The Texture of Snow

I thought that plastic snow found in window displays in Macy's and the like was just a hoax. Well, perhaps to a CA resident is would seem like something from Hollywood, but this weekend proved that snow does exist that appears like plastic flakes.


No joke, with the naked eye one could examine individual snowflakes piled on top of each other; similar to a stack of jumbled papers. The flakes were perfectly flat and dry as a bone. When I saw my car Sunday morning, I thought of the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man from Ghost Busters because of the bubbly effect the piles of flakes created (slightly random how things evoke childhood memories you haven't thought about in years).

I realize the pictures will never give way to the experience of actually seeing this snow.

Boulder Play Day

We headed up to Boulder which took two hours (normally only a half hour jaunt). The snow was falling and we were ready to pull out the cross country skis...would have been great the next day, but we had to bag that thought because there wasn't quite enough snow coverage. Not giving up, we decided to hike about for a bit. It was magnificent (as you can see by the photos). Playing in the snowstorm was a blast only because we have the right gear. We stayed cozy!

Side note: we were here the week before with our mountain bikes- no snow then!

There's no way to make a snowball with this powder!

When you're hiking, you can appreciate the simple things such as the texture of snow. I'll have to post something on the amazing texture of CO snow- unbelievable!

How can we ever leave this beautiful place?!

We ate some grub with a bit 'o shelter from the evergreen. The bummer is that we had a miscommunication regarding the thermos of hot chocolate. It was left behind due to an apparent leak. We'll have to repeat the experience with the cocoa.

This weather garnered an Everest conversation. I don't know who those people brave such fierce weather!

Yes, again, the texture of winter in CO.

"Blue Steel"- enough said.

Ice as an insulator?
Back at the truck again. There were a couple inches of new pow on the windshield when we returned.

The eight inches of snow that fell in Denver has already begun to disappear. The sun here is intense which in convenient in not having to live "in the snow" all season long. Hopefully we'll get a dusting tonight. I think people here think I'm nuts because I'm so giddy about the snow! Seriously, it's SO much fun to live in it!!!!

(Spoken like a true sheltered CA girl!)

Our Favorite Creek With Some Snow

Well, here's a "winter" view of our creek. We took Buddy out for a trot Saturday morning while it was lightly snowing.
Buddy has a mind of his own!

Cool view of an awesome bamboo patch.

A happy family. 'Ol Buddy is getting old, with his grey beard and paws.

This same pond was nearly completely frozen over the next day!

Yippee! Snow!!!

While we hiked in the storm I learned the beauty of having long tresses- they keep you warm! By tucking and wrapping my hair around my neck I was snuggly comfortable. On the subject of staying warm, my new down jacket kept me ultra toasty and with only a thin base layer under it, the chilly snowstorm was a cinch (thanks Sean!!!!).

I had to toss the snow around like a kid- it's so fluffy making it seam surreal compared to the wetness of Sierra snow.

If we're so busy living for the weekend, what then are we living for? What is the meaning behind the 100 some odd hours before the weekend hits? I can get so caught up in going to bed early and stressing about the daily grind of work, that I miss out on precious morsels of life hidden between the hours and minutes. They are the seconds that one captures when unconsumed by lifes furry, capsules and fragments that breath life into stale air. Moments when you look at your best friend still asleep, grateful for the companionship; putting dishes away thinking of the previous evenings conversation, of plans and dreams; letting the dog out for a water and break and absorbing the chill on your skin and bite in the air; catching an amazing sunset glow while picking up the mail....are you living today or just a shell?

If Only To Be Stronger

Why is it that our minds always convince us that we are, or were, stronger than we really are? So easily, hindsight strokes the ego more than anything. Recently I've been recounting my short life's journey. Though we are suppose to "humble ourselves" I find myself having such rosy visions of the not so distant past I have to constantly perform a reality check.

While sharing experiences with new friends, I noticed how easy it is to seem so much stronger than we were in the moment. This photo is a reflection of just that. A stranger may glance at it and think, "wow, hard core" when in reality, I struggled every moment (primarily maintaining moral). Naturally, when I think about the experience, I'd repeat the day without hesitation. My memory fades faster than a 99 year old person. Somehow, I've made this day to seem perfect, oh yes, there were troubles, but in my mind I seriously laugh at them and think I could do it again and it would be a cinch.

I can be like Jonah from the Old Testament who grumbled and complained at God about the journey he was to take. Just like Jonah, I find myself at the threshold where I was suppose to be in the first place- only it took painful blows to get me there. If only my attitude and resolve were steadfast, perhaps an honest look at memory lane could make me genuinely proud.

Elk Attract Crazy Tourists!

The craze of wildlife brought out the Yellowstone toursit in many people.

Christmas Time

Now that the feeding frenzy of Thanksgiving is over, we can settle into the calm, joyous, and tranquil time of year- the time of year where everyone becomes friendly and warm to one another and we all get together to visit with our friends and family around a warm fire and drink a cup o' Nog. Or not. Typically this time of year brings out the absolute worst in people. People rushing around, being not-to-friendly toward others, and buying, buying, buying. After all, as good Americans, we need to give the economy a good boost, right? Ready or not, Christmas time is here.

Isn't it a weird time of year? Maybe people get all grumpy and irritable during this time because they are out, spending their money on someone other than themselves...So much for the joyful giving spirit.


All grumpiness aside, I love Christmas: the cold weather, neat decorations all over the place, and most importantly, what it stands for. Since Julie and I are away from all of the great Christmas festivities that we have come to expect for the past 29 and 30 years we decided to make up for it here. The day after thanksgiving our neighbors, Julie and myself all headed to a tree farm in Evergreen CO. This place was really cool. Not only was this tree lot set up on the owners land which surround his house, it was all decked out in Christmas decor and could entertain a whole family.

Won't the tree skirt look great mom?

Luckylure Christmas Fun!

Since we won't be heading home, I had a surge of holiday nostalgia and craved the Christmas experiences of my youth. Sadly, there's nothing close to the Apple Hill experience, but we did find LuckyLure in Evergreen, CO. The owner of Luckylure cameos as the lepricon at Bronco games to hype the crowd. For Christmas, he turns his home into a tree farm with tons of places to take silly (yes, Matt, cheesy) pictures. The creek that runs in front of his property is gorgeous and boasts a large wooden fishing rod with a lure on the end- hence- luckylure. We had a blast with our friends Brian and Nelisha, who as you can see are fun loving.

Lilly Peak Trek

Planning to hike up Estes Cone, our plans quickly changed as a sign clearly stated "no dogs allowed". My heart sank a bit as I was anticipating this venture all week long. Fortunately, there was a helpful ranger who suggested hiking up Lilly Peak. He and his late dog frequented this peak often. Best of all, he explained WHY dogs are not allowed in national forests. Oddly, it wasn't to protect the squirrels and other critters, rather the predators. Apparently, predators sense of smell is extremely strong and will track the dander left behind by dogs. This makes them feel that the area has too much competition and the predators leave for the land 'o plenty. (Dad, you would have loved talking with this ranger who was like a walking environmental computer.) On the ridge leading to Lilly Peaks we found a fierce predator! Fortunately, Steve's dream to wrestle a bear materialized.


Buddy poses with his furry friend.

Below are several views from the top of Lilly Peak.

The climb to the top was too technical for Buddy, so Steve and I took turns going to the summit. Steve was able to capture many incredible shots of the scenery.

Sweet California Days

While visiting in CA the last week of October, I was able to snap some shots of the nieces at their harvest festival. Though this is not a Colorado moment, I've decided to share some precious moments.

(Mom, as usual, did an amazing job creating the girls costumes!)

Here's Snow White cleaning the remains of cotton candy off her precious face. (above)

Here Liv is a beautiful prairie girl.

Love how this prairie girl can climb!
Monica gets ready for her big moment only hours away!

A beautiful fall day at the local creek while walking Buddy.

First Tracks

Our first snow came a couple weeekends before Halloween. Everyone told us that the first snow would fall before the princesses, goblins and superheros came out. Sure enough, we awoke Sunday morning- late- because the sky was lead-like and the sun had no chance of burrowing it's way through the grey shield. The flakes continued to flutter down until the afternoon.

Recognize this? It's the dog park area!

All Terrain Lab- Buddy enjoys the change of seasons.

For all the "I told you so" folks, the snow was gone within two days and the locals say, this is the normal pattern with the snow (which is also wet like Sierra snow because our elevation is lower than the Rockies).

Something For Dad

While we were visiting Rocky Mountain National Park we strolled up to a lookout point at 12,000 feet in the alpine tundra. There we scrambled up come solid rock to find this dial. On the top surface, it has a map of the ranges. On the top edges, it has little points with the names of peaks. If you kneel down, you find even more names of peaks along with their elevation. While kneeling, you can sight the peak with the point on the center of the dial allowing you to know exactly which peak you are looking at! Dad, you would have been up there for a long time!

Other fun elements of the park, the Continental Divide, beautiful lakes and heaps of wildlife!