Favorite season
a banquet for the senses
colors everywhere
Tag Archives: Fall foliage
View from the trail
Views from a nearby trail.
Taking the scenic path
Two years ago I moved from Chicago which is well known for beautiful cityscapes to the Rocky Mountains which is equally well known for its breathtaking landscapes.
Today, as I reflect upon my daughter’s wedding yesterday, the second daughter to be married this year, and my own birthday, I’m definitely thinking about what path I have chosen.
Do we choose our path, or does it choose us?
Best of 2017
Thinking about 2017, I’ve read so many best of lists – books, movies, cupcakes. I decided to choose best photo memories of my year. Wishing everyone a 2018 full of good memories.
January: full moon through the trees
February: First run of the day skiing with the sun and moon in full view.
March: Lenticular clouds resting above peaks as seen from Magnolia Rd.
April: Cloud formation that served as inspiration for my second picture book, Gustavo’s Big Idea.
May: A visit to the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium included many highlights but the best of all was the day at Keukenhof Gardens.
June: So many great hikes and amazing wildflowers this month. My favorite photo captures both of these – my friend Michelle’s beautiful dog Bhakti with columbines.
July: Southampton Writers Conference. I spent two weeks working on my craft with amazing mentors and peers who wrote children’s books, poetry, literary fiction, memoirs, and plays. I got to be a fangirl meeting many inspiring writers and made new writer friends who continue to provide love, support, and feedback.
August: Morning glory visited by a Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. Our first high altitude garden included many successes, including vegetables and flowers that served to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
September: exquisite fall colors featuring aspens juxtaposed with pines along Peak to Peak highway – a favorite spot for leaf peepers.
October: A visit to Detroit was definitely a highlight for me personally as I spent time with my daughter and her boyfriend. A fabulous weekend with amazing people.
November: sunrise from my window. Each morning, I’m reminded how lucky I am to live in this magical setting.
December: the roof of my new garage is almost complete. It’s been a long journey building it, and I’m looking forward to my car being safe and sound inside it in 2018.
A Lovely Day in the Mountains
The ever changing view at this time of year is worth stopping for. The snow at higher elevations than my 8200 feet isn’t melting.
The bluebird sky and the scent of pines greeted me as I hiked the Sourdough trail, the only hiker on a beautiful morning.
Stopping along the way to admire the vibrant yellow aspens and the breathtaking vistas that surround me.
Switzerland Trail with the hiking honeys
When you are lucky enough to live at 8000 feet, just east of the continental divide, and are gifted with a perfect fall day for a hike, you stop to admire the beauty of nature.
The juxtaposition of a bluebird sky and green-turning-to-golden aspens is not to be missed.
Today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. For me, being in nature is a religious experience. The traditional treat is apples and honey. Since my hiking group is known as ‘the hiking honeys’ and when we stopped to eat, I had an apple, I am counting today as an excellent beginning to the new year.
L’Shanah Tova
Mad Creek Trail Hike
I love hiking in the fall. The changing colors are Mother Nature at her best. Yesterday I went on the Mad Creek Trail in Steamboat Springs, CO for a lovely hike with an amazing group of Chicago women. 
We hiked to a historic barn and considered taking shelter there when the skies grew dark and threatening. 
The consensus that the storm was traveling away from us, a lack of thunder, and our desire to continue with our hike led to the decision to continue. A few raindrops amidst the sunshine was no problem and we hiked down. 
The views on the way up and on the way down were different, but both were breathtaking. 
So grateful for the opportunity to be part of their annual Colorado girls weekend and hiking a new trail.
