1st Snow of the Season - Peaks Only

On September 23rd here in Colorado the mountains got their first dusting of snow for the winter season. We didn't get any here at our house but  I was still giddy with excitement. The peaks looks so beautiful in the distance with a dusting of white on them. 

I really hope that we have good snowfall this year. The past two seasons the snowfall here has been disappointing and as a result the state has plunged deeper and deeper into drought. This summer was cooler and wetter, which we needed, but we are still technically drought-stricken so I hope that we are blessed with a great snow pack this winter. Plus, it'll make for a spectacularly good time on the slopes. 

We usually get our first snowstorm of the season sometime in October so it really could be any day now. I can't wait to wake up one morning and look outside my window to see a white blanket of snow. Here are some photos (courtesy of the interweb) of the results of our first dusting of snow at the local ski resorts:

Water, Water Everywhere!

Most of you, if you watch the news at all, probably heard about the devastating flooding happening in Colorado. I can assure you that it hasn't been exaggerated at all. Mother Nature really knows how to put us in our place. We are so small, insignificant and powerless. Luckily for us our home has been spared. However, our town has not. My heart goes out to those whose businesses or homes have been damaged and destroyed. I pray for those who have lost loved ones.


Mr X and I took a drive a few days ago around the area in which we live. This is what we saw:
 

Many, many homes were flooded even worse than this one pictured above.

This was formerly a small, gentle creek. Now it's a brown, dirty, smelly torrential river which is swallowing everything in it's path.

This home was completely surrounded by water - no way to get in or out.

This was once a lovely little park.

Once again, what had previously been not much more than a ditch is now a wide powerful river.

We saw bridge after bridge that was covered in water and debris. This particular bridge is actually a road. Not so much anymore.

I haven't seen a river rushing like this since the first spring we were here when this area experienced a record amount of snowfall. This river is rushing like this because of a few days of truly unbelievable rainfall, not because of the melting of 8 months worth of snow.

We were supposed to go on another backpacking adventure this past weekend in RMNP. We had been watching the weather and made the decision based on all of the rain not to go. Later we learned we had made a very wise decision when we saw that the entire National Park was being shut down and people were being evacuated and escorted out due to the flooding.

A Mouth-Watering Memory

I took this photo last time I was in SD back in July. I've been meaning to post it here. It makes my mouth water just looking at this delicious mess. Jumbo Prawn tacos from the Blue Water Market & Grill in San Diego. I make it a point to eat here every time I go. If you're in SD, EAT HERE. So yummy...

The Rut Begins

Judging by the sounds to which I awoke yesterday I guess the Elk Rut has begun. Listen to this video and pretend you're just sitting in your office (maybe you already are). This is what it sounds like from my office. All. Day. Long.

When I first moved here and heard the elk bugle it surprised me. In my mind the sound didn't match the animal. It's a bit strange and eerie. I'm used to it now and I rather like it. The bugles signal that you may be in for a show. I'm always in awe when I actually get to witness a fight. It's a powerful thing to watch and hear (the cracking of the antlers is surprisingly loud).

Backpacking in RMNP

Mr X and I recently went on a backpacking trip in RMNP. It was my second one as an adult. My first experience left me with a reluctant attitude towards backpacking: Inadequate equipment (we froze), horrible hiking boots that left my feet bloodied and blistered. Seven years later I was up for attempt #2. Mr X ensured we were both properly outfitted for the adventure. He was wonderful and I had a really nice time. We going to do it again in a different area of the park in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to it.

Our warm and dry shelter - which is saying something since it rained a large portion of the time.

Our view to the North.

Our view to the South as well as our water source.

Waiting patiently for a breakfast of hot oatmeal.

We did a couple hikes around the area during the day. As well as some fishing. It was great.

The barren and rocky Never Summer mountains on the west side of RMNP.