A Late Birthday Hike

Yesterday's hike was spectacular! I'll try to post the photos I took on the hike tomorrow. We visited a part of Caribou Ranch (northwest of Nederland) that has only been open to the public for the past three years. Caribou Ranch has been private property for quite a while - it was used for filming the 1960s version of Stagecoach (starring Bing Crosby and Alex Cord); and in the late 1960's through the early 1990's was a well known recording and mixing studio for records and CDs. A large portion of the Ranch now belongs to Boulder County Open Space, and it is slowly being opened to pedestrians and equestrians. We started at the Blue Bird Mine trailhead, and walked for a little over a mile through forested ridges with a few open alpine meadows; then the trail joined in with the old Switzerland Trail, which was a 46+ mile railroad grade (the tracks were removed in 1920), and which was used extensively in the re-make of Stagecoach. We took several "spurs" off the main trail and visited the old Blue Bird Mine, which was a working silver mine up until 1965; we visited North Boulder Creek (which brother-in-law Jim thinks was Como Creek, the original headwaters of Boulder Creek); we wandered about the 1860's homestead that is being restored; spoke with a couple of Park Rangers about the invasive species that they are fighting (such as the pretty ox-eye daisy and the Scottish thistle); and then rested for a few moments on a beautifully situated park bench that had a wonderful overlook. Grandma Anne had slowed down her hiking speed quite a bit about half-way through the walk; but when the parking lot at the trailhead came into view, she positively flew the last 200 yards. I giggled and said, "Ah, the old grey mare sees the barn!" - and was then horrified when Kathy and Jim told Anne what I had said... She laughed and said that she didn't see the barn, she could see her transportation to Kathmandu!

We met at Kathmandu, a Nepalese restaurant, in Nederland. We all had the luncheon buffet, which including a huge selection of salad items, as well as Tandoori chicken, rice pudding, creamed spinach, Basmati rice, and about 20 other Nepalese dishes, plus a side dish of naan. What I felt safe eating was absolutely marvelous. And Kathy, Jim, and Anne had several helpings of everything. It was an excellent way for the morning to end. - The kits were happy to have me back at home for the afternoon, and I played catch-up on Facebook; then went over and sat with Rosie and Remy for 90 minutes in the evening, before going over to see Ooch, and putting him to bed for the night. I'll be headed back to Ooch in just a few minutes, and then I plan to spend the day at home, until I go back to Ooch around 6:30. Tomorrow morning, I move in with Sophie and Walt for 4 days and 3 nights... and I will once again be missing my kits.