Cheesman Park - Sky Watch

Even in cities, there are serene places
where you can enjoy nature.

When I'm in Denver,
I run a 4 mile loop through Cheesman Park.

Early morning stillness casts long shadows.

The Pavilion stands in stark contrast
to the blue sky.

At 5, 378' above sea level,
on a clear day,
you can see for 150 miles
toward the snow capped peaks.

Wildflowers are starting to bloom,

And hearts are emerging
from the stumps!

It must be spring!
Have a great weekend,
wherever you are in the world.

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click on Sky Watch Friday in the sidebar.

Denver Botanic Garden - My World

(click on photos to enlarge)

Since I'll be traveling on my Birthday/Mothers Day,

yesterday, my sons and their families
took me to breakfast and to the Denver Botanic Garden.

Spring flowers were blooming.

However, the excitement for the children was the
Jurassic Park exhibit.

The fish were also quite popular.

Geese floated languidly on the pond.

We walked the black pebble path
made to look like flowing water.

We followed the leader up to the Solarium.

We got up close and personal with the dinosaurs.

We strolled and talked.

We observed Nature.

Thanks to my Family for a great day!
PS - It's snowing today in Denver!

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End of Ski Season

Breckenridge Ski Area closed for the season on April 19. This doesn't mean there is a lack of snow. The ski area leases the land from the Forest Service, and that's the closing date chosen for this year. I snowshoed from my house to the Falcon Lift on Peak 10 on Tuesday to take a few more winter-white photos. At this time of the year, the snow conditions change rapidly throughout the day. In the early morning, the snow is frozen solid on top and makes snowshoeing difficult and cross country skiing nearly impossible. By mid morning, the sun softens the surface to a consisitency often called "corn snow." I like to call it "rice crispy snow" because it snaps, crackles, and pops when you stand on it. This is the best time of day to navigate anywhere using snowshoes. By Noon, if the sun is shining, the snow turns to "mashed potatoes." Snowshoes or skis begin sinking and sticking, making travel nearly impossible.

Top of 10 ski trails.

I left at 9:30 - the rice crispy stage - and easily made it to Peak 10 in about an hour. There wasn't a cloud in the brilliant blue sky.

No lift lines today!

Baldy Mountain was frosted with new snow.
Only jet trails marred the cloudless sky.

No ground showing yet in my back yard.

Either Waldo got too hot and removed his scarf
or his squirrel friend chewed it off for him.
(Since there is now a hole in it, I think the latter.)
I tied it back in place .
Breckenridge gets plenty of cold temperatures
and snow storms throughout May.

For more skies around the world, click on Sky Watch Friday in the sidebar.

Springtime in the Rockies - My World

Weather in Colorado, especially in the springtime,
is unpredictable.
Last week, we babysat for our Grandson, Caden, for 5 days.
At first, we had blue skies and sunshine.

On walks, Caden smelled and examined the flowers.

He and Pop Pop went grocery shopping.

However, by the second day, snow began to fall.

Until it looked like this.

Caden was forced to take his walks in the Mall...

Where he tried to suggest a nice gift for Grammy's birthday.

Finally, by Sunday, he could resume
his study of spring blooms.

Though some were a bit buried.

We got about 9" of snow in Denver
which quickly compacted and started to melt.
This week the temperatures are to reach the high 70's.
It's springtime in the Rockies.

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Once Upon a Time...

My Granddaughters Reading

While I was running this morning, I was thinking about books and reading. (I try to put my mind in another place when I'm running - otherwise, I'm constantly thinking it's time to stop!) From the time I was a little girl, books were a lifeline for me and a window to a wider world. When I was very small, my father supplied made-up stories. I'd climb on his lap in the evenings before dinner, and he would begin to collect his thoughts with "Once upon a time..." He was a factory worker; he smelled of sweat and White Owl cigars.

Around the age of 4, he started taking me to the grocery store when he did the weekly grocery shopping. Since my parents both worked, I think they were "enlightened" about the division of household labor long before it became a cultural phenomena. While he shopped in the tiny store, I'd park myself in front of the spiral, rotating, wire book shelf that held an offering of Golden Books. I'd carefully remove a book, look at the pictures, put it back, revolve the shelf, and remove another that caught my fancy. Too soon, my father would finish, and it was time for me to choose - he bought me a new Golden Book every Friday night. By the time I entered school when I was 6, I had quite a collection - a library of both Golden Books and comic books - though I didn't know the concept of "library" at that time.

I was already an avid reader when I entered first grade. School was a difficult transition for me. I was an introverted child who loved words and books. I was the only kid in first grade who could already read. In that once upon a time (1950), teachers taught from Basal Readers; you were not allowed to turn the page until the whole reading group took turns reading (excruciatingly slowly) through the small paragraph on each page. The books were of the Dick and Jane variety - not much going on except a game of ball with Spot. I was so bored that I began to feign sickness so I could stay home and do what I loved best - read. The teacher finally called my parents. The next day, my father stayed home from work to drive me to the front of the school. He gave me a pep talk about all I'd learn someday if I'd just stick it out. Since I thought he was always right (and I was prone to being a "good girl"), I never tried to play hooky again.

My father died suddenly when I was 9. Stories and books were the least of my mother's worries. Luckily, the seeds were already sown, so I could continue to blossom on my own. At that point, I knew how to use the power of imagination after thinking "once upon a time." I also knew that the words in books could save my life. They did.

A Short but Beautiful Life

Birth or Rebirth?

Resting a Brief Moment

A Beautiful Interlude

Fragile and Lovely

Nature's Fleeting Reminder

Of Life's Impermanence.

"We are like butterflies
who flutter for a day and think it is forever."
~Carl Sagan

Photographed on April 10, 2009, at the Butterfly Pavilion, Denver, CO.

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Blue Skies of Breckenridge, CO - Sky Watch Friday

Last Sunday, with snow blowing off the high peaks
and temperatures hovering around zero,
I drove up Boreas Pass Road to take
some end-of-the-season pictures of the ski area.

The resort closes on April 19.

Peaks 10, 9, and 8

As you can see, there is still plenty of snow.
We'll have snow on the high peaks all summer.

Here's a view of snow blowing off Baldy Mountain

Snow in the National Forest behind our house...

Snowbanks out front.

Snow in the back yard...

Someday, we'll be able to sit on the seat of our swing
to enjoy the wildflowers and perennials -
Maybe after about 4-5 ' of snow melts, that is.

However, the forecast for this week is for more snow -
so we won't be smelling the flowers for a bit yet.

Our blue skies are sure pretty, though!

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Sightseeing by Bike - My World

I'm in Denver again, and today we're going to bike about 40 miles out of the city to the Nature Center and back home. Here's the deal: You can either ride with my husband who likes to go FAST. Or, you can ride at a more leisurely pace with me. If you decide to go with Bob, you may as well fast-forward through the photos to the end. However, if you bike with me, I'll tell you what we're seeing along the way.

We'll leave the city behind at Confluence Park
where Cherry Creek enters the Platte River.

Heading toward the foothills, the river meanders along the bike path.

Looks like this little boy caught a whopper!

Finally, we can get off the bikes for a little rest.

Here we are at our destination,
The Carson Nature Center.

We can't tarry long, though.
We'll make another short stop at Hudson Gardens.
Pasque Flowers are blooming...

A few Bluebells...

And everyone's favorite - Dandelions!

This Mama Bear is keeping watch

Over her cubs.

Sometimes I mutter this as I pedal along.

Obviously, Bob doesn't hear me -
that's him way off in the distance
on the left of the river.

This goose is intently watching the golfers.

The wind is blowing now, so keep pedaling as hard as you can.

We'll pass by Elitch's Amusement Park - still closed.

Here's the Children's Museum - keep going...

Pedal by the Aquarium.

Hmmmm?

Don't approach these bears!

Finally, we're at our rest spot - REI.
Once I came here on bike
with my friend, Mary-
we ended up buying so much
that we had to call Bob to come get us.
Not a good idea...

The REI building is beautiful.
It's on the National Register of Historic Places.

But - here is why we came...

Well, that was a quick break -
we need to keep pedaling, I guess.

Go by the Perfoming Arts Complex.

These dancers are a common sight along Speer Boulevard.

Finally, almost home.
You can follow Bob down 7th Avenue.
He's going more slowly now so we can catch up!

You went 40 miles with us today.
I hope you enjoyed the ride.
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