After our last posting, we brought the New Year in in fine style with a visit from the Hydes, up to our high oxygen starved mountains from the flatland shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Ole fren the Honorable T.T. [Tris] Hyde, General District Court Judge Ret. [AKA His Honorable Own Self] and USMC Col. Ret., along with his beautiful wife Joanna, and there kids Thomas and Elle, flew into Denver on the 29rd of December , rented a car, and drove the long drive over the snow covered passes, arriving here slap dark 60+ for a week long visit.

Annee & The Hydes

We had been hammered with snow for two weeks plus and I wasnít sure Trisí rental would make the climb up to our mountaintop fortress, so we left his vehiculo downhill at Don & Sherrilís and ferried passengers and baggage up to the Alamo. They had been travelling since 1AM previous morning and by the time they arrived they were pushing hard on to a 24 hour trip and about whipped. Annee met Tris with a big gulp scotch on the rocks and we got everyone settled in before feeding time on a big steaming pot of elk chili. Didnít take long before all our newly arrived guests were begging to be excused for a much needed laydown.

At Black Canyon

Early AM everyone was up for a great welcome breakfast, then we were off to get Thomas a hunting license and Tris a pair of waders. Our first sightseeing trip was the obligatory run up to the rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and its magnificent snow scrouded vistas into the 2000í depths of one of natures greatest works. Being from the lowlands, the elder Hydes were some scuamptious about their youngens hovering around the edges of straight up and down cliffs. After a tour of the visitor center and viewing their video production of the geological history of the canyon, everyone was ready for lunch at Smugglers and thoughts of a good afternoon nap to offset the altitude change.

Tris & Thomas

Next AM Tris, Thomas, and I were up ëbout 5AM to boot up for the first of several early duck hunts. Down in the river bottoms snow had laid in pretty heavy drifts, so it called for a pretty oxygen tasking tramp in the pitch black down to the river. Once the decs were set out we would settle back in the snow drifts in hopes some quackers would be enticed into gun range. Altho we hunted four mornings, we only sat directly on the X one time. That morning I hunkered Tris and Thomas right under the river bank, where their snow camo made them blend right in. I moved back in the willows to call, and it wasn't long before birds started droppimg in on them. Tris has a bad eye, but then he never could shoot too pretty good anyhow, so he had an excuse for all the misses. But Thomas now, in his first year of hunting, did pretty well. He nailed one drake cold right off and Dad jumped up yelling ìThatís my boy!î, and promptly scared off a flight coming in full flaps down. I popped a couple of periphery birds scrambling to get out of range.

They enjoyed all the hunts we had, but particularly that one morning of good shooting.

The Boy Got a String

Before we knew it New Years Eve was upon us and the Hydes were out guests of honor at what has become our annual New Years celebration. Usually we have a big dinner for† 3-4 couples, play some board games, then celebrate with the Big Ball dropping in Times Square. That way we can get to bed at a decent hour. Don & Sherril, Conrad & Linda, and Sharie Blackwelder joined us this year. After a game of Sequence & Yatse , Annee pulled out all the noise makers and we hooted and hollered as the New Year broke the East Coast. Then it was off to bed to rest up for the next tour.

New Years Celebration

New Years day was bright and sunny, so we headed down to the mountain town of Ouray to take in the ice climbing on steep canyon walls and a hike into Box Canyon Falls. After a good lunch at the pizzaria we headed down to the hot springs for a wet warmup. All over these moutains you can find geothermal springs and the town of Ouray captured theirs to constantly feed a giant pool that draws folks from all over. After suiting up we quickly jumped in the pool and sunk down into the 100 degree water up to our eyes. What a way to spend the afternoon, soaking up the invigorating hot springs with towering mountains surrounding you. The Hydes loved it! So did Annee and I !

Box Canyon

Hot Soak

While our guests were here we had a couple heavy snows and took the opportunity to take the kids sleigh riding since they see little snow on the Chesapeake. If they werenít sliding down our hills on saucers, I was pulling them with a tow strap hooked to the 4 wheeler. One day we took the whole group along with Sherril and granson Gerhart over to a tall hill in a snow blizzard, where they would hike up to the top and come flying down the hill in full holler. Sledding proved to be one of their trip highlights.

Snow Sliding

Loving the Blizzard

No trip to visit with us would be complete without a day trip over the pass to Telluride. Back in the halcyon days of the miners that infested the Colorado mountains seeking gold and silver, it was such a tough ride into the area the miners originally refferred to it as To Hell You Ride. Later the town name was shortened to Telluride. Must have been early political correctness. First off was a good lunch at the original Smugglers, then a gondola ride up to the ski area at Mountain Village. The Village was overrun with skiers taking a slope break and we found a huge bungee jump set up in the giant courtyard. Elle bought a ticket for a try at the bungee jump and enjoyed performing for the crowd.

Back into town we toured some of the shops before driving out to view Bridelveil Falls before heading home.

At Telluride

Bunjee Jump

Thomas & Fren

All too quickly the week passed and it was time for the High Tide Hydes to head back to Denver for their flight back to the Bay and home. We sure hated to see them go, but, lucky us, Tris was planning to be back out within three weeks for the last week of duck and goose season. Looked like we hadnít seen the last of him. DID WE HAVE ANY CHOICE?