Finally Antelope

In years past trips along the highways and freeways of the mountain west you would see lots and lots of Pronghorn Antelopes.

I've been in the mountains for over a month now and today was the first of them I've laid eyes on. A small herd of maybe 8 or a few more. I took some pics, but don't have high hopes for any good ones.

But I'm off the sneid.

Saturday Exploration

Drove up Seedhouse Road to the very end, I deliver the mail up about a 1/4 of the way. Get's higher and wilder (10,000 ft and no houses). Caught a Colorado Cutthroat trout about 12" and a couple of rainbows. Saw the biggest log house I've ever seen being built. Took a couple of pics, but couldn't get close enough nor could the scale of the house show up.

The drove across Sleeping Giant Mountain via a couple of dirt roads to the Yampa where I caught 5 more rainbows and then went and had an appetizer and read my book in the late afternoon sun.

All in all a very nice day.

Irish Step Dancing.

Carol's best friend Shelia's daughter McKendry is competing in Irish Step Dancing and her class gave an exhibition at the Steamboat Art Walk last weekend. She is 12 and pretty talented. Now if you don't what Irish Step Dancing is, you are part of a large crowd. One thing about it that was obvious to me is that it's pretty energetic.

More Money

This house is in Catamount Estates which are 50 acre parcels which includes a large clubhouse/restaurant. Private lake and streams are included in your homeowners. This house has to be at least 15,000 sq ft. The windows are ten to fifteen feet tall on both levels.

Steamboat Money

As you drive around the roads here, one thing is obvious there is some real money here. People for whom 5000 acre ranches are second or third homes. The gates pictured lead to a huge home on the Elk River. You can only see it from the road, but wow. You can see the fence following the road. It is made of 3" steel pipe that the owner got a deal on for 100K and then it took a year of welding and painting to complete the job. Here is another picture of the fence.

Finally Fish Caught

Carol got the keys to some private water on Sarvis Creek and we went down to check it out.

She just walked and balanced her check book, while I fished, caught a couple of nice rainbows right away and the walked along the creek checking out the water. By the way I missed more than I caught.

A very beautiful location and so peaceful. Caught a couple more as I worked the creek, but then the fishing just turned off. No insects or fish rising, and a thunderstorm moving in made up pack up and head home. However, saw a couple of deep runs that just called for dragging a streamer through it with a midge dropper. Think there may be some big fish in those holes. Still got the keys.

Steamboat Art Walk on the River

Brother Bill went for his first personal outing today as Carol, he and I went to Art Walk along the Yampa River. Surprised that they charged $5 for entry and it was only a block and half long.

Went mostly to see their friend Sheila's daughter McHendry do her Irish Step Dances. Will post pictures later. Pretty accomplished for only being 12. Had lunch at the Boathouse, which was enjoying a banner day thanks to the extra people attending the Art Walk.

Now going down for a nap.

Thursday

Today I found out why all of the route drivers don't look forward to Phone Book season. Delivered over 250 of them, plus still came up 8 short. Back out tomorrow.

Wet a line again yesterday, beautiful spot, nice temperature, but no fish. Guess I'll have to go closer to dusk.

This afternoon, I'm going down to Haymaker and hit some golf balls on the range.

Things We See

While delivering the mail, I have come across some interesting vehicles and the mail customers who own them. The dragon van belongs to a guy who had just come back from the Burning Man gathering in Utah. The tractor is the oldest of several that are just rusting away in the pasture of a multi generational family ranch.

Routt County Fair

Carol, Vickie and I went to Routt County Fair in Hayden, CO. The day we went was the last day and I didn't take pictures of the crafts and food winners. All of which looked pretty good to us. However, we did get photos of the Draft Horse Races and some of the locals.

The 4H animals had been judged and auctioned off for scholarship funds for the kids who raised the pigs, cows, etc. This is a really good program that we should encourage more in the urban areas. Teaches responsibilities and gives kids a total understanding of real life. All of the PETA people should be sent to get this reality check. Would change their outlooks.

Plus these are real cowboys and ranchers just having fun. A really nice day.

Driving Tour with Vickie

We took off from Steamboat up to Clark and then on a dirt road aroound Steamboat Lake. Had lunch at campground on Steamboat Lake (sandwiches from Clark Store) Then came down a pass to Pearl Lake (where we should have had lunch). What a wonderful site, saw a beaver swimming and just enjoyed the beautfiful surroundings.

One of the great tragedy's in Colorado and most of the mountain west is the Pine Bark Beatle infestation. All of the red or brown looking pines have died because of the beatles. I understand that the wood makes beautful floors and furniture, but if there is a spark, it will burn so fast that no effort will slow it down.

Tough Day for Me

I have had a wonderful time with Vickie being here and we have shared that time with Bill and Carol, but also got to explore and see some country that we haven't seen before. Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake (a special view) Plus just togetherness which is precious and should never be shortchanged. However the six hours of driving back and forth from Denver are not a pleasure.

I put her on a plane this afternoon in the middle of a huge storm, which left me feeling bad. Fortunately it was gone before she had to leave and now she is back in the OC (i really hate that abbreviation, but for now it works).

Looking forward to working again and then going home for labor day.

Brother Bill is doing great and may soon kick me out of Steamboat, which just adds adventure opportunities.

Been Awhile

Wow it's been over a week since I posted. Have finally figured out the route and know where all of the boxes are as well as those who get their mail at them.

Fished once, operative word being fishing, not catching. But beautiful evening on the Yampa River. I will get many more chances to do so and will probably catch one or two fish.

Vickie arrived Thursday and it is really great to be with her, the 3 1/2 weeks apart is the longest time we have been separated in almost 25 years. We explored downtown Steamboat, ate lunch on the river and window shopped. Today maybe the Yampa County Fair and then tomorrow, I will take her on a drive that will include most of my route, plus some of the higher country.

Jamie and Chria sent their SLR camera up with Vickie and I will retake some of the photos and post some new scenic photos that will give you a better perspective of just how beautiful it is here. More pictures later.

Saturday

Had wonderful afternoon, walking downtown, lunch at the Boathouse Pub on the Yampa River.

A cold beer and reading for a couple of hours on my Kindle watching rafters and tubers get rock rash in the ankle deep river in front of the restaurant, They have some chairs set out on the lawn for just that purpose.

Weekend is Here

Here's a picture of Postal Ricky's delivery vehicle, really will enjoy driving my car with the steering wheel on the proper side.

Going to be a tourist in Steamboat Springs this weekend. Cruise downtown, check out the river and the people using it.

Maybe see if calling here fishy, fishy works.

It is just beautiful here right now.

Feel like I've got the gist of being Postal and will just getting better and then it's fishing and golf after work. Starting next Tuesday, as a matter of fact :)

Clark!

For years, Bill has been telling me about Clark, CO and the Clark Store. I am finding out that he hasn't exaggerated. Quite the mix of clientele, from a car full of six people to make a full set of teeth, to the 6 carat diamond ring on a woman that shouldn't wear bicycle clothing. And many more.

Everyday is different, however they do serve Breyer's Grand Ice Cream on the patio (summer only I'm sure)

More to follow on Clark

Colorado Car, Needs to go to Montana

This post is aimed directly at my really good friend Tom and his lovely wife Missey, who will use some vulgar words when she sees it and the picture.

This Toyota FJ45 (pickup) was sitting in front of the Clark store earlier this week and has Tom's name written all over it. He has been trying to figure out what car they should keep for when they are in Big Sky. Well this is it.

Price is reduced, comment or email for more

I know I know

It's been awhile since I posted, but that's because this damn Postal Thing is WORK! Today was the first day that I thought I have about 95% of the routine down and then I can start to recreate. My fishing friends want to see me post pictures of "Nice Fish" My golf friends will be totally surprised if I break 100 altitude or not.

Got several friends and acquaintances that have needs I would like to address.

By the middle of next week. I should be a more typical postal employee and doing 4 1/2 hrs of work in 4 1/2 hours instead of 8. So we'll see about that next week.

I want to be ripping the lips of little fishes soon, maybe even Saturday.

Wildlife

My route is teeming with critters, both domestic and wild. This picture shows an Elk Ranch way back in the country and you come down around this curve and wham here they are in the field.

Each one of the Bull Elk in this picture have Antlers that most Elk Hunters will never see in a hundred years in the wild. They are all highly ranked Boone and Crockett Trophies. The owner harvests the antlers when come off just before winter and sells them for a lot of money. The Elk graze happily until next spring and summer when they grow back.

Utah Travel Photos

Because I left the power supply, I couldn't post these in order, but this will show some of the scenery that I traveled through if anyone wants more info, just email me.

From top to bottom, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Elevation sign at overlook, Zion National park overlooks on the other two. Taking pictures of this type with a snapshot camera, don't ever give you how fabulous the views really are.

Humbling Experience

Well, Saturday was my day to deliver by myself and while I had help sorting and getting mail ready to go, I still found myself having to backtrack because I forgot to leave a package when I had dropped off the sorted mail. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to recognize the number or name on a mailbox as the picture shows. And this is in good shape compared to some. The glove in the picture is a necessity, otherwise you will cut your fingers to shreds.

Also found myself bringing back some mail that had gotten out of place. Those folks will get everything Monday.