A Belated Post

I didn't want to pass up writing a blog entry about a special weekend. We're a little out of sync, as this all took place the weekend before the 4th of July, and I hope I'll forgiven for my delay in writing about this!!

Our special weekend began when Wendy, Fred and Michael arrived in Montrose on Friday afternoon, June 25th. Wendy and I had become friends via the internet a few years back, "meeting" on scrapbook.com. We share the love of scrapbooking and got friendly through emails and phone calls. They live in South Texas, and we were thrilled when they decided to vacation in Colorado, and to include us in their travels!! We had never met in person, but it certainly felt like we had. After having read Wendy's blog for these years and seeing so many pictures of Michael and Fred (as well as Wendy), meeting them seemed so comfortable! All six of us got along so well and we really enjoyed the weekend with them and were excited about being able to share our area with them! Here is our weekend, in pictures......

Our tour of the western slope of Colorado began Saturday morning, when we went to the Ute Indian Museum, which is right in Montrose. Fred's grandfather was a Ute Indian (how cool is THAT!!?) and so they were very interested in going to the museum to learn more about Fred's (and Michael's!!) heritage. Dusty and I had been to the museum when we first moved here, long before James, and he'd never been! So it was enjoyable for everybody! It's FUN and educational to be a tourist where you live, from time to time!!

Michael, who is almost 7 years old, and James got along well all weekend and had fun together. Here they are, climbing on a bear statue, out in front of the museum.


The tepees at the museum.....


After the museum, we headed up the mountain to our favorite place to camp and fish....Woods Lake! We spent a couple of hours there, doing some fishing, having a picnic and taking pictures. Wendy is quite the photographer, and I wanted to make sure that she had plenty of photo opportunities!!

While fishing, James spotted something in the water that he HAD to go after....and in he went. That water was COLD, but that didn't stop him!!


This is my favorite picture from our weekend together......Wendy and Fred at Woods Lake!


My favorite view of Woods Lake


Here's Fred, balancing on a log and walking across the creek. Wendy, the kids and I kept waiting for him to fall in, but he didn't! Great job, Fred!!


A cute picture of Michael


From Woods Lake we drove to Telluride (just the other side of the mountain) and rode on the Gondola that goes between the town of Telluride up the mountain to Mountain Village. It's free (YES, free!!) and a fun way to spend the time! The view is spectacular!

The boys weren't to sure of it all going up and there were many squeals. Coming back down, they were calmer and seemed to enjoy it more. Wendy kept them busy looking below for animals for her to photograph. They managed to spot some marmots and squirrels! I took this picture of them on the way up, and you can see the apprehension on their faces!


And this is my friend, Wendy! I got many pictures of her behind her camera, but this was a good one with NO camera!! I appreciate your letting me take some pictures of you, Wendy! We know, as photographers, we are most comfortable behind the camera and not in front of it!!


The next morning, we set out again....this time to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. While we are lucky enough to have this beautiful place in our backyard (literally, as it's about 15 minutes from our house!), we rarely go! Once again it was fun to play "tourist" right here at home!!

We took in the visitor's center, with the movie that they show about the history of the Black Canyon, and then set out to explore! Michael and James enjoyed the first overlook we stopped at!!


What an amazingly beautiful place the Black Canyon is!!!


And I came out from behind my camera, once, and Dusty took this picture of me!


The Black Canyon isn't known for having much shade, so we just picked a picnic table for lunch! James and Michael had other ideas......


Michael and James enjoying their lunch, under the picnic table, in the shade!!


After several hours at the Black Canyon, we took the afternoon to rest. Wendy, Fred and Michael went back to their hotel for a few hours and then came to our house for dinner. Before they left, we gathered in the front yard to take some final pictures.

Wendy, Fred and Michael


And James took this picture of our group. It's a good picture, but I wish he was in it too!!


We had a wonderful weekend with our "new" friends! Wendy, Fred and Michael: We so enjoyed getting to know you in person and spending the time we had with you!! Thank you so very much for sharing your vacation time with us!!