Holy cow…September already?! Where did this year go? Oh yeah, to Blursville is where it went. Well at least I KNOW where I went this week. A few days in the mountains gave me a whole fresh outlook and rejuvenation. You may have remembered I said I was going to Glenwood Springs to celebrate my Dad’s 90th birthday with family which meant that I’d be driving near the fire ravaged area to get to my brother’s house. Fortunately their new home is located southwest of the burn area and while I-70 finally opened up to traffic, it seemed a better option to take the alternate route over Independence Pass (through Aspen) being far more scenic. Boy was I right. Although it took a little longer, it was well worth it.
So let’s join our weekly hosts, sisters Rosy, Sunny, & brothers Arty and Jakey from LLB in Our Backyard. Don’t forget to click on their link and check out what Blogville dished out for our enjoyment on the blog hop.
I can’t remember the last time I drove over Independence Pass-it’s not a direct route to Glenwood. A smattering of rain was encountered but then I noticed some peaks with a dusting of snow. With the summer that we’ve experienced, it was such a welcomed sight. The whole state needs the moisture.
Mother Nature was kind of enough to wait until everyone arrived to begin to cloud up. A small shower rewarded anyone who had recently washed their vehicles but then this happened. I can’t remember such an intensely bright double rainbow.
Pretty cool clouds, huh? Mt. Sopris is hiding behind those clouds just out of frame to the right. The rainbow and clouds cleared enough to allow the almost full moon to begin to rise. The view from the patio was gorgeous and relaxing. Bring on the margaritas!
My brother’s home is a stone’s throw from the Roaring Fork River which means ‘wildlife’ is never too far away, both domestic as well as non-domestic. Meet Angus, the resident (but still kitten) cat who follows the uprights around and thinks he’s the dog brother of the two resident Chessies, Rudder and Axel (they were featured in our Meet the Breed post recently). Angus is enormous being a Maine Coon, but I’ll always think of him as a Puma rather than a house cat. He’s a big boy and still growing. Rudder tends to avoid the hustle and bustle of our family get-togethers (we ‘may’ be considered a tad rowdy) but Axel is always close by, ever ready to swipe your sock to play a good game of keep-away with you.
Angus is learning how to hunt and I expect to hear he’s nabbed his first humming bird soon. He nearly caught this guy a couple of times while I was there.
Anyone who is an angler knows the Roaring Fork River (a 70 mile long tributary of the Colorado River) is a great place to fly fish with an abundance of rainbow, brook trout, and browns to catch. While we were there, several family members snagged some gorgeous fish, including a 20″ Rainbow trout that was caught by my nephew.
After a few days of family, fishing, food, fun and rejuvenation in the mountain air, it was time to head back home. This time the route was over I-70 to check out the fire damage along Glenwood Canyon. The canyon is rugged, and even along those sheer rock walls you could see the burnt silhouette of trees along the top ridge line as well as along the lower elevations. It was super sad to see wide swaths of dead trees.
We hope you are able to check out Mother Nature’s good, bad and ugly this Labor Day holiday weekend but above all, stay safe.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Angus is a gorgeous cat..even if he is a cat. It sounds like a great trip and I loved your photos. Sorry to hear about the fires. We lived through them here last Summer as you know, and it was so distressing and the smoke was unbelievably thick. I worry about climate change. I need to do more.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Climate change is probably the greatest threat and the environmental throughout the world. Angus is quite the cat character and expect him to become a champion hummingbird hunter in no time. 😉
Oh dear. Not so sure about him killing hummingbirds. Couldn’t he stick to mice? I’m quite a bird lover.
He nearly caught a couple while I was there visiting. He’s so big (Maine Coons are huge cats; he’ll be about 20 lbs.) so it probably won’t be long. Like most critters, they go for the easy pickings. My vote would be for any squirrel. 😈
That doesn’t surprise me! I know how much you love squirrels!
😈
Beautiful photos, handsome kitty and a chessie – love.
I kind of figured you’d appreciate the image of Axel and Angus.
Looked like a great trip. Beautiful photographs and although that is one big cat, I really liked Axel. Yesterday here was 31C and blowing a gale the whole day,
He’s such a sweet boy and still follows his favorite uprights around like a puppy.
It looks like you had a wonderful trip, and so glad it was safe (and scenic as well). I’ve always wanted a Maine coon cat; I hear they are very dog-like and big. Angus seems to fit his breed!
Angus could be the poster boy for Maine Coons!
Beautiful shots. We need to take a swim in that river sometime, it looks so peaceful out there!
Thanks. It’s a fast moving though fairly shallow river.
That’s two pots of gold you missed out on while taking the picture!
Yeah, it’s clear I’ll never get rich in this lifetime. Too busy looking through a viewfinder.
I know I left a comment yesterday, but I think it disappeared somewhere. I can’t remember exactly what I said, but I know I told you I linked this post to Feline Friday because of handsome Angus. I did make mention of how handsome Axel is too.
You live in some beautiful countryside.
Have a fabulous weekend. Big hug to you and scritches to the pups. ♥
Thanks, Sandee. Yes, both Angus and Axel are good looking boys. Have a wonderful holiday weekend.
We got away briefly for a long weekend in Vermont…it was good to get away from corona isolation for a little bit
It does the soul a world of good, especially in the midst of this rotten panDAMNic.
There has been too much “staying safe” recently. It’s time to live a little.
No need to get too carried away. 😇
Such beauty. We don’t know how you can keep your eye on the road.
It’s easy when your son drives. 😉
Wow – what stunning pictures!
Thank you! Not too bad for just iPhone pics.
Angus is gorgeous…love a big fluffy cat! Heard on the news you are in for a big temperature swing this weekend…99 to 44?!
Yup-99 to 39 (the HIGH for Tuesday!). A 60 degree swing seems insane. Plus 3-5″ of white stuff. Oh joy.
Classic Colorado!
Totally. 🙂
What a wonderful get-away you had Monika!! I am so glad you got to go & celebrate your Father’s 90th Birthday! Those clouds were spectacular as was the double Rainbow!!
It sounds lovely all of it!
And seeing snow on the Mountain tops made me smile…I am a ‘sucker’ for snow, hehehe!!!
Angus is adorable…such a big handsome ‘boy’!
And Axel is looking cute as ever too!
((hugs)) Sherri-Ellen & **purrss** BellaDharma
Thanks, Sherri-Ellen and BellaDharma. Our family does best when we can get together and celebrate life events. Adding handsome dogs and cats are the cherry on top.
Lucy’s been looking for a kitty friend, and wonders if Angus would be her friend. Looks like you had a good trip and good drive. Did the pups go with you?
Angus is probably as big as Xena. Really did have a good time. Norman and Elsa stayed in Denver.
Thanks for sharing these glorious photos of Mother Nature’s best……and some cutie animals too! Glad you celebrated your Dad’s birthday in such pretty surroundings.
Hugs, Pam
My pleasure. It’s always fun when our family gets together.
It was the perfect getaway with the people that matter the most to me.
Lots a good memories from the photos in this post. We used to take our trailer over Independence Pass and that was, uh, interesting at times. Sad to see the fire burn area in Glenwood Springs. Judging by your photos the fire must have gotten fairly close to town. Fine looking animals – love the Maine Coon. Axel is a mighty good looking boy.
It was incredibly sad to see the destruction in the canyon. I’ll bet you had interesting time over Independence Pass-it was a bit scary for me in a car, can’t imagine a large vehicle.
I so enjoyed this post! Thanks for sharing, Monika! 🌞
Thanks for swinging by! Have a great weekend.
Oh I also meant to say a few of these pics have cloud faces!
Your family sure is into animals! Cheers to that!!! 🙂 ….. I’ve been on the western slope once, but wow – what a beautiful trip from there to Denver. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
Oh yes, Frank. We are very big on critters. Then again, we’re big on beer and bourbon too 🤣
Beer, bourbon, and critters … good combinations!
Seems to work well for us. 😆
Not a bad way to celebrate, anything actually. 🐈🐩🥃🍹🍺🐟🐞🦆🐝🐿🐼🐰🦊
Agree!
“Future meal for Angus”, LOL. He might need about a dozen to,fill his big tummy. 🙂
You’re probably right. I think he’s about 8 months old and close to 12 lbs. he’ll probably be close to 20 by the time he’s a full sized adult cat. 🐈
MARGARITAS???? DID YOU SAY MARGARITAS????? YES PLEASE!!!!!! OMD, that kitteh is adorables! Ma is all a ga-ga over Angus! Butts Axel is most handsome too!
And that double rainbow….wowsa! what a great shot!!!
Glads you are all mellow nows….margaritas will do that to ya! ☺
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
Oh yes, Ruby. And I thought of you as they were being served 🍹
It’s scary how it’s autumn and it really feels like we’re being prepared for winter…when only a few weeks ago it was sunny and summer 💫✨
It’s supposed to be 99F on Sunday and then 39F on Tuesday with snow in the forecast. How bizarre is that??
Really is strange! Global warming I say…
Most likely. Extreme storms, temps, the whole 9 yards. 😕
Wonderful captures, Monika.
Hope you’re feeling better on this last day of the week.
Thank you, Marc. Not too shabby for a cellphone. Have a lovely holiday weekend.
The light in that photograph of the almost full moon! What an area in which to live.
The light at higher altitude seems different but maybe it’s just cleaner air up in the mountains as opposed to the city.
axel is a beauty
er I meant angus but axel is too…
Angus is handsome too and also has quite the personality. I’ve just never have been around such a huge cat who thinks he’s a dog!
A very handsome boy with a wonderful personality.
oh how wonderful!!! the rainbow and the mountains… and this fab pup axel!!!
Not the mention all the margaritas we toasted for the birthday party. LOL