The old buildings, etc.

 

A friend's car had had the back bumper pulled off by a bear, apparently. So she needed to get it reattached at an auto place that did body work. I followed her to Gray's Valley in Ridgecrest NC where lots of different Gray families live and work. This old out-building caught my artist's eye.

Some farming type outbuildings, and different wings where different things were stored. They look unused today. 

You could always find your shoes in the dark, if these were yours instead of the dad at the optometrist office.

Residents of Black Mountain are known to drive around with flags flying. At least these seem totally patriotic (I think the black one is for MIA)

Below are some good books that I just gave to my son Russ and his family.

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And another old building!! Thanks Mesa Verde Cliff Palace.

Today's quote:

Finding time to be as naked as the day you were born can awaken feelings of contentment, freedom, and self-love.

From Mesa Verde to Mancos CO

My panorama shot of Park Point

150 rooms...that means a lot of people!

And then back to Mancos to meet our new cousin!

 Becky Baker, my new cousin by marriage.  Her first cousin, Barbara Baker married my son, Marty Heym, last April!

 Kendra, Tai and Becky! And oh those cider drinks! Mine was really powerful!

 The Cider Bar was right next to a river...

 And a cute puppy was moored next to the river...not belonging to any of us.

 The outdoor seating of the Fence-line cider bar.

 All the women were elsewhere and there's Tai sitting all alone!

We only had a short visit since Becky had to go do something in Durango. We arrived home to Cortez to another beautiful sunset.

Park Point lookout, Mesa Verde

Kendra is looking out for her home in Cortez, somewhere out there!

 The view of Sleeping Ute Mountain, and I know Kendra and Tai's home is between it and Mesa Verde!

 The firetower which probably has found many fires in the years past. Hope none this year.

 I don't know if Kendra ever found their home. There's another bit of trail that she may go out on next trip to see.

 Hoorah, I made it up the incline, a bit steeper than the one up to Mt. Mitchell in NC, and about 2000 feet higher...though they say this rise from parking lot was just 32 feet (vertically) but I think it was in a shorter distance too.

 The Las Platas Mountains past Durango CO

Sun Temple and Far View House, Mesa Verde

More of my vacation in Colorado...on Mesa Verde!

 A wonderful Juniper Tree...

 The "Sun Temple" has many unsolved mysteries.

 We enjoyed looking briefly at the Far View House.

 We didn't take the time to look along the trail, rather looked quickly at the Far View House, then headed to Mancos to meet a new cousin.