Telluride.....The Dogs

Michael and Bernadette had commented after their visit to Telluride about the dogs. They said that everywhere you went there were dogs. Well, let me tell you...they weren't kidding! I have never seen so many dogs in all my life. Every size, shape and color that you can imagine...Telluride has it!

People here have dogs too, and some people take their dogs with them when they head out to run errands, but Telluride far exceeds that. It's seems that dogs are so much a part of the family there, that people just don't go anywhere without their dogs. When people come to visit...they bring their dog.

I knew that Matt rarely goes anywhere without his border collie, Luna, but I thought that was just Matt. Nope, it's actually a way of life.

When you walk through town, they are everywhere. Most are on leashes.....some dragging their leashes. Dogs are tied up in front of stores and restaurants all through town.

They were at the parade....

and at the concert....

and at the park for the baseball game!

Many of them have their bowls of water nearby.

It was just amazing. The dogs are friendly and don't mind strangers walking up and petting them. They don't bark, they don't hide...they just sit and wait for their "masters" to return.

I couldn't resist photographing some of the dogs we saw while we were out and about. Enjoy the "Dogs Of Telluride".

Woof!

Telluride....The Waterfall

(I am still not feeling great, so I am writing this post in bits and pieces. Hopefully it will make sense by the time I finally get it posted later today!)

Our drive to Telluride was uneventful. Super boring until you get to Denver, but the anticipation of a wonderful week kept me happy! The greatest part is when you can finally see the mountains off in the distance. We did spend some time in Loveland and I'll touch on that another day. Nice little town!

VIEW ON THE DRIVE IN

We arrived at Matt's house around noon. Matt lives about two blocks from downtown in a little three bedroom house that was recently sold. It is slated to be torn down and a new house will be built in it's place. The house has been a badly neglected rental for many years. Matt and his friends will be looking for a new place to live when he returns from his six week road trip.

MATT'S HOUSE

Since we had some time, we took our things to the house we would be staying at. It was a beautiful home and I still can't believe the owners (acquaintances of Matt's) opened their home to us while they were on vacation themselves. I am not going to post pictures of their home, but I will tell you that it was a spectacular cedar home in a beautiful setting. It was warm and inviting and HUGE!

THE VIEW FROM THE FRONT DECK

Once we got our stuff unloaded, Matt asked if we wanted to drive up to the base of the waterfall. Now, I have been in the mountains before, but I always seem to forget what driving to beautiful places entails....gravel and dirt winding roads with shear drop offs and almost never room for two cars to pass one another.

Oh, when you come upon a car coming from the opposite direction, you mentally decide who is going to stop and who is going to pass. If you aren't able to pass, one car has to back up to a spot that will allow the other car to get by. Usually the car on the inside pulls over as close as they can get to the wall of the mountain and then the other car inches their way around them. You get so close that you could easily kiss the other driver...which isn't always a bad thing. In any case, it beats falling off the side of the mountain!

Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest free falling waterfall in Colorado at a stunning 365 feet. Yes, that is a house at the top of the falls and yes, people do live there. Even though I would be terrified....can you imagine the view?

VIEW FROM THE ROAD

The mist at the base of the falls is so heavy that it is like it's raining. People were getting drenched and loving it! It's so loud and just such an awesome sight!

VIEW FROM THE BASE OF THE FALLS
ME AND IRVIE :)

Matt asked if we wanted to drive up to the top of the falls.

I spend most of the drive on the mountain roads repeating this phrase over and over and over again, "Matt, slow down! Matt, get over! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!"

I declined his offer. :)

I'm Still Here

Just wanted to let you know that I have not disappeared....a couple of hours after my short post on Monday I got hit with the worst stomach flu I can ever remember having. Irv wanted to take me to the ER, but of course there was no way I was doing that.

I don't remember much about Tuesday except that I was really sick. Yesterday I could sit up for about 5 minutes and then had to head back to bed.

Today I can be up for about 1/2 hour or so and then I need a rest. Food is just not sitting well yet, but I am trying. So, as soon as I can sit here and write a nice post and include some vacation photos, I will.

Each time I'm up, I'm sorting through the photos and getting them ready to post.

I couldn't go to work today but plan to try tomorrow if I can. Meanwhile, I hope all is well with you and I will be trying to catch up on everyone's blogs soon.

:)

We're Back!!!

We made great time and got home a day early. What an AWESOME vacation! Right now I am unpacking, sorting through mail, taking all of my e-mails off vacation response, changing my etsy shop announcements and throwing in some laundry.

I have lots of pictures and wonderful stories for you. I'll post something tomorrow.

Right now, I still feel like I am in the car....we drove 24 hours in 2 days. I'm exhausted. I have the next two days off and I am SO glad I did that.

I hope everyone is well. I'll chat with you tomorrow!

CHEE HOO!!! (I'll explain that tomorrow too)

:)