Christmas Day Snow Angels

So, we came back to Denver to enjoy the mountains, the seasons, the snow... What snow? This has been the dryest winter in 15 years, which is incidentally the year we left... It's been snowing in the mountains but nothing in Denver. It passes right over us and lands in Kansas. What's up with that?
On my quest to make a snow angel, Robert and I decided to go to the snow, as it would not come to us.
We made a plan to go to the mountains on Christmas day.

After opening presents at home and making thank you phone calls to France, we enjoyed a delicious Brunch at Darin and Bernadette's, and then we headed for the mountains.
Norm had told us the snow stopped at Georgetown. We drove through a dry Georgetown, and through the tunnel over to Officer's Gulch to make our mark. We saw a couple of Bighorn Sheeps grazing on the side of the road, but unfortunately I wasn't fast enough to take a picture.
Finally, snow.

Robert was first to dig in, thigh high in snow.

He dropped on his back and swam around, screaming like a little girl: "It's cold! it's cold! Take the freaking picture!"

His jacket had come up during his fall back, and snow was touching his lower back. And his pants went up the legs exposing his bare calves to the snow as well. Ah youth... unprepared...   
He didn't leave behind much, but a big mess of snow.

After all these years in Wisconsin snow, I expected more...

Equiped with my brand new snow boots (Christmas present from my sister), thick socks, 4 layers on top, a jacket , hood and a scarf, I was ready. We walked a little further for a new untouched blanket of snow.

Knee deep in snow,

I approached my targetted area, faced the camera and dropped.

Batting around like a crazy woman, and laughing my head out, I left my mark.

Isn't this a beautiful snow angel?

Not me, the snow...

                                                   Now that's a happy face!

We enjoyed some sharp cheddar cheese in the car, gift from Aunt Kathy of course, and headed on to check out Copper Mountain, where we may come back to ski in a few weeks.

Nice little ski station. We almost hit a car because of black ice, and decided to head back home.

We also drove by a beautiful frozen waterfall.

It only took about an hour from our Jeans to dry out in the car.
We definitevely have to buy some real ski pants for our next snow adventure.
And maybe some gloves too.

                                         Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Robert's Birthday Hike

 Yesterday was Robert's birthday.
Say it all together:
"Happy Birthday Robert!" (Bob, Bobby or Rob, depending on which side of the family you are...)
The gift he wanted was for him to spend a night alone in the woods with nothing but his bedroll and a few survival items. Knowing it is bear season, and I don't have life insurance on him, he graciously offered to go for a hike with me instead.
We went to Castlewood Canyon Park in Castle Rock Colorado.

We both have been waiting for snow patiently, and are still waiting. I've been waiting since we were living in Florida seven years ago. My friend Jodi used to tell me I lived in the wrong state, and she was right. Lucky Jodi grew up in Montana and has played in more snow than you can write your name in, and I am quite jealous... I can't even remember the last time I touched snow or went skiing. But at least the colors of Colorado are starting to change, and leaves are falling everywhere. We must be getting closer. The long sleeve shirts and sweaters are coming out of drawers. It was 51 degrees went I went to work last thursday morning at 6.15am. I can't wait to wear my matching wool scarf and hat. I even found some old cotton gloves still hidden in a winter jacket purchased over a decade ago. I think the gloves were my sister's. Thanks Benie!
It looks like I'm getting lost in the change of seasons. That is a major reason why came to Colorado.
Here are pictures of Castlewood Canyon Park.
The walk starts from the top of the canyon where you can see a wall of rocks on the other side.

Automn is all around.

On this side of the canyon, the rocks are flat and smooth.

We saw some bear droppings, but not many signs of animal life. Just a caterpillar and a loud chipmonk.

Going down to the river was quick.

A few rough steps and we were there. It took us maybe ten minutes.

The other side of the canyon has nice sandy walkways. Here we both are. 

Now some pictures are easy to choose for this blog. Like these beautiful ones.

Other ones we argue about. For exemple, I liked this picture of Robert taking a sip, but he didn't.

You can only see it because I agreed to also post this picture of me that Robert liked, which I didn't.

Let's just say, there was some cropping involved in this agreed solution...

Back to the Canyon. We're still walking along the bottom creek, admiring the view.

Robert playing around. 

I twisted my ankles twice during this hike. Next time, I will have some hiking boots on. It is just not safe hiking with "Shape Up" shoes on, even if they're supposed to make my butt look good.

We started to see the valley around the corner, to the left.

A few more steps along the creek...

And here comes the valley!

Robert pointed out to our right, where these two rocks were kissing.

 So we kissed too and headed towards the crossing of Cherry Creek.

It took us a while to go back up to the canyon top. But what a view on the other side of the canyon! We sat on a bench for few minutes and enjoyed the landscape, the cows and a nice breeze.

Over all, Robert did better than I, sitting in the shade any chance I could get. It took us a little over three hours to walk atop the canyon, down to the creek, along the bottom, and back up again. We were both sore the day after. But what a beautiful day!

Happy Birthday my love!

Colorado is beautiful!



Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Raccoon Trail

Last sunday we hiked the Raccoon Trail in the Golden Gate Canyon Park, outside of Golden Colorado.

This was supposed to be an easy hike, but because I read the instructions incorrectly, we did the hike backwards, therefore we added a lot of going up, and just for fun, I also added a mile, starting from the wrong area.
Needless to say, this hike kicked our asses.

The other hikers passing us by called it a "moderate hike".
At the time, I simply called it "Hell".

Let's just say, we need to get in shape, which is true, but I am also blaming the altitude. After all, the altitude there is only "7600 to 10400 feet". Yeah, I should have paid more attention to that part.

No wonder we were breathing heavy like a couple of old machines, stopping every five minutes, hoping not to lose consciousness...
My crafty survivor husband built himself a walking stick, and I got stung by a bee.






I still got some wonderful pictures.
It started very nicely, we were both all smiles.

We got to see many different kinds of berries.

Even raspberries with mushrooms on the side.

And different kinds of pine cones.

We walked through beautiful fields of flowers.

And fields of Aspen trees too.

Then the terrain started going up, and up, and up...

Time for a break.

Robert made himself a beautiful walking stick which he used a lot on this trip.

You can see it in the above picture.

And here I am enjoying some shade.

We finally arrived at the Panorama.

Sitting on a bench and having a snack, a little chipmonk poked his head out.

Here he is again on the rocks, checking us out.

Then it was time to go continue our journey back down the canyon hill.

Did I mention there was an "active bear area" sign at the entrance of the park?
A nice young lady at the welcome center mentioned that bears had only been seen at night. Thank goodness. I had no plans of staying the night anyway.

We also saw a rabbit.
 Look closely, you'll see his eyes.

Time to go on again...

Just a mile to go.

Towards the end, Robert started having cramps in his right leg, and I kept stopping every five minutes to take a breath. This was a hard hike for us.

It took us three hours to finish the Raccoon Trail.
Much longer and harder than we had anticipated.
I think I'd like to do it again next year, when we're in better shape.

It was difficult, but the views of nature were wonderful, and yes, it was worth it.

We finally made it to the car exhausted, thirsty and starving.

 Here is the valley we drove through on the way out of the park.

 

COLORADO IS BEAUTIFUL!