Rain, sweet rain

 For the past few days, we've had glorious rain.  It's done a lot to ease my extreme anxiety about our drought, but I have to admit I'd still rather not see any legal fires on Mineral Farms.  Those of us who are up here full time are hypervigilant about fire of any kind.

Mike and I hiked the Silver Belle to Colorado Boy Mine trail last week.  I was desperate to get into the woods.  This seldom-used trail is accessed from Ironton and is a great place to be on a hot day.  It is mostly in the shade.  Ouray Trail Group has worked recently on this trail, removing some trees but mostly removing brush and making the trail more obvious.

Pretty but invasive - pull them
when you see them on trails.

Colorado Boy mine - and below

The South Rim fire is now 50 percent contained.  When Mike and I were coming home from Gunnison last Sunday, we were detoured off of Highway 50 near Cerro Pass because of a brush fire.  On our way home through Crawford, Hotchkiss, and Delta, we could see the smoke plumes from the South Rim, Turner Gulch, and Wright Draw fires.  

Most of you know now that we've had a young bear making a pest of itself on Mineral Farms.  It was on our deck and also the Veenstras, most likely having been drawn in by both households grilling meat.  Last night, it messed with Barb and Steve's grill and also the Purdys.  It looks young, and we just need to be sure everything is locked up tight.