A couple of Mancos Valley old-timers passed away recently ... Lou Eppich, with family ties to Thompson Park (just east of Mancos hill, barely into La Plata County), and Dominic Aspromonte. I didn't find out about Lou's death till after his funeral, but we went to Dominic's funeral this morning. The Catholic Church and social hall were packed.
On the lighter side, in addition to memories of Lou and Dominic, we had memorable visitors to Artisans of Mancos yesterday, including the STRANGE ladies pictured at the top!
This afternoon, we went up in the forest near Transfer Campground and rode our bikes for a while. Peaceful! At an overlook into the canyon of the West Mancos River, there was a gnarled root (juniper, I think) twisted into the shape of a "P."
A Swainson's hawk took off and rode the currents to heights above us, gliding upward in slow circles.
After we got done riding (and before I backed into a tree and damaged Sandy's bike!), we went a little furhter up the road and wandered for a while through the leafless aspens. So quiet, with the leaves rustling slightly underfoot. As a whole, the leaves are a dull, grey-brown mass, yet each is a little wonder with its veins and serrated edges. Stopping and looking closely, there was a low shrub poking up a bright red leaf here and there, and a mantis-like insect and a small moth showed themselves ... on Nov. 1 at over 9000 feet elevation!
The temperature was about 59 degrees F. when we turned around, sun shining brightly with a few scattered clouds and only a little snow evident on the north sides of the La Plata peaks. Unusual weather ... a few years ago, I took pictures of heavy snow on the La Platas on Sept. 19!
A beautiful, peaceful afternoon in the hills together. tv
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