Cast of characters

A battalion of birds.  Humming ones, that is.  I've never been just feet from a fleet of these fast fliers, have you?  Our cabin had two feeding stations, the most popular of which was positioned near a hanging basket.   Hmmmmmmm...ing birds.  A possible concept to bring back home?  Hmmmmmmmm, I'm thinking so.

Jim, an incredibly patient instructor.  And a fellow who made most/if not all of his flies/very impressive!  Jim taught Robyn and me how to cast on the lawn outside our cottage.  We then had the pleasure of spending additional time together with Jim on the river later that week.  The fact that we were ultimately amazingly great/right R?/is directly associated with our guides ability to communicate clearly while being exceedingly kind.  Did I say patient?  I'll say that again.  Mind you, we were not slackers.  Robyn won the prize for tenacity/fishing far past our return to the cabin through rain, thunder, cow patties, etc.  

P.S., Jim, totally related to Tillie's participation/he had taken his grandchild's frog friend on a trip to Europe.  

Damon, our multi-talented guide/ranch manager, and his amazingly smart/darling dog, Missy.  What a team!  Damon could not have easier to work with/more helpful in offering up all the possibilities.  Missy tiptoed oh-so-carefully across the streams so that she wouldn't disturb the fish. 

She also sniffed out various varmints, dug until she found them and feasted on her find.  I know you'll love those pictures.  Probably not before dinner.

Einstein, their adorable barn cat.  Einstein not only grabbed all the attention he could get but also the end of our practice line while we learning how to cast.  He is the only cat I've ever known who enjoyed having his belly rubbed.  Siblings, sadly, were taken away by coyotes.  

Stay safe, please, Einstein.

Hope, a vivacious/fun/strong/incredibly hard-working horse handler/gardener.  Hope helped us saddle up for rides around the property.  And she worked in the garden, at times with her darling daughter.  

BTW, their alpine gardens were the prettiest I've ever seen.  Pictures tomorrow.