupine were everywhere!

We spotted these little cuties atop one of the bars in town.

Grand Lake has some funky, very western bars.

And there were horses, cowboys and cowgirls everywhere-
it was some kind of BBQ weekend.

We sat outside for Tequila and beers and listened to a great band.

Win and Jim yukking it up over beers and shots.

Cinda and I admiring all the cowboys and girls going by.
Again, no pets-but Boo was welcome!

Grand Lake-tinier than Shadow Mountain and much more
expensive, we are told.  This is where the old money comes
to play.

This was a sailing school.

We drove from Shadow Mountain to Grand Lake in their
speed boat.  Cinda can really handle the wheel.

Margene

Our pilot

Win, looking very serious

I love these homes on the water with the boat garage and
the decks on top.

I bet this one is expensive!

Ah, to be kayaking...

Jimbo up front with the boys

Talking fishing....

Isn't this one cool?!  Right on the water

Big old famous house and its 3 garages and deck

One of the stairs is walkable-the other must
have a little train/car that goes up and down.
I sure wouldn't walk that every day.

Boo-safe and sound

Most of the homes are made like this one.

Joe, I'm sure waxing philosophical

Shadow Mountain Reservoir
We tried fishing here-unsuccessfully.

There are several small islands to explore.

Margene was right at home.

As was Joe

And, we elected to stay "home" instead of going to the Lodge.

Reading and napping

And listening to the geese call each other

Margene and Joe prepared dinner from leftovers.

The colors in the lake from the sky were just beautiful.

The dining room with its fabulous view

Lost Lake at Kebler Pass

Crested Butte was its typical beautiful self when we arrived.  We were anxious to get a good spot at the campground, so headed straight up through town to Kebler Pass.

Crested Butte

 The drive up through the wildflowers and aspen forests to the campground is unpaved but easy going.  It was all I could do not to take pictures of the scenery on the way up.  But we were tired and anxious to get settled in for an uninterrupted week of just being!

The clouds were closing in but it was still
gorgeous!  And we managed to snag a good
private spot to camp.  At 9600 ft in altitude,
the weather is always a factor.

The walks through the aspen forests-the
largest in the world-are just mesmerizing!

We did manage a few moments of sunshine every now and then.

Jim and his prize tackle box.  He sure does have all the equipment!

And the man knows how to relax!

And how to smile for the camera!

Beautiful Lost Lake at sunset

Deer and hummingbirds kept us company.

 Lynne McDougal had been with us at Long Lake many years ago on an infamous camping trip to this area and she was able to join us again this time.  She arrived late Friday night and was able to stay until Monday which made for lots of laughter, relaxing, hiking, sharing of stories and "just being" in this fabulous place.

Very huggable trees

Julie and her sister were in town for the
Wildflower Festival and came up for
cocktails and dinner on Sunday night.  We
took a short hike amidst the wildflowers
before dinner.

It rained during dinner but we put up the screen room and were
cozy and happy during our dinner of filet mignon, baked
potatoes, and salad.  Jim outdid himself making Cosmos
AND grilling the steaks to perfection.

One of many beautiful evenings.

We awoke Monday morning, saw Lynne off for Crested Butte and Boulder and packed up for our final leg of the journey through  the Ruby Range to Redstone and I-70 back to Longmont.  These pictures were taken at our favorite (and dog friendly) little cafe at the far end of the town of Redstone.  We were anxious for haircuts and showers (can you tell?) so hit the road right after lunch and a little shopping in town.