Part 2: July

Right after the 4^th of July Jim and Ryan went on another hike along the Rainbow Trail Rainbow Trail webpage and up into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness to Bushnell Lakes. Bushnell Lakes webpage. They did not make it all the way as it is as steep and difficult as advertised. But an amazing hike and views Hiking pictures

Then we went on a road trip to Red River, NM. Jim's sister Judy and her husband Gil remodeled an old building there into a gorgeous retirement home in this beautiful area. Red River webpage

On the way south we stopped at our favorite pottery store Azul Pottery, Azul Pottery webpage. It is actually a factory and you can tour it. Their pottery is really unique. We got them a house warming present and headed south through the San Luis valley. We were tempted to stop at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, but the weather was all thunder and lightning and hail and rain! Pretty incredible driving through that valley with mountains on both sides and all that fury all around us.

Their house is amazing! We got the tour and had a great visit, even had some time to do some off-roading. Gil bought a jeep and we got to have some fun. Pretty tame by our standards but we've got to ease them in gently!

House Pictures: Judy and Gil's new old house

Jeep Pictures: Off roading in Red River

We took a day trip into Taos and toured the Kit Carson home and museum. Kit Carson museum webpage

I never realized what an important part he played in opening up the West. He ran away from his apprenticeship in Missouri at the age of 16 and came to Taos in 1826. And his story goes on from there........ Timeline of Kit Carson's career  and his biography Kit Carson Then we went to Out Back Pizza for lunch...... amazing wood fired pizza in a unique setting. Taos pictures

Allie Jane came to visit us for a few days and we had a blast in the pool and fishing. Allie pictures

Then we had a special day driving to Guffy and going to the wolf sanctuary at the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. Wolf Sanctuary webpage. You will not believe the pictures! Wolf pictures

Mark's first wolf rescue was Cheyenne, at 3 weeks old. She is known as the healing wolf. Her story is quite incredible. Cheyenne.

They are totally off the grid up on the top of this mountain Map. Everything is solar powered. He has 12 wolves now and is building runs for 12 more. He is rescuing them from another sanctuary whose owner's health is failing. You have to make an appointment as he only takes 1 small group at a time. He is always looking for volunteers, especially to lead the tours so he can work with the wolves. You can park your RV and work for a month or longer if you like ….... we are considering it for next May.

We are off to work at River Spruce in Estes Park for the month of August. Sad to leave our beautiful yard on the banks of the Arkansas River and all our friends there........ Pictures of our site at Cotopaxi See you in part 3........