Great timing

About two weeks ago, I was sleepy and went to bed early. Christian picked up my old copy of Grapes of Wrath and started reading. Now, we don't really play the market, but he comes home every day and checks the financial state of the country. We've had some interesting conversations that begin, "We should get some land, that way if..." We figure at least we know about gardening and hunting and birthing babies at home, so we're a step ahead of most Americans these days. However, Lake City, as a tourist/vacation town probably isn't the best place to live if things keep crashing. (Unless, all those rich Texans decide to ditch their second homes for cheap.) Incidentally, I recall sitting at the beach somewhere, taking turns with Christy, reading Grapes of Wrath out loud to each other. It seems that the chapters that fell to me were about a turtle crossing the road.

Anniversary Hike

On Sunday, Christian and I hiked up to the spot where he proposed to me six years ago. The kids stayed with grandma; so, we camped out near tree-line and had a romantic steak and cous cous dinner (campfire style). 

The fall colors were amazing.

We passed by this avalanche site from last winter. The slide knocked trees down 1,000 feet up the slope across the valley. (For you Alabama kids, think tornado). We had to scramble across the smattered trees.

We followed the West Fork of Alpine gulch up and up. There is a particular mineral spring just below the waterfall that causes the water to appear milky, or silver. The rocks are turned a beautiful bluish-purple color.

This is the waterfall where Christian asked me to be his wife. We climbed up to the top (somewhat treacherous), and found an amazing basin above where we camped out.

Here's me cooking our gourmet sourdough toast with jelly and cheese omelette breakfast. I have that "slept-in-a-tent" look about me.

We had a wonderful time exploring the waterfall rich basin the next morning. Oh, and we spotted a large elk herd (I counted 36) on Sunday evening. Christian tried out his elk bugling and got the attention of all the bulls and cows. We saw them clearly through our binoculars, but we didn't get any photos of the beasts. 

Fall Hike

I took the kids on a morning hike today up Wade's Gulch, a favorite fall spot. The aspens had a light of their own. Silas was freaking out on the way down so I had to put him between my back and the backpack that held Priya. Seventy pounds of kiddos on my back was not very fun, but overall the hike was amazing. The kids are wearing orange because it is still hunting season around here. I don't think I with two kids on my back would really look like an elk, but you can never be sure.

Autumn arrived

So, it is fall in the San Juans. We took a little drive yesterday evening to look at the golden aspens. We arrived at the Cataract gulch trailhead and took an impromptu hike. Silas was thrilled to be in the woods and ran up the trail. The light wasn't very good for photos because we didn't leave until 5:30, but we're going to try again later this week. 

Happy Hammock

We've been working on getting the grass in our side yard to grow all summer. We moved the sand-box, put up a gate to keep the dog out, and watered and fertilized for months. After much waiting, the grass filled out and we hung up our hammock. I've been reading out there for a few minutes every day while the kids nap. Silas and Priya are also fans.

Babies Babies Babies

Sorry it has been a while since I've posted. I'll try to make up for it this week. Two weeks ago, my friend Abbie, and her husband Jeff and her in-belly-baby Cora, came to visit. She is due the first week of November, as is my dear friend in Lake City, Amy Jo. We had a great time hanging out together. Abbie and Amy Jo are pictured above comparing bellies. I will be attending Amy Jo's birth and am thrilled about meeting her little one.

The day after Abbie and Jeff left, my dad and Joanne came to visit. Silas and Priya definitely enjoyed the extra attention. Christian and I loved sharing our mountain town and life with them for a few days.

BIG NEWS: I have a new nephew. Jason and Robin had their second son, River James, on September 18. Sorry, I don't have any photos yet. River was 8lbs 3 oz and was born at home in birthing tub in Ft Collins.

  In related news, my other sister-in-law, Amy, is pregnant with her second and is due in early April.

Peek

Where's Priya? There she is. 

Finally, a game that doesn't involve taking everything out of the cabinet.