Its been a while since we posted an article, so I guess its best for a quick catch you up so you know whats been going on.

We've literally had a revolving door of visitors since moving in LA ESTANCIA. Back the end of August, we had ole fren Bobbe Kriz visit a week from Aviano ,Italy where she teaches on the US Air Force base.We took her on a Black Canyon tour then putzed around a week just enjoying her company.

Bobbe & Annee

Next up were the Yeamans from Culpepper, Va. Bob had been out before, but this was Ann's first trip. They flew in from Montana in their Beechcraft for an enjoyable few days on the way east. They got the obligatory ESTANCIA tour and a 4-wheeler tour back in the vast BLM tract that adjoins us. And, Annee & I both got a nice flight over the Uncompaghre Valley, thanks to Bob. Hopefully they will come back during ducking season.

No sooner were the Yeamans off, than Lil Annee left for Richmond to meet her newest grankid, Master Aidan Mugford of the Drewster Mugford clan. For two weeks, she reveled in her role as granmom and babysitter, and the opportunity to visit with Del, David, and all the grankids.

While she was off, I took the opportunity to head up to Montana for rodeo week in Dillon. On the way I determined to take a sidetrip back into history with a tour over South Pass up into the Wind River basin and on up to Cody and the Buffalo Bill Museum. In Cody I met up with the Lipscombs and Swans from Culpepper, Va. We all took a Buffalo Bill tour, particularly of the firearm museum, and enjoyed a nite on the town.

Early AM I was off thru Yellowstone and on over to the Ole E4 to visit with Tom and Liz. Ole Charlie Sydnor showed up and we spent a week fishing, going to the Beaverhead County Fair, and the Labor Day rodeo. We packed a lot in a week, but then I had to hit the road to get back to Montrose to welcome Lil Annee home from her Va. trip.

Ducking season was fast approaching, so I rigged up three blinds on the Uncompaghre River and got set for what I hoped would be a great season. Season opened with a bang bang,bang! Lots of birds moved in and shooting was better than I expected. Young Robert came out for a week , and we hunted a few days, did a lot of 4-wheeling, and finally had a full nite of Karaoke.

In October Annee & I took off for Va. for a whirlwind visit. Along with catching up with family and frens, I took in a Hampden-Sydney football game, the Vt-Clemson game and a visit with the Plumbobs, and The Lipscombs annual fishfry over on the Eastern Shore. We also got to escort Annee's oldest grandaughter to Mrs Davidsons Cotillion, which was a real treat.

2006 wound to a screeching halt, and thankfully, it brought young Dee safely home from his Iraq tour on board the Iwo Jima. He had been caught up in the Israeli-Lebanon fight on the way to the Gulf and then spent 5 months in the Gulf. Sure was glad he was home safely. DEE & SUNDANCE Early January he flew out for a week for a little Rocky Mountain R & R. I got him fixed up with one of our local Rocky Mountain Dream gals, had a big party of young folks for him, and took him on a Telluride tour. Sure was great to see the ole boy after a long year. Looks like he'll be out of the Navy in summer and enrolled in college in Roanoke next fall to finish up his education.

The rest of January was concentrated on maximizing the rest of duck & goose season. Hunting buddy Gerald Blackwelder and I spent many successful days hunting over in Black Canyon on the Gunnison, as well as on the Uncompaghre. Gerald's son Ryan took us goosing one day in a cornfield down by Delta, and in two hours we took a 9 goose limit, as well as a handful of ducks. Next day Ryan and I went back and took another limit.

Ryan

Before season ended, Bob & Sue Lipscomb from Culpepper came out for a few days visit. We did all our "guest" things and Bob and I went with Gerald & his wife Sharie hunting in minus 20 cold over in Black Canyon.

After ducking season, Gerald, who is a Master Waterfowl Taxidermist, got me started doing taxidermy on ducks. My first bird was a greenhead, followed by a pintail, a goldeneye, a merganser, a widgeon, and a shoveler. Surprisingly, they all look like the real thing! I'll keep practicing and by this time next year, Gerald will have me entering taxidermy shows in the novice section.

Easter saw us with a housefull of Drewster Mugfords. Drew & Sharon flew out with all the kids for a week visit. We took them on a Black Canyon tour, a Telluride tour, and an Ouray tour. A highlight was an Easter Sunday church visit and a big family dinner. It was great to have all the Drewsters here, but sure hard to see them go.

Annee & the Drewsters	Annee & Aidan
	Sharon & Drew

WRAPPING IT UP

At this writing, the tragic shootings at Va. Tech just occurred yesterday.
Annee joins me, as a HOKIE alumnus, in asking you all to keep in your prayers those lost in those senseless acts of violence, and to pray for the emotional recovery of the Hokie Nation.

LOVE

ANNEE & DEE