On the Trail

Last weekend we were up on the trail.   Pebbles got a chance to jump in the water and she was pretty happy about it.

She loves the water and jumps in any time she get's a chance.  We were out early and it was nice as we didn't really come across any other people.   We did come across a deer who was hiding in the bushes.

Good Times

Dynomite! Wait, no I am not talking about the 1970's sitcom with Jimmie Walker.  I am talking about the awesome day we had today.  Last night I loaded the truck with my fishing gear, a couple of chairs and out frisbee discs.  We were planning to head down towards Canyon City but didn't have a firm plan on what were going to do.

We left the house early and our first stop was Brush Hollow

Reservoir.  Brush Hollow is just northwest of Penrose.  It is reported that it has a wide variety of fish (Bass, Trout, Bluegill and more.  I have never had a lot of luck fishing it, but them I am fishing from the bank and not from a boat.

I ended catching bluegill today.  I caught four and had a lot of bites that I missed.   I wasn't fishing for them was looking for something bigger, but they kept hitting the worm.  The lake was way up for this time of year so it was difficult to get out to the deep water.

We hung out for a while and then decided to move on.   We loaded up everything in the truck and headed out.   We soon found ourselves and the Beaver Creek Wilderness Area.  I love going here, and it is not heavily used.  It is a rough and rocky dirt road to get to it.  The road is narrow and difficult for vehicles to pass each other in most areas.   On our drive in and out, we didn't pass anyone.  When we arrived at the parking area, there were only two cars.

After loading the pack and getting Pebbles ready we made our way to the trailhead and took the fork in the trail to head towards the creek.  Along the way, we came across all type of wildflowers that were in bloom.  The creek was running high and fast.  Pebbles was busy chasing all the grasshopper jumping around and sniffing everything out.  

I took a small pole and some artificial bait with me in the backpack. On the hike, I would stop along the creek and throw out a line.  I ended up catching 3 small trout.   The biggest was maybe 8 inches long.   I let them all go, to be caught another day.

Once we were back at the truck we drove over to Florence, CO.  and had some lunch and then walked through a few antique stores.  I didn't see anything I needed but did see a couple things that I would want.  Didn't get anything but had a fun time looking.

Meadow

So we have a new addition to the household.   I would like to introduce you to our new 7-week old cat.  We had to run to Wal-Mart to get a few things last weekend.   When we came out and walking towards the car there is a family with five kittens and they are giving them away for free.

I kept walking but Candy stopped and looked and that was that.  Five minutes later we are leaving with a new kitten.  Not sure what is wrong with us.  

We already have a dog and cat, so not sure why we thought we needed another.

Meadow is fitting in nicely to the home dynamics.   Everyone was a little standoffish at first but with a little time everyone is getting along and now starting to play and sleep with each other.

Meadow keeps egging both Pebbles and Brooks on, by going after their tails.  They will turn and chase her, but she is back at as soon as they turn.

Meadow has been great so far, already using the litter box and likes to spend time outside in the backyard.   We have to keep an eye on her as we worry a hawk may come through and carry her off.  She's pretty cute and seems that she is going to fit in just fine.

Scouting

Saturday, Clark and I headed out about 11:30 AM on our way to scout out our route for our hike.   
Our first stop was at Brush Hollow reservoir.  We dug out the fishing poles and fished off the bank for about an hour.  No luck so we moved on. 


Made our way over to Phantom Canyon drive.   Our plan is to start about 5/miles in, where the dirt road begins.  We kept track of our distance on the way so we could start looking for camping spots at about mile 11 and beyond.  As we drove we found a place to pull over and eat our lunch.  We hung out and goofed around the creek.  Pebbles loved it and she even got into the creek to cool off.  Clark chose to use the log cross the creek.   We tried to get Pebbles to follow up but she wasn't up for it.

We found a great spot, but we will have to get a full 15/miles in on day one to get to it.

We are going to be sleeping in hammocks instead of a tent.   This will be a first for me.   Today I set up my hammock so I could see what is the max distance I can have between trees.

The spot we found is off the road a bit, and there are some great trees that we can tie up to.   We stacked some rocks for a fire pit and we spotted some good wood close around for us to use for our fire.

We continued up the canyon and ended up in Victor, CO.  We stopped in town and parked in front of a beer joint.   Went in and had a cold beer and sat and talked about our plans and things we will need to pack with us.

Then we headed over to Cripple Creek to hit one of the casinos.  Clark had never gambled on a slot machine so we thought we should give it a try.   I think he dropped $20 in and he ended up walking away with $52, pretty decent for a first timer.

We got back to the house just after 6 PM and grabbed Candy and went and had some dinner.   Now that we have driven the route I am even more excited about a trip.

Steak Soup

Towhee

Slow start this morning and not sure why.  I guess we stayed up to late watching Saturday Night Live mock our leaders and what a fine job they do.  Trump and his team are a bunch of clowns and they deserve it.

Pebbles

We did get out of the house and went and hiked up to GCR and back.  It was colder today compared to what we have had the last few days.  Had a light dusting of snow and when we left the house it was in the low 30's.

I took the camera with me today as I was hoping to get some decent pictures of the wildlife and the scenery.   I did manage to get a few good pictures and of course some pictures of Pebbles.

We could hear lots of birds chirping but none of them would really participate in a photo opportunity.  I did get a few, a Steller Jay, Tohee and a few finches.  Those darn Stellers just won't hold still long enough.

Being that the weather had changed so much from yesterday, there was no one out.  It was nice as we just let Pebbles run all around and sniff everything out.  She had a blast.

It was a great morning to be out.  The clouds were hanging low and you could hardly see the mountains in the background.   

When we got home we loaded up and headed back out.   We ran over to Clark's and dropped off some mail and we cut up a storage box for his cat's litter box.   We did one for our cat and it really helps keep the litter together and not on the floor.   He had a table that needed to have a few screws tightened so we did that as well.

Then it was off to the store.   Yesterday I dug out the leftover prime rib that we had for Christmas and set it thaw out.  We grabbed some vegetables and a few other needed items.   When we got home, I got to work cooking up some steak soup.

It is smelling awesome and I am so ready to eat.  Will be another couple of hours but well worth the wait.

Goose Egg

So let's see, today I logged a big Goose Egg.  I took the day off and ended up driving.  My excuse is that it was 22 this morning......  Just an excuse.

Both our fountains had heavy ice on them, luckily they didn't freeze up.   I will be draining them tomorrow so that we won't have to worry about freezing.

O'l Brooks the cat is really fitting in to the family.   I think we have turned him into one of the dogs.  He goes out when the dogs do, eat 's when they do and he is playing with Pebbles and she is playing back.  They chase each other and have been sharing toys.

The squirrels have been on DEFCON 4 as of late.  Brooks likes to get out early in the morning when the squirrels are active.  He tries to catch them, but they are just to fast.   Brooks has taken to climbing the trees and the fence.  I came out the other day and found him sitting up in the tree.  He also likes to walk all along the fence and monitor his territory.

Speaking of squirrels, I found out who had been eating on the pumpkins.  I noticed that over a few days that the rind was being eaten off.  Well this morning I actually caught the culprit in the act.  I had no idea the squirrels liked pumpkin rind, but I guess they do.

As you can see this squirrel has been pretty active working on this pumpkin.  

In this pic, you can also see the dusting of snow that we got yesterday.

"Good-bye Max.  Good-bye Ma.
After the service when you're walking slowly to the car
And the silver in her hair shines in the cold November air
You hear the tolling bell. And touch the silk in your lapel

And as the tear drops rise to meet the comfort of the band
You take her frail hand. And hold on to the dream.

A place to stay. Enough to eat
Somewhere old heroes shuffle safely down the street
Where you can speak out loud. About your doubts and fears
And what's more no-one ever disappears

You never hear their standard issue kicking in your door.
You can relax on both sides of the tracks
And maniacs don't blow holes in bandsmen by remote control
And everyone has recourse to the law
And no-one kills the children anymore." 

"The Gunners Dream"

You've Got Mail

We had to go to the post office today as Candy had a small package she needed to mail.   So for our hike today we decided we walk to the post office and back.  We ended up with a little over 4.5/Miles.  Most of it was trail, but we covered a lot of sidewalk today as well.  We had a great time and Pebbles was excited to be out.  With today's distance I logged 33.7/Miles for the week.  Hopefully I can step it up next week.

I may have said this already, but I can't believe the weather we are having.   Today it was in the 60's and looks like it will be all next week as well.  

Kitty, Kitty

I am not sure how it happen or what came over us, but we now have a cat into the mix of our already crazy animal circus.  His name is Brooks and he came from the humane society.   Brooks is two years old.   We have had him a week now.  He spends most of his time in the basement to keep away from the dogs.

Today was the first day that we have taken him outside.   We had to keep the dogs in the house as I am sure that Pebbles would have chased him all over the yard.

We have mice outside.  This comes from having bird feeders.  The birds knock a bunch of feed on the ground and then mice show up to eat.   I am sure that Brooks will catch a few.

First thing he did when getting out in the yard he rolled in the dirt.  He did this several times.  Guessing he was trying to get the pound smell off of him.

Pebbles

More time on the trail

This week I have been trying to make a real effort to walk to work.   I did great on Monday, walked to work and got a ride home because we had lighting and showers.  Tuesday was a no go because I had a 7 AM face to face meeting and had to be in early.  Today I managed to walk to work and back home.  This helped me to get a little more distance, bringing me up to 9.79 for the week.

Candy and Pebbles both walked half way with me on Monday and Wednesday.   We have been able to get Pebbles off the leash a little and she loves that.  We have had a bumper crop of grasshoppers so Pebble is bouncing all over trying to catch them.  It's actually pretty funny.

My wrist band on my fitbit blew craps so I started using my GPS again.   The above are the routes that I have taken the last couple of days.

This evening I put the sprinkler on the garden and let it run for about an hour.   For about two weeks we were picking a bowl of raspberries everyday.   Well the first round of raspberries are done and now the black berries are starting to ripen.  I have two plants and they are both exploding.  The picture below is a close up and you can see how big they are getting and they are just starting to turn from red to black.

We picked one this evening and oh man it was good.   Going to be having some of these on my ice cream and cereal.

Last night I made plum icee's.  We bought some plums at the flea market and they were huge and ready to eat and they were awesome.   Several of them had really started to ripen and were getting soft.   I cut the core out and threw them in the blender and then added ice and a little honey.  Oh they were good.

While I was in the yard this evening I snapped a few other pictures of some of the plants we have growing.

Tiger Lilly

Yarrow

Daisy

I had some help in the yard this evening.  Pebbles was following me around and keeping and eye out for any wildlife.   I have to say this picture of her, looks like she may have gotten into some brownies.

Backyard Photo Shoot

On Wednesday I was sitting in the backyard with the camera.  I did a little backyard photo shoot and have included the pics below.  Enjoy!