23 Sept 2010 - New Fall Colors

Last night we had moisture and this morning our fall colors have a new color "White". Click on photo for an expanded view.

18 Sept 2010 - Fall Colors Slideshow

These are photos taken over the past couple days of the fall colors. Helen hiked up Bighorn Creek near Vail on Thursday afternoon. This morning we drove across our valley to Three Peaks and took several against the blue sky and Buffalo Mountain.

17 Sept 2010 - Back Surgery

Yesterday, I (Rick) had minor back surgery procedure called Laminectomy to fix a pinched nerve on the l4-5 dis that has caused pain in my right hip and lower calf muscle for a lot of years. This is the same successful procedure had in June that correct a nagging problem with her back.

We got a family discount (hahahaha) by using same doctor.

I came home after the surgery, took two Percocets before going to bed and couple 6 hours later. Now only taking one. Hopefully none tomorrow.

Now I can schedule physical therapy for my knee and back at the same time and be ready for powder when it starts falling.

16 Sept 2010 - Fall is here...

Fall colors are here in Summit County. It is amazing to watch Aspen leaves turn from green to yellow during the day. There are wonderful patches of green, yellow, and rust colors all over the local mountains. It gets cool at night and warm in the day time. It has been dry with no rain in the forecast.

13 Sept 10 - Blues Bears

Saturday, we attended the "3rd Annual BeetleFest" in Frisco. This unique zany event is designed to bring education and awareness regarding the devastation caused by the mountain pine beetle.

There were two men carving pine beetle kill logs into sculptures. One person was making pumpkins and the other person (John Henley) had carved these two bears with a chainsaw. We really liked the looks of these bears and were amazed how he was able to carve them out and show the blue stain of the tree. Especially notice the nose.

We decided to name them the "Blues Bears" for the Blues Brothers. Sunglasses during the summer and ski goggles during the winter. They both come with signs (to be delivered next week). One will have "Welcome" on one side and "Gone Hiking" on the other. The second sign will say "Feed Me" and "Wipe Y're Paws".

11 Sept 2010 - Visiting Deer

Just finished my shower and looked out the bathroom window and spotted these two fawns muching away at the flowers. The mother was near by and they continued eating their way into the front yard and then down the driveway. Fall is here and winter is not far behind. In 2008, our first snow was a major storm on September 12th. They need as much food as they can find

07 Sep 10 - Two early morning Visitors

 
 
We had two early morning visitors today. Our sprinklers go on automatically about 6AM. When we woke up this morning the outside temp was about 35 degrees (usually several degrees warmer than actual). At 7AM, we looked outside and noticed water on the flowers and grass was frozen. Guess it is time to turn off the sprinklers.

At about 8AM, Helen took some some stuff out to our compost bin only to find it tipped over. We had a bear though sometime late last night or early this morning. Several days ago, we spotted some bear scat near our driveway. So I guess he/she is back. Other neighbors also reported that they saw the bear last evening at there house.

01 Sept 2010 - Hurricane Earl

Tonight hurricane Earl appears that it will strike the Outerbanks of North Carolina near Cape Hatteras. Last May, we drove down the Outerbanks and while in Orkacoke we spotted this sign of prior hurricanes that have hit the Outerbanks. I wonder if they will strike a new line on this sign after the next couple days.