First of all, it’s usually clear blue, and sunny. The other morning sunrise was beautiful pink. I got to see it since the clocks moved ahead.
I liked the reflection off our window.
The főhn or “Chinook” winds are often over 50 mph and the elongated clouds show it.
Even the prospect of snow or rain creates a pretty sky.
And jets leave their trail.
Here we are, tucked in this beautiful valley.
We rallied ourselves and drove south west to a trailhead in a different part of the park. We took the back way through Rocky Mountain National Park, where the views were stunning.
Our goal was a short string of lakes created by the Tyndall glacier. Even though it was only 3.2 miles, we took our time because the hike begins at 9,500 ft elevation and rises to slightly over 10,000 ft.
I noticed one steep portion above us on the way in. On our return, a National Park volunteer, like us!, pointed out a small avalanche caused by a skier earlier in the morning.
The lakes, Bear, Nymph, Dream, and Emerald, were still frozen and Flattop Mountain set our course.
We’re smiling now because we’ve eaten our lunch and our return trip is almost all downhill.
The sky over the Park is always lined by contrails.
When we returned home, I baked a very tall loaf of whole wheat bread. I tried the bread machine but didn’t set it correctly. I have since downloaded the manual rather than randomly pushing buttons. I had to take it out of the machine when it risked popping the lid open. I put it in the only bread pan I could find and salvaged a delicious loaf.
Tim is a very lucky man!
They usually visit when we can’t see them. Now that there is snow on the ground, bobcat footprints reappeared.
We met 4 large bull elks down the road when we returned from town. On another trip, we ran into a traffic jam, as a large herd of elk slowly crossed the road. Finally a cowboy left his vehicle and moved them along. That really sped things up.
Mule deer were in the meadow last night but this could mean a mountain lion may visit to have them for dinner, literally.
Unlike the Adirondacks, the skies are usually bright and blue, probably due to altitude. Here the sun was in mist, setting before the snow.
Backyard view.
We finally explored a little more of Rocky Mountain National Park. We haven’t been motivated to venture afar because it is so beautiful right here. These are some views from Bear Lake. I think they are different views of Longs Peak and the needles.
The happy caretaker out shoveling.
We were lucky to have family visiting for a few days and did some exploring with them. We walked the trail ridge at Lily Lake and saw great views of Longs Peak and the northern Front Range.
Yesterday I returned to Gem Lake, 987 ft elevation change, easily, and have acclimatized.
The view from the Stanley Hotel may have been even better.
We had a paper airplane contest up the hill, behind the ranch, which offered a view of this valley.
A rock wrapped in paper (?!) travelled the longest distance but a complex design had the longest float. Both winners!
Here is a coaster I wove on a rigid heddle loom. It was a slow but gratifying process because I had to select all the pattern threads by hand.
We needed an image of Shrek for a card and I got to try another watercolor.
This morning, the trees are bending in the wind with gusts to 70 mph. They continue to look beautiful after they die. Hopefully none will fall on my car.
The highlight of the visit was when the local elk herd decided to change pastures and cross the road. The kids said it was the best thing they saw, so Tim turned the car around to watch them some more.
Island and North Country Life 