Thursday 18th June 2020
We stayed a few days in Ouray, a small town tucked in between tall mountains. We drove the car up a very narrow, windy gravel road to a reach a trailhead.
There were many streams to cross. Some kind person had made a nice bridge over this one.
After a couple of miles we moved out of the tree zone.
I got a little squirrelly crossing some of these snow packs. Rose! do NOT look down the mountain. It’s a long roll down.
Yippee! Made it to safer ground.
A huge gust of wind whipped off Deans hat and blew it into the only lake in the area, aptly named Ice Lake.
Thank goodness the hat dropped and picked up some snow which weighted it down enough to land at the edge of the lake. This enabled hat rescue mode to be deployed.
Life and limb risked and some very chilly feet but the $15 hat from Costco was retrieved and Deans noggin saved from sunburn.
It was a lovely hiking in the high country.
We were pretty thrilled to make it up to 12,440 feet.
Our next stop was Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We hiked along the rim and could see the Gunnison river down below still carving into the canyon.
The canyon ranges from 1700 to 2700 feet in depth.
We were able to drive to an area where we could hike along the river and admire the steep granite walls towering above.
I am even happy in a bed of Dandelions. The purple Larkspur added a nice contrast.
Columbines are starting to bloom. These are the Colorado State flower.
This group of Western Tent Caterpillars had almost wriggled out of their tent.
Leadville claims to be the highest town in the USA. The air was certainly pretty fresh up this high.
This hike near Leadville was mostly uphill and yet again lots of water crossings.
Also lots of snowpack to cross over.
This beautiful lake was our destination. The whole area was covered in Marsh Marigold.
Since sourdough is a popular thing these days I thought I would add my two cents worth. Jay has been making some professional looking, and tasting sourdough bread for a while.
He gave me a portion of the “Mother” and I have been having fun using the bubbly sour stuff. I have made lots of bread but I just sling it in loaf pans. It tastes good but just not as pretty as Jays bread.
Savory sourdough crackers are delicious.
Sourdough waffles are pretty great too.
We are moving slowly up the middle of Colorado. Never sure of where we will be next.
THE BUS STOPS HERE 
fun fun fun, looks amazing both the scenery hikes and ohhh a loaf of that sourdough bread please.
The Kirkwoods having fun
That sourdough bread is addicting. To counteract the carbs you need a big slab of butter on your slice of bread.
I am envying you!! What beautiful country and pictures. Thanks for sharing!
We are having some good times for sure.
Hi Rose & Dean
Those views are pretty spectacular well worth the climb. Your Sourdough looks tasty, never got into bread making although friends have bread makers that turn out some delicious breads. Keep safe, we’re still fine, but will feel better when things get back to normal but that looks like it’ll be while off. Not been able to go to the caravan as we are not allowed to travel into Wales or Scotland😩. Take care, lots of love Gina xxx
Sorry to hear you’re not able to do your summer get togethers in Wales. All your friends are gonna be suffering from Gina deprivation. A sad time indeed for them to miss your smiley face and infectious laugh. Wish you could hop on a plane and travel with us for a bit.
Wow..brings back many memories of camping from ages 5 thru 13
Good effort on the hat. It look like a sunny day so probably could have gotten a bit burned without it.
Sure is easy to get sun burned at the high elevations with slathering on the sunscreen.
Certainly is
It seems like you two are having time of your life. Going through all beautiful natural scenery, mountains, water and flowers. Waiting for “Allegro post”
This country has fabulous scenery.
Bet you had some great times. A lot easier to find camping spots back in the day as well. We have been having a hard time getting spots. It seems most places are booked over the weekends.
We LOVE our sour dough pancakes. Had to give up my start before we moved but I have acquired a new batch. I’ll need to start over again in a year.
I bet your pancakes are delicious.
Dean+Rose, love all the great pictures! Keep on traveling and sending us your pictures, one day you can make it here and take some good ole family pictures and let me beat you in Ping Pong Brother!😎
I bet you would whip Dean pretty good. Sure hope we meet up one of these days. Stay healthy.
What is a great trip and so much fun. Thank you for sharing your adventure
Stay well and Laugh when you can
A laugh a day keeps the doctor away. Wine helps too of course.
Hard Cider For me but I get it
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Just spectacular photos along with a daring hat rescue. Thanks so much for sharing your hike with us.
Thanks for the input.
You guys totally amaze me..LOve your posts. Use to shop [ food] in Leadville, many years ago…. C0lorado a beautiful state. Very interesting posts always…… Lived in the little town of Dillon,. Now a big resort, am told. .HUbby worked on the tunnel being dug ..for the water lake now covering that area… Beautiful pictures always
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So glad to hear from you Pat. You sure have lived in so many cool places across the country. We would have a hard time matching all your adventures. Stay safe dear friend.