Powderhorn Loop

Here it is August 8 and there's some catching up to do. I've been slow to post new segments, partly because we've been busy having fun, and partly because it's starting to feel like work. Horrors! That's the last thing I want this blog to be, so am only writing when I feel like it.
I took time during our current rainy spell to cull photos and play with a couple to enhance them. This abandoned building is one of them...while Hovasses were here we took a drive around the long Powderhorn loop, a road that begins in the mountains and ends in the Powderhorn Valley (or the reverse, if you wish). Along the way is some magnificent scenery, lively creeks, primitive campgrounds, to-die-for ranches, and a long, long valley meadow through which threads Cebolla Creek. Right where the creek crosses the highway, a cluster of abandoned buildings which appear to have been a homestead lies.
The tattered white window curtain was both appealing and intriguing. Ed H peeked inside, said items were still sitting on what appears to be a kitchen table. Very mysterious.
Along the roadside this derelict hay rake, in total disrepair, axle deep in weeds and wildlflowers, and surrounded by unkempt fencing, makes a great photo subject.
We came upon this moment of marital intimacy at a campground; I requested permission to take a pic and include it in our blog. The gentleman had just completed a sensual looking sudsing of the lady's long hair and was rinsing by the time I reached them on foot.
I gave them the web site information and invited them to take a look, and I hope they did. Or will. When we left, she was washing his hair, as well.

This marmot was cooperative when we came upon a fairly large den of these rodents. We counted 6 visible, and just out of sight more bodies were seen scampering in and out of the rock den.
The two Ed's checked out this spot for potential fly fishing in future. They didn't fish here, but during the 2-wk. time they were in Lake City the guys got in quite a lot of fishing, some very successful, all very adventurous. Ed H promises to email some of his photos which I can pick off and publish later, including, we hope some of the fish they caught.

All four of us fished, in fact, quite a lot; we had a great time altogether--fishing, touring, sharing wine and food a number of evenings. The Carol/e's enjoyed a play in Creede one Sunday afternoon, a very professional presentation of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." The guys shared a trip to Ten Mile Spring for fly fishing in that very remote wilderness area 10 miles off the beaten track plus a good hike upstream as well, and they did have some catches (catch and release area). They say now they've done it, they won't ever have to do it again! They had a good afternoon's success in the ponds above Vickers Ranch where the Hovasse's rented cabin is located; these fish now reside in our freezer. We've discovered the joy of butterflying the trout and cooking it on the grill on a wetted cedar plank. Sorry, Ed and Carol, you missed this! We hear it's good with chicken also, so maybe back home?

More about touring up to American Basin in a later segment. Ed H did go with E.W. on the ATV up to American Basin, his first ride, I think.