A DAY IN HEAVEN

Our first full day back in the mountains, I took a little walk around our home. Adjusting to the change of altitude from sea level to nearly 10,00 feet is not as easy as it was several years ago.

But one doesn't have to go far to enjoy the beauty.

We have been trying for years to re cultivate the native wildflowers in our yard. Many, including this Mountain Aster are doing well.

From the lot next door the variety of flowers was amazing.

In fact, we were surrounded by wildflowers.



Having put out the hummingbird feeders. This aggressive male decided decided to claim the one closest as his own, and expended a lot of energy flying from his "guard tree" to keep competitors away.

This house wren though appeared unperturbed -

Even when a Colorado bluebird came to visit.

Nothing fazes this chipmunk - who can always find enough to eat this time of year.

MORE VIEWS FROM NEAR HOME

Getting up early in the mountains has its own rewards, (besides it is often difficult to sleep when first at altitude).

Often the balloons are in the sky for an early trip.

The first bike riders are heading up the path on Snodgrass.

The flowers become back-lit by the rising sun.

When the sky is clear everything sparkles at high altitude. The Fireweed frames the distant mountains.

And the golden carpet of Sunflowers contrast with the blue sky.

While close-up they take on character of their own.

The near flowers hide the activities in the corral across the street.

But the best day to get up early was the day of the Crested Butte Alpine Odyssey (the Leadville 100 qualifier). Lance Armstrong lead the race on the 2nd lap of the 60+ miles over the mountains as they turned the corner at the head of our street to race up the mountain and down to the finish line.

A SHORT HIKE UP OH-BE-JOYFUL

Having been in the mountains for a week, and being finished with yard work, we decided on a short hike up "Oh-Be Joyful" to see the waterfall.

On the way up the valley, we again commented on the exceptional greenness of the mountains this summer.

The wildflowers were profuse and

Snow still remained on the mountain tops, in August!!

The creek ran heavily down the valley carrying logs and depositing them at will.

The falls were full and fortunately void of kayaks. A huge log span the creek just below the falls.

Looking up the valley above the falls one could see the mountain peaks, and a distant large waterfall.

The way back to our car provided this special view of Mt Crested Butte near home.
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OUR LAST DAY IN COLORADO

On our last day in Colorado, we decided to take a last hike part way up West Maroon where I heard that the flowers were still good.

Driving out Washington Gulch Road we found that the "Mountain Men" were amassing for there yearly outing.

Topping the Paradise Divide the lake was as smooth as glass.

Though the Glacier Lilies were long gone by this time of the summer. we found a few Elephant Heads still blooming by the water.

Starting up the path towards Schofield Park I found the old cabin more a pile of rubble than I remembered from my last hike this way several years ago. It is reminiscent of the clam shack on the causeway to Long Beach Island in NJ.

The Indian Paintbrush and Colorado Columbine, though past their prime, were still beautiful.

The path lead uphill through an ever changing array of wildflowers, sometimes as high as the waist.

We had a snack and talked to hikers coming from and going to Aspen, and a few who we knew who were out for shorter hikes like us.

Coming down I took a detour to grab a shot of the stream.

The water hurried over large rocks creating small falls,

And over colorful pebbles brought down in past years.

Re-tracing our route to the top of the Paradise divide, My husband stopped the car so I could grab another shot of 2 of my favorite flowers, the Colorado Columbine and the Rosy Paintbrush.

Leaving the Pass behind I could look back at the stream, still clogged in places with snow, and the aptly named Cinnamon Mountain.

Descending the valley Crested Butte Mountain again appeared in the distance. Another great day!!

SURF SITY BEACH REPLISHMENT

We have been back in the Colorado mountains for a week and a half enjoying the cool mountain air and the incredible array of wildflower. But before I get into that I decided to post a bit of what was happening at the New Jersey Shore. Beach replenishment seems the be the buzz word along the Eastern coast. The Corps of Engineers did it about 3 years ago on our beach during the winter, and in doing so they tapped into a dump of WWI and WWII arsenal several miles off our shore. They managed to deposit over a thousand pieces on our beach, and then spent a year digging them up and disposing of them. This time it was done a bit differently. The source of new sand was the "Harvey Cedars Lump". a great fishing spot about 2 miles off our shore. For a while it had been renamed by the locals as the "Harvey Cedars Canyon".


This barge traveled to the site about every 2 hours, filled up with sand and then brought it in and pumped it through large pipes laid under water and along our beach,

The sand was sifted through a "hopper" which strained it of potentially dangerous materials.

As the tractors moved the sand, gulls arrived by the hundreds to get another free meal from anything edible that was arriving with the sand.

When the Hopper showed clean water, the pumps on the barge were turned off, and the real work began on the beach.

The Hopper was turned over and inspected as the barge returned to sea for another load.

JULY 4TH ON OUR BLOCK IN SURF CITY

Our block in Surf City has been celebrating our National Holiday for at least 40 years with a parade followed by games on the beach for children or all ages. Over the years the attendance and participation has grown enormously,

The colors are Red, White and Blue, and costumes are encouraged.

And sometimes little 4 legged creatures join in the fun.

And of course whole families.

The beach activities begin with the singing of our National Anthem and the pledge of allegiance to our flag, things too often overlooked in our present day society.

The games on our new wide beach are for kids of all ages, but some of us are now content to just cheer on the contestants.

The barrel race is always a highlight,

As is the Tug-A-War, boys against the girls.

Of course, the girls always seem to win, sometimes with a bit of help from the larger, stronger males.

The games always culminate with a pie eating contest for the children.

And hopefully with a swim afterwards.

To add to the spirit someone even decorated the old shack on the causeway for the July 4th Holidays.