SNAP*Shot: Magical Rime Ice Landscapes

Last Wednesday I woke up to clouds down to the ground, we call fog, and temps in the low 20s. Amazingly, it was like that all day which is unusual in Colorado Springs. There were occasional snow flurries, but it never actually snowed. At times I could see what looked like ice crystals floating in the clouds. Ice/snow also seemed to be forming on trees. By the next morning we had clouds/fog mostly along the horizons, bright sun, and magical landscapes due to the heavy coating of rime ice. Come see!!

So Magical!

What The Rains Brings . . .

We are having an amazing spring/early summer here in Colorado Springs! It rained more than not in May, more than usual in June, and July we are seeing rain most every day, much of it overnight. So what does the rain bring? Grasses taller than expected, vivid greens across the landscape rather than golden grasses, and wildflowers rarely seen here and some I’ve never seen in my life. Join me on a walk to explore the beauty brought by the rain!

Spider Milkweed (Asclepias asperula)
Beauty up ahead . . .

Short but Sweet–Quarry Pass Trail

We have walked in Red Rock Canyon Open Space before, but today we are exploring a short .2 mile connector trail called Quarry Pass Trail. We are heading down Red Rock Canyon Trail for the last mile of our 4-mile morning hike. Although overcast, it is not smoky today. The huge wildfires north near Rocky Mountain National Park (oh no!) have been inundating us with smoke when winds head south. We have a nice respite today, so let’s explore the connector trail I’ve never done before. We’ll have a new adventure together!

Off We Go!

Respite from Sheltering: Ute Valley Park

I am praying you are well! Staying home even if gritting your teeth over isolation, staying safe, and even taking time to re-explore hobbies and learn new ones. Now is the time to catch up on all types of things busyness has pushed out of sight and out of mind.

Last Friday, this Monday and Tuesday, I took sunrise walks in Ute Valley Park, a 200-acre city park 2 miles from home. It has wonderful vistas, fascinating geologic formations, and lovely bird-filled meadows. Although our city mayor and governor encouraged us to be outside, staying 6 feet apart and spreading across the many parks available, Tuesday afternoon that changed. We can still enjoy all the outdoor spaces, as long as access is a SHORT WALK away. Sigh . . . Well, here is lovely Ute Valley Park which I won’t be visiting for a while. Doing the right thing is more important now, so let’s enjoy the views from earlier this week.

Continue reading “Respite from Sheltering: Ute Valley Park”