sharynk's blog 2011: Last Week in Steamboat Springs, CO

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Let’s see….where to begin. The last week has been chock full. We started out having a wonderful meal once again with Mark and Susie. Last winter Mark had gone ice fishing and caught several trout. Susie froze them and we reaped the benefits. She stuffed them and baked them to perfection. Along with the fish, she made asparagus and wild rice. It was a meal fit for a king. Susie actually DE-Boned the trout! Just like Julia Child! Amazing!

Tommy and Mark finished up the edging on the new garage which looks wonderful. We played pool for 2 of the past 5 nights. Tommy and I lost both times, but it was a great deal of fun. The gang at the Glen Eden Resort are so entirely friendly and welcoming. We felt as if we were always part of the crowd.

The Glen Eden Resort is more of a dude ranch type of retreat. They offer horseback riding and tubing along the Elk River, have cabins to stay in and have a full restaurant, along with a lounge. It’s a genuinely nice place to stay while visiting friends or family in the area, or just exploring. Next time you’re in Clark, CO (just outside of Steamboat Springs, CO), stop in and tell them we said hello.

Larry and Joann's house

WY in the background

Hahn's Peak from the ground

We went hiking one day up Hahn's Peak. It was difficult. We ascended 1638 feet in only 1.7 miles. There were 2 times I sat down and said I couldn't do it. The last 1/4 mile was all rock. Moving rock under every step you took. It was hard to breathe but Mark and Tommy cheered me on and I was thankful. The view was spectacular! Susie, who we dubbed as Heidi for her mountain climbing skills, was on top of the mountain just waiting for us. The trip back down was tricky. The rocks continued to move under you and without any depth perception it seemed almost impossible. Susie stayed in front of me the entire time to help guide me. It was a great day!

Mark took Tommy and I horseback riding up the mountain behind his house. The Elk River Ranch provided the horses. I rode Nacho. Tommy rode Cisco and Mark rode Ebony. I fell in love with my horse. I think we completely bonded. We rode to the top of the mountain. The views were incredible. I hope the pictures do it justice. On the way down we ran into the Wrangler, Robby. He is the #1 guy on the ranch and I believe we made a friend for a long time. At least we hope to ski and snow mobile, etc.)

During our last week there Susie and I spent time with neighbors and she hosted a dinner for a couple, Joann and Larry. (The house with all the windows.) From Mark and Susie's house you look up at Joann and Larry's.

We pulled out of the driveway of Mark and Susie’s house on Friday early afternoon. It was a tearful goodbye. It's hard to grasp the fact that we had just met them one year ago. They have come to see us in FL and we back to them again this year. Such wonderful, great, generous people and we are proud to say they are our friends.