Rocky Mountain High!

Most summers my husband and I (and our kids when they were young) go camping at a lake up from Crested Butte, Colorado. This past winter Crested Butte got record snow--good for them, but our campsite at Lake Irwin was still in the snow when it was time for our vacation. So..we decided to visit another part of Colorado this year. For the past week we have been camping at River Hill campground near Creede, Colorado. I was excited about exploring a new place, but very apprehensive too. I knew I loved Lake Irwin--would I love this part of Colorado?

My husband first took me camping in the Rockies on our honeymoon, 33 years ago. I fell in love with the mountains, and with camping. It's not just the cool weather..I find a peace in the mountains I don't find anywhere else. There is such serenity getting up in the morning and seeing a blue sky, smelling the pine trees, and enjoying a cup of coffee sitting by the fire. We hike, we fish, we cook out and just enjoy the outdoors.

Our campsite this year was in the mountains, just not high up in the mountains. The best part-it was right on the Rio Grande river! We could hear the rushing sound of the river the minute we stepped out of the car. This was a different place, but the feeling was the same. I found my peace here. We had a wonderful trip...






This is Daisy (yes, I named her!) She hung out at our campsite. I know deer are a nuisance for lots of gardeners, but we don't have them where I live, so I enjoyed seeing Daisy.

Creede is an old mining town. We also went to Lake City which is also an old mining town. (the stories I could tell you about that town from years ago!!) We took lots of old roads and saw lots of old mines and ghost towns.

I love waterfalls, and this was the place for them! We took about a 6 mile (round trip) hike back to a beautiful waterfall. (and would you believe we met 2 couples from the Dallas area on this hike!)

The wildflowers were not as pretty here as they are in Crested Butte--I wonder why? But I still enjoyed the few I found. This is a picture of Lanceleaf Chiming Bells.

And of course, Colorado's state flower, Columbine.

Yes, this was a different trip. It was a different Colorado, but it was mountains. I still love Lake Irwin, but I enjoyed this trip--we will definitely return.

I get a lump in my throat every time I have to leave the mountains, but I know I must go home. I must return to Texas--it's where I live, it's where I bloom.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. John Muir