Song: In The Mirror
Artist: Yanni
As I had gone grocery shopping at Safeway today...
I tried out another restaurant.
It is located at Green Mountain Falls...
just a couple miles beyond Safeway.
I wanted to try out the other main restaurant there...
Cantina Verde
(I saw it the last time I was there trying out 'The Pantry" restaurant).
It was another nice day...
and in a relatively short amount of time...
I arrived at the lake at Green Mountain Falls.
In the same complex as is The Pantry...
is this restaurant...
Cantina Verde.
They have an inside...
as well as an outside rooftop eating area.
I enjoyed nice mountain views as I awaited my food...
as there was a nice mountain breeze blowing.
Although the elevation is almost 2,000 ft below mine...
it is still high enough to be substantially cooler than is Colorado Springs...
although it is substantially warmer than is my home area.
I had ordered Poblano pepper and cheese stuffed and fried egg rolls...
with a modified ranch dipping sauce...
as an appetizer.
I had also gotten flank steak tacos.
The flank steak was tender and tasted good...
but...
once again...
it was more of a fusion taco.
I understand why restaurants try new things to attract customers...
but...
especially with Mexican food...
as it has been refined and optimized for simple deliciousness over hundreds of years...
you simply cannot beat traditionally prepared Mexican food...
as it is already in a state of perfection.
New doesn't necessarily mean better...
and the fusion greens and sauces inside of the tortillas just don't go together
well enough with the meat...
no matter how tasty the meat.
However...
I did greatly enjoy the views and the fresh breezes as I ate.
After I ate...
I again wandered around the back of the lake.
As someone was having a small wedding at the gazebo...
I didn't walk beyond this point towards the gazebo.
The wedding was tastefully small and intimate...
and in a very nice setting.
Good for them.
One man at the end of the lake was trying his luck with a small fishing rod.
As I walked back towards my car...
I saw a few deer grazing just off the trail.
I was just about to my mountain road turn off...
when I saw more of the free roaming cows just happily grazing.
I just pulled off the side of the road and got out of my car to take a few photos...
ensuring I kept a respectful distance.
That is when one of the guardian bulls looked at me...
and then began walking across the road.
Good for him...
he was doing his job...
ensuring the safety of his herd...
and the young calves in it.
Although he wasn't threatening...
as the herd is well used to people in our community...
he was putting himself into position to ward off a potential threat...
which at this time...
appeared to be me.
I simply got back in my car and happily drove off...
happy to put some distance between that guardian bull and myself that is :)
In another area of my community...
was more of the earlier herd.
There were more young calves resting in the grass as the mothers watched over them.
I love the free roaming animals throughout my community.
It is the country feel that I love.
I have seen many a deer besides the free roaming cows...
and up at my home...
I have seen many a very large stag...
multiple deer...
and once...
a wild turkey...
a small fox...
large raptors in the sky...
and I had heard a couple of large packs of coyotes...
and but once...
I had seen a very...very large coy-wolf...
as it confidently walked up my ridge...
within 20 yards of my home.
And although there have been sightings of very large moose in our community...
as well as some big horn sheep...
I have yet to see any of them.
Bear have also been sighted near our community.
And in Woodland Park...
multiple sightings of very large Mountain Lions and Bears are regularly seen.
This is the country feel I love.
To have free roaming animals all around...
I get to feel part of the forest and the mountains at all times.
----------
At Safeway...
I bought a large supply of carrots and onions...
in preparation to make another batch of pickled HOCA (Habaneros, Onions, and Carrots)...
as well as a large supply of polish sausages...
and hot dogs and various cheeses.
I have had this craving for these items.
Once I make another batch of HOCA...
I will then use them on the hot dogs.
I will once again...
post how to make HOCA...
as it is the ultimate hot dog or sausage roll topping.
I plan to make some tomorrow.
It is simple and so tasty...
and once fully pickled...
the habaneros may also be eaten...
as they are full flavored...
but with the heat tamed.
