Gun Shooting Practice: A couple of men in our RV Park have initiated a gun-shooting practice at the public outdoor range. The first session took place on Tuesday, June 25. Both men are seasoned gun handlers, with one being a retired police officer who actively competes in shooting competitions. They set up targets, established rules, and hope to attract more participants. Bill and Karen recently obtained their License to Carry (LTC) but need plenty of practice to feel confident carrying.

Ogrizovich Visit (Friday, 6/28/2024 – 06/30/2024): Our friends and neighbors, Pat and John Ogrizovich, visited us for the first time in Creede, CO. Pat and Karen are part of a small ladies’ Bible Study group. They planned their visit around a trip to Breckenridge, CO. They arrived early Friday afternoon, and since they were only staying for a day and a half, we planned a few activities their first day. One of our favorite spots for newcomers is North Clear Creek Falls North Clear Creek Falls – Lake City, CO | Waterfall Overlook (uncovercolorado.com) in Lake City, CO. Unfortunately, the wind picked up and it started raining just as we arrived, so we had to make a quick visit and head back to the truck.

Following recommendations from others in the park, our next “must” stop was the Studios at Bristol https://www.thestudiosatbristol.com/. Pat thoroughly enjoyed this shop, where she met Kathy Killip, owner/artist, and discovered that Kathy’s hometown is the same as where Pat grew up. Kathy, who designed for Hallmark (where Pat worked for over 12 years), personally signed the bracelet Pat purchased during their visit. Pat also got Kathy’s mobile number and was invited to visit her in Kansas City, MO, where Kathy resides from May through October. The last stop on their tour was Freemon’s, renowned for its homemade hamburgers. However, on this day, we indulged in the hand-dipped ice cream instead. General Store and Freemon’s Famous Burgers (freemonsranch.com).

Friday Evening: We cooked out and visited at our place in our newly built pavilion, it was a nice relaxing evening and we all agreed that we had indeed make the most of their first half-day. Saturday: We joined a large group for a Side-by-Side ATV ride through Bachelor Loop The Bachelor Loop (creede.com) up to the Continental Divide. Some good friends in the Park lent us their 4-seater, and the weather was perfect all day.

That evening, the Ogrizovichs’ treated us to dinner at Antler’s Home (antlerslodge.com), where we enjoyed live music on the patio with appetizers before our delicious meal. Sunday: Michael Knight, a country/gospel singer and songwriter: http://www.michaelknightlivemusic.com/, was a special guest at our park’s Church Service. He also performed a full 2-hour concert that evening. The Ogrizovichs attended the Sunday morning worship service with us and enjoyed his performance. We saw them off around 10 am as they checked out of their cabin and headed to Breckenridge. It was a wonderful few days with our friends.

July 4th Festivities in Creede: July 4th is always a fun time in Creede, attracting people from far and wide to join in the celebrations. Many in our RV Park decorate their Side-by-Sides, parade through the park, and then head to town to participate in the city’s big 4th of July parade. While we’ve participated in the past two years, this year we decided to be spectators, which allowed us to see the entire parade instead of being at the back of the line.

In the evening, we attended the rodeo with friends, Terry Cooprider, one of our closest. The Mutton Bustin is one of our favorites along with the Calf Scramble both events involving young children to participate. Although it was extremely crowded and a bit uncomfortable in the bleachers, the event was fun. We left a little early and made it home just before dark to watch the spectacular fireworks display put on by the park owner and his family. People often comment that it’s as professionally orchestrated as those in big cities.

The Saturday night following the 4th, there’s always a dance at the Elk’s Club with live music. There’s no cover charge, and it’s always a lot of fun. Many locals attend, and we enjoy watching the couples dance, joining in for a few tunes ourselves.

Prior to the dance, we ate at Old Miners Inn – town pizza restaurant https://www.oldminOld Miner’s Inn – Pizza Restaurant ersinn.com/ and enjoyed meeting a local couple who shared with us about moose sightings near Bachelor Loop, close to Equity Mines, between 7:15 and 7:30 pm.

One evening, spur-of-the-moment decision, Bill and Karen took the Side-by-Side to the place the couple suggested and were thrilled to see a moose and her baby, the closest we’ve ever seen moose since coming to Creede three years ago. A little further down in a second beavers’ pond, we saw this bull moose. This season we have seen more wildlife than in the past.

There is a small bear that has been spotted and he has left evidence of his presence close by our RV site. He left his muddy footprints one evening, and our neighbor across from us was able to get a photo of him. Karen also saw him and attempted a photo zooming in from across the street at 5:45 am one morning.

The Park organizes many fun events throughout the season. This year we were introduced to a new way to play Bingo. It’s called “card bingo,” and is actually played with a deck of cards, no daubers needed. After the initial introduction and by popular demand, it grew to a point of needing to move from the smaller Bear Lodge to the Elk’s Lodge.

John King’s https://www.johnkingcountry.com/about free outdoor concert was brought back this year. Karen attended last year while Bill played poker, this year it was on a non-poker playing night, so Bill and Karen attended it together. The clouds and light rain fall kept the usual crowds away but ended up being a very nice evening.

July 18th – Bill’s 75th Birthday: Shahn flew in for the big day and we planned a Burgers and Beer dinner with 36 people in attendance.  Shahn was cooking burgers on one grill, and friend, Jim was cooking on another grill. It was a bigger turnout than we originally planned, but we were able to comfortably accommodate everyone in our new pavilion along with setting up a tent for guests to have a shaded area outside the pavilion. This fell on the men’s poker night, so we started early and ended the party early enough for Bill and the other poker player guests to keep their regular play night.

American Basin: Shahn rented a jeep from the Durango airport, and it was so nice riding on the trails in the jeep.  American Basin is an annual ride to see the wildflowers in full bloom, and if you don’t time it right, you will get there too early or too late to enjoy the large meadows of wildflowers blooming.  We timed it perfectly, seeing one of my favorite arrays of beautiful colors, shapes, and sizes of wildflowers.  It did rain a bit, but the cloudy skies made it perfect for good photos.

Alpine Ministries: Mountain Views RV Park offers weekly church services onsite in the Elk’s Lodge. Over the past few years, we have thoroughly enjoyed the pastor, Gene, and have met good friends who are regular attendees. This ministry takes up donations that all goes back to the Creede community. Donations support the local food pantry, meals for the local seniors, school items needed for school age local residents, and other year-round needs of Creede residents. This year there was a “free” barbecue dinner for anyone in the Park in celebration of their 25th anniversary. Roland and his wife, the original owners, who agreed to starting this ministry was in attendance. It was fun fellowship.

FOMCES Charity Golf Tournament: The annual Friends of Mineral County Emergency Services (FOMCES) charity golf tournament was on Sunday, July 21.  Shahn’s plans included staying through the weekend and playing golf with us.  Shahn purchased he and his dad matching golf clothes, very cute idea. He and Bill were on a men’s team, and Karen played with her regular ladies’ foursome.  The 18-hole game is played by best ball, and the ladies’ team moved up from last place year to next to last place this year.   There were several great door prizes, Shahn won a certificate for two to play a round of golf.  Bill and Karen will need to use it before the end of the season when it expires. 

Friend’s Celebration of Life: A dear friend passed away on June 24, 2024, and her celebration of life was scheduled for Saturday, July 27. I arranged to fly from the Durango airport with Shahn on his scheduled flight on Monday, July 22. He met Addi at DFW, and they flew on to Pittsburgh for a family vacation. I didn’t want to miss our daughter’s 44th birthday and the celebration of life service for my friend.

Alice’s celebration of life was beautiful. Her daughters and granddaughters shared heartfelt memories, and her husband, Tom, reminiscing about their life together. Tom’s message highlighted God’s gift of “Memories.” The full house was a testament to the profound impact Alice had on her friends and family. My sister-in-law, Kathie Spivey, and Alice were both diagnosed with the same type of cancer within weeks of one another approximately 7-years ago.  Kathie passed away on June 26, 2022, exactly 2-year’s and 2-days before Alice.  Kathie always asked about Alice and how she was doing after learning they were going through similar treatment.  

Mandy’s visit was a nice time. She, Sandi, Lily and Karen went to see the new box office showing of “Twister,” we played games at the house, and enjoyed time together.

James 1:17: “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”