MUSHROOM HUNTING IN CRESTED BUTTE

Just before we left my friend, Jan took me on a new experience, mushroom hunting in Colorado. I had searched for Morels when we lived in Michigan, but had never had the opportunity to look for the wide variety on good mushrooms that grow in our mountains.

We were accompanied by Jan's daughter, Aspen and family so I was in good company. Katherine Rose got to ride,

While big brother showed his prowess in mushroom hunting.

The Hawk's Wing mushroom I would have passed by thinking they were clumps of mud.

This interesting orange one took my eye,

And these looked entirely like something else.

Mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes and colors - some orange -

And some a beautiful Yellow. But be sure you know what you are eating before you do, because some are delicious and some poisonous.

At the end of the day I cooked these 3 varieties that they knew were delicious, and safe: the Hawks wing, the Chantrelles, and the Boletes - and they were.

A DRIVE TO TAYLOR RESERVOIR

Near the end of our time in Crested Butte this summer, finally finishing the necessary yard work, we took a drive up to the Taylor Reservoir to see what changes might have occured.

Along the way we stopped briefly to watch rock climbers on the cliffs of Taylor Canyon.

And a fisherman in the Taylor River.

Though the cloud cover was heavy, light still lit the mountain tops in the background.

The Reservoir waters were blue and the flowers in bloom.

The town of Taylor sports many relics of the past, including this old wagon on a rise beh1nd the general store.

VIEWS FROM OUR COLORADO HOME

Sitting here in our home on the NJ Shore on a rainy day, watching the weather which has become more than just a pastime, I am remembering doing so in Colorado this summer. Here in the fall we watch the progress of the Atlantic Hurricane, giving thanks that we escaped Earl as we keep track of Igor and the one following it. There we were aware of sunrises and sunsets and the progress of rain clouds, which might interfer with the days outdoor activities.

The sunrise can color the clouds a soft pink above the ground fog.

And the sunset can light up the sky in beautiful vivid colors of orange and purples.

But one of my favorites is when the puffy clouds hang low beneath a clear blue sky.

Rainstorms, when they arrive are often preceded by interesting, bulbous clouds.

But when the air balloons are aloft there is still no better sight.

TRIP TO CREEDE, CO

There is a 50+ woman's organization in Crested Butte called "Butte Beauties" - that I am happy to be a part of. They are beautiful, interesting and active, beyond my ability at this point of life, but I treasure them as friends. There was an overnight trip to the old mining town of Creede just after we returned to Crested Butte and I was delight to be included. I rode with 3 friends through a beautiful part of the state alone the Silver Thread Highway, that was mostly new to me.

On the way we stopped to see this beautiful North Clear Creek Falls, considered the most photographed falls in Colorado, for good reason.

Arriving in Creede before our cabins were ready we spent a bit of time walking around town being welcomed by this sign.

Being an old mining town, the firehouse was located inside a cave.

Next to the fire department was a mining museum built within a cave excavated for just this purpose. The displays were well done and informative.

I always wondered about the bathroom facilities underground.

After getting settled in out cabins we all went for a short hike in in the drizzling rain.

I saw my first large mushroom, a King Bolete - a hint of what was to come in my future. Never having been in CO during the mushroom hunting season it was a thrill.

We also saw a red Penstamin among a lot of familiar other wildflowers from our mountains.

In the evening we all attended a play in the famous Creede theater - known all over this part of Colorado as the best repertoire theater.

After another nice hike the next day the sun came out enough on our trip home to get a good view of the headwaters of the Rio Grand from the top of the pass.

We stopped for lunch in Lake City just pass this beautiful strand of aspens.

And got back home in Crested Butte accompanied by a good afternoob thundershower, hard driving for Malla.

GUNNISON RIVER WATER PARK

On our way back from Montrose one day, we stopped in Gunnison to see the water park we had heard about on the Gunnison River.

We watched 3 young men in their mini kayaks battling the rapids.

The rapids were created when new boulders were placed in the fast moving water of the river, and the "water park" has become a great attraction for the young at heart, and body. Having watched kayaks battling the rapid in Hungary on an offshoot of the Danube, and the ocean in New Jersey, it was fun to see it in Colorado.

LAKE IRWIN - AUGUST 2010

Lake Irwin is a beautiful clear lake West of Crested Butte at the mostly summer community of Irwin. The town is accessible only by snowmobile in the winter and up the mountain is a lodge which for years was a favorite destination for cat skiing. Unfortunately, it has been closed for several years and has gone through several owners and unfinished plans for for remodeling.

At one end of the lake is this large rock formation, a gathering place for families.

Leaping into the cold water from its heights is a challenge for young boys, and girls alike.

This lovely waterfall, hidden in the trees behind the rock formation helps feed the lake with the mountain run-off.

The flowers are profuse in the surrounding fields, even without making the climb up to Scarp's ridge above -

And there are always rocks where one can rest.

And we made it back home before the afternoon rains descended on our mountain.

CRESTED BUTTE - JULY 2010

As I sit here in our home on Long Beach Island, NJ, having prepared for Hurricane Earl which now seems will do little more than water our flowers, I decided to add to my long neglected blog with some pictures from our 3 weeks back in beautiful Crested Butte more than a month ago.

We managed a couple of hikes between working in our yard. One of our favorites being the 403 which begins at an old abandoned mine.

The remains of this old truck, along with discarded mining equipment is scattered near the entrance.

The wildflowers were still beautiful -

And the views spectacular, especially near the top.