On Durango Mountain...

05/17/12. Wing. There we are smack dab in the middle of the shot. This is taken from the flanks of the high peaks looking 30 miles down valley to Durango.  Spring is working it's way up from town.  In another couple of weeks the leaves will fill out closing in the forest for the summer.

05/16/12.    Wing. Some folks hate the sight of them. Some people eat 'em.  And some day I'm going to make a bottle of wine out of them. But in the meantime we'll just sit on the porch and enjoy the view.

04/15/12. And let's not forget Hanson. Moving dirt and rock and mulch. Seems like there's no end to it. And he really doesn't seem to mind.

05/14/12. Wing. Jonny's doing it too. Drilling holes in the pickets for the hot tub deck. Any luck  at all and he'll knock it out in the next couple of days.

05/13/12. Happy Birthday Michelle!    Even Steve's busting butt. Between conversations. He's building an extension on the porch of #102 to deflect the melting snow away from the entry. And when he's done there he's got two more.

05/11/12. Wing. Eddy's busy too. He's remodeling the bathroom in the Red Mountain room. It's the last one on the first floor to get the slate treatment. It's a pretty big deal and takes a month. And he's got to be done by the end of next week!

05/10/12. Wing. It's busy here at Silverpick as always in the spring.  Lots of construction and yard work. These two men from AVL Property Maintenance are about three quarters the way through construction of a new patio for units 213 and 214. Looking good.

05/08/12. Wing. Beautiful morning after snow, sleet and thunder yesterday. A good day to rest and boy I needed it after the San Juan Symphoney fundraiser here Sunday night.  The Sow's Ear outdid themselves and the guests left very happy... if a few pounds heavier and a few dollars lighter!

05/05/12. Wing. Blue bird of happiness.

05/04/12. Wing. Nice to see elk back up on the mountain. Probably have to avoid the early morning meadows for a while until they move on up into the dark timber.  As I watched them move up over the hill a rafter of turkeys walked out of the aspens not 10 yards away.

04/26/12.  Another day, another hike, another lake. Columbine Lake is located just behind the hill directly across from the lodge and is one of the prettiest up here on the mountain. Barbie and I walked a little higher to the top of the knoll and the south cliff. From there you can see into the heart of the Needles on the west and all the way into Durango to the south. 

04/23/12. Wing. Lime Creek Road is clear to the parking lot and there's only a little snow left on the short mudy trail to Spud Lake.  A mile up and a mile down. Just far enough to get a breath fresh air before work.

04/18/12. Wing. My favorite picture. I take this one every year when the Engineer Mountain Trail opens and we can finally walk up to the pond in the high meadow. Seems a lot earlier this year. But flowers are already pushing up from under the earth. Persephone will have her way.

04/12/12. Wing. Spring comes, tourists leave and the wild animals begin to emerge from the forest. Chipmunks, squirrels, marmonts, coyote, elk, deer, robins, eagles, hawks and turkeys. But you beter look quick because in a minute they'll dissapear into the forest once again.

04/05/12. Wing. Back at our morning walks now that the ski area has closed. Most of the snow is gone around Haviland Lake, site of Dan's Big Fishing Adventure. Spotted ducks, geese and a bald eagle which makes me think there's still some fish left. It just might be time to get a new license.

03/24/12. Wing. Pretty good action around the chess set last night. The Placitas group is back for  Spring Fling 10 years running.  They are a bit more focused than most and have developed a vacation model yeilding maximum good times.  It's very pleasant to hear the lobby fill up with the sounds of music on a winter's eve. Or any other time.

02/25/12. Wing. Another good thing about going to church in Tucson is the fellowship you enjoy on ski trips during rodeo week.

02/20/12. Wing. Happy faces, happy hearts. Friends and family from across the US gathered at Silverpick last weekend to hear these young ones exchange vows. Sure was nice to watch. Now the real fun begins as they make a life together. Ivy and Josh forever!

02/08/12. Wing. One of the many underated activities available to locals and visitors alike is the afternoon drive. Grace showed up just as I was finishing work yesterday and there was plenty of sunlight left for a drive into the heart of the San Juans. Got as far as this bridge over the Animas River in Eurika. Boy is it pretty. Paul and I used to ski up here before they plowed the roads. But it's still worth the trip.

01/08/12. Wing. First wedding of the new year and they weren't kidding around. Lots of snowboarding, dancing, hanging out and a beautiful ceremoney in front of the fireplace. Friends helping friends. Now comes real life. Justin and Adrianna forever!

01/03/11. Wing.  They look happy, don't they? Well who wouldn't be if you'd just spent four days skiing and partying with your nearest and dearest. Not to mention pledging eternal love and friendship to the one you love the best. Bob and Tara Forever!