In the Now

A beautiful, sunny morning off during rehearsal month calls for a hike "up and over," as the locals call it. You can see why this is a favorite trail.

The views are only surpassed by...

 More and more beauty...

On the earth and in the sky...

And on the way back into town, the ice skating warming shack near the tiny Creede pond reminds everyone that, despite the wildflowers and fields of green, winter is always just around the corner.

And water is central to life for all things.

Happy end-of-summer! Enjoy every day of it while it lasts.

Water Water Everywhere

We've had so much beautiful water here in Creede this year, from snow melt to thunderstorms to rushing streams and rivers. 

When the sun comes out, we're eager to hike, but water is never far away and picnicking riverside is the best!

Of course, sometimes water also turns to wine, here with John and Matt McCarren.

Flowers!

We've had a lot of rain and snowmelt this year, making Creede incredibly green and beautiful. Here are a few recent pix.

John is camouflaged among the greenery and aspen trees. 

Aspen regrowth in an area scorched by wildfire.

The wildflower bloom is colorful and plentiful.

 

This giant bloom looks like a succulent, but it's not. Anyone know its name?

The hills are alive with color...

 

...and the streams are full.

Although most mornings are sunny, thunderheads roll in nearly every day in what locals call "the monsoon season."

On the "up and over" trail above Creede, the forested hillside is covered in moss.

Even our cabin is decked out in flowers, thanks to Patty K., whose plants we're tending while she's on vacation. Who needs a vacation from Creede when it's this beautiful?

Creede Colorado 4th of July Parade

Chicago miscellania

Made a quick trip to Chicago to visit Charlotte and Hannah. 

Our stay at the Lincoln Hotel offered a beautiful view of the sunrise over Lake Michigan.

I took daily walks through Lincoln Park to see the Chicago skyline.

Also visited the Lincoln Park Zoo, where I sat with the silverbacks...

chimpanzees...

and a polar bear, who was not particularly happy with the warm summer weather.

Finally, here's Hannah doing her best to be supportive of Charlotte, 

who was recovering from surgery and needed to take lots of naps. 

All in all, a good visit and a relaxing few days with the ones I love most.