Our Grindstone Escape

 Grindstone...

Doesn't that sound relaxing to you?

Ok, maybe not at first but after the last couple months filled with road trips, a wedding, a graduation, family visits and work crammed in between Grindstone was just what Jim and I needed to reconnect.  The idea came about on our trek into the high country to cool off last month.  Often times as we hike we see trail signs and intersections with names that look familiar but we have never had the time to explore.  Such was the case when we stopped for our lunch on the aforementioned outing.  When we arrived home that day I poured over maps and books.  I came up with a loop and an alternative route for bad weather.  I planned out an approximate camping area just over half way. We set it in our minds that the next time I scored two days in a row off we were hitting the trail.  Well, low and behold, the schedule came out on a Wednesday and I had Saturday and Sunday off.  Short notice, but we 're good like that!  Beef in the dehydrator for jerky, bake some quick savory cheddar/pecan energy cookies, mix up breakfast makin's and we were on our way out of civilization bright and early Saturday morning.

 

 ~needless to say but I will anyway... click to enlarge photos~

 

 Driving up to the trail head, the flowers pay their respects the the rising sun.

 

 Columbine - our State flower

 

 Jim with our new found friend from New Jersey and his dog.

On our way up the canyon, we came across him and offered him a ride to the top.  He had driven as far as he could in his car and gladly hopped in the back of our truck for the rest of the trip to the trailhead.

 

 Entire Loop - 17 miles

Well, add in the distance from the trail head to this sign, then the fact that there was a tree downed across the road so we had to hike to the trail head and our "Entire Loop" ended up becoming over 21 miles!

 

 Look at the variety of wild flowers at almost 12,000 ft!!

 

Where's the safety railing?!

I'm calling OSHA.

 

 It's an eerie feeling while hiking a ridge line the way the clouds catch and hover right over you, not to the left or the right but dead center down the ridge line.

 

 Jim disappearing into the sky.

 

 Descending?

Don't be fooled, only a short down then another up - you can see the trail winding up the next climb across the saddle.  Averaging above 12,000 ft for most of the ridge line, we wouldn't dip down and out of the clouds until lunch.

 

 Another stunning Columbine

 

This is where we stopped for lunch, about 6.5 miles into our first day.  The storm clouds along the ridge stayed at bay until we were down.  Stopping for lunch amongst the trees we listened as the thunder rolled around us.  Ahh... the sound of nature letting us know whos' really in charge.  This is also where we saw the last person we would encounter for the next 27 hours.  From here on it was the Jim & Seana Show, no other hiker, biker, hunter, etc.

Let the Real Escape Begin!

 

Check back for the rest of our weekend adventure,

too many pictures for one post.

To Be Continued...

 

Visitors a.k.a. The In-Laws

Sometimes people come to visit, too.

 

It's funny that we live in such an amazing place and get so few visitors.  Earlier this month Jim's parents came to visit.  This is the first summer visit we have had from them since we've been married.  Unfortunately, I was unable to get more than a day off of work.  Jim was able to spend the days mountain biking and traveling with them but apparently he didn't take any photos.  So, here's a peek at our one day together...

 

 Rock Solid after all those years together!

 

 A tired Stown on a stone.

 

 Trail side Skeletal Art...

 

Even better Trail side Art!

 

We went on a hike together and enjoyed a few dinners after work.  Maybe next time I can actually get some time off to go and play for more than just a day.

 

Thanks for visiting M&P!

Leaving...

Everyone in Durango leaves.

After 7 years of living here, making friends and watching them move, one might think that I would be used to this by now.  But I am not.  Over a year ago, I vowed to my husband that I wasn't going to make any new friends because they all leave and I am tired of it.  Tired of sharing, caring, loving and leaving.  Then along came Anne.  Perhaps our friendship wouldn't have grown so much in such a short time but she became pregnant and her family was so far away, I felt almost like a big sister.  Then Virgina arrived - way too early!  Little Miss showed up 5 weeks before her train was due and we all became instantly closer.  Pulling for this tiny 3 lb 6 oz specimen of perfection, we shared hope and love and tears and fears.  Now, nearly a year after her birth, they too have moved. 

 Little Miss enjoying a rice cake in the grassy shade of an early July afternoon.

 Enough with the photos - Talk to the Hand!

 A farewell BBQ got me and Ginny K a bit upside down with all those G&Ts.

What are these two planning?!

Maybe it was a smiley ploy to hide the tears.  Maybe it was a worried grin over how everything was going to fit in the trailer.  I will never know.

 

Meanwhile, life is back to normal here in Durango.  Life that will continue on with work and home and adventures until the next temporary resident passes through.

We miss you CVA!

WTF?!

 

While in California for Stown's graduation, we stayed in Norco - a.k.a. Horse town USA.

We've been there dozens of times and are super familiar with the horses everywhere.  We've seen horses for sale, horses in the drive through restaurants, horses for rent... you name it.  But this was a new one.  Check out the print on the square hand written sign - click to enlarge photo.

 

Would you let this person ride your horse?

Of course we know it's a sales thing but you have to admit the first two lines create a funny mental image.

The Graduate!

Well , he did it.

Stown Graduated!

Class of 2014

 

He spent his Senior year in Long Beach California and when the big day came Jim and I traveled out to attend the ceremony and throw a big party.

So proud of ya, Buddy!

 



Yay!

High fives for a job well done.

 



High school's finally over.

 



 Let me see that diploma.

 

 The King of the Party

 

Assorted family & friends

 

Much thanks to my Aunt Carol & Uncle Steve who allowed us to crash there house and have a big pool party / BBQ.  It was great to see so much of the family in one place.

 

Now, Stown is back in Colorado trying to make a go of it in the real world.  Juggling two jobs, a girlfriend and looking for a place of his own to live.  I guess the bird wants to leave the nest. 

 

Good Luck Stown!

I love you ~ Mom

Getting High...

Yep, That's what we do in Colorado when the temperatures start rising. 

We get high in the mountains to cool off.

(what were you thinking?)

 

A couple weeks ago, Jim, the dogs and I went for a 9+ mile trek through the high country (topped a saddle at 11,949 ft. elevation, averaged 11,500).  We explored a trail we hadn't been on before.  The wild flowers were poppin' and the water falls were flowin'!  It was gorgeous!

 

Enjoy some of the pictures as we tried to capture the experience.

(but really, you just have to go for yourself)

 

~click to enlarge photos~

Adhering to the warning sign,  Aspen inspects the unstable rocks.

 

 Jim leading the way up to the saddle.

 

 Amongst the "unstable rocks", I spy the tiniest bunch of wild flowers I have ever seen!!

 

Who could resist playing in the snow at almost 12,000 ft in June?

 

Crazy trail work!

Look closely and notice that the trail is outlined with rocks!

Who does this?  Aliens?

 

Celebration Mountain

Looking across Bear Creek Valley

 



 One of many waterfalls

 

 Jim kisses a Grandfather tree.

So big and so old, bearing an ancient trail blaze, we just had to pause in awe of this natural wonder.

 

A glance back to the saddle we crossed through.

(located in the deep V right where the top of the tree is touching the sky)

 

 A picnic at the Bear Creek Trail connection.

 

 Exhausted Pups

 

 As we hiked, we gathered bits and pieces of trash.

At the connection, I used a recovered piece of cord to rehang a fallen sign.

 

We also did some trail maintenance along the way back,

rebuilding trail cairns...

 

and righting fallen log markers.

 

 Is that a baby dragon?!

(perhaps too much time in the sun at high elevations were getting to me)

 

 Aspen looking regal.

 

A family of Marmots that taunted us with their whistles as we passed along the trail.

The dogs were so tired, they didn't even give these critters a second look.

(look close, it's like a "where's waldo" search - there are 4)

 

Thanks for joining us.

Hope you enjoyed the high!