unretouched (if out of focus…) pic from iphone4
Archives for category: Nature
It was 3° F when I woke up this morning…
Last night, when I arrived home from work at around 11:00 pm, I found some remarkable gifts/works of art on my window! It was tricky to clearly capture the textures of the frost (focus and light seemed to have a mind of their own), but the floral patterns were so remarkable, the technical details didn’t seem to matter…
It was also impossible to choose only one photo to share, so I hope you enjoy these several… And Happy 12/12/12!
A few days ago, rather than drive 10 miles to hike 4 miles, I decided just to walk the 2 miles into town.
As I crossed the bridge over a stream that I pass nearly every day, I relished that this time I could actually stop, take my time, and look down into the stream… I did a double-take!
Amidst the sepia monochrome of rocks, silt, branches, and fallen leaves… Well, see for yourself!
I stood there for a moment, rather awed to ponder how a keyboard (and a well-muddied one) could end up in a stream bed. It seems to have camouflaged itself, as if to hide its secrets.
Now, as I write, it occurs to me that this keyboard symbolizes several themes converging in my life lately.
Sometimes all we can do is marvel and appreciate, when the reasoning escapes us.
Here’s wishing you a day that lifts your spirits, totally beyond reason!
(This is my personal blog, most fit for general public consumption… If you’d like to check out my more esoteric interests, you can find out more here… Cheers!)
From what I hear from the “Old Locals” (I refer to myself here as a “New Local”…), The Snow has been late this year in Pagosa. In fact, it’s anticipated arrival seems to have triggered more anxiety than the Presidential Elections, since so much of the local prosperity seems to hinge on whether or not the Wolf Creek Ski Area is open. And for that, it seems you need snow.
I think my friends Mark and Heidi have struck on a new snow-making technique, and it seems to have worked. I’ll call it: LLASS (Lend Leslee A Snow Shovel). I went by their place last night to pick it up, and, voilá… arrives The Snow!
Now, by my standards, I’d call this more of an Atlanta-style snow, but I’ll wait until I get into town later today to see if the Old Locals even consider this The Snow.
Just the same, I admit my relief that my introduction to Pagosa’s version of the magical, awe-inspiring crystals has been this gentle so far.
I smiled to myself as I made my morning coffee, to notice that the way I feel now reminds me of going into labor with my son… I had been hearing for months, from others, about what it was going to be like. Finally, the day came when I actually felt my own contractions. It still took someone telling me, “Yes, THAT is a contraction”.
So now, I’ll just spend the day watching the slush melt, and wait to discover what it takes before an Old Local tells me: “Yes, that is The Snow“.
Here’s hoping that November finds you all safe and happy!
Please enjoy my latest video on YouTube: Chimney Rock Full Moon!
Charles Martinez offering his flute and music before beginning to play
The photos, film, and sounds were recorded during the Full Moon observation event at Chimney Rock National Monument near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, on September 29, 2012. Program by Archaeoastronomer Charles Sutcliffe; Native American flute music (and flute-making!) by Charles Martinez.
The event ended early due to a beautiful and dramatic electrical storm that came through that evening. This produced some amazing light in the Spires and surrounding landscape.
Packing up to begin the trek down the slope… surrounded by lightning!
A little splash of color in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, USA…
Town Park, looking towards San Juan River
Wetlands along the San Juan in Old Town
Along the San Juan River, through Old Town
Dusk – County Road 119, near Hwy 84
welcome
blanco river
river bend
trail of cones
tiny glen
come along
have a seat
contemplate
smile
go within
Finally getting around to posting some photos of Pagosa Springs! Today ends Week Three… Still settling in, still loving it!
Enjoy!
Country Road 119… It’s sort of like my driveway… San Juan mountains in the distance.
One foggy morning last week…
Main Street – Highway 160 – at dusk
That same evening… A beautiful sunset at the lake in New Town. This is a fairly typical sunset… Always dramatic!
Met some friends for a bite to eat in Old Town, by the San Juan river… That’s my friend Jason and me.
One of the hot springs on the River Walk in Old Town, at night… The “mound” is mineral deposits from the water. Based on the smell, I’d say it’s mostly sulphur…
A glowing end to the weekend’s balloon rally!
Earlier in the week, hiking with Mark Kimmel up on the Continental Divide trail… He’s standing on one of the Wolf Creek ski runs. We saw the first snow of the year (I learned what “corn snow” is!), although it turned to rain quite quickly.
Wolf Creek Pass… Looking west towards Pagosa, on that same misty day. Just breath-taking… All from a volcano, 3 million years young.
lookin’ out my front window in the morning…
Well, actually it’s my front window… But you get the idea…
My first morning in my new home, and this is what I’m greeted with.
I’m not sure I’ll be able to hang window treatments over this view!
It’s so great to be here in Pagosa (and to have learned how to properly pronounce “Colorado”). Don’t have much besides the views, but that doesn’t seem to matter.
Here’s hoping you’re all doing fantastically!
leslee hare 