TOPS OF THE ROCKIES

Our neighbors, the Lewis's, with local business owner,
Bob Scott,(right) who contributes greatly to all local
events,

Entrance of the Grand Lake Yacht Club

The 'Table Tops' are sold in a live auction.

Tables have a theme from the title of a book.

Birds of Colorado, which I have and enjoy.  I would like to have
the dishes.

The book is Colorado Wild Flowers,  which we don't have many
of this year because of lack of moisture.

The Grand Lake Yacht Club is very old world.

What  a scenic place to sit with friends and enjoy the wine
provided by our Grand Lake 'Wine and Spirits'.

It was great music from a local group, 'Tight Like That'.

Owner of 'The Red Sled', a wonderful Grand Lake shop, enjoys
the wine tasting and it was amazing how many of us were
wearing clothes from her shop.

It is a delightful event in a charming place.

See teddy bear table above.

Phil, enjoying the very social evening.

Recipes from Tuscany, looks delicious.

Tables are decorated and items donated by local businesses
and individuals who often partner to make one table.

The floor has cleared because many people are downstairs
at the silent auction. 

The views from the Yacht Club are incredible.

Friends of the Grand County Library have an annual fundraiser to benefit the Grand Lake Library.  It is held at the 100 year old Grand Lake Yacht Club with wine tasting, hors d' oeuvres and live music. It represents the strong community spirit of this small village of Grand Lake.  The donated 'Table Tops' show the artistic talent we have available here.  It is always a fun event and we raise money for our wonderful library which we make use of.

Memorial Day

    Memorial Day creates an exciting spark of patriotism in Grand Lake, Colorado.

Phil marched with the veterans and is talking with the Republicans,
on their float. We are a small town and people just stop the parade
take photos and visit.

Everyone and their dog show up for
The Memorial Day Parade

Search and Rescue are more important than you can imagine
in the high country.

It takes everyone to make a parade in
a small town

Vietnam veterans ride in the parade

A big crowd, you can see 'Old Baldy' with snow in the background. 

Grand Lake is a small village but it amazing the number of
of veterans in Grand County.

Sometimes there are more dogs than people

These veterans were 'The Honey Bee Squadron'

Grand lake has an incredible Fire Department

We have many working ranches and Dude ranches that serve
chuck wagon dinners.

We don't have schools in Grand Lake,
This band came from Middle Park for
The Memorial Day Parade

The man on the left in the big hat and robes is a WW2 veteran, approximately
850 die each day.

Whether marching alongside Grand County veterans in the
parade or the program that takes place afterward, Memorial
Day brings out the best in patriotism as we pay respect to
those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in our defense.

Memorial Day became official with a Federal Law in 1967.  There are many Memorial Day events and few have a bigger crowd than our small town of Grand Lake.  One of the largest in the U.S. is held in Arizona and thousands attend, it is worth your time to watch it on U-Tube.  It is wonderful to see all the children and there is no better opportunity for them to learn the true meaning of this day.  

In Grand Lake, flybys have become a traditional event during the Memorial Day celebration.  The F-16s enter into plain sight, rumbling far above Colorado's largest natural lake toward the highest peak of Mount Craig, then disappear into the Colorado blue.  It's a reminder that somewhere a group of dedicated individuals are always keeping watch on our behalf.  It leaves you with tears or at least a lump in your throat.     Memorial Day brings out the best in patriotism!

We are ranch country and have real
cowboys.

This flag came from The USS Arizona at Pearl
Harbor and was given to Grand Lake by a local
resident, a military nurse on duty  December 7, 1941

SKY HI

Brilliant color of bougainvillea
in Mexico

It is a big change.  We go from sea level to 8,400 altitude and it takes time to make the adjustment.  Mexico is so colorful and the high country has a different beauty and color.  Lots of of blue sky and we have snow in some areas most of the summer.  Spring seems to come late but when it is here, it happens fast.

We have few full time residents, some weekenders and many summer people. Some days in May, only two or three cars go down the dirt road in front of our house.

There was very little snow this winter, so we don't have to deal with the mud season (May).  It is still cold in the mornings and if we are  lucky will warm up during the day.  It is the normal spring weather that is windy and cloudy in the afternoons.

I have the urge to go to the wonderful nursery that we have here but I know from the experience of loosing everything, it is too early. Last year we had snow on June 20th, although it doesn't last long, we can lose all the flowers. We have a saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change." 

I am trying to learn a new program that was installed on my blog site and using a new camera (my old one is having problems).  

HOPING TO BE BACK AT THE BLOG.

We have 'Never Summer' range, appropriately named.
Colorado

Patches of snow can be seen until June
or later.       Colorado

Beautiful Primavera bloom amid the palms.
May in Mexico

A driveway with a wall of copa de oro and yamarada
May in Mexico

Exotic flowers of Mexico

Cieba tree with cotton, Mexico.

Beautiful blooms of the Primavera, Mexico.

Giant Evergreen, Colorado.

The Aspen trees are showing leaves in the last two weeks, Colorado.

The Canadian Cherry trees just blossomed in the last three days.

The animals have eaten most of my bulbs

The chives are so prolific, wish I could give them away

We always lose a few scrubs in the cold winter.