Mountainside Lodge House Telluride

... whole scene was so colorful and perfect it almost didn't seem real. It was the same feeling I had at Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon. It was like we were in a painting or something. Because of the color of the lake, and the fact that there were no trees around, I was reminded of pictures I've seen of Iceland (a place I have always wanted to visit). I have to say this hike is definitely one of my new favorites. I can't wait ...

So I just get back from Colorado where I hung out with old friends for a buddy's bachelor party.

It was an amazing trip. We were very blessed to have a free condo to stay in which was plenty big enough for the 7 of us. A special thanks to the Jays for letting us stay there.

We did a ...

... and made the
native americans move away from the San Juan mountains because they
were mining for precious metals. The museum is on the site of Chief
Ourays property. Both he and his wonderful wife Chipeta are both
buried here.

That afternoon we ended our day in
Gunnison, Colorado where they were having a very cool car show. It is
an annual event where all and sundry turn out for a fun street party
as an opening to the weekend long fair.

... a kid 'petted' Silas' leg...twice!! Silas went down to get food or something, and when he came back he told me that a kid sitting a couple rows in front of us had reached out and 'petted' his leg when he walked past him, then again when he came back up. I was begging Silas to walk past him again so I could see, but he wouldn't.
We camped that night and got up early the next morning and left the campground before 8am, we made a stop in ...

Family and Grandma Connie went to Ouray to drop of some tile work for art show. On the way, we stopped at a couple of abandoned mine sites and explored. Founds some cool rocks with imbedded crystals. Stayed at Box Canyon and soaked in spring fed hot tubs made from old wine barrels ...

... in the western part of the US and was a little bit skeptical.  Ever since I first saw fireworks in Japan I've kind of felt like I'm ruined for any fireworks I might see in the US.  Fireworks in Japan are AMAZING!  Before I watch fireworks in the US I always try to remind myself that THIS IS NOT JAPAN! and that they probably won't be as good.  But from the very beginning of the show in Telluride I had a feeling that it was going to be awesome, and it was!   Not only were the ...

... wanted to stay longer, but the weather was not cooperating and Kristi was feeling worse with sinus troubles, which the high altitude did not help.

We chose to drive to Ouray to try out the hot springs. We made it to the hot springs and jumped in for about two minutes before lightning was sighted and everyone was told to get out. We could either wait for twenty minutes after the last ...

... there were some very steep drops on that route! However, he turned out to be as capable as he was frendly, so we all arrived back in Durango safe and sound. We reclaimed our SUVs in the hotel parking lot in Durango, and drove west to Cortez, where we'll be staying at the Days Inn for the next four nights. It was truly a relief to be able to unpack and settle in for a few days!

... sports, slows to a crawl during the off-season, and other than a few walks down Main St. and stops for coffee, we hibernated at Box Canyon Lodge, soaking in their wooden, mineral springs hot tubs while mavelling at the view of the mountains and Box Canyon Falls, and utilizing their comprehensive movie library for in-room viewing.

... that is was snowing so we had to make a decision to either go to Mesa Verde or stop and get a hotel, so we called Kara's friend Kristian for some advice. He told us that it never snows in Mesa Verde and that we would be fine. With this advice we trucked on to our next stop......Sunny Mesa Verde!!! Chris and Kara