It’s mind-boggling to realize that of the thousands of tadpoles who hatched, only about a dozen froglets remain visible around the pond. There could be many more I’m not seeing, deep in the rushes or out in the garden nearby, but most of them have dispersed or been eaten by snakes or birds. We counted three or four tadpoles remaining in the water, which may well overwinter there.

Much good food was enjoyed, including deep dish Dutch oven lasagna, waffles with blueberries, and tomato sandwiches.

We weren’t the only ones who dined well. Much nature was observed in rich and comfortable hours spent outside in the yarden, garden, and woods. As we repaired a garden gate we watched this praying mantis polish off a meal and then rest afterward on an old onion stalk.

One of the more fascinating occurrences was this Cooper’s hawk hunting the house sparrows who spend a lot of time in this fernbush just beyond the patio.

We walked daily, usually to the canyon rim, always with Wren, and often with Topaz along too.

Giving the Ancient One a hug, I spooked a couple of sagebrush lizards.

I was grateful for one cold, rainy day, so we could build a fire in the wood stove and pull out a puzzle. He chose one of the hardest, “The Hunt,” which kept us occupied off and on throughout the rest of the visit.

Poison Fish accompanied several sunsets on the deck, and some great movie nights. We enjoyed an Australian film fest all week, including “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and several featuring aboriginal actor David Gulpilil: “Walkabout,” “Rabbit-Proof Fence,” and “The Tracker,” all extraordinary, thought provoking movies.

One afternoon we drove along the Black Canyon south to Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest body of water in the state. Dramatic scenery all along the way no matter which way we looked, up down left right.

Of the many potential activities I had lined up, we managed to accomplish quite a few, including a stroll along the North Fork of the Gunnison River at the Paonia River Park, and lunch at Nido in town, where he enjoyed chicken quesadillas and I ate the best tacos ever, bubblegum plum carnitas.

We played with the GPS feature in Photos to mark and locate this special tree, so we could return and hide a little treasure inside.

It was a marvelous vacation and a most harmonious visit. I’m grateful that my friend made the trip, and adapted to all my conditions and particularities with ease and good cheer. It did me good to stretch a little. We were both a little melancholy to see it end. However, similar to when you return home from a wonderful vacation away you savor the coming home, after my staycation I am once again savoring the contentment of my routine solitude.