Barbed Wire - June 8, 2007

Both the saving grace and the scourge of the west, barbed wire in its many forms has become a tool and and a hindrance for the modern rancher and farmer.

Mule Deer Doe - June 7, 2007

So called because of the big, BIG ears. As you can see, she uses them to get a handle on the world around her.

White Water - June 6, 2007

As the snowmelt continues in the mountains, the water levels rise in the Arkansas River - a favorite time of year for the adventure-seeking rafters around here. Rafting is regulated - the numbers of rafts on the river at any given time is controlled, and rafting is not allowed when the water levels reach a certain depth or cubic feet per inch of force. It's just too dangerous when the river runs too high or too fast. We've already lost one rafter this year in the very rough waters through the Royal Gorge. This is a close up of the one of the not-so-spectacular rapids. I will go back to this spot later in the season (or maybe this weekend) and see if I can catch some rafts going over the spot. My daughter used to be a rafting guide and I was always afraid something would happen to her. It's probably a good thing she didn't tell me about every "adventure".

New Growth - June 5, 2007

I'm still practicing with macros. This is a new aspen leaf backlit by evening sun.

Pine Cone Macro - June 4, 2007

I've been experimenting a little bit with macro. I'm not good at it yet, but was pleased with how this one turned out.

The Meadow - June 3, 2007

These are some images of the meadow my daughter discovered and is considering as the site for her wedding next May. It's not far from her home and sits about 8,000 feet in altitude. While we were looking around, a cow elk and her calf popped out from the trees and trotted across the meadow before disappearing into another group of trees. It would be a beautiful site for a wedding.

Independence Pass - June 2, 2007

We drove over Independence Pass (it's only been open a couple of weeks) to visit my daughter in Glenwood Springs. It's a beautiful view and it was interesting to see so much snow so late in the season. The road, however, was quite clear, and although narrow in places and quite twisty, it was a gorgeous drive. The pass goes over the mountains from Twin Lakes, above Buena Vista and drops down into Aspen. Aspen is truly a different world. It's been said that the millionaires are moving out of Aspen to Basalt and that the billionaires are moving into Aspen. It's pretty, but I'll take Glenwood Springs any day of the week.

Got Dirt? June 1, 2007

It's been quite a while since I posted, so it will be interesting to see if I remember how. This year has been quite a wild ride. As you know, I was ill early on and then my husband had a serious medical emergency. Since then we have had other challenges.... my youngest son's car was stolen and has not been recovered. I was worried sick about him, as he lives in Phoenix and was riding his bicycle to and from work - 4 miles at night - in a part of Phoenix which is known for gang activity and has endured quite a few murders in the last year or so. They think they have the serial killer who was targeting bicycle riders; however, that is small comfort for a mom who is 1000 miles away. He has another vehicle now, and I am resting easier. My older son graduated from colleges with his Master's degree a few weeks ago, and is now engaged in a full fledged search for employment, and my oldest daughter has had a serious cancer scare. The biopsy was thankfully negative, but we are still looking at some surgery for her.

So, my hair is grayer and my blood pressure is higher, but we are still all together and plugging along.

I thought you might like to see how Chaco has grown. She is still quite puppyish as she is not yet a year old, and she still likes to taste everything - including dirt. She was quite proud of her oh so gritty tongue. We are trying to get our garden going and she is "helping".