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.