Monday, September 17, 2012

Autumn on Buffalo Pass



A stream of cars and trucks steadily progressed up FS Road 60 last weekend, and the puppy and I joined the procession. Despite the traffic, inroads to wilderness still were plentiful. And the images required no photoshop, that's for sure!


Near the headwaters of Soda Creek.






Sunday, July 29, 2012

The Right Attitude


"Here she comes!"
The lyrics float up the staircase and swirl into my sleepy mind.
A second or two is all I have to pull the blankets up to my neck
And make sure the bedspread is stretched out tight into all the corners.
Whew! she smells like a wet dog.
She’s been running in the field, wet with early morning dew.
She begins her day with such happiness.
First she wakes up Daddy with a few well-placed kisses in his ear.
The she crawls in next to him and rolls onto her back.
All four feet in the air, presenting her tummy to be rubbed.
Daddy wakes up happy too, as eager as Ailee to face the new day.
He puts on his Carharts and his tall rubber boots.
They stand together on the front steps, surveying the meadow.
Then they descend, Man and Dog, into the cool morning air.
The path is worn, leading catty-corner to our fence.
A quick duck under the barb wire, and into the hay field.
We are so lucky that our neighbor welcomes us,
A deal made with a handshake. No contracts, just trust.
It’s Ailee’s moment of pure freedom.
She is off the leash, even though Dad has trepidations.
The same field every day, yet no two days alike.
Chipmunks and voles, woodpeckers and magpies.
A fox, usually far away, taunting Ailee to give chase.
No doubt the race would end in Wyoming.
The morning stroll ends at a golden pond, rimmed with willows.
Random boulders invite Daddy to have a seat and enjoy the stillness.
A duck, hidden in the reeds, quietly glides out into the pond.
Most days, Ailee’s busy “logging” downed willow branches.
She doesn’t even see the duck, sometimes a pair.
When she does, she runs frantically to the side of the pond closest to them.
They glide gently away, out of her reach.
It’s a game. Ailee wins if the ducks take flight, usually circling back and landing.
Ailee loses when the ducks ignore her, swimming gently in circles, out of reach.
Of course she could jump in; we know she can swim.
But she prefers clear, running water for swimming and for drinking.
Bored easily, she and Daddy move on, searching for the next adventure.
Will it be a bicyclists, flying down the country road on an early morning ride?
Danger! Ailee has no time for these two-wheeled strangers.
Or will it prehistoric beauties descending on loudly flapping wings,
Landing on their stick legs amid disharmonious chatter?
The Greater Sandhill Cranes are here!
Strutting awkwardly, holding heads like the royalty they are.
Revered in this valley since before white men came here.
Our neighbor fears that Ailee will disturb them.
But Ailee stands still at Daddy’s side, captivated by this ancient bird.
Time to go home and wake up Mommy.
She’ll be so happy to hear about all our great adventures!
‘Here she comes!”
Leaping onto my tummy, her ghost tail wagging with delight.
Smothering me with kisses, wet dog perfume blanketing the air.
Get up! Come Play! You won’t want to miss a minute of this glorious day.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Epic Weekend

EPIC WEEKEND

President's Day weekend brought unprecedented powder to Steamboat. The Land of the Little People's aspen grove was literally untracked at 11 a.m. on Monday -- until I got there. The crowds were out in force. While locals begged for snorkels, less powder-crazed skiers headed for hot chocolate.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Powder on the Pass!




Fresh powder and sunshine made for great cross country skiing on Buffalo Pass Sunday!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Wind Storm


Winds gusted to 123 mph Thursday at the Steamboat Ski Area. Patrollers headed out at the break of dawn Friday to begin the cleanup and by Saturday, the mountain was running again with little sign of the storm remaining. One patroller told us that although the storm was awesome, it was something of a miracle: not a single person suffered injuries!

Friday, October 7, 2011

First Snowfall


It's a glorious morning today in Steamboat Springs, where the golden aspens seem to vibrate with metalic light. But it wasn't so wonderful last night, when bitter winds and driving snow brought a temporary halt to fall. It was worth it, though, to see the first dusting of snow atop Mount Werner this morning.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Golden Paradise







Both at the Steamboat Ski Area and on Buffalo Pass, fall colors are in their full glory!