Last week, I discovered a wonderful place for camping, hiking, horse-back riding and fishing almost in my backyard, i.e., within an hour’s drive from my home in Ridgway.  It’s Woods Lake, found at the end of Fall Creek road off Highway 145 between Placerville and Telluride.  Annabel and I went mid-week, so it was really uncrowded, and the few people we encountered were friendly and happy fellow campers.  We didn’t bring our horses this trip, but certainly checked out the adjoining horse campground for future reference.  We (well, Annabel) even managed to catch a couple of fish, and I took multitudes of photos of all the beautiful wild flowers.  Below is a video of our trip so you can enjoy virtually this wonderful location.  We’ll be back!

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Montrose, Colorado is not exactly known for its shopping, as in mall shopping, so it’s a good thing I’m not much of a shopper.  We do have of a few big box stores, like WalMart and Home Depot.  And in recent years, we’ve seen the addition of a couple of new shopping centers, Oxbow Crossing and River Landing, which has Target, J.C. Penney, Sports Authority and the Natural Grocer.  Oxbow Crossing is a mix of specialty stores and restaurants, along with a couple of fitness centers and, particular favorites of mine, The Liquor Store and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream shop.  But believe it or not, my most favorite place to shop in Montrose is . . . drum roll . . . Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply!

If you’re new to Montrose, Colorado, or even just visiting, be sure to stop into this store.  It has, in fact, a great inventory of ranch equipment and supplies.  So, it’s a great place to see real cowboys and ranch hands.  But Murdoch’s offers so much more, especially for the homeowner: patio furniture, garden supplies and yard art, portable fire pits, fencing and supplies, garden equipment and tools.  For the handyman, they have a fine array of power tools and hardware.  Murdoch’s carries all your horse supplies, including a pretty good assortment of tack.  Cats and dogs and other small animals are well represented in the pet section.  You can even buy your baby chicks in season at Murdoch’s in Montrose.

Murdoch’s also has a wonderful gift department with beautiful western style jewelry, pottery, paintings and prints, blankets, handbags, greeting cards, and other knick-knacks.  Murdoch’s is definitely the place to go to get yourself outfitted in western apparel, whether you’re the real McCoy or just an urban cowboy.  And there are plenty of both in Montrose, Colorado.  Actually, Murdoch’s to me is a rather good reflection of the wonderfully rural, active, and diverse lifestyle we lead on the Colorado Western Slope.   It is also  all I need in one-stop shopping.   And for those of you for whom it is not, well, there is always Mesa Mall in Grand Junction.

~Ninah

Thinking of visiting or relocating to Montrose, CO?  Learn more at NinahHunter.com.

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Last Saturday, July 17, 2010, was the 33rd annual Kendall Mountain Run in Silverton, CO. As I found out, it’s definitely for the fit and hardy, but for those of you like me, it can be done with the right mind-set and perseverance. Enjoy this video of my first KMR half marathon.  I can only go up from here, in more ways than one. LOL

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My new friend and fellow runner/hiker-in-training for the Imogene Pass Run, Sherralyn Daniels, and I hiked the Blue Lakes Trail this past Saturday as far as the lower Blue Lake.  This is a popular trail and one I had not done before, but had heard much about.  Actually, I’d seen the lakes from atop Mt. Sneffles when I’d hiked that a couple years ago.  Our approach Saturday was from the trailhead from East Dallas Creek Rd. (CR 7) off Highway 62.  It was a beatiful and challenging hike, 3.3 miles to the lower lake.  The wild flowers were a highlight.  Arriving at the lower lake was like being in a wonderland.  The lake was actually turquoise, not just blue, situated in an amphitheater of steep mountain sides and a cascading waterfall-into-creek from above, fringed by pine trees and blooming fields of wildflowers to the edge of the water.  We stopped for lunch at the lake shore, dipping our hot, trail-weary feet into the icey cold water–that didn’t last long! 

Because we were both under time constraints to get back, we opted not to proceed to the upper lakes, but we did have to discover where the trail continued, since it wasn’t obvious.  We found the trail continued by crossing a huge tree trunk across the creek, which we walked over, then the trail cut a narrow path through waist-high wild flowers and shrubs.  It then went straight up, almost through a creek/waterfall bed, which we scrambled up, climbing now, not hiking.  We made our way to a ridge that continued upwards around and over the lower lake, presenting evermore breathtaking views of the lake and amphitheater from a higher perspective.  We stopped on a rock outcrop to take in the view and discuss how much more training we needed and the concern we had about successfully completing the Imogene Pass Run.  From above, a single, elderly (well, let’s say in her 60’s) woman came trekking down, totally enthused about the flowers and what she’d seen.  She encouraged us to go just another 10 minutes upwards to view a beautiful field of lupine flowers, which we did.

The return trip was just as beautiful, fun, and challenging, and seemed much longer than going up.  We were fortunate to have clear, sunny weather in the shade most of the day, getting into a few sprinkles of rain just as we returned.  Round trip was about 8 miles.  It’s amazing how much longer and harder a mile going up and down hill is than on the flat!  I was sorry I didn’t have a camera with me.  But to get another hiker/photographer’s account of this trail, with some gorgeous photos, click here.  For more info on Ouray County trails, visit www.ouraytrails.org.

I was a bit tired and sore today, which made a good excuse to stay home and do housework and work on taxes–I’d rather have been out hiking again, but did enjoy a brief rainstorm from the safety and comfort of my home. 

~Ninah

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Last Sunday-Tuesday, my friend, Annabel, and I took a road/camping trip along the Uncompahgre Plateau.  It was the first time we made this trip after living in this neck of the woods for almost 5 years–and it’s in our backyard (so to speak)!!  We started from Montrose, taking old Highway 90 up the Plateau, proceeding along Divide Road.  First night we spent at Colombine campground, a no-charge primitve site with picnic tables and fire rings.  I don’t recall exactly, but I think we were definitely at 8,000′ or higher.  The road took us through mostly thick pine forests and occasional open meadows, with the beautiful Colorado wild flowers in full bloom.  Despite 2 very good maps on hand, we noticed many more forest and 4-wheel drive roads and trails not marked on our maps.  Obviously, more local folk in no need of maps knew this area better than we did and were out enjoying it all on quads and quadripeds (aka horses).  Only 2 parties in camp that night. 

Next day we continued north along Divide Road, which took us to greater heights (over 9,000 feet) and along the ridge overlooking canyons and the west end of Montrose County toward Nucla and Norwood, with sole Lone Cone Peak in the distance.  Terrain kept changing from evergreens to aspens, open meadows, fields of wild flowers, to our next campsite at Cottonwood, now in Mesa County.  Again, just us and another party, and a herd of cows.  Our airedale dogs became cow dogs and helped herd them away from our site.  Both nights we enjoyed good, warm weather (after one brief downpour the first night), BBQ’ing on the fire ring, and me with my baby Taylor guitar singing around the campfire–about the only time I play and sing these days, and my fingers let me know I was out of shape!!

Tuesday, we dropped down off the Plateau and Divide Road (about 90 miles later from Montrose) onto Highway 141, on the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway, about 15 miles south of White Water.  We’ve driven this stretch before, but it’s still as beautiful and breathtaking as always, as we head south back toward Ridgway, stopping in Gateway at the relatively new Gateway Canyons Resort for lunch at the Paradox Grill.  A few miles from home, along Highwya 62, a black bear runs across the highway in front of us.  Only the second bear sighting since living in Colorado–we were thrilled!

Getting home is always a pleasure and a reminder of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place on earth.  The day and our short road trip ended, as usual, on our front porch swing with cocktails in hand, enjoying the gorgeous, never-the-same sunset Alpenglow over the Cimarron Mountains.  Ah!  Life, she is good!

~Ninah

Photo from my front porch of sunset over the Cimarrons

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This season’s Main in Motion started last Thursday in downtown Montrose on a gloomy, rainy evening, but that didn’t stop the intrepid, dedicated merchants on the historic Main Street of Montrose, Colorado.  If you’re in this area, be sure to make a Thursday evening afer normal business hours part of your tour.  Many of the businesses stay open late and offer entertainment and special treats for tourists and locals alike.  Although much of the commercial development is happening south of town these days, a lot of it is big box companies and shopping malls, which the locals welcome, but which does not offer the pedestrian and people friendly fun and appeal that Main in Motion has.  Main Street businesses (of which I belong, of course) are a very dedicated bunch that want to perserve the old town hospitality that Montrose has always offered and wants to keep offering.  So, please come check us out!  If you can’t just yet in person, check out these links for more info about what’s happening in our historic district of Montrose:

http://www.maininmotion.com

http://www.montrosemama.org/

~Ninah

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I attended a dinner party the other night at some friends' home in Ridgway.  They were in town, after having moved to Parker for job reasons, while maintaining their home in Ridgway.  Their circle of friends are not my usual circle, but I have, certainly, met many at previous parties and in and around town.  As I spent time talking with all of them, and reflected on it the next day, I was impressed all over again with what an incredible, diverse, inspiring group of people I've come to know and associate with since moving to this part of Colorado 4 years ago.  As I've told many of my friends and family in California, I think moving here has added at least 10 years to my lifespan.  So many of my friends I've made and the people I've met are over 50 years old, and, yet, they are all still so active, I mean, really active!  They hike, bike, hunt, horseback ride, mountain climb, fish, raft, ski, snow shoe, dogsled race, hot air balloon, camp, jeep, motorcycle ride, and some of them are well into their sixites or even 70's.  For example, one of my agents, Kylee Smith, is a 60-year old retired P.E. teacher who has run the Imogene Pass 8 times and is still so very active, running circles around me.  She convinced me and another agent in my office, Betsy Spitzer, to ride in the annual Partners' fundraising 100-mile bike ride last summer.  Betsy and I trained together and were the determined sag riders, who never accepted a ride from the sag wagon, while Kylee rode back and forth to check on us.  I never would have attempted this without the encouragement of friends like Kylee, and the support of Betsy! 

Not everyone I know is over 50 years old.  My partner, Annabel, and I have plenty of younger friends, too, many of whom are parents.  We've been so impressed with these parents and how dedicated they are to their children and how supportive the community is.  Even we, with no children of our own, volunteered to help the old middle and high school move into their new building.  It takes a village, you know.  I don't think too many children around here spend time with Game Boys or in front of the TV!  How jealous I am of these school kids who have a snow/ski day as part of their school curriculum!

And it's not all about outdoor, physcial activities.  So many of my friends and colleagues are business owners, or in second careers, such as many of my agents, or artists and craftsmen, musicians, actors, world travelors, fundraisers, local politicians or politically active, volunteers and members of philanthropic organizations, writers, photographers, gardners, cooks, ranchers and farmers, and from different states and countries or are second, third and fourth generation Coloradans from Ouray or Montrose Counties. 

Below are a few photos of me with Annabel, friends, and visitors, in activities I've enjoyed since living here:

I may sell real estate in the Montrose and Ridgway areas of Colorado, but I also sell a lifestyle.  Hence, the purpose of this post.

 ~Ninah

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Last night, watching the Grammy Awards, reminded me of a notable fact about my little town of Ridgway where I live, about 26 miles south of Montrose, where I work.  Ridgway is where John Billings of Billings Artworks creates the Grammy Award, which he's been doing for well over 25 years.  Check out his website.  It's rather fascinating.

This got me thinking of some other claims to fame that Ridgway can make, such as being a favorite movie location, most renowned being True Grit with John Wayne back in 1969.  One of our landmark restaurants and watering holes is The True Grit Cafe.  Last year, we enjoyed our inaugural True Grit Days, which was quite successful and looks to become a wonderful annual event. 

One of Ridgway's notable long-term and well-loved residents was the late Dennis Weaver, who died in February 2006.  Last summer, the Dennis Weaver Memorial Park was dedicated on 60 acres of land along the Uncompahgre River that his family gave to the Town.  It is, truly, an inspiring, beautiful place and a great tribute to Weaver.  Another one of our famous residents is Ralph Lauren and his wife, Ricky, who own the 22,000-acre Double RL Ranch.  For a cute blog post about a Ralph Lauren siting last summer, click here.  And then there is Charles ("Charlie") W. Ergen, co-founder of Echostar Copmmunications Corp., parent company of DishNetwork.  Charlie may be more of an infamous resident, these days, and, apparently, historically, as this recent article in the Ouray County Newspapers reflects: Bully tactics, Town should hold Ergen to RiverWay commitment. 

Not bad for a little town of about 750 residents.  For more information about Ridgway, click on the links to the right for Ridgway Chamber of Commerce and for the Ouray County Newspapers.  And feel free to leave me comments or ask questions about Ridgway and surrounding areas.

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