Summer at Home 2021

Columbines blooming are a sure sign of spring. Lots of wildflowers on the trails.

 

White fluffy clouds just say summer to me.

 

Day trip to near by Echo Reservoir to enjoy the wonderful sunshine.

 

Another day trip to Santa Fe – 160 miles one way to the charging station. Oh, and could not pass on some great shopping!

 

Nice stop for coffee break. Took about 40 minutes to add 140 miles of charge (for a total 225 miles to return home).

 

Our first restaurant dining since Spain in 2020 – great outdoor patio with spicy New Mexican food.

 

We built this kayak stand to give us more room in the garage – works great!

 

Another building project?

 

A bug hotel for our 6-year-old great-nephew. We had fun painting and decorating!

 

We did an overnight trip to South Fork and got a hike in together as well.

 

He also came to see our house and check out the kid size bridge in our Japanese Garden- a fun day of mini-golf, picnic lunch, library summer reading, and a walk along the river.

 

We dodged some summer storms but managed a few evening concerts in the park.

 

Wandered downtown on 4th of July to see all having fun floating along the river.

 

Cruised downtown for the car show – dressed to match so owner wanted a photo.

 

But mostly we enjoyed our solitude

 

Having some quiet Zen moments at home

 

And the serenity of our wonderful sunsets.

Safer At Home – Spring 2020

Stuck at home, looking forward to Wine O’clock to help the days go by.

Daily walks to check out ducks and water fowl that might be hanging out.

Cooking some wonderful meals like this Spanish Paella.

Prep for a Spanish tortilla: We submitted some of our favorite recipes for the Outdoor Club cookbook.

An excellent flip to cook the other side. Nice party trick appreciated by the two of us!

Sunrise with a beautiful moon set while enjoying our morning coffee.

We enjoyed spring blooms and the views on a bright sunny day with a walk up the Forest Road to the top of Chimney Rock NM.

Another road hike to Eight Mile Fire Lookout tower…

…with this incredible view over the valley.

Kayaking from our back door to enjoy the view of Pagosa Peak.Warm weather on a wind free afternoon gave us another outdoor space.

Thank-you!!! May 15th F-16’s flyover over to thank medical personal.

Pelicans stayed for a day – so big and white. Such a treat to see them.

We learned to Zoom – a good way to stay connected with friends.

A few days of kayaking up at Williams Creek Reservoir to enjoy a change of pace.

A forest fire started near by – unfortunately the first of many for the west.

We had a front row view of the air tanker refilling – every 15 minutes or so.Spontaneous weekend of balloon enthusiasts to celebrate summer solstice.

Enjoying the simple things in life – clouds and reflections.

Williams Creek Reservoir

We headed the Travato up the road to Teal Campground for a stay-cation!

We took the new kayaks – how beautiful is this!

We spent several days exploring the coast and the solitude.

Taking turns with the camera. Going out in the morning and the evening.

This is our favorite photo!

We went for several hikes into the nearby Weminuch Wilderness.

This is the life!

We saw lots of wildflowers…

And these black and white butterflys.

Lets take the fork to the right…

Fun! A river crossing!

Heading home with the wilderness behind us.

How many miles of fun we have had?!!

The heron is waiting for us to make sure we appreciate our home lake.

Life feels like a vacation here at home but it was great to explore some near by water as well.

Spring Visitors 2019

Lake is starting to thaw. Common Mergansers are returning

Snowbirding friends from Tucson are passing through on their way north.

We had friends over for an evening celebration.

We were enjoying the sunset and this lovely solitary swan.

And even family snowbirded through on their way north.

An excuse for another dinner party!

We are so happy to have local friends meet visiting friends and family.

To celebrate Earth Day, we bought some nice Hurricane kayaks to enjoy the lakes and a different kind of exercising.