‘Twas the weeks before Christmas . . .

December 6, 2015: Frisco, Colorado

‘Twas the weeks before Christmas,

When all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, ‘cept the cat hunting a mouse.

 

When out of the window arose such a glow,

It was over Swan Mountain hanging so low.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

A beautiful sunrise – but not a single reindeer.

Modified excerpt from "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore

A crisp October Sunday morning . . .

October 18, 2015: Good Morning Frisco!

 Sunday sunrise over the Continental Divide

The colorful intersection at Summit Boulevard and Main Street

Have a blessed Sunday.  Until next time – be safe.

There's Gold in Them Thar Hills

September 29, 2015:  Fall in the Colorado Rockies.

We're off for an afternoon drive from lovely Frisco, up over 10,662 Vail Pass, and down through the valley aglow with Aspens.  Past Vail we leave Interstate 70 and head onto Highway 24 to check out the fall colors between Minturn and Leadville.

We pass the old Eagle Mine.  The now vacant mining town sits atop the mountain across the gorge.

The Eagle River deep in the canyon below is spanned by this very cool bridge.

 A pullout along the highway makes it easy for folks to make their mark that lasts a lifetime.  Who was here?  PB, MT, JD, WF ... and more.

The Aspens shimmer in the sunshine as we look over the edge into the canyon.  Another week or so and the gold will be gone.  It's a beautiful, warm Colorado afternoon.  We enjoy it before the snow starts to fly in a few weeks.  Until next time, be safe.

A messy life . . . . .

August 15, 2015: Warrior Dash Rockies

Ready.  Set.  And, they’re off!

We’re hanging out in Copper Mountain today to watch son, Ross, and his wife, Rory, attack the Warrior Dash obstacle course.

Copper Mountain, Colorado is hosting the Warrior Dash Rockies to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Successful participants earn their Warrior helmets after completing a 3.1 mile course over, under, and through 11 extreme obstacles.  From scaling walls, trudging through a snow field, slogging through a mud pit, rocketing down a slide into a pool of ice cold water, and leaping over flames – to the victor go the spoils.  In this case, a free beer.

He’s right!  There's going to be a lot of energy expended today for a free beer.

There is minimal access for observers along most of the course.  Here’s a few shots I was able to get along the way.

Ross and Rory as they cross the snow field.

 Volunteers help tug Warriors out of the mud pit.

A few extra pounds of mud cling to Warrior bottoms making the hill climb a bit more strenuous.

Warriors Don’t Look Back!  The final obstacle – crawling through the rope tunnel and shimmying down the wall.

 

Ross and Rory.  Victorious!  Time to hit the beer tent.

Events such as this always bring out creative, fun-loving, and interesting people.  Here’s a smattering of a few I caught on camera.

Super Girl and a manly man in a tutu.

The “Fit and Fab” over 50 ladies.  They all earned their Warrior helmets.

Don’t bend over dude.  Your skirt is just a tad too short!

Chuck!  Not your average guy.  He absolutely takes first place for the “Most Creative Number Tag Attachment”. 

SAFETY PINS AND NIPPLE RINGS!!!  Yikes Chuck!

Delta faucets sponsored the very friendly community showers.  Looks like a good place to meet new people.

Until next time – be messy, be happy, be safe.

Here comes the sun

May 12, 2015: Welcoming the morning

Awe.  Early morning in the Rockies.  Excellent.

Sunrise over the Continental Divide.  What an absolutely awesome view just outside my front door.  How blessed am I?

 Early morning is a wonderful time for reflection.

Until next time – be safe.

Where’s Waldo? And . . . “Croak!”

– Or for that matter, where’s the Moose & Caboose?

A mid-March sunrise along Vulture Peak Road near Wickenburg, AZ.

Back in mid-March we were enjoying the warm weather and green pastures near Wickenburg, Arizona when Jack got a call from a friend in Denver.  Conversation simplified: He sold a house, bought another house, and with a closing fast approaching he needed to move out quickly.  We hit the road and headed north to help out.

Our little spot in the world along Vulture Peak Road near Wickenburg.

The green pastures near Wickenburg.  What a change from the dry desert of Quartzsite only a day earlier!  Love it.

 Trail ride along Vulture Peak Road.

So, in a matter of a couple of days our warm Arizona weather gave way to the cool, crisp, spring weather of Colorado.

Sunset from our friend’s new place east of Denver.  The lure of the Rocky Mountains linger in the far distance.

A few days later with the packing and moving behind us, I pack up Miss Kitty (a.k.a. Gilbert), and trek across Denver and snake my way up into the beautiful Rocky Mountains – leaving the guys to work on some projects at the new house.

It’s springtime in the Rockies – and mud season in Frisco.

View across the wetlands toward the Continental Divide.   The “low hangers” hide the high peaks.

What a difference a few days make.  Gorgeous!

Croak!  Croak! . . .  Croak!

The croaking of frogs in the wetlands wafts through my open windows 24 hours a day.  Another sign of springtime in the Rockies.  I imagine they’re all feeling their oats – or croaks – and looking for a new girlfriend.  As suddenly as the croaking starts, it ends in a few-weeks’ time.  And, ta-da!  An overabundance of frogs!  Life goes on.

And finally, a blast from the past.

Sunrise along Plomosa Road near Quartzsite, AZ – November 21, 2013

Until next time – be safe.