AFTER A WILD WEEK of snow and grayness, my little corner of Colorado has returned to horizon-to-horizon blue skies, to bright sunshine, to skin-soothing warmth, and to a rapid thaw. Deep snow is softening, sinking away. Water is gushing. Even though a certain dark cloud lingers on the horizon, today’s glorious brightness is keeping me rooted in the extraordinariness of now and all it can offer, as well as helping me maintain forward-moving optimism. No matter the ferocity of last week’s storm, the sun still returned. It always does.
I enjoyed several outings in last week’s weather, and I wanted to share a few of the photos I took during them. No matter how middle-aged I become, snow still elevates me back to childhood! I wish I could truly share what it feels like to bound about in knee-deep snow like an over-stimulated hound who has never experienced the white stuff before!
What a joy it can still be! But that’s Nature for you…
For me, nature is fuel for fully living.
This first photo was taken mid-run along Golden’s Beaver Brook Trail. Movement kept me warm (in case you were wondering!) Breaking trail is an effort, a real workout. But I wasn’t out there for mere exercise. Or for mere views. I was out there to truly BE out there. The all round emotional, instinctual and sensory stimulation I find out there has not lessened one bit over the decades. No matter how many times I’ve done this kind of thing, and been present in such places, the absolute wonder of it remains. I suspect it always will!
On Thursday during the height of the storm I followed a steep off-trail route up a rugged ridge. It involved knee-deep snow, a brutal wind, snow flung sideways, fog, rocks to scramble over. It felt like a genuine adventure on some big wild mountain… and it occurred only minutes from home. Conditions were so savage I took few photos during the ‘run’, only this one, looking back up during the descent. Once home, the thrill of it stayed with me for the rest of the day. I was buzzing like a teenager!
During the storm I noticed this hawk settling high up a tree in my backyard.
I took a break from what I was doing to appreciate how fortunate I am to live where natural inhabitants like this are still very much present.
By late week, the snow had become wonderfully deep in the woods… although this pine, seen on Saturday morning, looked a little woebegone!
The highest forests directly above town received over two feet of snow. Although the weight of it was compressing the snow fairly quickly, it was still an impressive sight.
The trail through the snow-decked woods.
I soon reached favourite viewpoint, not yet visited by anyone else since the storm had begun. I love how effectively winter can create the illusion of solitude in a crowded world!
I was pretty happy up there, I’ll be honest!
Mist began forming, but it wasn’t thick enough to hide away the golden eagle I saw sweeping up the valley. I had time to swap out lenses on my camera and watch it for a while through the zoom as it spiraled and soared.
Those feathers! Beautiful!
The view back down the valley looked as though it was going to disappear as mist formed and lowered.
But at the same time, sunlight was trying to push through.
Layers of mist began drifting about the mountains. Hiding, revealing, then hiding the views. I could have screamed aloud in delight at the drama of it.
Sensing an opportunity, I didn’t return the way I’d travelled out but instead climbed higher. Soon I was above the clouds, wearing a big grin, feeling immense gratitude that even in the midst of storms great beauty can still be found.
Bright sunlight breaking through the clouds.
View east towards Golden. I could see my house!
Layers of cloud, Clear Creek Canyon.
Looking north.