February 14, 2016 - Part 1

We picked Jed up from camp this afternoon.  

It didn't look quite so magical in the daylight, 

but it was nice to get a better look at the cabins, 

especially since they are so beautiful.

The drive back home was stunning.  

On Friday we drove through Denver to Colorado Springs to check into our hotel first, 

then took Jed to camp in Woodland Park.  

Today we drove back roads from Woodland Park to Golden, 

so not only did we miss all the traffic, 

we were rewarded with winding roads and mountain vistas the entire 2 hour drive.

February 13, 2016 - Part 3

On our way back to town, we passed the most beautiful roadside attractions I've ever seen.

February 13, 2016 - Part 2

I have to confess, I'm not much for the typical dessert landscape.

I know people love the Grand Canyon, but I've never been very interested in seeing it.

I love trees...those rocky vistas seem too barren.

So I was shocked by how much I loved Garden of the Gods, because it's basically just a bunch of big rocks.

But oh, what rocks!!

There are people on top of this rock...click on the picture to make it larger so you can see them.

February 13, 2016 - Part 1

Tracy and I spent a beautiful day at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

We started at the museum, reading about the geological features we were about to see.

I thought this view of the flags with the sun shining through them was going to be the best thing I saw today.

I was so wrong.

But first, the museum...

Colorado has the highest peak in the contiguous states.

Here's a fun fact: guess which state has had the highest amount of snowfall in 24 hours?

You can find out here.

If the suspense is killing you, you can skip to the last page and find the winner here.

Pikes Peak is in Colorado Springs...the history of it is really interesting.

You can read about it here.

I thought this bit of information about the writing of America the Beautiful was especially interesting.

What we were liable to see on the trail.

What we wanted to see on the trail.

February 12, 2016

Jed attended a weekend Snowball Camp in Woodland Park, Colorado.

I was already pretty excited before we got there, for several reasons - 

1.  it was Jed's first time at camp

2.  I love camp

3.  Tracy and I were spending the weekend in nearby Colorado Springs

4.  alone

But even with all that, I was blown away when we got there and saw how beautiful this place is

and how wintery-fun it was, all lit up.

These pictures do not do it justice...it was magical.

Or maybe I was just giddy about the whole thing.  :)

February 11, 2016

We had to take the Christmas tree down prematurely because it was a fire hazard, 

but the empty, dark space it left behind made me so sad 

until I found these glass blocks and filled them with tree lights.   

Now I can enjoy Christmas lights all year long.

February 9, 2016

One of Jed's more interesting snowmen.  

Jenny J, did you notice that Jed swiped the hat you made?  

I made sure he understood the seriousness of that infraction.  :)  

We're going to Goodwill to get winter wear for future snowpeople.

February 4, 2016

See the little bird? 
He and his friends were perched in the tree outside Jed's bedroom window.
Jed hollered for me to come see the tree alive with birds,
but by the time I got upstairs with the camera
this little guy was the only one left.

The wind here is wicked,
and it blows interesting patterns in the snow on the neighbor's roof.

Snow on our bedroom balcony. 
This is where I measured the snow yesterday.

February 3, 2016

The sun was out today and everything was sparkling...

...including the icicles hanging from the soffit 

We got almost 17" of snow!

February 2, 2016

It started snowing Sunday night and snowed pretty continuously until Tuesday at lunchtime.  

Woo-hoo!!  :)