The gale blew itself out overnight. In its wake comes the gentle pitter pat of raindrops on rooftops; it settles the dust and scrubs Lovely Ouray clean like a fresh coat of paint. Out the Imax, clouds swing low in veils, masking, except for a few teasing apertures, our steep surround of mountains. Steam rises vertically from the Hot Springs Pool. Golden leaves glisten with moisture and are still for the first time in days. Bobbie steps out onto the deck to gauge temperature—arms wrapped protectively against her chest, breath floating off to join the clouds. "Forty something," she guesses.Yesterday's demons have been purged, and all is well in The Crevice once again.
Final batch of photos from Ice Lakes. Enjoy with coffee and danish, and have a good weekend where ever you are...
mark
 |
| Glenn and Marathon Man Leonard |
 |
| Martha checks the map to get a fix on our position...It doesn't seem to matter to Tim :) |
 |
| Gore Tex hiking boots are over-rated and overpriced. Tho my feet are wet in these lightweight, inexpensive running shoes, wool socks keep them warm |
 |
| Bobbie starts the long trek down...different muscles are required for the descent |
 |
| Glenn tests both fate and the traction of his new hiking shoes by walking out on this slanted-to-the-abyss ledge... |
 |
| Avalanches from the above cliffs reach terminal velocity in this chute, keeping trees pretty much mowed to the ground. I wouldn't want to be crossing here during winter, but some do... |
 |
| Having worked up an appetite, we descend en mass to the Bear Cafe in Silverton...growing quiet after the last tourist train's retreat to Durango. |
Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys...and thanks for swinging by the BCB and commenting :)
DeleteYour really live in some beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Mountains in the summer, deserts in the winter...and occasionally (soon) an RV by the sea...
DeleteBeautiful pics, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure guys :)
Deletelove the shot of retreating bobbie...
ReplyDelete"Retreating Bobbie;" sounds like a book title too.
DeleteDidn't that snow just melt the other day!? Haha! You sure have a short season at the altitude. But that white fluff sure does make for magnificent photos:)
ReplyDeleteI can't remember if I told you how perfect that header photo is but I love it!
More snow overnight, too. I think our mountains will stay white-capped through winter now. The Header photo is from last fall, heading over Grand Mesa out of Cedaredge. It's a leaf peeper's delight for sure.
Deletesooooo beautiful it gets hard to comment when it's always so beautiful... just want to say how much I enjoy your hikes and pictures ;)
ReplyDeleteI know...but commenting fuels the BCB with motivation. More begets more :)) Thanks for taking the time to show your appreciation, Carolyn. And keep on keeping on righting the world with your opinions on your blog. :)
DeleteAwww..Shoot..We have rain here..Seattle is sposed to get 3-4" tomorrow..And the forcast is for up to 9" of rain in the mountains where I live....Hope they are wrong..I do have a 10' boat..Don't think "Lucy" the winnebago will fit
ReplyDeleteEnjoy...I think "S" is coming to you guys too.
David
Sounds like it's time to get in the RV and head DownRiver, David :)
DeleteMark- I would think one week of the white stuff would be plenty- Nice pictures as usual- Excellence is expected from you-- looking forward to hearing about the good times with Goldie down the road- enjoy- Walden Creek rv steve
ReplyDeleteWalden Steve,
DeleteDeparture day is dangerously close, my friend. You need to unchain that motorhome and winter in the Sonoran Desert someday :) Too much of that Florida white sand will make you go blind.
Gorgeous, but too cold looking for this thin blood.
ReplyDeleteI bet it gets plenty cold on the Rim of the Grand Canyon too. :)
Deletemark
I would like to inquire as to when the 2014 BCB School of Photography courses begin? I would like to schedule the one at Ice Lake, please. (Now where can I store that stairmaster in my Winnie???)
ReplyDeleteMonday, July 14th, 8 AM sharp. Meet at Mouse's Chocolates for a breakfast of Scrap Cookies and Coffee. Bring your boots, a hiking pole, tripod, and camera.
ReplyDeleteBut why wait till then? There is this place call Zion...and Fall is lovely there :)
mark
More excellent photos of yet another awesome hike.
ReplyDeleteThanks Geo. :)
DeleteZion in the fall... and gol DANG it! This year WE has to race from piling beets in Montana to hauling drunk rednecks in phoenix... who organ-ized this Itinur-ary anyhoo!
ReplyDeleteCowBoy Brian,
DeleteWe've been doing Zion in November for years! It can't be beat...as you know from a couple of years back. I still can't believe you hiked The Narrows all the way to Wall Street in that ice water :). I never did get the feeling back in a couple toes after that...but it was worth the pain. Maybe we'll catch up in Arid-zona later. Don't work too hard at the beet factory and hauling drunks to the race track. We must all do our "time" till the Lotto win...
mark
What can I say, a guy bright enough to rope a Skidsteer job at the beet harvest is smart 'nuff to wiggle into a set of those waders to go up the narrows! :) But I admit, a lot of people underestimate the stubbornness of an army cripple ;)
DeleteWhat can I say, a guy bright enough to rope a Skidsteer job at the beet harvest is smart 'nuff to wiggle into a set of those waders to go up the narrows! :) But I admit, a lot of people underestimate the stubbornness of an army cripple ;)
Delete