The sun is shining. Trees put their (snowless) heads together in the lemony light and wonder if someone got the months mixed up. Last week's storm hit the Front Range and Denver with feet of snow, while Breckenridge got an inch.
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| Beaver Run Lift, Peak 9, Breckenridge Ski Area |
The ski area can't make any more snow. The water contract with the Forest Service ended in January. The cats still groom the lower-mountain trails, hoping to retain the snow we have. But, on steeper and more difficult terrain, the skiing is sketchy. It's necessary to watch constantly for rocks and other obstacles. Skier numbers are down 43%.
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| Rabbit tracks (possibly a relative of Lucinda) |
I can still exercise on the packed trails behind my house in running shoes. I read the signs in the snow to see which animals are most active. Coyote females in estrus are leaving bloody calling cards. Moose and deer easily navigate through the lower snowpack to paw for grasses. Rabbits and squirrels scamper around rather than hunkering in their burrows. Typically, our mountain temperatures warm slightly through February/March, so even if we get big spring snowstorms, they melt more quickly. A dry winter means more danger from summer forest fires.
I'm finding aspen leaves in the snow. Perhaps they've been stuck on the trees until recent wind storms knocked them down. Fallen leaves in February make it seem like the seasons are playing a trick.
However, it's still winter, and I'm not giving up hope for a major snowfall.
I'm exhausting myself doing the Snow Dance!
I'm predicting winter in April this year. Don't give up all hope.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you didn't get any snow. We only got about an inch here too. Keep dancing...
ReplyDeleteIt's possible you might need a different snow dance. We've seen a trace of snow this year. That's it. If it was an inch or inch and half WOO HOO. So there you have it. And I love aspen trees so enjoy them at least. Carol
ReplyDeleteWhere is the snow, you ask...well, it's not here, Barb, only rain and the Bluebirds! I may just put my dancing shoes away!
ReplyDeleteHi, Barb!
ReplyDeleteGood morning.It has been snowing heavily in northern Japan. TV news says that it is the first record in the 20 years. Since people in those areas were not accustomed to that heavy snow, many people are injured!
Beautiful blue sky in Breckenridge as always! I miss blue sky!
Tomoko
This year's Winter season is mild at so many locations. We visited a waterfall yesterday that we would not have been anywhere near had we a normal Winter. I hope the summer fires do not become a reality.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW... it's been strange here too!
I can't say I'm too sorry. I do love the look of snow but am not a skier nor do I snow shoe as do my other family members. I make the hot chocolate and warm cookies though!
I do miss having a snow day! {heehee}
Today, in upstate NY, it was cold, but sunny and such gorgeous blue skies. You would never know it's February!
Wishing you a beautiful week ahead!
~Maria
Snow, snow, snow, snow...... I'm continuing the dance.
ReplyDeleteI'm still hoping for a good "pineapple express". The Sierra has a very low snow pack and the warm temps mean that the fruit trees here in the valley are starting to bloom, not good this early. There is a storm due on Tuesday but only one day of rain is predicted. I hope it hits us and has some energy left for you.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got more snow than us tho -- our one snowfall was 4 inches but followed by rain, it was just a tease to me. Hoping for another snowfall here too but with weather in the high 50's, it is probably hopeless. . . sigh
ReplyDeleteMy husband always takes the deck furniture out of the shed when we get home in April. That always pretty much guarantees two feet of snow.
ReplyDeleteI too am worried about how this winter will effect the weather this summer. Forest fires are scary, for sure. I also worry that many chewing insects will be abundant this year.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of the leaf in the snow.
Hopes are getting dim here also but at least we have gotten a lot of rain. So sorry you haven't gotten the needed moisture and hope that changes soon.
ReplyDeleteI'll try and send you some of our massive snowfall and freezing weather!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots.
You can't even rely on the weather anymore!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the world coming to, I ask you.
Please, make sure that your snow dance doesn't bring down the stuff on my head.
The ski slopes still look ok, I remember days in Austria where we went skiing with open rocks and places without snow where you had to ski around. Let's hope it starts snowing soon.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Still dancing here, too! We have a full day of rain predicted for tomorrow. Perhaps the storm will swing by your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteWhen we received our snow, I immediately thought of you, Barb. I had heard that Colorado had received some good amounts, but apparently your area was not blessed.
ReplyDeleteThe Snow Dance? Kick it up a notch -- it will come! :)
Is the town busy? Or is there enough snow for the tourists?
ReplyDeleteRemember all the snow you got last winter?
So strange!
Today I found a bloomed dandelion and four of my Easter Lilies poppy through the ground. We've had mild winters here before but never plants coming up that early!
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny Barb, snow dance, LOL!! I'd do one for you but I'm afraid it would snow here and I'm enjoying the mild winter here!
Love Di ♥
Snow or no snow. It's always beautiful in your part of the world. And, as you well know, every day is what you make it!
ReplyDeleteClimate change is here...anything goes...
ReplyDeleteIt has been a dry warm winter here. We did get some rain over the weekend.
I too worry about the summer...
Sherry
Around here February can be a heavy snow month, - don't give up hope.
ReplyDeleteKeep dancing - try the Charleston if regular snow dance steps aren't doing the job!
Now, Barb, you have to do your snow dance again!
ReplyDeleteThe sole golden aspen is glowing amidst the whites, what a surprise!
Hi, Barb! Japan is enveloped in the coldest wave in 20 years. In northern parts or along the Japan Sea, it has been snowing heavily, while it hasn’t snowed a inch yet in my region in spite of the intense cold. I understand the danger of skiing when there aren’t enough snow: I remember having stumbled by the exposed bushes. Your photos of snow scape are beautiful. My favorite is the shadow patterns on the snow. Go easy on Snow Dancing, maybe it could bring in too much snow in other places. (smiles)
ReplyDeleteYoko
Not to go all scientific on you, but apparently it is all about the Arctic and North Atlantic oscillations that have the US and Europe all mixed up. How sad for you not to have snow. I hope things will change up and you will get some before long; I know how it fills you up to go out in it in all its beauty.
ReplyDeleteThat's just crazy weather! I thought about you when I talked to the kids during the big snow there and I thought you'd have tons and tons. Wild!
ReplyDeleteWe're having a very low-snow year, too -- have had barely any this year. Not being a skier, this bothers me less than some (like my Rick) who love the sport. But I do fear our planet is going topsy turvy, so it's tough. Where IS the snow, anyway?
ReplyDeleteIt's been the oddest winter everywhere! We have a bit of snow, but not much. Lots of ice. Warm temps, although they're heading down for a couple of days. No ice on the bay. Snow dancing for you, Barb!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping your snow dance works! It is strange how you never know what to expect from Nature from year to year. In the lower 48 we have a few brutally harsh winters followed by a mild one, while over in Europe they have the exact opposite. I saw a picture yesterday of big waves in the Black Sea frozen in place. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteIt's a strange weather we have this year in Michigan, too. No snow on the ground, even in the middle of February already.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are just gorgeous.
I also read the post below about C. It's hard to believe that she died of SIDS at age 5..Sharing your sadness!
No snow here either..kind of bare and cold and just yuck!
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine is golfing in SLC today though....
brr...
This winter is easier on wildlife, but bad for ski resorts and skiers. Maybe we'll finally get some snow in the next week. Looks like some storms will be moving through.
ReplyDeleteStrange that Denver got so much snow, and you only an inch. We are expecting a little snow this weekend... hope you get some, too!
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a weird winter with very little snow here, too while Eastern Europe suffers from too much winter. But dancing is good for the soul, so even if the snow doesn't come, we can all have a little fun doing snow dances.
ReplyDeleteIt is an odd winter. I think that we have all of your snow. Apparently, this is now the second snowiest winter here since they started keeping records 122 years ago. I cannot imagine wearing just running shoes on our trails.
ReplyDeleteI shall do a snow dance with the dogs for you today!
I love the tall aspens, even if they are devoid of snow.
I remember a few winters where we waited and waited. My knee is better so I'll be able to snow dance a little more for you now! I am glad you are able to get outside despite the low snow pack.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to read your desire for more winter as I long for the end of it on this side of the world. And ours is so much milder than yours, even in a bad winter. I hope you get the snow you want, and that this doesn't mean a hard summer ahead.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
ReplyDeleteWeather forecast on TV says every day, "Tomorrow we will have heavy snow somewhere." But not in Nara except slight snowfall for a short time. The white world in your photos are so beautiful. Great!
It is nice to hear the name Lucinda! Did you show the photo to her? It is possible her ex-boyfriend left footprints???
keiko