Distracting Flora

In the week after the Fourth of July Hoorah, it was my task to capture
some summer photos for the Mountain Village condos we manage. But I
got a little distracted.

The brilliance of the blue sky and warm sun lifted my heart, and each new flowering fold of the Village Core captured my attention. As I walked between the Dakota and Kayenta buildings, bleeding hearts dripped onto the stone walkways.

Wandering past the Conference Center, where banners snapped joyous colors into the wind and young people took turns on the climbing boulder, I was drawn to the blazing bed of red and salmon poppies. The duck pond nearby twined the exotic scent of blossoms with earthy zephyrs.

As I stepped into the stand of young aspens near the Peaks Resort, the understory of escaped domestic daisies and purple columbine rising to hip-high all around dazzled my eyes. The little creek that gives the Village Creek condos their name tumbled down, hidden under the tall grasses and boulders but offering its song.

With my spirit refreshed, I knew that this Sunday, I would be "going to church" high in the mountains, hiking to Hope Lake, surrounded by an amazing array of colors and fragrances. It was Wild Flower Peak, like none we've seen in a half-dozen summers. And I knew that it would be gone before I was ready. But then, it will be MUSHROOM season!!

(By Liza T., visiting blogger)

July Fourth in Telluride

Telluride's 4th of July celebration is a big hit every year. The mountian weather isn't to hot, and today the sun is out, so it is the perfect time of year to celebrate the 4th of July in the Rocky Mountains.

The festivities for the 4th are always fun. This morning we had a small town parade. Instead of huge floats we have parading locals: some on horseback, some on motorcycles, all with huge smiles and all in the spirt of fun.

A ceremony introducing all local veterans as well as any veteran present who would like to be honored preceded the parade, which set the tone for a true celebration of the 4th of July.

Telluride is also proud to recognize Charlie Garbarini, a New York Fire Fighter and hero who participated in the September 11 rescue effort in New York City.

All of the 4th of July Telluride festivites are sponsored by the Telluride Firefighters. They sponsor the parade, have a bbq in Town Park, and are responsible for Telluride's fireworks display in the mountains. Hopefully the rain will hold out for a great fireworks show tonight.