Sunshine and fly fishing

The weather here in southern Colorado is unseasonably warm.  Today it is supposed to be 55.  I need to get outside and water my garden and the Aspen trees.  The Aspens love water.  The grass needs to be watered too. 

This photo was taken on one of our ATV rides.  Last year we only went ATVing one time and it was  was with our friends from Denver.  We went on a really scary ride over by Crested Butte, Colorado.  I would have added a photo, but I can't seem to get but one photo uploaded...  Sigh.

Recently 102 miles of the Arkansas River was designated Gold Medal water, which for you fly fishermen is exciting.  Gold Medal waters represent the best aquatic habitats and the best fisheries in the state.  These waters are the cream of the crop.  It also means that 65 percent of the river stretch is open to the angling public via federal and state-owned land.  The county hopes to see more fly fishermen and fisherwomen because of this designation.  Which in turn, means more business at our motel here in Salida, Colorado - we hope!    Check out this web site to get more information on fly fishing.  http://www.arkanglers.com/fly-shop-salida

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Spent the evening watching a new show I discovered "Call the Midwife" which is a t.v. show on PBS from England.  It's excellent.  Almost as good as Downton Abby, which begins again tonight. 

The snow storm missed us, but the ski area has two new inches.     http://www.skimonarch.com/
The farmer's almanac said it was supposed to be a hard winter, but I guess it wasn't talking about Colorado. 

Next weekend, Lee is going elk hunting with his nephews.  The twin boys are 17 and they still have a license. 



Lee's brother shot an elk back in November and we have been enjoying the bounty.  The hamburger is excellent.  We had "elk wellington" for Christmas Eve dinner.

A new year.

It's 9pm on Friday night.  It's quiet except for the wind blowing outside.  It reminds me of the movie Mary Poppins - you know, when the wind blew her in with her umbrella and carpet bag.  I saw the movie "Saving Mr. Banks" the other night.  It was really good especially for a baby boomer who remembers seeing the movie Mary Poppins when it first came out in the 1960s.

We are expecting a snow storm tonight or tomorrow.  Fortunately its not going to be like the snow storms that are hitting the eastern part of the United States.  The skiing at the ski area should be excellent.  But, I thought this photo of fall around the Salida area would be nice to post. 

Painting motel neon sign in May 2013

It's been a long time since I wrote on my blog.  It's just that not much is going on.  I went to California for vacation.  Everything in California is green.  It's hard to come back to Colorado, but nothing beats the smell of the trees here in the mountains after a good rain.

While in California I went on a cruise out in the Santa Barbara harbor.  Here are some seals we encountered!  They didn't smell so good being as fish is their diet!  They ones on the green "thing" would not let that guy in the water join them...

Back at the Circle R Motel, we are painting the neon sign.  It's a big project and the weather has not helped much.  Here is before....

Here is after....  Looks great, don't you think?!  Thanks to John who volunteered to do the project.

The river should be great for rafting this summer in Salida.  Fly fishing is good now too.  This is the place to plan a vacation...

Sandhill crane video and snow in the mountains

Recently I drove to Denver. There was fresh snow on the mountains surrounding Salida. Beautiful.  These
14,000 foot mountains are in Chaffee county.  When the snow eventually melts, it will bring prime rafting on the Arkansas River this summer.

 

In March, there is the migration of the Sandhill cranes in the San Luis Valley.  We went in 2011 to see them.  It was amazing.  Here is a short video.  Remember, I'm an amature movie maker.

Remodeled bathroom at the Circle R Motel

Yesterday we went to to lunch at the Country Bounty restaurant.  http://www.thecountrybounty.com/  I love the Country Bounty mostly because they make their own fabulous desserts.  And, they also have a great chef.  I had crepes. 

Here is a quilt I'm working on. 

Also, we have redone one of the bathrooms at the motel and here are before and after photos of the sink and then a finished photo of the shower.

 

 

 

 

Check out the Circle R Motel's web site at:  http://salidacoloradomotel.com/

Winterwonderland in southern Colorado

Monarch ski area http://skimonarch.com/ has new snow.  It's about 13 inches in the last two days.  That means that besides skiing and snowboard, there will be new snow for snowmobiling http://www.snowmobilemonarch.com/ and cross country skiing.

If you are looking for something different to do, why not try out dog sledding? Here is a link to their web site.   http://monarchdogsledrides.com. 



Then, be sure to stay at the Circle R Motel while up in the high country doing your thing.  http://salidacoloradomotel.com/  We are just one mile from downtown Salida where you will find lots of things to do and plenty of restaurants.

We have parking in front of your motel room so you don't have to put all your belongings on one of those carts and wheel it into the hotel lobby, take the elevator, get out and wheel your things down the hallway then unload them in the room and then take that cart back down to the lobby.  Just step out your motel room and unload your vehicle, which is parked five feet away! 

While everyone is enjoying this winter wonderland, I'm doing some quilting.   Here are a few photos of what I'm working on.

Until next time....