Last evening, we drove over to nearby Paonia to hear picking’ and strummin’ and eat good food.  On the way, we stopped off at Ace Hardware in Hotchkiss to buy a wind chime. Also picked up some cans of Pelegrino to sustain us.  You can get anything at Ace.

Entering the park, the first thing we saw was this commemorative statue honoring the town’s miners.

Elizabeth called my attention to his facial expression:

Food/beer venders play a big part at the Paonia Park gathering.  I personally enjoyed a homemade pot pie and a strawberry-rhubarb one.

I did enjoy the music

but mostly, I enjoyed people watching.  I didn’t quite fit in.  I was the only woman there with lipstick on.  Most of the women had very long, beautiful hair, much of it was gray.

And the men!  Breathtaking! I tried to document without being intrusive. Here are a couple of representative shots I was able to get.

Mountain men!

I asked a toddler if I could take a picture of his tee shirt, but he declined by lying down on his tummy.  It had a picture of a VW bus on it.  The caption read:  “What would Jesus Drive?”

Today we were on a very splashy leg of the Gunnison. For that, you need inflatables. My crack team readied the equipment while I entertained the dogs.Elizabeth and Gypsy led the way.

Abby and I were expertly powered in the raft by Matt.  Seems like I generally have a dog photo-bombing my shot.

This is a very exciting run.  Unfortunately, you can’t take pictures when you’re splashing.

Today our household angler left early and came back with a couple of beauties for our dinner.

Matt got them all dressed and into the fridge and we found a delicious sounding recipe on line.  We’ll need to pick up some dill and a lemon while we’re out.

Then Elizabeth and I headed out for a day trip to the town of Marble.  A beautiful drive through the mountains to this tiny town where they still quarry marble — and it’s just all over the place.

Here’s what ‘s left of the old mill:

Picnic tables in the park have marble tops:

There are places to sit:

You can take a piece and put a donation in a slot.

I bought a lovely cheese board from a man who doesn’t take plastic, so he said I could just mail him a check when I get home.

He has a marmot that lives on his front porch.

Small towns.

Now, reprise to the trout.

Here, ready for the oven.

Elizabeth working on the sides, just in from the garden.

And here’s the roasted trout!

It was all delicious, and I’m too full and too tired to say more at this point.

Matt works for Black Canyon Anglers here on the Gunnison.

This enterprise also includes a huge organic farm along the river and a resort lodge and cabin accommodations.

Today we got a tour.

First a hike along the river with the dogs where they enjoyed swimming in the adjacent pond.

Then a look at the upscale amenities. (A couple of canoodlers kept photo-bombing my shots.)

Got a great Patagonia sun shirt at the fly shop.

That logo says it all: the gorge, the fishing, and the wonderful peach orchards that line the property — full of fruit here the first of August.

Then we drove out to see the petroglyphs on the property.

Elizabeth pointed out some details.

Tragically, some of us had to wait in the car.

Matt had to go back to work, so we drove home by way of the produce stand.  I swear, I would drive to Delta County every year for some Olathe corn.

We also got some poblanos which we plan to roast, and some pepper jelly to tide us over with crackers and cream cheese until dinner time.

Then, Elizabeth harvested these amazing beets from her garden.  I’m not sure I can stay long enough to eat everything!

Elizabeth and Matt’s house is in an incredibly beautiful spot on Roger’s Mesa above the North Fork of the Gunnison.

Here’s the drive way:

A view out back:

You can see I brought the Photo Bomber on this trip.

Gypsy thought she heard visitors early this morning and took a look.

We looked out to see these amazing neighbors helping to harvest the apples.

I understand they have also helped themselves to the strawberries.

We took the dogs on a hike above the confluence of the North Fork and the main branch of the Gunnison. And that’s where we put in later for today’s paddle.

It was a perfect day for it with some beautiful clouds to keep us cool.

We took out after about 5 miles and hiked up to see an ancient dwelling and some petroglyphs.

I was blown away to think than human beings made their home here 10,000 years ago.

and even then this beautiful river ran through the canyon.

My life is much easier than theirs must have been.