Story by Nicole

On Father’s Day weekend, we took a trip to Gunnison to see Nicole’s dad. After work on Friday, we drove southwest into the mountains. Gunnison Valley was incredibly green, with verdant rolling hills contrasting against the white-peaked mountains.

On Saturday, we went to see Ann, Nicole’s former 4-H leader. Ann raises cashmere goats in Gunnison and allows local children and teens to lease them. She feeds and houses them, and the 4-H kids care for them, comb their cashmere, train them, and show them at Colorado fairs. Ann’s farm also provides a home for miniature sheep, a llama, and two Great Pyrenees.

Casper bemoans his haircut and hurt nose. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Ann offers her goats radish greens. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

A spotted kid considers her next move. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Intense interest. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

The spotted kid decides on a nap in the shade. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Nicole is attacked by a very small ram. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Saturday night, the three of us went to the Gunnison Valley Observatory. Along with a roomful of children and parents, we learned basic facts about telescopes and space, then viewed Mars, Saturn and two of its moons, a globular cluster, and two galaxies through the 30” telescope.

The Gunnison Valley Observatory at dusk. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

On Sunday, we took the Silver Queen lift up Mount Crested Butte. We planned to hike to the peak of the mountain, but when we were waiting for the lift, we learned that the peak was still too snowy. We rode the lift up to hike anyway.

Beginning the ascent. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Our view of the upcoming ride. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Mount Crested Butte peeks above the trees. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Scenic descent for an empty chair. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Britton slides across some snow while fetching a long-lost chinstrap. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Looking down onto the town of Mount Crested Butte. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Following the Yellow Brick Road down the mountain. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Britton making the final steps of the descent with his findings. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

We arrive at the base area. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

After the hike, we treated ourselves to burritos and tamales at Teocali Tamale and then headed out to Peanut Lake, home of the Gronk.

A proclamation of identity. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Nicole stands in front of the Gronk. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

The Gronk stretches toward the sky. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

The view across Peanut Lake. (Photo/Jason Rafal)

Heading home from the lake. (Photo/Jason Rafal)