April 17

Warm and cozy by the fire, but feeling a little sad for the birds, chipmunks, deer, foxes, coyotes, elk, bears and everyone else outdoors who through spring had arrived. 

A Wild(life) Weekend

Saturday began with John on the roof, re-caulking the windows to stop the wicked winds from blowing in dust and dirt. It was one of those gorgeous blue Colorado skies that can't be beat.

After lunch, we drove east toward the Continental Divide, discovering how much snow remains in the higher elevations. Nonetheless, we persisted and took a hike through the snow fields to see North Clear Creek Falls. Fall we did in the deep snow. :) Tons of fun!

We also saw a beautiful red fox in the snow. Pix to come, as they're on John's camera.

On Sunday, a trip for groceries and pizza rewarded us with another wildlife surprise: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, the largest wild sheep in North America. They didn't seem to mind at all that we stopped to photograph them; in fact, they seemed pretty bored with the paparazzi. By the way, the reason that the these sheep aren't very large and their horns don't appear very big is because these are ewes, whose horns are much smaller and curve only slightly compared to the bigger rams.

Later in the day, I finished my latest drawings. 

All said, not a bad two days. Ten more until our second vaccine. Stay safe out there!

San Luis, Colorado

As part of Passion Week between Passover and Easter this year, we drove to San Luis, Colorado, to hike a mountain path that commemorates the stations of the cross (Jesus' final journey) and ends at a small but majestic chapel upon a hill.  

The skies were as blue as could be, with the snowy San Luis Mountains on the horizon. 

The bronze statues along the path are perfectly placed on the desert-like hillside among mature pinon pines. Huberto Maestas, a local sculptor, created all of them to portray deep emotion. Following them up the hill was like immersing oneself in a live drama. You could really feel the burden and weight of the cross that we all bear on our own journey.

The views from the summit are spectacular.

The chapel is stucco and wood, sparse yet filled with holy energy. Services are held in English and Spanish for local resident and visitors.

Also part of San Luis are dozens of statues commemorating Catholic cleric martyrs who died at the hands of the Mexican government. This statue of Jesus, like many of the others, is adorned with prayer beads.