Winter Solstice 2010

12/20/2010, a very special winter solstice this year with a full moon and a total eclipse! Has not happened for 400 years. Wow! I love it when cool once in a lifetime stuff happens. We had a great view from here. The recent storm was in a lull. The moon was straight up in the sky.

Oh Cheeky!

Gary found this really cool cave which was actually a tunnel about 100 yards long and 50-100 feet tall. This is the entrance. Gary had not explored it when he went, and I later found it with 3 dogs and wanted to tell him how it was by exploring it myself. I was very excited.




This is Chubs standing outside the entrance, warning me.

Chubs totally warned me. He was with me the whole time (which is unusual for Chubs) and talking in a way I had never heard him before.

This is the top entrance. Fortunately I didn't climb all the way to the top.

On the way back down, there was Chubs right next to me warning me to be careful. It was dark, I could not see very well. I fell onto my knees at one point, and told Chubs, don't worry, I didn't get hurt. About 10 seconds later as I was trying to get down some rocks, when I put my foot down, it was just air, I fell and hit my cheek and my shin on a huge rock. At that point, I told Chubs, okay, now I'm hurt. I started getting dizzy, nauseated, and going into shock, but didn't want to lay down in the tunnel. I stumbled out with Buddy's and Chub's assistance. When I got outside I laid down on the ground for a couple of minutes. Chubs, the healer, sat right next to me.

I stumbled to the flowing creek and washed off the wounds (maybe not the best idea).

Then I took these pictures.

I didn't really notice the shin wound right away, just the face.


Here is the tunnel again. Really cool place, but probably very unstable. Next time when Gary went with me, I wisely stayed outside.

This happened the Thursday before Thanksgiving, and now it is the Thursday after Thanksgiving. Healing now but still very tender cheek bone. Thanksfully teeth were spared.

Happy Howl-oween!

Halloween 2010

Halloween Costumes

I just ordered Halloween costume, pictures later.

Gun talk

Reading my sister's blog just jogged my memory of something that happened the other day while on a walk with 2 of our dogs, Chubs and Jasmine. We were walking around the local neighborhoods, so the dogs were on a leash. We came upon an older man s-l-o-w-l-y walking his dog on the other side of the street in the same direction as we were. I decided to step it up and jog past him. My dogs momentarily made a little noise and a pull in the direction of the dog across the street, which was promptly corrected. The older gentleman walking his dog was apparently on the phone. This is what I heard him say as I went by, "that is why I always carry a gun while walking my dog in case some other dog comes up to my dog, I will shoot 'em." Huh? You wouldn't even think to avert or do something else, like tell the dog to shoo? You would deprive this dog of the rest of its life and perhaps the owners life and joy with the dog? Some dogs when they first meet another dog do something like posturing, but it does not mean they intend to attack. It reminds me of stories lately I've heard of cops killing dogs when a cop approaches a residence and the dog comes out barking and approaching, just doing his job. Ach!

Hiking with the pack up Cottonwood creek near Delta

I enjoy hiking with the dogs so much. They exhibit unabashed absolute joy in being able to be out hiking. Really they make the best out of every situation, but they love to get out! And getting out really helps me to get grounded and balanced. Love the beautiful place we live, so many options. I am so blessed!

I love Fall!

Grand Mesa from Wild Rose.
Kannah Creek trail.

Yellow and White.

Brilliant!

Leaves.

Below Wild Rose.

Berries.

Taking pictures of haberdashing aspens on Wild Rose Trail on Grand Mesa.

Sun and Moon

This fall has totally been an "Indian" summer. As we say, there is "no weather." A few storms have come through but come and go quickly and back to "Indian" summer.
A "no weather" sunset, common this fall.

Full moon and Jupiter, the closest Jupiter has been to earth in 50 years.

Aspens haberdashing.

Wild mountain apples

Wild mountain apples from Kannah Creek.

Beautiful Divide Road on the Uncompaghre Plateau

A beautiful drive...would be more crowded except that it is still a dirt road.

Black Pine reservoir

I was looking forward to finding Black Pine reservoir, a new hike that I did on my own with Jazzy and Chubs. It was about a 3-mile hike to get there and with a few turns.
Jazzy marks the signpost.

I think we found it.
Chubs looks out, so handsome.

I wanted to explore the other side...

But see the brown spots on the other side?

Cows...disappointment, Jazzy and Chubs must be leashed or they will chase. Those cows have it made (at least for now), such a nice location. I just have to accept that cows in the mountains in the summer and Colorado go together, oh well.

Camping 010

We camped this year throughout a couple of weeks at the same spot we did last year. It is close to a reservoir and there is running water nearby, and is off the main road. Great stress reduction, getting back to earth.

Jazzy romps.

Thunder buster ahead.

I love campfire, could stare at it for hours, moving, breathing, changing, oh, and burning.

Hard at work.

A dam built by Gary.

Dam remains on face.

Although I don't usually condone writing on trees, I like to think maybe these writings were made by parties of Dominguez or Escalante as they came through these parts centuries ago.

Birthday pics

Although the lead up to the birthday was difficult, it was still a very fun day. We also went river rafting on my birthday, but didn't get pictures of that. Haven't figured out how to bring a camera on the river without getting it wet.

Birthday cake made by a good friend.

One of my favorite pasttimes.
Reflections on life.