Life on the High Plains

At the beginning of May I challenged myself to post 30 times in 30 days.  Well, I did it (I'm actually doing 31 posts in 31 days). During the month I acquired someone who comments regularly.  Thanks Mary! Our country is hurting right now.  As if the Covid pandemic wasn't enough, we now have protests over the racial injustice that African American men face everyday in this country.  Our country lacks leadership right now.  The person in the White House would rather flame the outrage than work to find common ground and unity. All I can say is I hope everyone gets out to vote in November.  I also hope that when our country gets back to "normal" that every person who fills a stadium will kneel in peaceful protest. I leave you with my irises that bloomed last week. A little bit of beauty in a world that needs some beauty right now. Bring on June!

I got my official notification a couple days ago.  I'll be headed up to Yellowstone in a week (this time it's for real).  Every employee in Yellowstone this summer has to have a private bedroom and their own bathroom.  In the event that someone comes down with the Covid they will have a place to isolate themselves.  As you might imagine, this is causing a severe housing shortage.  Those of us who bring our own house along are getting to arrive a little sooner than others. Anyway, I should have been packing the trailer, but instead I decided to do some sewing. The sewing machine came out of mothballs for the many face masks I've sewn recently.  Now to tackle a bigger project.  At last year's Deed of Arms Irv had to wear Mr. Beans' outfit.  Let's just say it was not a pretty sight. I started with the shirt.  Irv serves as Mr. Bean's squire during battle.  He can only wear simple clothing, typically a white shirt and black pants. Today I go...

We haven't seen a hummingbird in weeks, but Irv faithfully refills the feeders each week in hopes they'll show up. Yesterday we started getting visits by this guy...actually there are a few of them.  My first thought was that it is a Western Tanager, but the head isn't quite right. A couple years ago I gave Irv this bird spotting book.  It's been on the shelf since the day after that Christmas so I've now claimed it a my own.   Anyway, after scouring through the book we decide it is a Bullock's Oriole. They can be found in the western Great Plains to the Pacific Coast.  They apparently like hanging out in treetops, along rivers, and lowland woods.  I assume they're just passing through our place. Anybody out there know if we've correctly identified him? I guess if we can't have hummingbirds we can at least enjoy this beauty.

Last weekend we ventured into the Colorado high country. The weather was cold and damp, but we managed to get in a three mile hike around Lake Isabel. Lake Isabel is a small reservoir that sits at 9,200 feet in the San Isabel National Forest near Rye, Colorado. The aspen trees were just starting to get their leaves.  A beautiful place! Linking with Skywatch Friday

Our campsite last weekend was about 5 minutes from the site of Bishop's Castle.  This structure is quite well known in Colorado.  This castle has been in the works for 60 years. A little of its history...Jim Bishop purchased this land in 1959 at the age of 15.  In 1969 Jim decided to start building a family cabin on the site.  His wife died a couple years back.  Many years ago their young son was killed nearby when a tree fell on him while Jim was harvesting timber for the structure. People kept telling Jim his creation looked like a castle so he took that idea and ran with it. He's been working on it ever since.  Above is the steepest set of stairs I've ever seen. There is no entry fee to see the castle.  However, you do have to read a sign before entry that says you're responsible for your own safety, you understand the risks, it's an active worksite, you may be exposed to profanity, you may see anti-government signs that are allowed by the 1st amend...

We just got home from a few days in Colorado's high country.  It felt good to get away for a few days in a safe way that easily conformed to social distancing and Colorado's Safer at Home guidelines. We camped at 9,200 feet in the San Isabel National Forest.  All federal campgrounds are still closed, but we found a private campground that was wonderful.  The aspen trees were just leafing out and have the most beautiful green color.  There's something about a grove of aspen trees that is good for the soul. The weather could definitely have been better.  It was chilly and damp, but we did manage to get one hike in before the rain, graupel and snow arrived. We hiked all the way around San Isabel Lake.  It's a small lake so it was only about 3 miles.  In the above photo Maisy is jumping across a water obstacle that she described as a roaring river. When we arrived on Saturday evening the campground was packed.  Irv did an amazing job backing our breas...

Earlier this week Irv and I decided we needed a camping trip.  We spent hours trying to find an available campsite.  I'm picky, I don't want any old campsite...I want one with trees and mountains.  On Wednesday we finally secured a site.  Woohoo! Then Thursday rolled around and NPS notified me that I was expected to start work in Yellowstone on Sunday.  Yes, this Sunday.  They gave me three days notice. Everything jumped into high gear.  Irv trying to get days off of work to drive up there with me.  Me loading the trailer with everything I'll need for the next five months.  Luckily, I'm a list maker so I've been adding to my list for the last several months to make sure I don't forget anything. Then last Friday afternoon I get a call from my supervisor saying they notified me in error.  I'm scheduled to be part of the phase II opening and that date is still undermined.' Whew!  Now we can just go enjoy our camping trip and the RV is ...

Mary and I decided to start the weekend off by supporting our local merchants.  We headed over to Manitou Springs which is the touristy town just west of Colorado Springs. I met Mary at her house.  She has the most beautiful little garden out front.  I'm jealous! This is why I love Colorado.  Most of us believe in science.  When scientists and epidemiologists tell you to wear a mask to protect yourself and others, we listen.  The shops required masks and only allowed a few visitors in the shop at a time.  Several even had hand washing stations outside and required hand washing before entering the store.  Kudos to them! We really didn't have to worry about social distancing because the streets were bare.  Normally this place would be packed with summer visitors. Mary was a happy camper, she found her boho light switch covers in this store. Don't I have a beautiful daughter?  Even with the face mask she is breathtaking.  Speaking of t...

Hey, look everyone...the trees on the high plains of Colorado are beginning to have leaves! Hard to see, but there's some green on those lower limbs. This guy also has some leaves on a couple of the lower limbs.  I'm trying to have faith that the upper part of the tree will still leaf out.  There's a robin's nest way up there. The birch tree in the front yard looks much better.  The willow in the background doesn't have a single leaf...maybe it didn't survive the winter. Most exciting are the irises which are about to blossom.  I know for many of you that your irises bloomed a month or two ago.  Here in the high country things take longer. The weeds are in full bloom and this particular one is very pretty so I'm leaving it. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

The loss of time during this pandemic made me almost miss Jillian's and Brian's 9 year anniversary. The bride was glowing that day.  Her dad was the most handsome man there. We had a great time celebrating with family and friends.  An open bar may have had something to do with the big smiles on the bride and groom above.  This is one of my favorite shots of the night.  These two are some of my favorite people. Happy Anniversary you two!

Stunning views of Pikes Peak taken from the Garden of the Gods earlier this week. Everything is starting to turn green. Not much snow left on top of the Peak.  Maybe spring has finally arrived. This truly is God's country! Linking with Skywatch Friday!

Last week I told you I'd finish my first plein air painting this week and I'm glad to report that I did! (It's very hard getting a good photo of a painting especially when the paint is wet.  It picks up any reflection of light so I apologize for the poor image.)   I'm very happy with it.  Now to name it.  It's the Lakeshore Trail in the Tetons so maybe I'll name it "Lakeshore Trail".  That's how creative I am.  Anybody out there have any suggestions? So I've made it to day 20 of my 30 day challenge of 30 posts in 30 days.  So far two new family members have actually commented on my May posts.  I guess I should consider that an accomplishment. Ten days to go!

To get out of the house today we ventured to my favorite park in Colorado Springs--The Garden of the Gods. This little cutie almost ran out in front of the car, but then changed his mind and just posed for a photo on the side of the road.  We saw four deer today, two in the park and two alongside the road. Can someone please tell me how these trees grown on the rocks? It was a very warm day by Colorado standards anyway...about 82 degrees.   As usual, not a lot of people on the trail we normally go on. I've always seen evidence of horses on the trail, but this is the first time we actually passed one.  I'm not sure I'd ever trust either of our horses to go on this rocky trail. If you hike with me you have to be very patient about the number of times I stop to take photos.   There was a picnic once we reached my favorite spot on the trail.  It has fantastic views and great rocks to sit on. Maisy got a picnic break too and actually drank some water (she h...