Mountain Shadows

There are many beautiful rock formations in Mountain Shadows.

Unfortunately there are burn piles everywhere because the
lack of snow this winter prevented the burning of the beetle
kill pine.  Our rules and regulations require that every owner
cut down the standing dead pine,

We pay close attention to scat, just in
case it belongs to a bear.  Our closest
neighbors did find some a few days ago.

Large windows run along the view side
of our house.  We are always on the look-out
for wildlife, deer. elk, fox and even a moose once.

Mountain Shadow Estates is a covenant controlled gated community located off highway 34, 10 miles from Granby and 4 miles from Grand Lake.  It is 470 acres on a mountain ridge with 76 home sites that range from 3 to 10 acres each.  The only thing that we share in common is two entrance gates, the road through MSE and several wooded common areas for hiking. 
It is difficult to describe where we live and impossible to tell you about the view.  This is for friends who ask about our Colorado home.  It is a wonderful place to live with good neighbors.  Only about 4 owners live here year around. 

One of the many meadows

Owners must arrange for snow removal of driveways..   Our HOA
removes snow from the dirt road that runs through the development.

Phil on the rock formation which is part of our view.  The fox
like it here.

We often have visitors inside the yard.

We seldom have a knock at the door unless we know they are  coming.

Gated communities are rare up here, but it keeps the hunters out.
That is copper on top of the log.

Our neighbor, closest in proximity.  The footprints were laid out
by the developer and cannot be changed.  None of the houses
have a direct view of each other.

Turn left at the fork and it  is not easy up the hill in bad weather.
You can see where our property starts along the fence that Phil
built (with a little help from friends). 

Many houses are located high on the ridge.

All materials and colors must be approved and blend with nature.

Many properties back up to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Located on a knoll.  The view of our house from the road.
 We are the only single floor structure in MSE.
It is a ranch style plan with a ceiling in the middle that peaks at 20 feet. 

Our view is spectacular.

Most houses are quite large.  Our house is the minimum square
footage allowed.

Some houses are built on the hillside and all have views.

Many houses that were surrounded by pine trees are clearly
 visible now because of the trees lost from pine beetle.

No wild flowers this year because of the lack of precipitation

View from our turnoff to the driveway

Our view to a marina one mile from us

We do enjoy a magnificent view in a wonderful place to live.  It is quiet and peaceful. We never take it for granted.

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.