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