Sunday, January 30, 2011

JANUARY CONTINUES IN THE MOUNTAINS

January continued in Crested Butte with some very cold weather. Driving to the gym early one morning when the thermometer hit minus 35 degrees. The air was colder than the snow on the ground or the ice on the river causing a lot of fog.

As the sun rose it appeared dimly through the mist,

Barely illuminating the snow covered trees.

Even as the day wore one, gray and white were the predominate colors.

However, thing change frequently in the mountains, and a beautiful sunrise on a later day signaled some beautiful days to come.

While shoveling snow from our deck I witnessed the plow removing the latest snowfall from the half pipe on the slope nearest us.

And across the street the cross-country tracks were being relaid.

I became fascinated by the shadows the sun made on the yet to be shoveled snow as it came through the railing.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR

With the new year came cold weather and a visit from our California son, Keith and grandson Chris, now a Jurior at Northern Arizona U.

We were treated with this beautiful sunrise reflecting off the mountains.

Three generations of Vennels bundled up for some skiing on a very cold day (-35 in town in the morning). (L to R) Grandson, Chris; Keith; my Husband, Chuck; Son, Scott

Chris at "the top of the world" almost, Crested Butte style.

Scott ready to head down on his snowboard.

Crested Butte mountain on a beautiful morning.

Friday, January 28, 2011

FINALLY BACK TO MY BLOG IN COLORADO

We arrived back in the mountains in early December this year just in time for the first big snows. The weather was unseasonable warm and the snows were heavy, and beautiful, making a good base for the ski area.

The lamp post were decorated and soon capped with a white crown.

The bikes were temporarily idle while the snow came down,

And the trees were burdened with the heavy snow,

Causing a lot of broken limbs in town, and therefore a lot of clean-up to be done.

Back at our house the evergreens periodically shook their branches to free themselves of the heavy burden.

Snow piled high on the bird feeder and the railings of the deck.

As the first bit of blue sky re-appeared we could see the work that lay ahead of us.

But when the sunshine finally came back out and the temperatures dropped under a clear sky, we were again presented with our winter fairyland.