We went with our daughter and son-in-law to where Cliff and his family have very long ties
Up, up we traveled way up into the Paonia Mountain Range (the Elk Mountain Range) —-(Boomer didn’t get to go)
The road was a steep and marvelous wonder
The views amazing 
and stunning (somewhere over there is Crested Butte)
At, one point along the trail, we looked down upon the West Elk Mine 
Climbing higher and higher and higher 
Until we drove into a lovely meadow, where we had lunch.
It was here Cliff showed us the marker commemorating his late Dad. Many generations of Rezak’s loving, and hunting, and living on this spot.
Then on we rode
All the while through
(This is Ragged Mountain)
extraordinary beauty
Marvelous lush meadows
Delightfully full ponds
Impressive vistas.
At one point we came upon a man-made object—a radio tower! Always a surprise to me, to see something like this in a prestine forest
We drove to snowbanks and through snowbanks
In lots of muddy melting water
In the thickly growing forests of the Standing People
Then down, down, down again, where we could get off and look back and see just where we had been.
It was a lovely day, and much needed as a wee break in work.
Back home again, standing at the edge of our field…I took a photo of the Elk Mountain Range…which I call the Paonia Mountains…
as a reminder of where we were and the beauty we just experienced.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
Very cool. I’m jealous. Didn’t know Cliff was from Paonia. Thanks for the great adventure
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It was a very nice day!
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Awww, one of the most magnificent areas of our state. Thanks for sharing!
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And rugged. Made me back and arms tired, but a good tired.
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That is something very different and very beautiful. Even the radio tower! Old meets new.
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Old meets new so those of us who rely on the new can RELY! 🙂
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Marvellous…
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Up high, high, high we went. It was stunning.
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Oh my God. Such gorgeous pix. I would so love to be there.
Stunning photos, Linda! Charms the soul…
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It does and lifts the spirit! 🙂
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Are the Standing People natives?
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Yes…all the trees in the forest are native to the Elk Mountain Range.
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No. LOL! I was wondering if Standing People were Native Americans. LOL!
So, Standing People is the name of the trees?
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The Ute Indians called trees the Standing People
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OH! Fascinating!
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Thanks for sharing! Your posts are most welcome.
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What a marvelous day with family and gorgeous views to enjoy. I’m glad that you and Terry were ablel to get away from the work and enjoy yourselves. I imagine that Boomer was not happy about being left at home.
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Sometimes one just HAS to take a day off. 🙂
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Just love all the beautiful pictures….especially the snow-frosted mountains and the birch trees. What a wonderful day you had. Good for you!
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It was special. 🙂
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Wow what a nice outing! It is beautiful there! 🙂
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J & D > Awesome (literally)! A real treat to go up into the (even) high(er) country with you, for the day!
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Thank you. It was a treat for us too. I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
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Wow Linda .. your photos are fabulous! Stunning views.. and those clouds 😄
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We are cloud lovers, you and I 🙂
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Aren’t we 🙂
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