tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.comments2023-06-30T05:38:59.397-04:00 Parker's BarkersGailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13754422711386464231noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-16603221513216723912016-05-20T18:19:22.692-04:002016-05-20T18:19:22.692-04:00Fantastic bird pictures!!! Would love to see some...Fantastic bird pictures!!! Would love to see some of these for sure -- you must have upped your life list a lot!!!!Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01510120813220199735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-54937291353122612432016-05-18T21:11:58.011-04:002016-05-18T21:11:58.011-04:00Sounds like you all had a great stay and some real...Sounds like you all had a great stay and some really good birding. Glad everything went well after your rocky start. Love seeing all the pictures.<br />MarchAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14820019079938943913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-62692112781151490592015-09-16T20:33:27.325-04:002015-09-16T20:33:27.325-04:00Did you really use 6 reapeats of this fabric. Tha...Did you really use 6 reapeats of this fabric. That is 4 yards?Susie Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03194851334179316726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-53906894817664586642014-08-12T20:42:20.693-04:002014-08-12T20:42:20.693-04:00You make it look so easy I have to try one tomorro...You make it look so easy I have to try one tomorrow or as soon as I get the fusible batting. <br />They all look GREAT!!!MarchAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14820019079938943913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-89017881014167659612014-05-24T22:59:40.290-04:002014-05-24T22:59:40.290-04:00I'm not sure, but the bushes may be serviceber...I'm not sure, but the bushes may be serviceberries. All the birds LOVE the berries. So much so, you're lucky if you ever see them. The moment they're ripe, the birds strip the bushes. I understand they're edible for us too, but I've never had a chance to try them. The bushes are also native plants to the U.S.Oliviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03512196583720087669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-29278413516825304952014-05-13T23:29:23.482-04:002014-05-13T23:29:23.482-04:00That is going to be one spoiled little boy, for su...That is going to be one spoiled little boy, for sure! It's going to be a wonderful quilt.<br />Tami Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15006895931531165993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-76547884869365065422014-05-13T20:21:17.634-04:002014-05-13T20:21:17.634-04:00Amazing photos! All the birds are identified corre...Amazing photos! All the birds are identified correctly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-59485844384682394722014-05-04T14:22:52.007-04:002014-05-04T14:22:52.007-04:00Thanks Sally! I can't wait to see the paper pi...Thanks Sally! I can't wait to see the paper piecing. I've never done it but want to learn.Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13754422711386464231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-35416333955759638802014-04-20T19:40:11.851-04:002014-04-20T19:40:11.851-04:00The quilt is a One=Block Wonder except I modified ...The quilt is a One=Block Wonder except I modified the blocks and made them stars by adding triangles.Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13754422711386464231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-35901808748777510252014-04-20T17:19:49.378-04:002014-04-20T17:19:49.378-04:00I love this One Block Wonder; reminds me of a warm...I love this One Block Wonder; reminds me of a warm fire on a cold snowy night.Pamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02570383687279501675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-52581261727653312152014-04-20T17:06:15.996-04:002014-04-20T17:06:15.996-04:00Beautiful wildlife pictures! And I love the Eat Yo...Beautiful wildlife pictures! And I love the Eat Your Veggies quilt; is it a Stack'n Whack?Pamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02570383687279501675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-28704276806432688282014-04-20T15:42:37.811-04:002014-04-20T15:42:37.811-04:00I LOVE the cat quilt! I've been wanting to mak...I LOVE the cat quilt! I've been wanting to make a cat quilt using DOG fabric; and vice versa. LOVELY work!Pamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02570383687279501675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-30553486316892702892014-04-18T21:49:21.288-04:002014-04-18T21:49:21.288-04:00Love these, Gail. You've really become an acco...Love these, Gail. You've really become an accomplished quilter. I've taken on paper piecing and find that I love doing miniatures. Pictures soon!! How nice to have a sewing studio!Ministry Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725308014181675594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-14083141983660402012014-04-18T13:43:51.730-04:002014-04-18T13:43:51.730-04:00Wow Gail it all looks great. The disappearing 4 pa...Wow Gail it all looks great. The disappearing 4 patch turned out great and I love the kitties. MarchAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14820019079938943913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-8797521840094602852014-04-02T20:42:32.592-04:002014-04-02T20:42:32.592-04:00Loved your post. Saw the first gold finch today in...Loved your post. Saw the first gold finch today in our yard. Maybe this winter will end. The cedar waxwing never came through ... too cold, too much snow and no berries on the trees. They were all eaten by the long term winter residents. Thanks for sharing your beautiful bird pictures.Ministry Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725308014181675594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-65639394574511742202013-11-09T07:32:05.488-05:002013-11-09T07:32:05.488-05:00Thanks Sally! I especially appreciate the comments...Thanks Sally! I especially appreciate the comments coming from you! We LOVE the sunshine - come on down!Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13754422711386464231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-41480179923670666602013-11-07T19:53:46.121-05:002013-11-07T19:53:46.121-05:00Gail, you are so good at the One-Block-Wonder tech...Gail, you are so good at the One-Block-Wonder technique. This is a dramatic quilt! I love how you used the complementary colors of blue and orange. Thanks for posting. Your new Florida room and bird cage are coming together nicely. Eager to see the completed addition.<br /><br />Temps dip into the 20's tonight here in PA. Enjoy the FL sunshine. - SallyMinistry Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725308014181675594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-60123767665385113732013-10-28T17:52:22.895-04:002013-10-28T17:52:22.895-04:00gee it is looking great and I bet the smells were ...gee it is looking great and I bet the smells were driving the workmen nuts. MarchAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14820019079938943913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-76622811548134732192013-10-21T17:11:56.078-04:002013-10-21T17:11:56.078-04:00Great pictures as always, don't you just love ...Great pictures as always, don't you just love Shalom Park. Your spider picture is just like the lone I had outside the guest room window. Big suckers.MarchAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14820019079938943913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-92057116968539120322013-09-29T07:43:41.459-04:002013-09-29T07:43:41.459-04:00By this time a daily stage had been inaugurated be...By this time a daily stage had been inaugurated between Walsenburg and Gardner. August Unfug owned it, and the stage carried the mail as well as six passengers. From Gardner, one either had to walk the 27 miles to the mining camp, or hire a horse from the livery. Several months after the stage line was established, another was started from Gardner on up the Huerfano River. It ran three times a week, and also carried the mail up to the Seguro post office.<br />In 1899 McMillan had found ore assaying in the thousands of dollars, though, being near the top of the Sierra Blanca, was very hard to reach. Though it is now officially set at 14,345 feet, Blanca Peak at the time was thought to be the highest mountain in Colorado. Still, McMillan built a large boardinghouse, the tramway, several cabins and other buildings. A sawmill was built a ways down the valley, in the pines. On July 20, the little camp was “surprised” by a snowstorm. Rumors were flying that summer that the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad would extend its lines either from Westcliffe or Walsenburg to reach the mines.<br />Just before the New Year of 1900, word reached Walsenburg of two miners arguing over a claim, then shooting and killing each other. The very location and remoteness of these mines would spell their doom, because the area had never been properly surveyed, so exact claims were hard to prove.<br />County Surveyor A.A. Foote laid out a town site on the old Peter Bucher home ranch in early 1900, and the miners chose the name of Source for it, because it was at the source of the Huerfano. This puts the site at or near what is known as Lily Lake, another of Huerfano’s ghosts that came down in history misspelled. The lake was actually on the property of Cephus Lilly, who owned the Lakeview Mine.<br />The Coronado mines were employing from 17 to 25 men, and the monthly payroll exceeded $1,500. When a post office was established in September, it was named McMillan, not Source. This post office was said to be the second highest in the state. A store was opened, and plans were made to add a saloon and livery stable.<br />By the end of 1901, McMillan and company had a payroll of about $3,000 per month. He began construction of a concentrating mill. By the time it was finished the next year, it had cost $100,000. The tramway had come down in a winter storm, and the new one he built was 4,000 feet long. The concentrating plant lightened the ore considerably, meaning it was easier to haul out of the valley. After a six-horse team had fallen off the road earlier, this must have been a relief to man and beast alike.<br />1902 brought two disasters. A grass fire of 1,000 acres destroyed three cabins, and an early (or late) snowstorm ruined the 4th of July festivities. That winter was harsh, with 20 feet of snow covering the site completely, even the stovepipes of the cabins and boardinghouse. Not even Mr. McMillan could reach his mines. When the snows receded, few miners returned.<br />1903 saw but a few stalwart miners at work, and in 1904 McMillan left the mines and headed down valley as was his habit, but this time he never returned. He was in litigation with other companies over locations and claims, and now his disgruntled, and unemployed, miners began suing for back wages.<br />The McMillan post office closed Sept. 15, 1904.Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13754422711386464231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-90502406785091596082013-09-29T07:43:12.052-04:002013-09-29T07:43:12.052-04:00by Nancy Christofferson
HUERFANO — If there were o...by Nancy Christofferson<br />HUERFANO — If there were one settlement in Huerfano County more remote and less remembered than Seguro, it would be McMillan. The little burg was at the headwaters of the Huerfano River below the towering summits of Blanca and California peaks.<br />McMillan was home to hardy and, face it, greedy gold prospectors. The climate and location were less than ideal, since the community was at approximately 11,000 feet. Nevertheless, it had an exciting though short lived existence.<br />Most of the gold claims around the community had been filed in the 1890s, though a few were earlier and few later. The existence of gold on the Sierra Blanca had been proven time and again, from early Spanish explorers through the centuries. The south face of the Sierra Blanca had several gold communities, as did the west side in the San Luis Valley, so it only seemed natural that the north face should also be blessed with rich ore.<br />The prospectors of the 1890s gave the valley their respect, probably having learned the hard way of the rigors of winter at that altitude and distance from other settlements, so did their laboring during the summer months. During the snowy season, they retreated to the more temperate community of Seguro at about 9,000 feet, or farther to the east. As the crow flies, Seguro was six miles below McMillan, but as the horse plods, and the terrain permits, the trail was longer and basically followed the river.<br />In January 1893 a vein of silver so excited some of the miners that work continued in the snow, and it was believed a camp would be established near the mine before spring.<br />It wasn’t. The big problem with the location was the lack of a road. The area could be reached only by foot or horse. This proved to be an insurmountable problem in hauling provisions and building materials in, and ore out. A petition reached the county commissioners in 1895 to build a road, but it took several years before the grade was completed, and that was only because the mine owners themselves hired building crews. Development of the mines exploded when the road was opened, and huge pieces of equipment were hauled in for the stamp mill, tramway, mines and electric plant. Yes, they had electricity way up there.<br />As the nearest real town, Gardner experienced a bit of a boom itself. The shortage of wood at the high altitude of the mines meant ties, props and even firewood had to be hauled in. Edibles of every type, except potatoes, were brought in, including sides of beef.<br />In 1898 one Willet McMillan appeared on the scene and liked the prospects of what was then called the “Sierra Blanco.” He maintained a home in Crestones (Chama) while he purchased and developed a number of small mines that he operated under the name of the Coronado group.<br />Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13754422711386464231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-19453277968623003032013-09-05T21:13:37.760-04:002013-09-05T21:13:37.760-04:00McMillan settlement headwater lily lake
http://ww...McMillan settlement headwater lily lake<br /><br />http://www.huerfanojournal.com/node/3600Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-73389821604203539502013-09-04T18:07:07.827-04:002013-09-04T18:07:07.827-04:00I had just read about the hummingbird moths down i...I had just read about the hummingbird moths down in NC -- didn't look like yours but would love to see one!!! Take that camera away from Bill!!Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01510120813220199735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-36005520161901355342013-07-22T16:35:06.469-04:002013-07-22T16:35:06.469-04:00if you catch one, put on a collar with a bell on i...if you catch one, put on a collar with a bell on it. that will make it safer for the birds in case you can't locate the owner. Melanienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3305149491843446144.post-81677844149370587312013-05-12T19:48:52.250-04:002013-05-12T19:48:52.250-04:00Gail - Thanks so much for posting these wonderful ...Gail - Thanks so much for posting these wonderful pictures! I have so enjoyed your birding. The variety is incredible. FYI, yesterday we saw a flicker enjoying lunch from the trunk of a Joshua Tree! I thought of you and your camera skill. You'd have gotten a great shot. Again, thanks for posting! - SallyMinistry Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725308014181675594noreply@blogger.com