Let me tell you what is one of the greatest things about this web site: It is actually meeting some of the people who regularly visit this web site for months and months, and sometimes years and years.

I must admit I sometimes easily fall into a "Messiah complex" knowing there are hundreds of people in ordinary places like Kansas, Indiana and Texas who crave to see scenic photos of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. They live through me and my digital camera, I figure, and I feel kind so sorry for their geographical inferiority. :(

Well, today I had the honor of meeting Brandi (a "regular" known as Rocky Mountain Woman on the Friendship Board) and her family who have been vacationing in Colorado for the past week. The poor people live in central Kansas and they had been enjoying numerous activities and attractions in Colorado Springs. Near the end of their week vacation, they decided to visit me and see the sights out here in Buena Vista. What an honor!

Below are some of the highlights of what we did in the half day they were out in Chaffee County. They immediately gave me the role as tour guide and I was very clear they would be photographed for this web site. Heh heh! They did not seem to mind. :)

-Steve :)

Our Half Day in Chaffee County, Colorado ... (July 14, 2006)

	Brandi & Family At Cottonwood Pass We first paid a visit to Cottonwood Pass. The kids seemed quite amused by the sight of snow in mid-July, and it was a beautiful and clear day to enjoy the amazing Rocky Mountain views from the Continental Divide. Here are some of my other Cottonwood Pass region pages: October 2005 Drive Ptarmigan Lake Mt. Yale September 2003 Fall Foliage
	Lunch at the Coyote Cantina After visiting Cottonwood Pass, we had lunch at the Coyote Cantina in Johnson Village. I really love the food here ... It is so good! :p)
	Agnes Vaille Falls We then zipped over to Agnes Vaille Falls, a large and popular waterfall west of Nathrop. Located a few miles west of the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, it is a short 0.5 mile hike to this tall waterfall. Maddy (left) was the first to courageously hike to the base of the waterfall. We had a lot of fun there! :)
	As I said, I was clear they would be photographed for the web site! ;) I included my friends in the photo of the day for my Mt. Princeton web site! :)
	I also had them stand inside the view of Jones Mountain on Cottonwood Pass Road, as part of my "Colorado Seasons" project! Hee hee!
	I have a few more photos! Brandi held this rock along the Agnes Vaille Falls trail. I think it's her tradition to take a rock or two with her when she vacations somewhere. :p)
	A view of the mountains looking south in Chalk Creek Canyon.
	Yes folks, there are still patches of snow and ice at Cottonwood Pass. Here are more photos of the kids having fun with it! ;)