June is busting out all over!!

Welcome to the first edition of the new and improved Willow Pond Blog!

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Well, summer is almost here, but you wouldn't know it from the rain and thunder we are having at the moment! The vegetable garden is growing, the lettuce and cilantro is ready to pick. The cherries and apricots are just around the corner! Gotta wait for those peaches though...


The ducks have returned to the pond and we can't wait for the babies to arrive! Looking over the fence you can see the newborn calves, they are adorable! Another treat has been standing out by the pond while the cliff swallows divebomb for insects, they are perfectly silent in flight and have no fear flying right beside you, within inches! We also have a new batch of goldfish in the pond. Last year's fish became heron food.


Last week, we had the pleasure of an outstanding houseconcert at Willow Pond. James Smith, classical guitarist and professor of music at USC, and Endre Balogh, world-reknowned violinist, performed an exquisite set of glorious music in the Garden Room. I cannot even describe it in words, if you haven't been to one of our concerts, you just don't know what you are missing!
See our music page for more info on houseconcerts and see http://www.endresphotos.com/ to learn more about the Balogh/Smith Duo.





This month we have Pete Kartsounes, eclectic singer/songwriter from Boulder coming to perform a benefit concert for Camp Wapiyapi, a camp for children with cancer. Pete has an amazing set of Bluegrass and blues inspired music, come to the concert and help those kiddos!
Monday, June 23, 2008
6:30pm
Pete Kartsounes (and friends)
$15.00 donation requested. Well-behaved children welcome.

Visit http://www.petekmusic/ or http://www.wapiyapi.org/ to learn more.

THE FARMER'S MARKET opens on June 12th, hallelujah! Just imagine all the yummy delights we will have cooked up for you when you visit!

Here are some other cool happenings in the Grand Valley this June:

13-14 Relay for Life
15 Father's Day and Lincoln Park Car Show
(How 'bout a Willow Pond getaway for ole' Dad??!!)
21 First day of Summer- Woo-hoo!!
26-29 Country Jam

We discovered a new treasure, Bangs Canyon and the Mica Mine Trail located on the BLM lands just east of the Colorado Monument. If you get a chance to do some hiking in Spring or Fall, this is a beautiful secluded little spot. Right now there is a cool little run-off stream going through the canyon, the wildflowers and wild roses are in full bloom and there are waterfalls and red rock canyon faces. The trail is beautifully maintained by local poet, Jeffrey Fleming, http://www.rockyireland.com/ and is easy enough for children to enjoy. it took us 45 minutes to get to the mine itself. We are hoping to find some more treasures to share with our readers, as we are looking to adopt a trail. We'll let you know when we do. There are some beautiful places on the BLM lands, they are neglected and abused, we are hoping to find a little corner and do our part to clean up and beautify. The Bookcliff Wild Horse Range is another one of these treasures.

In March, we celebrated our first anniversary here at Willow Pond. Over the past year, we have had the pleasure of meeting some really wonderful people from all over the world, some that are sure to be more than just return guests, but lifelong friends. Thank you everyone for making our first year so fruitful and wonderful!