Black Forest Colorado Fire

"Here is a picture of what it now looks like across the road (about 150 meters from our house).  It was too close for comfort.  Cleaners will be in our home all week treating everything for smoke damage.

The fire is currently 100% contained but not out.  It consumed over 14k acres, 511 homes, and two people in our heavily wooded, marginally populated area.  It would have been much worse if the homes were closer together like last year's Waldo Canyon fire."

News from a friend in Colorado.

Silverton and Four Corners and More...

Evidence of rock "examination"...

Hubby's favorite picture.

Uncle Carl and Andrew in CO

Four Corners

Relatives' almost back yard

Aztec ruins.

The main complaint my companions had was I stayed too long in one place.  A ranger came to ask if we had any questions, the guys said no but we're sure SHE has some.  I love the guides and visited the kiva.  I had so many questions and visited so long my companions had to search for me and remove me from the grounds.  I don't get out much.  

Rocks are my pleasure.  It amazes me that every rocks hold millions of years of history and the structures hold even more knowledge.  The strata tells a story with every step you take.  I love the stories of the creation I see in even the tiniest stone.

Challenging My Tastes...

When I travel I always try to have a new dish I've never tasted before.  This trip was no different.  We dined at an local Irish Pub in Durango Colorado.

No one seemed impressed with the vision of my Bangers and Mash.  It was pretty good. I made everyone try it. BIL Carl, Andrew, Robbie and Hubby just had plain ole burgers with curly fries.

Once again the scenery changed as we climb altitudes we've never experienced before. After a little shopping, visiting a train museum and lunch we headed to Silverton Colorado...even higher in the mountains.

BIL Carl is much more fun to travel with...if he just sees me look at something, he pulls over for me to take a picture. It certainly is a pleasure.