Now that winter is winding down in the Colorado mountains, I am finally getting back to my blog. It has been another dry winter with way below our normal snow fall. Blue Mesa which collects the water from the streams and snow run-off was the lowest last summer I have seen it since we moved to Crested Butte 17 years ago. I hate to see it this summer!!
However we have had some beautiful sunsets and sunrises when the bright orange and red clouds reflecting the sun's rays, turned the landscape purple.
And some mornings when a passing snowstorm left the ground and trees newly covered with a fresh blanket of white.
The snowplows out early left interesting patterns on the snow banks on the side of the road.
And our winter visitors stopped by when they were hungry.
Our visiting foxes still arrived looking for a handout when they were hungry.
The town of Crested Butte geared up for one of the main mid-winter skiing attractions , "The Alley Loop". Part of the American Ski Marathon Series and an American Birkebeiner qualifying race, the Alley Loop is also Crested Butte’s largest costume party and biggest Nordic event of the year. The Alley Loop’s unique course starts and finishes in the heart of downtown Crested Butte at Second and Elk. In between it meanders through snow-lined alleys, behind false-fronted stores and restaurants, over footbridges and alongside residences. The adult races, longer than 5k, head out to the expertly groomed Nordic trails on the pristine outskirts of Crested Butte. The 5k has a NEW route which stays in town and no longer tackles that big hill! In addition to the fun races for all ages and abilities, the event also features a Friday night pub-ski crawl, Saturday Taste of the Alley and New Belgium Beer Garden, and an awards ceremony with great prizes and a raffle.
At the start of some of the races there was a variety of costumes, including one hardy sole with bare legs.
One of my favorites was this team of 5 gnomes with the slogan "there is no place like gnomes".
Costumes are a big part of Winter in Crested Butte. Mardi Gras his year was February 9th, and started off with this Butte Beauties Party!!
Followed a few days later with the 4th annual "Cuatra Amigos" Birthday Bash.
There is little "Down Time" in this ski town
