Uncompaghre River ( I spell it as it sounds)

After our huge day of hiking - we decided we needed a leisurely hike to work out the kinks in our legs, and work up an appetite. Of course - we were doing a mini Thanksgiving dinner at the VRBO Later in the day. 

So we took the Uncompaghre River walk - I think it is about 3 miles, but we took a few detours to sight see.... so it made it about 4 miles for us.  PERFECT!!

Oh!! and QuiltingJetGirl - TONS of camp sites along the river ;-)

We could leave right from our house and get on the trail. It had about a 58 foot elevation change across the whole trail - that sounded very do-able.

My Hiking buddies. I love that they are so up for anything. We have a great time traveling together. 

They do stay happier when there is the promise of food later tho 😉

The mountain at the middle of the photo is Mt Ouray ( elev 13961ft)  .  Isn't is gorgeous? 

The trail was pretty cool, there was a little offshoot that took you to the Hot Springs. So realistically , we could have walked from our house to the Hot springs and soaked. We did not, it was $30 per person , and we wouldn't have stayed long enough to make it worth the $.

Plus - Hubby has stitches he couldn't get wet, and I don't do long periods of heat.

Ouray is very rich in Mining heritage. So we found little things all over - that showed you what equipment was used. 

I am going to preface this - I am starting to feel like my Grandpa when I make statements like this. 

I think people today have NO idea how to work as hard as these miners did. I think , somedays, my life is so rough, and then I come back to electricity, running water, and heat.... 

I took the photo above just to show me how far we hiked up the day before - that very top peak - we were about 100 feet below that on our hike. Crazy right??

At the Hot Springs there is the Terrapin Station. Rumor has it that in the olden days two alligators lived here, until there was a flood. Apparently one Alligator was never found...

Isn't that fish HUGE? 

He kept following me, I think he could see my shadow and thought I had food for him. 

The River Walk is Circular - top photo - looking at the whole trail, 

Bottom Photo - Looking Up river just because.

Then it was back to the house to cook dinner. We ham, Roasted Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts and Mashed Potatoes, Biscuits and Ice Cream!  Its a little strange cooking in a house you don't live in - the utensils might be spotty - but I think we did okay. We were all stuffed!

oh!! PS - we brought most of our food with us. I didn't know what size grocery store Ouray might have ( population 800) but it had a nice one. They had locally raised steak and condiments - but I was very glad to have brought my veggies etc.

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A Dinosaur Trail

**Warning - LOTS of photos**

When I researched this area to travel to, I came across an article about the Longest Continual Dinosaur track in Northern America. And I Wanted to see it!

Lucky for us, the VRBO We got was about 5 minutes from the trail head. Unlucky for us, we started at 7200 feet and went up 1900 Feet in elevation... in about 2 miles.

My legs have NEVER hurt so bad haha!! but!!

We walked a little north from our house, and right by the trail head is a Mining  place. Of course! There was a ton of Mining in the Ouray, and Silverton area. The town attributes Mining to making them a town. 

This is what the trail looked like - in the good places, there was not a lot of flat AT ALL.... I think we had about a 30 foot stretch that was completely flat - the rest was uphill.... The Whole way

WE hiked up the first leg, which wasn't very long at all - but I was sure we were near the end - and then we found the trail head sign. 

just a funny, at the first stop - was a lookout . It was gorgeous. There was a man there. I asked him if he had seen the tracks, and he said - No - he just about passed out 3 times on the way up to the lookout.

That did not bode well - haha! But at least he was smart enough to head back down

From the Lookout - you could see across the river to more Mining shacks. In the olden days they had a tram from these mines to the one at the  top of the post - and the tram just sent the ore down. 

You all.... those Miners... they had to be TOUGH - that was a crazy distance, and over a river, and WOW! How did they think to make that?

I was a wimp - it was a hard hike, so I made everyone stop to take photos - A lot of Photos.

I told them it was because I needed to remember the hike - but really - I needed to catch my breath

But!!! We made it to the tracks - it doesn't look like much until you get right on it.

See - another one of us!

Ouray is considered the Switzerland of Colorado - and the views did NOT disappoint!!

are you ready???? The DINOSAUR TRACKS!!! 

There are 134 prints ( I think) and we counted 104, the others were under snow - but WOW!!

Then!!! We had to come down.... oh boy - I have a toe nail that is turning blue from hitting my boot som much.   

We are Somewhat experienced hikers, and we do our research. We knew it wasn't an easy hike, but we really didn't believe it would be that hard. We started early, so we knew we could get down before dark.

 The hike is in a canyon - so dark starts about 3pm in this area. Which means the trail starts to ice up very early. 

On our way down, we ran into a group just starting up (it was 3pm) and we said - well - the trail is icing over now, and its slippery in spots. We didn't want to ruin their fun, but that was a lot late to get started.

and!! we still have about 1/2 mile to go to get down ( which means they had 2 miles left to get to the tops and 2 1/2 to get down)  We did let them know that.... just wanted them to be totally aware.

About the time we got to our cabin, we saw them walking by. I was glad - i would have worried about them for hours. They started the next day at 9am .... shew!!

We got all cleaned up, I had a little glass of wine, and then!! We headed to Brickhouse 737 in Ouray for dinner. I Wish I had taken a photo of the place - it was a cool  little restaurant - but the chef - oh man you all.... that Chef was AMAZING!!

I had a salmon dish that was fabulous. and!! They were so good with my allergies. They listened and made sure I was good. They had a GF chocolate cake.... I did take a photo of that!

Don't these look fabulous???? Totally worth the leg cramps !! haha

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The other side of the Mountains

 First - I apologize - I did post last Friday ( the 21st) that we would skip  FONF on the 28th - but I should have made it bigger. So Come back THIS Friday for a double edition of FONF!! Where  you can post TWO links!!!

Here is why I decided to skip the week: 

We went WEST!!! To the other side of the Mountains!! This is Mt Princeton - one of the Mountains ( 14'eers) in the Collegiate Mountain Range... And oh what a beautiful trip we had  - but! Wifi /cell Service was limited. and I did not mind one bit... it was just so pretty!

First we Stopped in Fairplay for Lunch. If you have ever Watched Southpark ( I have NOT) this is sort of the area they are talking about . It is gorgeous, cold, and well Cold!! We stopped at Ottos!! That is truly worth the drive. Its a little hole in the wall Chicken place, and its so small the restrooms are outside. In 11deg weather.... they are chilly restrooms haha!

I am a Gluten Free/Nut Free pain in the tocus - and this place had Gluten Free Fried Chicken - I was so impressed, and!! GF Sweet potato fries that I wanted to take a million of them with me!!!

I think these views are just incredible coming down the mountains. WE took the long way - although I didn't know it was the long way. When you Maps it - there are two ways to get to where we were going. They were 4 minutes difference. Google Maps did not take in to play the one lane roads, slow semis ( I mean you are going up a 12% grade in places) and.... the sightseeing.

And the clouds with the sun behind them.... Just incredible. We thought we would be arriving at our location before dark... we were VERY wrong!!!

We got unloaded and then headed into OURAY CO for dinner.... at the Gold Belt!!

Another amazing restaurant - with super great people who didn't even laugh at my food allergies and made me a yummy Cauliflower Pizza.... 

All the Lights in this little town were so cool. We enjoyed our meal, hit the tiny grocery store, and ....

Headed back to sit in front of the fire and read books.... How awesome was that?

See you soon for more of our OURAY Adventures!!

To add the Quilty:

Here is where I am on the On Ringo Lake blocks.... 30 done - a lot more to go!

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Through My Lens

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings

I have a top!!

 At our last Sew Day we made those 4patch blocks on Bonnies site as the leader/ender ( all that to say - I can't remember their name)  I got them all out on the design wall - and now!!

Its a top!!

I like how it turned out - its quite colorful !

I have progress on my Ringo Lake....

And!! I got started on the first clue on Lupine and Laughter   I did not get it finished - but! I did get it all cut!

Sunday Night we decided to head to Cazadores in Greeley for dinner... it was my night to cook haha!!  And this is what I left, and what is here to start on!!!

That's the To Iron Pile....

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• Monday Musings
• Sew and Tell

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Mexican Curry with Beans and Rice

 Okay - this isn't really a Curry - but that's what my family called it....

So!! this is a made up meal - but we ended up really liking it. And my Son jokingly called it Mexican Curry.... and my husband said we have to call it that so when he wants it again - I know what he is talking about:

Mexican Curry:

Ingredients:

Small Onion diced onion

1 1/2 cups Diced Brussel Sprouts ( I know!!)

1 cup Baby Spinach Chopped

2 Cups pre cooked chicken

15 oz Red Enchilada Sauce

3/4 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

1 Cup Shredded Mexican Cheese

Sauté the diced onion about 5 minutes -then add the Brussel Sprouts

Cover and cook for about 3-4 minutes with a little water and the lid on it.

Then Stir in Spinach and Chicken - and if you like spices.... those 

Transfer to a casserole dish.

Mix the enchilada sauce with the yogurt

Pour on top and mix up in the casserole dish

Top with Cheese 

Bake at 400deg for about 15 minutes

Spanish Beans and Rice:

1 Can of Mexican corn (15 oz)

1 can of Black Beans ( 15 oz)

1  cup chicken broth

1 cup mild salsa

Put it in the pot and bring it to a boil

Once its boiling  - remove from stove and  Pour 1 1/2cup of minute Rice in . cover for 10 minutes. then fluff with a fork!

I served the casserole on top of the rice... and voila - a yummy meal with a funny name!!

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Teal RSC Diamond Chain and !! finished ( or not) Friday

This was my February/August RSC quilt!  I got the color wrong the first time, but kept stitching, Then put it away, then pulled it back out again.... and now!!!

It is a finish!!!

I had a lot of fun using all the teals, and then Navy and white for the chain part. I was making it for  me, but then a friend said they were getting married, and these are her favorites colors.... but when it was all done, my son said - Oh I'd like that one... so we are all up in the air as to where it will go!

The backing: 

Just a Funny . I was looking for some crazy prints to make Ice cream Bowl cozies with, I pulled out a box, and now!! I don't want to put it back until it is empty. So I pulled this yardage out of the box for backing   - and it works!!!

I looked back at all my RSC tops that I finished - I think I only have 2 to quilt... go me!!

It is now YOUR TURN!!!

What all did you get to this week?

Link up  your direct post and visit away!!!

Just a heads up - there will be NO Finished ( or not) Friday on November 28th - I will be too full from Thanksgiving!!

So save your posts for December 6th and we will allow 2 posts per person!! How's that?

PS - The Three Stooges are back in action... beware of the shenanigans.....

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Rainbow SCrap Challenge