Krabloonik et al, July 9

Rain and nothing but rain today.  The mountains were shrouded in the morning and continued in the same way as the day progressed and ended.  However, we didn't let much stop us.  First, we went to Krabloonik, a guided sled dog operation.  Running the place were Dave and Gina Phillips, new owners.  They have two children that are home-schooled as well as 100 dogs.  When we arrived, Gina handed us off to Dave, who showed us their pens, and we were fortunate enough to see about six dogs being trained by an elder dog.  Many dogs were lying on top of their shelters, and several came close to the fence where I was, snapping away.  These huskies and hounds even put up a great howl of contentment while we were there, which collectively was absolutely the most unique sound I have ever heard, and I wish I had had the presence of mind to record it.  Dave took us around the enclosures and showed us the dog sleds, which were bequeathed to the outfit by the 10th Mountain Division.  Since I had once dog-mushed in winter in Leadville with Alexandra and Ann, I have never forgotten the magic of that sled ride and the euphoria of gliding along the snow propelled by those wonderful dogs, who give new meaning to the concept of elegant power.  The family is also going to be opening a restaurant on Friday, July 10, featuring wild game and fresh fish and an extensive wine list.  Dave was particularly affable and really took his time showing us the establishment, for which we were very grateful.  Ann now wants to be a dog musher!  
We returned to Snowmass Village under a drizzling rain, and then took a ski gondola up to Elk Camp Meadows, where the drizzle became an increasing rain shower.  We were hungry, so had elk bratwurst (Ann) and a slice of pizza with buffalo meat (myself).  We were going to take a guided walk with a naturalist through the spruce and fir forests, but the driving rain forced the hike to be abandoned, and we took the gondola to base camp.  Waiting out the rain in our hotel room, we received a phone call from Vicki Harvey, who is now in Boulder and wants to join us for a hike on Saturday, July 11.  We will meet her at Mayflower Gulch for a hike and then have lunch with her in  Frisco afterwards.  Then, as the rain let up a bit, we took a walk with Chase up into the higher reaches of Snowmass, admiring the beautiful stands of aspens along the way.  The rain increased again as we returned to our room and made plans for the evening.  We had a few crackers and havarti cheese, then set off for Aspen.  As we were early, we scouted out the site of the school auditorium where we were going to attend a Brazilian dance concert, and then drove towards Maroon Bells, with each successive turn heralding ever increasing grandeur, with lenticular and wrap-around clouds enveloping the mountains before us.  
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company sponsored Dance Brazil, a company founded in 1977?  The company enthralled the audience with its dazzling artistry which is inspired by the rich fusion of Afro-Brazilian movement, contemporary dance and Capoeira, the traditional dance /martial arts form that had its origins in Africa and evolved in colonial Brazil as a means of fighting enslavement.  Fine performance,!
After the concert we ran to the car in a driving rain, facing the 15-minute drive back to Snowmass.  Drenched to the bone, we arrived back at the hotel at about 11 and immediately zonked out!  This blog was written the next morning--catchup time.