Goodbye January

Winter provides a spectacular backdrop for sunsets over the Tenmile Range.

In the morning, I watch the moon hang over Imperial Peak.

My routine is to sit and have coffee as I read emails and plan my day.

We spend as much time as possible outdoors.

I walk for an hour or more while Bob downhill skis.

It's necessary to wear spikes on my hiking boots to get traction on ice and snow.

At 80, we're committed to keep moving.

We enjoy having family visit.

It seems quiet when they leave.

Our grandchildren are all young adults now except the youngest who is 12.

Luckily, they no longer need my supervision!

As blue washes the landscape, I say goodbye to the day.

There is often a splash of alpenglow on Red Mountain.

The panorama of Nature is my One Good Thing today.

I hope wherever you live in the world, Nature offers you beauty.

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Goodbye 2023!

We had a fiery end to 2023.

Piles from the forest cut were burned in December.

134 acres of piled debris in the National Forest were lit.

Fires blazed and smoldered for 8 days.

Since our property abuts the National Forest, we had a front row seat. 

Fire is both mesmerizing and terrifying.

Smoke billowed but luckily didn't find a way into the house.

Smoke continued to rise from the ashes for many days.

We hope destruction will eventually lead to rebirth.

Perhaps wildflowers and saplings will grow to cover the open spaces.

Now, views from our property are unobstructed.

Skiing through the cut, we relish vistas of meadows and mountains.

I'm sharing two videos:
fire blazing behind our house
moose traversing our property at dusk as the fires continue to burn

 

The many blessings of 2023 are my Good Things as the year comes to a close.
I look forward to 2024.

Wishing you all the blessings of the season.

Thank you for visiting.

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High Altitude Spring

Living above 10,000' (3,000m) of sea level means winter triumphs over spring.

Snow remains in deep drifts on our property and dominates the landscape as far as we can see.  

little pink cloud heart above Red Mountain

Several days above freezing trick us, so Bob puts the screen in our kitchen window.

I like to open it for some fresh air while I'm preparing food.

of course it started to snow again so the window remains closed

Bob leaves from our back deck for the ski area.

Peak 9 closes April 16, so that's the end of his ski season for another year.

We had family visiting over the two weeks of spring break and over Easter Weekend.

Outdoor activities were on the agenda.

oldest grandson (20) and youngest grandson (10) framed between their dad's skis

On Easter Sunday, our son spotted mountain lion tracks on the trail coming home from the ski area.

When I'm walking, I'm alert for moose, bears, and lions.

Bears are roaming though we're still getting snow. They're grumpy and hungry from their long hibernation. Cow moose give birth the end of April into May and are even more dangerous than usual protecting their young. Lions stalk for whatever food is available. They're rarely seen though they prowl quietly nearby.

I pay attention to tracks in the mud

I'm an early riser.

Some mornings, I say hello to the moon before daybreak.

I'm thankful to greet each new day.

I experience many Good Things and hope you do too.

Thank you for visiting.

My ankle continues to heal and get stronger. 

When the snow finally melts, I hope to begin hiking.

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Adapting to Change - End of 2021

 

At year's end, we finally have snow on the ground.

Pewter skies drop precious white over the landscape.

We begin enjoying winter activities.

The forest cut behind us is progressing.

New vistas have opened.

We find our way without familiar forest trails to guide us.

We explore new ways to navigate the terrain.

Thank goodness, the Octopus tree has been spared!

Life is all about navigating through change and finding new ways.

The ability to adapt to change is my one good thing today.

May the New Year bring you many blessings.

Barb

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Spring in the Mountains of Colorado

dawn after overnight snow

We live at 10,000' (3,048M) above sea level in the mountains of Colorado. Spring doesn't announce itself with blooming trees and flowers. Instead, snow comes and goes through May. Temperatures rise and fall, melting and refreezing snow already on the ground. 

When we get fresh snow, we go into the forest on our skis as soon as we awake. Bob breaks trail, and I glide behind him. Our skis barely whisper through the soft powder. The ancient trees murmur in the breeze.

We enter an enveloping silence.

 

Beauty surrounds us.

The large male fox, returning from a night of hunting, often visits in the early morning. 

Unlike the tiny female, he never gets too close to the house. He's curious but remains very alert. I haven't seen the female in awhile, so maybe she's waiting to give birth in the den. A few days ago, the male trotted through the snow carrying a vole in his mouth. Perhaps he was going to deliver breakfast to his mate. 

There is sunshine today, but snow is forecasted for tonight. Our son, Gregg, will arrive soon for an overnight visit. (He's pictured in my Header photo.) He's not been able to stay with us for over a year. We plan a celebratory dinner. Thankfully, we received the second vaccine two weeks ago. Though we remain cautious, we hope to have family visit us occasionally.

The beauty of our surroundings and the love of family are my good things today.

I hope you're also experiencing many good things.

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We Hope for Snow

 

Our melt/freeze cycle will soon end.

Colder temperatures may bring some much-needed snow.

Waldo is happy no matter the weather.

He's lived on our tree for about 16 years.

I greet him every morning with a smile.

He always smiles back at me.

Do you see the cockatoo head on the stump?

It seems too cold for such a tropical bird!

It will disappear to warmer climes if temperatures plunge.

The dirt road is a morass of mud.

I'm hoping the approaching snow storm will make it walkable again.

We downhill skied on the mountain yesterday.

It was our first time using our pass this season.

It's a different experience during Covid.

We smile remembering our beginner ski lessons.

We did a lot of falling at first.

Luckily, we persevered. 

I'm happy that we can still link turns.

This season is our 50th year on skis.

I hope more snow is in our future.

We like to play in it.

Unforgettable Moments - Small Stone - 30

snow hangs like gauze in the air

a silvery glow lighting the forest

as sunbeams filter through it

an ordinary moment becomes unforgettable

watch carefully for these moments or they slip away unnoticed

small stone

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Cotton Ball Trees - Small Stone - 28

cotton ball trees in the forest after a few inches of new snow

minus 4 F (-20 C) early but warmed to 28 F (-2 C) by midmorning

our skis complained about the cold but bundled in layers we were warm

gliding through a magical forest decorated with cotton balls

small stone

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Tenmile Range - Small Stone - 17

 Over 30 years ago, I arrived in Breckenridge and was awed by the peaks of the Tenmile Range. 

It was love at first sight.

Imperial Peak (Peak 8) on far left looking toward Peak 5 of the Tenmile Range.
As you can see from the dark, rocky areas on the peaks, we need more snow.

The white ribbons are ski trails.

looking to the peaks

my heart finds home

small stone

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Rules - Small Stone - 9

Photography has certain "rules". "Don't shoot directly into the sun" is one of them. When using my DSLR mirrorless, I'm aware of the damage the sun can do to the sensor. I avoid shooting directly into it. The sun creates flairs, blows out highlights, and over-saturates certain colors. For these very reasons, I sometimes shoot with the iPhone when I see a scene and think the sun's glare will add to the story I want to tell. 

We are often in the forest with the rising sun. Occasionally, I let the sun and the scene speak.

may light (both inner and outer) guide you today

small stone

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sometimes rules need to be broken....

Before and After - Small Stone - 7

 Eleven years ago on this date, I fell on my skis 3 times in deep, heavy snow in the back bowls of Breckenridge. I was 65 and felt strong and well, but I struggled quite a bit to dig out my skis, stand, and continue down the steep slope. When I finally arrived where Bob was waiting, I laughed about my falls and my struggles. We decided to continue skiing. Those falls that day would change my life. But, I wouldn't realize it until the next day. We never really know what's right around the bend in life (and that's for the best).

To be continued tomorrow....

I took this photo of Bob just a couple weeks ago. He fell on the touring skis, and I waited in the sunshine for him to take off the skis, get up, find a level spot, and put the skis on again. While waiting, I thought of that day 11 years ago.

small stone

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Clearing in the Forest - Small Stone - 4

There is a clearing in the dense forest near my house. In winter, pristine snow showcases towering evergreens backdropped by sky. In summer, the clearing becomes a meadow filled with wildflowers and alpine grasses. In every season, I give thanks for its ever-changing beauty.

at the edge of a clearing

in the midst of forest

an ancient evergreen

regal in bearing

standing tall

awaits

us

small stone

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Winter Solstice - the Joy of Light

We ski into the forest at dawn to welcome Winter Solstice.

Weak light shines dimly between trees.

The sun rises higher as we climb.

I'm mesmerized as light permeates and transforms darkness.

This day, this hour, this moment receive my full attention...

lighting darkness...

infusing joy.

may lightness of being guide me:

penetrate darkness

cast out shadows

and

create stillness

in my soul

Winter Solstice

December 21, 2020

Daybreak

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photos iPhone 11pro