Friends visit, and more

On last Fri evening, the 18th, we had a surprising dining experience, starting with our intentions of going to Southern Vittles for their shrimp night special. They were jammed, so moving right along, we stopped into the most recently opened "Saloon" in town called The Depot. It's bright and cheery inside with a lot of exterior glass and newly installed pine wall paneling and flooring. But what really grabbed our attention was the jukebox...looks like something out of Star Wars. Of course, it plays CD's, and on examination we found we hadn't the slightest idea how to operate it! How long has it been since either of us put money in a jukebox?
A young fellow, obviously with a personal interest in the success of the new enterprise, came over and showed E how it works, even put money into it and picked something E said we could dance to. And the price, only 3 for $1. We had some reminiscing about nickel and quarter jukebox days, danced our one dance, drank a beer and bid them goodbye. They were nice, but this is not a gray hair place.
Then dinner still remained open. Decided to try a place we've tried to go to several times--always was closed for a private party, or looked as if there were no customers--and we always just went on someplace else.
This time, we not only ate there, but had one of the best restaurant meals we've ever experienced. We were seated next to a fellow, alone, who told us right away what a great meal to expect. Turns out he lives in Tucson, said he writes for Arizona Highways magazine, has traveled all over the western states, and proclaimed, "You are eating at the best restaurant in the Western United States."
At the end of the meal, we wouldn't have argued the point. The food and service were both superb. So, if you ever come to L.C., save up your $$ (yes, it's expensive) for a great dining experience at Bruno's Alpine Grill!

On Sat. the 19th our friends Edmond & Carol Hovasse arrived for their 2 wk. stay in a cabin at Vickers Ranch. We had dinner together at the Pasta Factory (Crazy Angelo's restaurant), enjoyed Angelo's antics and a good genuine Italian meal, served under the careful eye of Angelo himself.
On Sunday we four got out early (9 am) to fish at the dock at the lake, with good success for a change. We two got our limit of 8, Ed & Carol got 6, and we called it a day when the sun got too brutal. That evening we cooked and ate 6 of our 8 at our trailer, our first real trout meal of the summer. Delicious!

Then...Monday was a day of rest, Tuesday we tried fishing again, off the bank, with no success. We blame it on the murky water resulting from the heavy rain during the evening and night.

Wednesday we took an ATV ride up Blue Creek Rd., despite the threatening weather when we departed. The sky looked a little menacing, but we decided to chance it, and break in our raingear if necessary.
This is the view behind us as we started up the mountain road.

These darlings tried very hard to get out of camera range before I could snap them...while riding on the ATV I keep the camera tucked inside a shirt, and to take a picture it means: push up the helmet visor off my eyes; pull out the camera; get the lens cover off and power on; find the object in the lcd screen; pull in the object with the zoom (15x); focus; snap! Sometimes objects disappear too fast, but these darlings, probably 30' away in the photo, lingered just long enough.
We chose to ride on up to the Big Blue trailhead, 6 mi., rather than attempt the 32 mi. roundtrip to Arrowhead Inn, a place we've never seen as yet. We keep saying we'll go...but never make it.
Weather still looked threatening, and we knew it would rain before long. Views like this are around every curve, so no matter what choice we made, we knew it would be enjoyable.
Discovery of maricopa lily wildflowers growing on a slope alongside our route was an unexpected bonus. We saw these growing last summer on Los Pinos road, but didn't suspect they would be here on this barren hillside as well. Unlike last year's find, where the plants and bloomheads hugged the ground, these plants were long and leggy, 6-10" high, with smaller bloomheads but the same amazing structure and coloration. Yes, they really are that color, purple/wine and brilliant chartreuse.
This pic is typical of midday skies here, as the later-to-be-rainclouds begin to gather up on the horizons.

The ubiquitous native columbine were scattered here and there, not the exuberant display that we see in American Basin at its peak, but charming nevertheless.
For my friend who wanted to see the yellow Goretex rain jacket, here it is....at the Big Blue Creek trailhead, our lunch stop and the terminus of today's journey. Rainpants, as well, the kind that zip up and down the legs so they can be put on over boots and clothing without falling on your axx in the process! If you're nimble.
Here's the intrepid ATV driver at the same spot, same yellow & black raingear. We had just enough rain to make it worthwhile putting it on. Actually, we'd never used it before, and we learned a few things about warmth and fasteners to make it a good practice for times of more dire need.
More trailhead. This is a beautiful, long valley (there's a lot more behind the photographer), and a popular spot for fly fishermen. Also there's a dry camping area just above this, would be a great place for rough camping and fishing expedition. You hear that, you family guys who fish??
E locates us on the Uncompahgre Wilderness map.

OK, I just like the picture.
Ditto.

On the way back down, E waits patiently for me to take more pics, and hopes we beat the serious rain!
We did, made it back to camp just as it started to pour.

Hot showers and a hot dinner later, we went to the weekly bingo game at the Armory. E won $5 and a tee shirt too small for either of us, it now belongs to camping neighbor Gwen, the tiniest gal in camp.