Look what Sharon found in a trash can!

While throwing away my Carbondale Mountain Fair wrist band, I spied something colorful.  Looked a little closer and it was flowers.  Super fresh!  Why would someone throw away perfect flowers?  There was another whole handful in there!

Another panhandler pic

Panhandler Signs

This is our friend Bob.  He doesn't give money to panhandlers but if their sign is clever enough, he'll buy the sign.  Check back for examples of the signs he's bought.

our adventure up Castle Creek

86 degrees and nothing on NOAA's weather radar so we headed up to Taylor Pass, elevation 11,908.  3/4 of the way up the sky opened up, temperature dropped to 45 degrees and the heavy rain turned to hail making the rocky trail slippery.  We pulled off the 4 wheel drive road and ate lunch in the car.  It started lightening and since there's already been at least 3 deaths due to lightening, we turned back.  

On the way down we stopped at one of 10th mountain huts, Markley, which is just one of many no electric, no running water huts available for reservations for cross country skiers.  Bruce thought he was on the stern of the boat....:-)

The Markley Hut.  It was locked but it had sleeping for about 12 that we could see.  Foam on the bed platforms, propane and fireplaces for heat and cooking.

The ghost town of Ashcroft.
Once inhabited by over 1,000 people during the silver mining era, only a few buildings remain.  Been there a dozen times but not since the Forest Service started charging a fee.  If you've seen it once, you've seen it all.

Cast and Blast day with Colorado Wildlife officers...women only!

 First, 4 hours of fly fishing instruction and practicing on the four private trout ponds that were loaded with fish, followed by 4 hours of shotgun instructions and shooting at clay birds.

Ratio of instructors to "students"  one to one.

Compliments of the Colorado Park and Wildlife officers.

Another critter....nice velvet!

Moose and Marmots on the loose at the Maroon Bells, CO

John Denver's Sanctuary at Aspens Theater in the Park

Recently completed, its a lovely spot to visit and read the words to Denver's songs you know by heart that are engraved in large boulders. The Theater is right there.  Went to see  "Little Women", a musical based on Louisa May Alcott's novel (which I never read).
The main female character sang 10 times better than Tony Bennett's daughter.....