K. Lake

On the 11th, I hiked to K. Lake, 8 miles round trip and 1600 ft gain (9,900 to 11,500).  I don't know if I just wasn't in good enough shape yet or what, but this hike kicked my butt!  I was doing fine at first but then hit a wall, as they say.  Had a headache, felt weak and dizzy.  Maybe it was just the altitude getting to me on the way up, but it wasn't much fun!  Got better after a little while.

Here is a nice view of Mt. P on my way to the trailhead.

 Was a pretty trail and so nice that much of it was in the woods and shaded! 

 Sometimes the shade falls over though...  Parts of the trail were pretty messed-up with deadfall.

 Always love the reflections!

Some of the trail was rocky and actually part of a creek.  

 It's not a lousy trail, just a lousey flower!

Lousewort.

  Nice tree silhouettes and sky.

 Do you know this girl?

 Looking back.  Almost to the lakes.

 K. Lake.

 More reflections.

 Pretty day.  Pretty lake.

 And pretty flowers (paintbrush, bluebells,...)

Nice set of antlers.  Looks like someone lost them the hard way though!  These were obviously still attached to the owner's head!!  Maybe someone's dinner?

I should know this bird...

 but I don't.  Will have to look him up!

 Perfect Paintbrush.

One last look at the lake.

And then time to head back down before I get rained on!

 Gorgeous sky and lighting!

 ooops!  Too late!

The rain finds me.  But it's worth it, as usual!

Kitties' Afternoon Out

 OK, just so some folks don't start thinking it's all about the dogs and accusing us of racism, discrimination, unfair practices, etc.  One afternoon, we took the cats out for a drive and some rock climbing.  We went back to where I'd gone for one of my impromptu hikes.

 They had so much fun!  But Scratty needed to take her little cat breaks now and then.

 ooo, I wonder what's over/under there?!

 Storm coming.  Time to head back to the car.

 But first, a little fence climbing is in order!  That storm's not that fast.

 Daredevil Scratty!

 Tractor is unfazed, undaunted.  It's in his blood, his genes.  He's a high wire stuntkitty!

 They both are!  This fence was made for walking!

Scratwoman!

 oooo, was that a bird?!!!

Tractor takes the off-ramp, heading for the bird in the tree...!

C. Pass and T. Reservoir

On July 6th, we took the dogs for a drive up to the pass and over to the reservoir on other side.  It was a beautiful day with all sorts of weather!  Here our cherished and beloved and still oft-remembered Ouraydog looks out at the other side (after perhaps leaving a message on the bulletin rock).

 The other side.  This pass is funny because it's paved going up on the one side but dirt road on the other!  Before going down the dirt side to the reservoir, we decide to do a little exploring with the pooches.

 This was one of Ouray's last (mini-)hikes...   :(

 Hey Dad!  What are you and Senny doing all the way up there?!

 Ouray in the mountains.

 Hey Dad!  What are you and Senny doing all the way down there?!

 Such pretty views!  And great clouds!!

 Bill wants to make sure Ouray remembers this spot and exactly how high he was here.

 Looking back at the paved side we just came up.  

 Bill, in front of the view on the other side again.

 Some people don't even like driving over passes (although this one is pretty mild).  Then there are others who take their whole family over them on bicycles!  Here, we're on our way down the other (dirt) side.

And here's the reservoir.  When I was a teenager, my grandparents and I and some friends took a little trip here to camp and fish.  I still remember the time me and my buddies were out in a boat - metal boat - in the middle of the lake.  And they all started laughing at me.  Turns out it was because my hair was all standing up on end.  While it was initially a sight for much entertainment, we also realized it could mean serious trouble.  That kind of static charge and those kinds of clouds could mean some serious lightning - and being in a metal boat in the middle of a bunch of water wasn't the best place to be right then!  So we headed for shore double-quick!  And just like that lazy afternoon so many years (decades!) ago, those clouds are roaring in again!

 We drove just past the dam.  Right before we got to it, however, I thought I saw a flash and was wondering who was taking pictures.  That was, of course, immediately followed by a VERY loud crackling boom that sounded like it was RIGHT THERE over our truck!!  Then I knew who was taking pictures!  I guess God had just gotten a shot of us driving down the road...!  Ah, memories...!  T. Reservoir is a happening place!

Darkening skies.

 And there it is - the rain caught up with us.  Time to go.

 Driving back up the hill and looking back at the storm below.

 Always such great displays of clouds and light.

Somebody headed down into it.  But we're done for the day.  Time to go home.  Our safe, snug RV awaits us.