My kind of Sunday (at least for now)

 

  

Baking banana oatmeal muffins

 

  

and wandering through the mountains on a beautiful winter day. 

Mid-winter Days in Colorado

The day: End of January, 45 degrees, blue skies, a sunset that makes your heart ache, beautiful landscapes and a happy dog by my side.

I captured these photos with my phone during a run on the Big Bluestem trail near our place. 

Enjoy.

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

James Peak Wildnerness

On MLK day, Veronique and her friend Liz and our two dogs Byrdie and Little Bull all ventured out to the James Peak Wilderness for some snowshoeing fun! The trailhead is not easy to find if you've never been before, so after a few U-turns and stops, we managed to find the dirt road that led us to the East Portal Trailhead and South Boulder Creek trail. We were sort of surprised to find high winds and chilly temperatures at the trailhead since the weather was mild when we left Boulder, but that's the mountains for you I guess. We put on just about every layer we brought along, strapped on our snowshoes and headed into the absorbing forest. Lucky for us, the thick coverage protected us from the wind and we found the hike to be quite pleasant despite the cold.

We were never very sure that we found the right trail because the lakes we intended to hike to were not listed on any of the trail signs. Now, taking a closer look at the trail descriptions and maps I see that we were, in fact, on the right trail only our lakes were at the very end of the trail and the signs only listed those in closer vicinity to where we began. Right away we were faced with steep grades and "determined climbs" as ProTrails puts it. Liz was recovering from knee surgery and unfortunately the climbs were a little too much for her. We took the hike slow but steadily gained ground for 1.5 hours before stopping for lunch. After lunch, we assessed the trails ahead (not having a map and still unsure of our whereabouts) and there didn't look to be any end to the climbing so we headed back down the mountain for home.

The scenery stunned us over and over along the way. The pines so tall and thin, the hanging moss so fluorescent green, the pure, clean white peaks and eventually the bright blue sky and brilliant sunshine. Never taken for granted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cowboys in Colorado

I spent the weekend in Colorado Springs with my long time friend Marci and her brother Brian and his wife Darci. Brian and Darc moved out to Colorado about six months ago for all the reasons just about any of us are drawn to this state. As teachers, they were fortunate enough to both land jobs in the Springs in schools just miles apart from each other.  Years have passed since I last spent any time with Brian. To see him so happy and hopeful in his new life and with his new wife was just amazing.

The trip from start to finish was really about reconnecting. Marc loves to tell the story about when we first met playing eighth grade basketball for St. Philips - she coming in from the public school to play for our team - and how I treated her horribly. Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. When I left that downright unbearable private school scene for high school, Marci and I eventually became close friends. But not, of course, before Marc got her revenge and warned everyone at East that I was a super-bitch. :) I love this story, not for the fact that I treated Marci poorly in grade school but for it's happy ending! And c'mon, what fun would our friendship story be without the rocky start. Since leaving East High in 2000, Marci and I have managed to stay pretty close though we've never lived in the same city and often state since then.. And despite the sometimes years that pass between encounters, it's one of those long-time friendships that just picks up where we left it.

Beautiful hikes, tasty food, and a lot of laughter. I love this strong, beautiful lady! Here's some pics!

 

 

 

 

 

A true cowboy bar with line dancing, two-step and honest to God ranchers and cowboys!

 And this? Oh, no big deal, it's just the view from Brian and Darci's porch. Pike's Peak. Yes, I'm serious.

Thanks to Brian and Darci for having me in the Springs!

Gray Day

I took Byrdie for a run just south of Boulder on the Marshall Mesa and Dowdy Draw trails this afternoon. You can read about the run here if you're so inclined. The day is chilly and gray and while I ran I watched the snow creep over the foothills and begin to fall. Funny, I was so entranced by the way the clouds surrounded the foothills and how they would build and build over a peak and finally move out onto the plains and drop snow that I almost didn't notice five or six mule deer watching my progress across the plains. A buck and a number of does stood completely still as I passed them and then climbed the switchback out of the valley. Ten minutes must have passed while they stood like statues watching me. Since this run is a bit secluded, I took my phone along and I captured a few photos and if you look really close, you might just see the deer watching me.

 

 

 

 

 

Byrdie and I are back home - she's nestled in her bed with a blanket over her (which is her absolute favorite lately) and I'm about to take a nice long bath to soak my weary bones. :) We're both waiting for Ben to return from the Broncos-Kansas City game (that's right, Ben watching live football!) and build us a cozy fire. Considering the weather, I think he'll appreciate some warm treats and a cozy fire, too. Better get started on those treats!

and a Happy New Year

May all of you have much love, adventure and happiness surrounding you in this new year.

What are your resolutions? I'm working on my list of goals for 2010, and there are so many this year! But always at the top of my list is happiness...