3/19/16 Saturday

We did get to go out for dinner last night as Louise got home at 5:45.  We ate at the Brewery again - good food.  This morning we decided to have breakfast in town at the coffee shop next to the Brewery - eggs and wonderful homemade wheat toast.  We stopped at the Animal Pound to see the dog that Louise has found Thursday morning, but it didn't open until 10 so we continued on our way. Our destination was Penitente Canyon out near La Garita (north of Monte Vista).  The canyon is on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) and was formed 20 to 30 million years ago from volcanic eruptions of the San Juan mountains.  The rock formations were lovely and we found a neat rock art painting from early Inidans near the entrance to our hike.  We had a lovely long hike along the canyon and came across deep ruts in the rock from Carreras (two-wheeled wooden ox carts).  They were used as early as the 1850's to carry firewood and other items.  The views from the top were amazing and we finally wound our way back to the parking lot.  On our way out, we saw some prairie dogs curiously watching as our car went by.  On the way back home, we stopped by the dog pound and saw the rescue pup.  They have named him Dundee and he will be available for adoption on Wednesday.  The lady at the pound said there has already been some interest in adopting him.  Louise fell in love with him, but we tried to persuade her that she had enough to do with her work, the two dogs and the three cats.  He is very cute and I have no doubt that he will find a good home.  A little bit ago, Louise took Monte for a walk and saw something strange on the ground behind a tree off the road.  I went out with her to check it out and I thought it looked like a dead coyote to me, but we didn't get too close.  Dave came out with us later and we discovered that it was indeed a dead coyote and it had been shot.  Obviously, one of the neighbors is not fond of them.  We haven't made plans for tomorrow yet beyond packing and cleaning out the car.  We will leave for Denver on Monday morning.