Mountain Hike

Mike and went on a two hour mountain hike yesterday. Last week end we watched Everest, but I don't think that inspired us. Nope, that movie was about people risking their lives and the lives of others for no good reason.  Our hike didn't seem too risky, although there are bears and mountain lions up there.  Still, we were on a well traveled path so the risk was very, very low.

Anyway, It was a beautiful Fall day. Almost perfect, in fact.

Right away we had company.

I like this walk through rock. It's pretty cool inside!

I admired these little ferns that seem really, really determined to live. 

I told you is was pretty cool inside there!

I like rock. Doesn't everyone?  Really, there is a lot of beauty in most rocks.

I like sunshine, too.  I really like sunshine on rocks.

There were many places where we could look down to see how high we'd already hiked.  It made me feel pretty much like a jock.  Well, if most jocks huff and puff and hear their pulse pounding in their brains.

But the beauty up there was worth the effort!

Another beautiful vista.

I thought of my sister a lot as we hiked.  My sister can't walk and I sometimes feel guilty when I get to have these sorts of adventures. Then, I feel guilty when I don't use my legs as much as I could/should, knowing how much she would love to go on just one hike.  Just one.

Then, I feel guilty about feeling guilty.

So, I take lots of photos.  Tina, I hope you can kind of get the feel of a Fall day on the mountain.

Isn't that tree just stunning?

And I like water.  Sunshine. Rocks. Water.  Perfection.

More gold.

Gratitude. 

Two Years Later

Do you remember the big fire we had here, one we could see from our town? Actually, we've had two in the 10 years we've lived here but I'm referring to the one that was occurring two years ago this week. Click here to remind yourself about it.  Here's one of the photos I took right from town.

I just wanted to show you the photo I took Saturday from the back side of that mountain you see in the fire photo. You can see it is all burned. It will be years before there are any big trees there. The side of the mountain we can see from town is not as completely burned as is the backside. I hadn't realized how complete the burn had been on the that side until I saw this view. 

Mountain Photos

My photos seem inadequate for showing you how very beautiful the mountains were when we were there Saturday. We were with good friends, had great weather...couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

I wish I could share the smell of it as well!  Yes, there was a beautiful mountain smell but as we were hiking along a stream I kept smelling a new smell. It was very, very strong but it wasn't unpleasant. When I finally mentioned it, one of the men told me it was from the Elk. We'd seen a place where elk left their tracks and where they'd bedded down. I guess they were leaving their scent for us as well.

I'd never ridden in a vehicle like this.

Our friend, Mary

Our friend, Jim

I love watching hawks as they soar above.

Do you know what you are seeing here?

Now?

Mike by the shell of a burned out tree.

Do you suppose it was hit by lightening?

Aaaaah, I just wanted to soak in the day.

 Mike and our friends, Bob and Jim...

Men talking about manly stuff.

 Simple Beauty

There were a lot of ponderosa pine.

Even as they end their life cycle, there is beauty.

It was so peaceful.

This flower is definitely past its prime, but still caught my attention.

We did a lot of hiking.

We could have done a lot more hiking.

There was a spring that bubbled up and made a little stream.

I wasn't the only one taking photos.

Celia

I really, really like this photo of Mike.

 Ponderosa Pine

Jim and Mary followed in their own Razor.

Yep, about two more weeks and the aspen will be breathtaking.

We think that was a turkey vulture up there.

Sometimes we'd come out of the thick trees 

to see a beautiful expanse of prairie. 

Don't you wish you were there?

The trees were sooooooo thick!

 Can you see the sage hen there?

Or is it called a prairie chicken?

 There were so many different kinds of trees up there.

Our friend, Celia

You'll be surprised to know that I took an over abundance of photos.

More tomorrow!

Wyoming in the Spotlight

Last night, a little after 7:00 p.m., I glanced out the window and everything looked kind of lit up. I went out on the deck and could see that it was raining, but in between the rain clouds there was bright sunshine peeking through. It was hitting the tops of the trees about a block over. These photos don't really do it justice but you can kind of see how they were being spotlighted.

Then, I looked to one side and I saw part of a rainbow through the trees. Can you see it? It wasn't there very long but it was just so unexpected. Remember, we were buried in snow earlier this week. It was like a gift and it seemed to color the whole sky.

When I looked the other direction I was treated with beautiful lighting on the mountain. It was so bright and crisp! Moments after I took this photo the clouds moved and the scene dulled. I felt so grateful for that I'd walked out onto our deck, in the rain, at just the right time to enjoy show.

"For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land." (Psalm 95:3-5)

Fire on the Mountain

Well, I've no more neighborhood fires to report but last evening, standing out on my deck, I was looking at this cloud.  I had kind of a dirty look.  That wouldn't be strange on a stormy day but yesterday was a clear day.

I moved to get a different view and then I knew; there's fire on the mountain!

I went for a little drive and took this photo.

We had a fire on our mountain a few years ago.  It was close enough to drop ashes in our yard and we could see the flames from our home.  This one is further away and the wind is not likely to bring it anywhere near us.  There are homes and cabins up there, though. 

Once again, I am so grateful to those who fight fire!  The slurry bombers were already at work.  The helicopter was making drops as well.  Again, just so grateful.