Some Winter Weekend Fun

I find that getting out is as much of a need to sustain myself as is air, water, shelter. It truly is what keeps me sane. Luckily the people in my life agree. We got out for the entire day Sunday and it was awesome!

Tired dogs also agree the BC is the best place to be!

Red Dog

Avery, a smooth coat, came to visit us for the weekend. As you can see, he's quite happy to be here.

In Support of the Cloud Foundation

This controversial topic has saddened, irritated me since I was a wild little four year old girl with the nickname "Trouble". Here I am many years later still bothered by these images and the thought of what these animals go through during and after these BLM Roundups.I have been a supporter of the Cloud Foundation for many years.  Please visit The Cloud Foundation to learn more.

 

Calico Roundup Continues

  To date at least 22 horses (mares, foals and stallions) have died in this massive wintertime roundup. The public has only been allowed to observe 3 days per week at most during this controversial and unnecessary roundup that leaves what was once a wild horse stronghold with only a small population of mustangs. Only a few of the over 1300 captured Calico Mustangs at the Fallon holding facility have windbreaks after repeated requests. 

Last week a Calico colt was euthanized after his hooves were separating from the bone after being rounded up with his family, by helicopter and potentially traveling over 14 miles of volcanic rock, rough ground, ice and snow. 

(photo above, Living Images: Carol Walker)

 

 

Captured wild horses-lives forever changed.

 

  

 

Freedom's Escape:

 

During examination Freedom is caught up in the fence.

 Preparing for final herculean effort to clear 6-foot fence to freedom...

..only to have to crash through barbed wire...

 

 ...to a bittersweet return to freedom, for leaving his cherished family behind.  They are called WILD HORSES for a reason.  Leave them there.

Life with a Brown Dog

Is sometimes quiet and peaceful...

and sometimes a blur.

More Skamping

Some photo's by Alex.

Enjoying some cocoa in single digit temps.

Getting some help from DB.

Getting Brown Dog used to the sleds.  He's still not convinced this is fun.

Winter Skamping

We got out for some winter camping in Northern Co. over the long weekend.  Despite 2* overnight temperatures and a heater that doesn't appear to work at altitude,  we had a great time.  Our bags froze to the walls of the camper and we stayed in bed much later than we usually do, waiting for the sun to rise and warm us up. Our camera's were frozen much of the time.

We got out on the sleds in some areas we had never been before.   At nearly 15, Trax is surpassing me in just about everything I do athletically.  I knew this day would eventually arrive.  And here it is.  He's a show off on the sled, but I couldnt help but squeal with delight-he's really good!  I love that he's really getting how to handle a 600 lb. sled!

I was amazed and grateful for all the new growth and green we saw while we were riding back on the trails.  The forest has been hit pretty hard by the Pine Beetle kill in this area, but after this weekend there is hope for renewal.  So much green!

Brown Dog did amazingly well!  He (and Alex) were a great resource for heat during the night.  The small area for camping was packed on one side with a small tent village of ice fishermen and their kids.  They didn't appreciate us schralping across the reservoir to get to the trails but that was our only option-and besides it was awesome- and brought back many memories from my childhood! I find so much contentment and appreciation being out-whatever presents itself.

 

9 months

DB will be 9 months old tomorrow.  He's still a spaz and has his full-on Puppy Power Hour every night, but he spends more time doing this now.

Sled Day

These are shots from last year--I forgot my camera today-a first for me!

We got up in the Winter Park area on our sleds today.  It was a bluebird day!  At one point I was sitting on my sled at the top, marveling at what surrounded me.  Continental Divide Peaks all around, as far as my eyes could see, in all directions.  The warm sun blazing down on me.  I realized some people never get to see such beauty-and this is my back yard!  How fortunate I am.  Nothing could make me happier than to be out with the people I love!

 Today was Trax's first day of the season out on the sled.  I was amazed at how good he looks!  At one point while Alex and I were riding tandem, Trax went flying by us at about 50+ mph, roosting us!  It was clear he needs to be putting his pennies away for a sled of  his own.

Dudley Brown also joined us today.  We wanted to introduce to riding on the sleds, since we'll be spending many winter days out there. We have friend's whose dogs happily sit on their sleds so we thought we'd give it a try.  We clearly need to work with him more, but with more practice we hope DB will eventually have the skills to join us on these awesome winter adventures.  

Fashion 2010

Dudley Brown sporting his new, monogrammed coat from Grandma.

Happy New Year 2010

Blue Moon New Year's Eve

We closed out 2009 on a hike in South Boulder under a Blue Moon. These images were taken at about 8:00 p.m., although you would think it were mid-day by the looks of our shadows and the blueness of the sky. Dudley Brown couldn't sit still long enough for the evening exposure so we couldn't capture him.

Boulder lights under the rising Blue Moon in the eastern sky.