Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice!

Without much snow in the mountains for snowboarding, we headed southwest towards the desert for some late season hiking.

Together, on this the shortest day of the year, we hiked as a family amongst the ancient cliff dwellings and pondered how important this day must have been to the long gone inhabitants.

 

We took time out of the preciously short lit day to rebuild a cairn.

 

Jim and Stown overlook a deep box canyon, wondering how much has changed since the last civilization decided to take up residence here.

 

 We found mountain lion tracks.

 

We found rodent tracks.

 

 Doug and Aspen compared their feet to the footprint of a mountain lion.

Sizable difference, they concluded.

 

Stown explored the nooks and crannies of the canyon walls.

 

We stopped for a late lunch, perched up in the pockets of a cliff.

 

Shortly after lunch, the weather started to change.  A wind picked up and cloud cover masked the sky.  We picked up our pace heading back towards the car.  We got to the car and drove home, arriving just before dark and the first signs of snow.  To conclude the day, we indulged in big plates of roast and roots that had been simmering in the crock pot all day.  We exchanged gifts and called it an early night.  Stown headed home and Jim and I headed to bed.  Slumber comes early on these long cold winter nights, perhaps because we are so rushed to make the most of the short days.  Maybe because we burn so much more energy while working outside to stay warm in the cold.  Either way, I am cherishing this time of year to recharge my physical batteries.

 

Now, the days are getting longer - if only by a minute or two.  Soon it will be spring, then summer, then... well you know how fast the seasons and the years pass.  So, I hope you take the time needed to recharge and have the energy needed to live in love, peace and understanding. 

 

LOVE TO ALL!

 



Getting High...

Yep, That's what we do in Colorado when the temperatures start rising. 

We get high in the mountains to cool off.

(what were you thinking?)

 

A couple weeks ago, Jim, the dogs and I went for a 9+ mile trek through the high country (topped a saddle at 11,949 ft. elevation, averaged 11,500).  We explored a trail we hadn't been on before.  The wild flowers were poppin' and the water falls were flowin'!  It was gorgeous!

 

Enjoy some of the pictures as we tried to capture the experience.

(but really, you just have to go for yourself)

 

~click to enlarge photos~

Adhering to the warning sign,  Aspen inspects the unstable rocks.

 

 Jim leading the way up to the saddle.

 

 Amongst the "unstable rocks", I spy the tiniest bunch of wild flowers I have ever seen!!

 

Who could resist playing in the snow at almost 12,000 ft in June?

 

Crazy trail work!

Look closely and notice that the trail is outlined with rocks!

Who does this?  Aliens?

 

Celebration Mountain

Looking across Bear Creek Valley

 



 One of many waterfalls

 

 Jim kisses a Grandfather tree.

So big and so old, bearing an ancient trail blaze, we just had to pause in awe of this natural wonder.

 

A glance back to the saddle we crossed through.

(located in the deep V right where the top of the tree is touching the sky)

 

 A picnic at the Bear Creek Trail connection.

 

 Exhausted Pups

 

 As we hiked, we gathered bits and pieces of trash.

At the connection, I used a recovered piece of cord to rehang a fallen sign.

 

We also did some trail maintenance along the way back,

rebuilding trail cairns...

 

and righting fallen log markers.

 

 Is that a baby dragon?!

(perhaps too much time in the sun at high elevations were getting to me)

 

 Aspen looking regal.

 

A family of Marmots that taunted us with their whistles as we passed along the trail.

The dogs were so tired, they didn't even give these critters a second look.

(look close, it's like a "where's waldo" search - there are 4)

 

Thanks for joining us.

Hope you enjoyed the high!

 



Birthday Girl!!

Aspen is 6 now!!

Her birthday was on Valentine's day and she celebrated with an "A" shaped pancake.

A little older and a little whiter in the face, but still young at heart and obsessed with her ball.

Another birthday still to come this month, stay in touch!!

Snowshoeing with Steve

Steve & Doug & Aspen

One of the best things about my friend Steve is that he's always up for an adventure.  One of the other great things is that he's usually available in the middle of the week!!  When everyone else is working or at school, I can count on Steve for company on a mid-week back country excursion.  Today we went snowshoeing up La Plata Canyon with the dogs.

 Me & a found mine

After following other people's trails for a while we decided to break our own through knee deep powder.  While exploring, we happened upon this mining claim.  Crazy that we still live in the "Wild Wild West" where you can claim a mine and dig for gold or silver or whatever.  According to the USGS tag (the brass colored circle on the top right corner of the gate) this mine was established in 2008. 

 Another find was this snowball that had rolled down the side of the slope.  Upon inspection, we found that it had rolled perfectly straight down the hill (not randomly tumbling) thus resulting in a "jelly-roll".  If you look closely at the middle (double click to enlarge photo) you will see a perfect spiral!  It was shaped like a tire, so we had to lay it on it's side to capture the photo.

Another wonderful day in the mountains!!

Creative Fixes

When we first brought our Lab puppy, Doug,  home we had to kennel him when we went to work.  As he grow and chewed, we no longer kenneled him but used the kennel as a barrier to block off areas of our house.  Now, at 3 1/2 years old he can be trusted not to eat our things but we still have a kennel in the middle of our kitchen.  For the longest time, I threw an old sheet over it and it served as a island of sorts to pile lunchboxes and mail on.  We can't seem to bring our selves to get rid of it - the dogs still sleep in it and I like having a little extra "counter" space. 

So, I reevaluated the sheet and unsteady top and came up with a creative fix.

I picked up a vinyl  table cloth and a matching sheet at the thrift for a few bucks.  I laid cardboard on top of the kennel to even out the wiry surface.  I cut and stitched the table cloth to fit the top snugly.   After experimenting with Velcro to attach the table cloth and the sheet, I settled with sewing the two together.  The top can be wipe off with a damp cloth and the entire thing is machine washable if needed.  

\

Aspen & Doug

In the end, I didn't loose my "island" and the dogs are happy with their kitchen cave.

Don't underestimate the power of creativity!

February Birthdays

STOWN - 15
DOUG - 3

ASPEN - 5


We had three birthdays to celebrate in the month of February! Everyone got a little older and a bit wiser. Most have stopped chewing on things - except Stown... we still need to work with him - HAHAHA! Stown is growing into quite the young man. Just to imagine that in a year and a half he will be driving - scary! He has adjusted well to life here in Colorado and is enjoying school. Although, probably not as much as he enjoys snowboarding and playing with his friends. Overall, February was a good month in our home.

Hope your February was as enjoyable!

First Snowshow of 2011

Yesterday marked the first snowshoe excursion of the year. I don't who was more excited -

us or the dogs. Aspen proceeded to give herself a wonderful snow bath.

Doug tried to follow that big nose of his and just ended up with a face full of snow.

Me & Regina - Shan in the background

We seemed a bit confused to be in the lead, but it made for a fun portrait.

Shan took over and led the way west into the setting sun.

Finally, the top!!

We paused for a few moments to take in the gorgeous mountains we live in lit so vibrantly by the ever sinking sun. Then it was back down to the warmth of our homes, our families and dinner.

Shan and Regina have become wonderful friends over the past year. They live one block away and have two beautiful children whom have befriended Stown. The three kids can often be found cruising the neighborhood, sledding or having snowball fights while we stay home having intellectual exchanges over the current state of the world around us.

May your world be blessed with beauty, light, love and people to share it all with!!

Holidaze...

December always seems to go so fast. It is such a busy time at work with long hours and late nights and the shorter daylight hours don't help. However, I am thankful for all that December brings - good cheer, visits from family, dinner parties, etc.

Doug helped get us in the Christmas spirit, as Aspen watched with a bit of worry fearful she was next for the dreaded antlers.

Grandma Brandon and Stown decorated our small Christmas "bush". Perhaps I should have told them the ornaments were not edible.

Snug and warm in his new "Yooper" hat,
Stown was ready to settle in for a long winter's nap.

Grandpops and Willy

Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without time spent on the slopes.

Grandma looking stylish in all her toasty warm layers.

Stown hanging and catching a break while the others catch up.

My In-Laws come every year for a week at Christmas time. We eat, laugh, ski and play games. I look forward to this week every year. I guess we all had such a great time that we forgot to take many pictures.

May your Family Time be well spent!!

Sand Canyon with Steve

Yesterday was a crisp early winter day here in the Four Corners area. A perfect day to head west to Sand Canyon with my good friend Steve and our dogs.

(As with all pictures I post, if you click on the photo it will enlarge for you. I highly suggest it on a few of the following pictures.)

Steve pausing for a sip in the sun with snow dusted mountains in the background.

Ruins you can walk up to. We nicknamed this one "Chimney House". Doesn't it look like it's sitting in a little patio stove?

Stopping for lunch, Steve demonstrates -
"You can lead dogs to water but you can't make them drink".

Aspen watches with curiosity as the water displaced by her body overflows down the rock.

Only a few inches high, I fell in love with this cute little "tree".

Nicknamed "Sun House" - Look at the size of this building!!

Unlike Mesa Verde and other National or State Parks, Sand Canyon is the way it was left hundreds of years ago not reconstructed for tourist to see. So why are these still standing while others had to be rebuilt? Mostly due to the remoteness, not many are adventurous to hike miles to see them. There are also not very many dwellings, more of a sporadic rural settlement not a "city", so scientist didn't excavate them like the larger areas (i.e. Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, Chimney Rock) Hike over and explore but leave no trace.

Click to enlarge - Dwelling in arch in the center

There is still active building in the area.

This ant mound was spectacularly constructed.

Natures Sculptures

Amazing display of erosion on the side of a boulder (click to enlarge).

More Sculptures

On top of the left mesa there is a circular rock wall (click to enlarge).

Was it an ancient look out?

Perfectly Framed

I love that all of this is just a short drive from our home here in Durango. We are constantly out exploring and grateful that these areas have not been discovered by the masses. I am sure someday they will pave this too as they did Mesa Verde, give tours and serve fast food. Until then we will continue to enjoy our hikes there with minimal interaction with other.

Thanks for sharing in our adventure!!