RN: We were so exhausted by our long trip yesterday, we decided to take it slow in the morning, then headed out to Paonia for lunch because Kelly, the host of our Airbnb, recommended several restaurants there. According to Wikipedia, Paonia was named after the Latin name for peony, Paeonia, but the post office wouldn’t allow the extra vowel, so it became Paonia.

As soon as we parked, we saw these sculptures made out of junk. This is Horse Cow 57 Gallery by sculptor Sean Guerrero: A Contemporary Vision of the Discarded American West.

Up and down the main drag of Paonia were lots of American flags with plenty of rainbow flags too!

There were also lots of murals on the walls of the buildings painted by local artists #PaoniaCreates

FE. After a great lunch we drive back to the cabin on Fruitland Mesa, and enjoy a wonderful sunset sitting outside, sipping wine, admiring nature without the sound of machines and watching birds.

RN: I was standing in front of our cabin, admiring the view, when a western blue bird flew in and perched on a post. If you look to its right, you will see its gray fledgling, which was harassing it to be fed. It turns out the property has lots of blue birds flying around- they are a gorgeous hue of brilliant blue.

We were also entertained by the black chinned hummingbirds that mobbed the feeder. Unlike the ruby throated hummingbirds we have on the Cape, these are not territorial and are perfectly happy to share the feeder with one another.

The sunsets were different every day and we had an unobstructed view of them…

FE: I went outside later and was rewarded with a spectacular sight, wild clouds breaking up the moonlight and a reflection of the sunset on the car…happy times.