Respite from Sheltering: Ute Valley Park

Posted on by Joy

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.

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COVID Respite–Enjoying New Hampshire Waterfalls

Posted on by Joy

Hello friend! Hope you are well and holding up. It is so different deciding to put your feet up at home enjoying some solitude vs. being told you have no choice. Certainly helping me get over the don’t-tell-me-what-to-do childish attitude which I hate to admit. How are you doing?

I thought I’d share some of the beautiful waterfalls in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The trip was last May after a severe, long-lasting winter. As spring rolled in, the rain continued but we had a few beautiful days. So while you are sitting down, wishing you could be doing something else, rest your mind and come along with me.

Silver Cascade1
Silver Cascade, Crawford Notch State Park

Just enjoy . . .

Winter Wonderland–Colorado Springs Style

Posted on by Joy
North entrance walkway

The forecast was for a few inches of snow Sunday night, but when I peeked outside about 8pm, huge snowflakes were falling and everything was covered. What would the morning bring?

Heavy, wet snow clinging to everything, not a breath of wind, 20 degree temperatures. This means a trip to Garden of the Gods. A beautiful winter wonderland–Colorado Springs style!

Watch your step!

Meandering in Search of Vermont Waterfalls

Posted on by Joy

When you see water running down every hillside along the road, you know Vermont’s waterfalls will be glorious. This small waterfall was flowing down the hill next to our first hike’s parking area. The drop was only about 12 feet, but what a lovely start to our adventures. The winter saw heavy snow, rain has been falling for days at a time, and spring is about three weeks late. Even now, the end of May, we need both raincoats and heavier outerwear. For spectacular waterfalls, who could ask for more than spring snowmelt and continual rain. So grab your raincoat and mittens–let’t go!

Skip the umbrella, we’ll be bushwacking today!