As summer finally crept north to Granby, our Texas friends started heading up and away from the 100 plus temperatures hitting our beloved state to the south. They heard of summer nights in the 40’s and days in the 70’s. Lake Granby, fed by Rocky Mountain streams, offered a refreshing dip compared to bathtub temperatures of the gulf. Throughout the past snow-covered winter only the heartiest ski enthusiasts came to visit my new Colorado home, so I was thrilled when our Texan friends finally decided it was worth the hike:). The Dickson’s brought their two oldest grandangels, who adapted to paddleboarding enthusiastically.

That wasn’t all Granby had to offer; the summer brings rodeo season. Seems Colorado has almost as many rodeos as Texas. Zoe and Tabitha were enthralled with their first rodeo ever. I was as surprised as they were that many of the cowboys (and girls:) came from Utah, Idaho, Oklahoma, just to name a few. Every Saturday from June through July, I’m pretty sure Zoe and Tabitha will be back when summer moves to Granby again.

Next Sis Paige came as summer became a bit too balmy in St Thomas. We discovered Rocky Mountain National Park together. It was anything but balmy, as hoodies were required. At the highest elevation, 14,000 feet, there was an amazing cafe with walls of glass overlooking mountains to the south. This is evidently where the elk summer, as they were all enjoying the cooler temperatures that we would enjoy only if we were elk:). The mountain vistas were amazing, but the narrow winding mountain passes are only open during the summer. Set aside an entire day, as you will be creeping along at a speedy 20 mph most of the time.

Finally my Austin grandangels came, as the average temperature in central Texas hovered around 108 degrees mid-day. They hiked up to Adam’s Falls with me. I took great pride in this 8 and 10 year old pushing hard up that mountain to see the first part of RMNP nearest Grand Lake. Of course we did the paddleboarding and a bit of souvenir shopping in what looks like a hallmark movie kinda town, but there was so much to do in Denver that I couldn’t keep them in the mountains long. Meow Wolf was calling their names. All I can say is, adult or child, if you haven’t been, you must go. It’s every sci-fi movie set rolled into one, with visual experiences mated with music that defy the imagination. Then there is the Aquarium. Ivy is set on a marine biology career, so it was her hands-down favorite. Seriously the overall experience has brought the Austin family to the decision to move to Colorado permanently. Doesn’t hurt this grandmother’s feelings. I will have all grandangels in the mountains soon!

Bro Drew and his Tera weren’t about to miss out on all this talk of an air conditioned world, so they popped in for a week as well. We did some bird watching along the edges of Lake Granby, finding an eagles nest and saw some local magpies that are nonexistent in Texas. The most interesting animal though was a pasture of highland cows. The calves have a forehead filled with thick bangs, making them just adorable.

Just as the Aspens began to turn golden, Cuz Dottie and her Doc Bob dropped by after visiting their grands in Loveland. Bob just retired from his veterinary clinic and is planning on a fly fishing hobby in RMNP. Dottie hikes while Bob catches dinner:). They promise to visit often during the season (mostly summer:) but for now they headed south for their beach house on Bolivar Peninsula. They recommend this for all Texans who aren’t into subzero temperatures:)