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Friday, December 19, 2014

Stopping By Houses On Way To Woods On Snowy Morn


If you have real estate lust in your hearts like we do, the above Miss December "pin-up" should be enough to quicken your pulse, initiate slow, deep breaths, and a tingling sensation that ripples up and down your spine.  If only we could look so provocative on our 118th birthday.

Lovely Ouray was dusted with another 8 inches of snow overnight; the second in a series of storms lined up in the Pacific and forecasted to feather the Mountain West with snow and bedew the Desert Southwest with rain. 

I love the way normal town noise—wheels on pavement and gravel and such—is temporarily hushed after a fresh snow. Low winter sun shines brightly, intensified with endless reflections and ricochets; acoustical perfection.

So, Bobbie and I slipped on boots and gators to see if we could post-hole our way up Oak Creek Trail, a steep, south facing serpentine that tests legs and lungs even in fair weather. A few will think that we are sadomasochistic gluttons enslaved by some geographical dominatrix with whips and chains. I believe it has more to do with child-like curiosity, the wondering of what it would be like to stand way up in the tippy-tops of a tree or on a mountain summit—or to wade knee-deep snow, through woods on a snowy morn.        





















Our hillside Mine Shack, overlooking Lovely Ouray

14 comments:

  1. I agree with you about the quietness of pretty much everything after fresh snow. We have been to Ouray in every season by now. There is NO bad time to be in Ouray You folks have it made. I know you are casually aware of that. :)

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    1. BTW, why am I not surprised that you are hiking in the snow in shorts. And another BTW, my "mole" turned out to be a "tag". It will either fall off, or be frozen off soon. May you have good news shortly as well.

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  2. There is almost nothing prettier than fresh snow and it really does bring a quietness to the world as nothing else does. I love your picturesque houses in the snow and the beautiful mountains. I have snow envy here although I think a day or two would do me. But keep posting the pictures. This is supposed to be winter after all and I'm in Florida.

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  3. That white snow really creates the deepest blue in the sky:) Love that you have shorts on, Mark!

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  4. Just curious... Why no snowshoes?

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    1. Good question, Anon…
      We know the snow would get no more than knee deep as the trail went up above town. We started from our house, however, where snow was only a 6 inches, and that would have been overkill as you don't need snowshoes for a few inches of snow. As we went up the mountain the snow did get about knee deep and yes, we could have used our snowshoes. But with gators and my big feet, we did ok and it was a lot less awkward and clunky with out the overkill of snowshoes. Now up on Red Mountain Pass…where the snow gets 6 to 20 feet deep…ya need the snowshoes or backcountry skis for sure.
      thanks
      mark

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  5. Enjoyed winter escapade in Ouray by your camera pictures- thanks - always liked that Janet Jackson song= escapade-- before your time! Happy Holidays --- oh ! have funny question for you-- Have you ever taken a cruise?? ( I mean actual cruise ship!) Walden Creek Rv steve

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  6. Good info on the snowshoes. I wish you would consider doing a gear/clothing review (i.e. trail shoes, rain gear, windbreakers, etc) at some point with emphasis on the tried-and-true, cheap or pricey, and loved or loathed. You’ve probably seen it all and used just about everything out there over the years; it would be interesting to get your input. Beth

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  7. Laverne here:

    Lovely Ouray is lovelier than ever......Thanks for sharing the great photo's....and the two of you look so good in the snow...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both..

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  8. Lovely Ouray is lovelier than ever...I think somebody just said that! What a beautiful post just in time for those of us in the desert to enjoy a white Christmas. It's pretty amazing to me...

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  9. And Merry Christmas to you and Bobbie! Ouray looks like a postcard for the holidays. I love that picture of you in the snow wearing shorts.

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  10. More beautiful pictures, as usual! Hiking in shorts?!?

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  11. I have a newer photo of "Miss December" at 119 years old, we are making her pretty again... where can I send the phto...??

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