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!

 



Chicken Yard Remodel

Life is a often a series of do-overs...

Doug is so proud of his new friends.

(Even though they are currently hiding under the coop.)

 

While I was home today I kept a close eye on the girls and the dogs and how everyone was adjusting.  The most surprising thing I saw was that the fence line was right inside the shadow line - ALL DAY!!  Those poor girls were up against the fence straining the heads high to reach the sunlight.  So, late this afternoon I went out and rearranged things.   Roll the coop around the corner, round the fence out toward the north, shovel the gravel down to the dirt, replace the fence rocks... hopefully now Carla and Rosey can preen their feathers in the sun tomorrow. 

 

If not, I can always change it!

Birthday Boy!!

Douglas Fur of Durango

Last Friday, February the 3rd, Doug turned 4 years old.

Can't you just feel his excitement?

Jim says, "Doug is the "blue-est" yellow dog he's ever met."

I think we should have named him Eore, after the mopey donkey from the Winnie the Pooh stories.

Either way, Doug is Doug and we love him.

After a bit of scratching he rolled to his back for his famous bat impression.

Happy Birthday Doug!!

February holds lots of birthdays in our house, stay tuned for more...

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!

Workin' to figure it out...

 Like Aspen trying to figure out the smell of the wild flower, I am trying to figure out the new changes to my blog layout /format / set-up / etc.  I can't seem to understand why this picture uploaded horizontally when it is a vertical picture in my files.  I also can't seem to figure out how to rotate it. 

Oh well, on to bigger and better things....

Like Jim snowboarding in July!!

(Sunday 24 July 2011)

Washed down from above in an avalanche.

A testimony to how dangerous this area can be during the winter.

 A little snow-skating for Stown, after he hiked up and took some turns on his snowboard.

Doug was giving me a good luck kiss before I headed down the mountain. 

Thanks for not actually licking me, Doug.

Well, I will have a smile as big as this if I publish this post and it looks right and I can continue updating my blog regularly and effortlessly.

If it doesn't work out right, frustration may get the best of me again and the future posts may be few and far between.  As for now, I am crossing my fingers and hitting "publish"...

Scenes of Winter

Doug and Regina

Snowshoeing with friends and dogs

Jim and Will and Burgers and Beer

Tailgate BBQ parties at the ski resort

March Morning Snow #1 (all taken in our yard)

March Morning Snow #2

March Morning Snow #3

March Morning Snow #4

Me & Ed (Hawaiian Day)

Volunteering at the ski resort with the Adaptive Sports Association

Stown

Volunteering at ASA


Winter brings so many days of activities it's hard to find the time to take pictures or post new blog stories. Those of you who follow us know that every year we fall of the map until the snow starts to melt. So I hope you enjoyed the brief recap of the last few months.

LOVE TO ALL.

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!