The weekend was the longest lasting weekend ever. Which is a great thing. I didn't want the weekend to end, and I don't think anyone else did either. We left early Saturday morning around 7AM and our first stop was at The Donut Mill in Woodland Park. By far the best donuts I have ever had. And I have tasted a lot of donuts in my lifetime. Teresa, you said I wouldn't be able to find a better glaze donut than the one you gave me before I left, but I HAVE! You are not going to believe it, but they are spectacular!
Aunt Mary and I in front of the Donut Mill
Our giant Cinnamon roll!
We stopped at this lookout to use the bathrooms.
It was odd Colorado weather on Saturday. Well I guess I should say typical Colorado weather. You never know what is going to happen. It was very overcast and quite chilly. The weather did not by any means make our trip less enjoyable. The views were spectacular regardless. Just driving and being surrounded by mountains of all shapes, textures, color, and size. At one point we were driving by the Blue Mesa Reservoir. The water was so still it looked as if it was just a giant mirror reflecting the mountains and sky above it. It looked like you could walk right through it and on to the next set of mountains.
at the lookout
We then arrived into Montrose around 12:30PM and walked around the little town for a bit looking for a good place to eat. We then decided we should drive, because we weren't finding much, but a bar called Nikos that Mary and Pete had been to before. Let's just say it was a chug a beer and get the heck out of there kind of deal.We came upon a nice Mexican restaurant that had a patio we could sit on. Ordered some food and had a nice relaxing lunch. After that Uncle Pete and I ran into the grocery store to hunt for food for dinner later. We got some colby jack cheese, crackers, dry salami, summer sausage, turkey slices, apples, grapes, and Italian Soda. Quite the campers feast. When we were walking out of the grocery store Aunt Mary had the back of the truck open ready to load groceries, and pointing at her watch saying that we were going to be late to see the PUPPIES!We quickly loaded the groceries and headed to the house where all of the puppies were.
Look at these little Aussies
Aunt Mary and Uncle Pete will go back in July when the puppies are bigger to pick one. It looks like it might be between these three though, depending on how their personalities are in a month. But they are as cute as can be.These next three pictures are from when we were traveling down the mountains through Monarch. SNOW! SNOW! It was pretty cold up there. While driving there were storm clouds brewing from the mountain. It seemed as if every mountain had storm clouds coming up from under their bases. We drove down a forestry road to look for a good camping spot. The end of the road led to a gorgeous log cabin that overlooked a small lake. Where the roof peaks, there was a beam that had a carved Eagle's head. It was a gorgeous carving. On the deck there was a gorgeous picnic table and benches that grew out of the cabin's side.
After looking around for a good camping spot we decided it was to wet and cold. With the storm clouds hovering above us it looked like it would probably snow that night.We traveled for probably another hour down the mountain into some lower country where the sun decided to shine. We came upon this beautiful camping spot with spectacular views. We couldn't have asked for a better spot.
Aspen leaf nurtured by a nest of grass
This was our home for the night. After setting up the tarp on the back of the truck, we gathered fire wood for a good hour and struggled to build a fire. The wood was so damp, but with a few dry twigs and some starter fluid, we had a nice campfire. While Aunt Mary and Uncle Pete worked on getting the fire started I slaved away in the kitchen, which was our cooler. I sliced up some salami, cheese, summer sausage, and apple served on top of crackers. It was quite the feast that left our stomachs satisfied for the night.While enjoying the stars Mary and I had knocked two rocks off of the campfire to warm our feet on. It was the best feeling in the world. It felt like we were at a spa!
Aspen tree in the next morning
I woke up around 5:30 the next morning and watched the sunrise over the mountains. It was entertaining to watch the sun make it's way across each mountain top until it reached our campsite. The sky was glowing with orange and pink clouds.
Uncle Pete spent the morning on a photographing everything around us. I had gone rock hunting and aunt Mary had done some exploring herself. We all met back up and had croissants with grape jelly for breakfast and just enjoyed the morning view.
After packing up our campsite we started our journey back home, but of course had to stop for some more donuts at the Donut Mill. It is a necessity you know.
After our fill of donuts we stopped at one of my favorite stores REI to buy some new shoes and a pair of shorts.
We got back to the house around noon and after unloading the car enjoyed a cold drink and some snacks on the porch. I was pretty exhausted, so I took an hour nap and then did some work in the garden.
That evening Uncle Pete gave me my first guitar lesson! I am learning on his classical guitar. I am very excited to learn a new instrument. I think my fingers have probably gained a pound of muscles from playing. So hopefully by the time I leave Colorado I will be able to play a song or two.
Breath taking
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