seconds

Since it is our second summer in Chinle, it makes sense that it is also our second Telluride Bluegrass Festival, second 4th of July in Silverton and second anniversary too!  (posts coming up will include our second visit to Muley Point/Cedar Mesa and our second garden... okay, enough seconds already)

This time around for the Bluegrass Festival, since we camped in Town Park, Telluride, we decided to spend a few extra days in festival mode.  We had the most relaxing and rejuvenating week.  Nothing but hiking, camping, napping, reading, eating festival food, and of course listening to great music with even better friends.

4th of July in Silverton was so good last year, a repeat was a no-brainer.  

We camped at the same location in South Mineral Creek (also known as Bandera).  Friday was Patricia's Birthday and we celebrated by hiking Ice Lakes in the morning, during which Patricia won the alpine speed sledding contest!! 

 5 of us ran the Blue Ribbon Run to start off the 4th of July festivities in town.  The remainder of the day was spend eating, relaxing (yes, common themes to our weekend), exploring and (the boys) fishing.  That night we rallied to make the trip into town for Silverton's amazing fireworks.    Sunday as everyone went their separate ways, Dave and I headed to another great location just outside of Silverton - Cascade Creek.  We spent the next two night's camping there for our anniversary.  We hiked Highland Mary's Lake trail and much to the dogs' delight, found ourselves slopping across many muddy sections of trail and stream crossings.  It was well worth the trip.

Amidst these seconds, there were a few firsts...... we met a good friend of Patricia's - Megan and her sweet pup, Suz (congrats on you decision to stay in San Francisco!!)... and we are in the midst of our first ever green bean harvest (I cant get enough!!)!