July 5, 2026

Another blessed day at church today. It’s very warm still and very smokey. The Ferris, Gold Mountain, and Babylon fires are still raging. And they all send smoke our way. This afternoon we decided to ride over into Sanborn. We saw a few elk and a couple deer. Two calves were in the road and their mothers were across the fence in the fields. We stopped and watched them run up and down the fence. One finally got through but the other didn’t. We finally got tired of waiting and started driving toward him. He took off running up the road and ran about a half mile and finally found an open gate. He was definitely tired after that. Nikon Z50 II

 July 2, 2026

When we got up this morning the smoke was so thick you couldn't see but a few blocks away.  It was burning our throats and noses.  I went with Allen up Dave Wood and just a ways up there it was blue sky and much clearer.  We then went over the divide road to Hwy 90 and then went over to the Hauser Cow Camp road and stopped for lunch.  While we were eating lunch the wind came up and we were quickly engulfed in smoke.  Due to the wind direction, we assumed this smoke was from the Babylon fire in the Abajo Mountains that has exploded up to 80,000 acres.  We drove down the very dusty Hauser road a ways and then came back and headed back home.  When the wind didn't blow up there the flies were nasty.  They weren't biting but were very annoying.  There were lots of campers already up there I assume for the upcoming July 4th weekend.  As we came down the mountain we could see several smaller fires out in front of the Gold Mountain Firs - likely caused by the wind blowing embers out in front.  We got notice while on the road that the P77 road we know and love is under pre-evacuation notice.  They are also closing Ridgway lake to boaters as they will be using scoop planes to get water.  When will this fire mess end?  Please Lord send rain.  Nikon P950

 July 1, 2026

We are being shrouded in smoke and heat, so we decided to try to escape somewhere for the day.  Joann's sciatica is doing better so we took off toward Gunnison.  We branched off onto the Sapinero Cutoff and then went on into Lake City.  We walked around town a bit - it was only 73 and the sky was clear and blue.  We then drove up on Slumgullion Pass and stopped at the viewpoint.  Uncompahgre Peak was clear out to the west and the Gold Mountain Fire was raging behind it.  It was quite the scene - one we wished we didn't have to view.  We then proceeded on up the pass and turned down the road to Deer Lakes and Cebolla.  All the roads were very dusty and we were surprised at the amount of traffic on a weekday.  We only saw a few deer - no moose.  As we went further north we got back into the smoke.  We decided to go to Mickey D's in Gunnison for supper and then came home.  It was a great day to get out on a longer journey again.  We still are pleading with the the Lord for rain.  It's supposed to be over 100 next week and dry.  Panasonic G97