There is a yoga routine that many people do in the mornings, called Sun Salutation; it's one's way of stretching in the right manner, mentally preparing oneself for the day, and basically greeting the morning. I'm not a yoga person (yet), but I have my own Sun Salutation--my morning walk. Sometimes I'm joined by my husband, my neighbor Julie, or visiting friends or family; but always I'm with my dog Carly. Wintertime walks are relatively short--2.5 to 3 miles. When spring and summer arrive, however, we do a four-miler nearly every morning. It is a habit which I am now driven to do. My day is all wonky if I don't get my morning walk in--after nearly three years of this, it's a physical, mental, and spiritual need. I'm lucky in that we live in a very walkable neighborhood, which happens to be next to a huge swath of open forest, where we hook into a network of trails that wind for miles through the woods. The entire walk can be done without putting Carly on a leash, which makes it extra special--she gets to run, sniff, and (as you'll see soon) play with the neighborhood dogs. While I get to enjoy nature in all its glory and "see the forest for the trees," Carly on the other hand sees the forest for the sticks. And the sticks, it appears, are in all the wrong places. According to Carly, they must be put in their proper spots.
Things start out innocently enough. The first half-mile is down our road. We greet Denali, who is always happy to see us (probably because we've started giving her a little treat). Sometimes, we meet up with Dakota, another neighbor's Spitz, who crouches down and gets ready to pounce when Carly trots by--they play and romp a bit, and we move on.
Denali
Dakota
At the end of the road, we are generally greeted by what everyone in the 'hood affectionately calls "The Tribe." Max, the redhead, Charlie, the brunette, and Buddy, the blonde. Max and Charlie are from one home, Buddy from another--Buddy is like the neighborhood kid who hangs out at neighbor Charlie and Max's house because he's bored at home. Most of my pictures of them are of their rear ends as they're trotting along, but to give you an idea:
Sometimes, they'll continue on with us for a bit and turn around when they feel like it, making their way home. Other times, they don't bother following at all; or, better yet, they'll come the entire length of our walk. It's up to them and we enjoy the company.
But it's here that we get off the road and onto a trail (some old logging road). Leaving any potential car interactions behind, the dogs are free to roam, and things get interesting. There are almost always new animal tracks along the trail--deer, elk, raccoon, skunk, turkey, coyote, and yes, even bear. We've seen deer, elk, and coyote (that's when the leash comes out), and honestly, I'm glad I haven't seen a raccoon, skunk, or bear. Regardless, knowing they're right here in our neighborhood is pretty cool.
Getting onto the trail
Elk track
Deer track
The Tribe and Us
We push onwards. Sunlight reaches the tops of the trees; it's that true quiet time when the wind hasn't picked up yet, the birds are waking up, and you can hear the crunch of dirt, pine needles, and twigs under your feet as you step along. Just when I think things are perfect, Carly finds a stick that is out of place and must be moved. She grabs it and carries it with her until something tells her to move off trail and find its correct spot. When the correct spot is found, she gently lets go of the stick, putting it in its correct position. The forest then becomes more balanced, and we move on until the next wrongly-placed stick comes along and the process repeats itself.
You'll note that these are not little sticks. No. They are more like mini-logs. Sometimes Carly's mouth is open so wide to take a stick in, when she finally places it in its correct position in the forest she must rotate her jaw back and forth to get it un-cramped before she can get going again. Sacrificing her comfort in the name of designing a better forest, I guess.
I can't tell a good stick from a bad stick. I'll suggest some sticks to Carly that may be out of place by pointing them out or shuffling them a bit with my foot, but alas, no. Only she can determine the true misplaced stick.
So I give up on helping her re-arrange the forest, and concentrate on the visuals. We walk along the Mogollon (prounounced "Moe-ghee-on") Rim, which is actually the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau--the geologic formation that gives us Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, and the Colorado River. The Mogollon Rim stretches for nearly two hundred miles between Williams, AZ and the Arizona's eastern boundary with New Mexico, splitting the state geographically, topographically, and climatically, in half. There's southern Arizona (hot low desert, mesquite bosques, grasslands), the Rim, then northern Arizona (forests, cool weather, snow, and cold high desert). The Rim is where several vegetation types mix--pinyon/juniper habitat mixes with ponderosa pine, which mixes with firs and spruces. The Rim is also where you can get a nice view; these photos don't do it justice.
Atop the Mogollon Rim
View from the Rim
A hardy Alligator Juniper
Further on down the trail, another nice view
We often take the opportunity to explore other paths. One day, we followed an old road down through a meadow, and found ourselves walking through a thicker forest that eventually opened up into a wider, rocky canyon. Bruce's initial reaction upon stumbling across this lovely area was "this is really good mountain lion habitat." Great. I generally don't walk that route by myself with just Carly, but I will if I have Bruce, or Buddy and Charlie, along. Working our way up and out of that canyon one day, Buddy and Charlie flushed a Dusky Grouse (highly unusual at that elevation, they're normally much higher). Things like that make us aware that nature is always full of surprises.
Making our way through the meadow
Reaching the entrance to the canyon
At the canyon bottom--groves of Gambel's oak,
large ponderosa pines, and often, Carly with a stick
When Carly first started carrying and moving sticks, my husband remarked that she is, possibly, the world's finest "feng shui" expert of the forest. I agree. Sometimes the sticks are so out of place, she must carry them for miles. Other sticks just need to be moved a few hundred yards. Yet other sticks don't belong in the forest at all, and must be brought home, or at least as close as possible to the house.
After walking back up through the canyon, we loop back onto our regular trail and go back the way we came, sometimes diverting off onto other game trails--trails made by wandering elk (or more likely, cows and feral horses, which we see regularly).
No humans made this trail--animals did
Carly continues to carry her chosen stick of the day as we approach the end of the forest part of the trail. Trotting back down our road, she is hell-bent on bringing that stick home. Meeting up with Denali or Dakota (or even the Tribe if they didn't walk with us), forget about it. It's Stick Time.
We get comments from our neighbors who often ask if Carly can drop her sticks off at their house, because they'd like the firewood. She ignores them, and instead keeps trotting homeward. When we get to the ditch in front of our neighbor's property, Carly starts slowing down and pondering where her stick should go. Sometimes she brings it all the way home and into our yard. Other times, she drops it off in strategic locations along our neighbor's bar ditch. I don't know if he's ever noticed the growing number of sticks that magically appear along his ditch--if he has, he either doesn't mind, doesn't know it's Carly, or just doesn't really care. He's a nice guy.
At our house, though, at some point, we have to collect the sticks. We have two piles, here's one:
Sometimes, especially during the winter when we're relegated to just walking the roads because the forest is too muddy, snowy, or wet, Carly ends up having moved most of the accessible sticks and she can't find ones to carry. So, we toss the pile of sticks we've amassed into the bed of Bruce's truck, and Bruce drives down the road very slowly while I sit in back and "salt" the road with the sticks--repopulating the forest with misplaced sticks (I know, I'm so mean). I can see Bruce in the driver's seat, shaking his head thinking "I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm a man, dammit, not a slave to this dog." Dream on, buddy. We're both slaves to this dog.
And that's my morning. Can you not see how addicting it is, just knowing that new things await me in the forest--maybe new tracks, maybe another Dusky Grouse; maybe we'll see that pair of nesting Northern Flickers feeding their babies in that one tree. I know when to start listening for Spotted Towhees, and where the Western Tanagers and Plumbeous Vireos generally sing. I know it's really spring when the Western Bluebirds start appearing. I become aware of the rhythm of the seasons. I'll look behind me on occasion to see Carly tagging along, stick in mouth, and I know my Sun Salutation is working. I'm ready for what lies ahead because this morning, I saw beauty, animals, trees, and vistas, despite how obviously messed up the forest is with those darn messy sticks. I'll leave that one highly critical detail up to Carly.
Colorado: just the name brings forth visions of snow-capped mountains, scenic trails winding through green meadows, clean air, healthy living, happy easy-going people (how can one not be happy in this heavenly land?), and just maybe John Denver, granola, Birkenstock sandals, and lots of breweries showcasing Colorado beer. But wait! It's no longer the 20th century, we're over a decade into the 21st, and Colorado has not been left behind. Matter of fact, once again, Coloradoans are far ahead of the gang when it comes to life in 2012. Breweries, yes they're still there, but that's so 1990's. Wineries? Got 'em, but so 2000. Now it's distilleries, particularly gin. Homes are tucked into faraway canyons, with people possibly commuting to cities like Denver, but more likely working remotely from their house, enjoying their view.
I haven't been to Colorado in a very long time. Work brought me to Boulder this past week, and I had a chance to take a few extra days to spend with one of my close college girlfriends, Diana. She landed in Colorado after college and never left. Diana is a distributor for body care products made by a number of businesses, and specializes in those that are mostly sold at health-food and holistic care stores. She knows Colorado and was the perfect host--not only did I have my pick of shampoos, conditioners, soaps, lotions, and the like while visiting, but she is also an expert in herbalistic healing and an extremely creative cook, specializing in "mood" meals--foods that, when combined, evoke a particular mood, whether it be relaxing, energetic, or some other needed energy. She ran into friends practically everywhere we went; she knew the best places to hole up for a glass of wine or a cup of tea. She led us on great morning walks or to places to just sit and relax by a creek. To top it off, during the six days I was there (two plus a half-day visiting Evergreen, Di's home; and four days in Boulder), Colorado was experiencing an unusual heat wave. Temperatures were in the 80's; lilacs and tulips were in full bloom, trees were leafed out, and it was a very summer-like spring.
This blog entry will mostly be a photo journey; as they say, pictures say a thousand words. Captions will tell the story. Enjoy!!!
We first had to stop at Boulder's largest Whole Foods Market for
Di's work and to pick up a few tidbits for the weekend.
Ah, Whole Foods--even the carrots are displayed beautifully.
To say nothing of the gelato bar.
Leaving Boulder for Evergreen, Di's home.
Deer (and elk) roam near Di's house every evening.
House Beautiful.
I can't tell you how much I loved this painting Di just picked up
from getting framed. The gold and maroon aspen leaves popped
from the white aspen trees and blue sky. Little did I know...
...that this was a Di creation! (Diana Marie) Di, you rock!!!
Dinner that first day included a drive up a winding canyon
to the Buck Snort Saloon, a mountain bar with a mountain bar scene.
With dollar bills tacked everywhere, the Midnight Flyers played a diverse mix
of Grateful Dead and the Jerry Garcia Band. I think they mixed it up some with a
Traffic and a Rolling Stones song interspersed in there somewhere. They were pretty
dang great, and it was a good stop for my first night in Colorado.
The next morning, a walk around the town's lake and a visit to
the Lake House, a public facility where an Earth Day festival
was drawing hundreds of people.
Shopping Evergreen on my first full day; a visit to
Creekside Cellars winery was in order.
Their Viognier was especially tasty. What you can't see due to the lighting
is a creek bubbling behind us. Ah. Life is good.
A birthday get-together for a friend of Di's brought us to the Little
Bear Saloon in downtown Evergreen for a quick happy hour (the wine, above,
was for lunch, silly!)
Take note of this name: Austin Young. He and his band, No Difference,
were playing at the Little Bear for an afternoon fest. Sixteen years old
and possibly the best blues guitarist I've heard live in years. Seriously amazing.
I heard folks say he's the "next Stevie Ray Vaughan" but to tell you the truth?
I think he's better!
Home for dinner: a "relaxing" mood meal of bison tenderloin in a
pomegranate marinade, green salad with thyme vinaigrette,
and chamomile risotto. With our Viognier and just a bit of Vouvray on the side.
Sunday's morning hike in a park that brought us to an old homestead with a view.
After some errands and shopping, we had an afternoon
of crochet lessons for Di and some homemade dandelion wine
and dandelion wine jelly and cream cheese on crackers.
Visiting Di's friend John, who is lucky enough to live
next to open public land; an afternoon hike was in order
before dinner.
Climbing up to a view---
Gnarled trees at the top, a product of living with the wind.
After enjoying the view, it was time to head back for what else,
more food!!!
Another Di masterpiece: Pomagranate margaritas, Swai fish with a
balsamic reduction sauce and capers topped with diced tomatoes;
broccoli salad with coriander ginger dressing; and crab enchiladas.
I have to split up the food pictures with something, so:
more wildlife sightings: elk in Evergreen...
...and fox with a mouse.
Back to food: Breakfast Monday morning. Leftover crab enchiladas
with an egg over-easy; smoked bacon; and greens with feta cheese.
Breakfast was a big one, as it was time to head back to Boulder--road trip!
One of our first stops on the way to Boulder: Red Rocks Amphitheater.
I could only imagine enjoying a concert here; amazing!
Red Rocks is not only used for concerts; it's your basic outdoor gym.
Every day, dozens jog up and down the aisles, do push-ups
on the seats, and trot up and down the steps. It's a nice view, for sure.
And then...Boulder. The three "flat iron" rocks are the city's
backdrop. Here, we're hiking in Chataqua Park before heading for...
you guessed it, more shopping and food.
Shopping along Pearl Street; tulips are blooming and you
can find pretty much anything you want.
Afternoon tea at the Dushanbe Tea House. The building and its
interior decor were given to Boulder by its sister city, Dushanbe,
in Tajikitstan. Reflecting Persian influences, the tea house is an inviting
place to enjoy and taste some of their dozens of teas.
Over 40 artisans created this structure and its interior in Tajikistan,
where it was then disassembled, brought to Boulder, and re-assembled.
This statue is one of seven of the "Fountain of Seven Beauties."
To go with my Orange Blossom Mojito Green Tea, I had this
delicious salad with beets, roasted potatoes, egg, and a caper dressing.
Di had a lovely spinach salad and a White Peach Tea Wine Cooler.
Wherever I go, I seek out yarn and bead shops. At "Shuttles,
Spindles, and Skeins," I learned how to spin yarn by one of the country's
foremost spinners, Maggie Casey, co-owner of this wonderful
yarn shop. With spindle, roving (pre-spun wool), and an instructional
book and DVD, I walked out of there with a new hobby and something
to remember Boulder by for a long time to come.
Alas, work beckoned. I had to bid "adieu" to Di, and settle into the
Hotel Boulderado, a historic hotel built in 1909. Simply stunning, the lobby
boasts ceramic tile floors, detailed and deeply polished wood bannisters
and staircases, and...
...its famous leaded glass ceiling, making the Boulderado perhaps one of the
loveliest hotels I've had the pleasure of visiting.
Even the elevator is the original Otis two-door
type; you need to find the elevator operator if you want to use it.
I spent three nights at the Hotel Boulderado, with my days taken up with a training workshop. Evenings were spent with my work group, and we enjoyed balmy nights and outdoor patios for dinner. I walked back and forth between our office and my hotel, a one-mile stroll through a historic neighborhood with well-kept bungalow houses.
Colorado was amazing--its beauty is just one reason to go there, but there's so much more. It's a vibrant place, full of people who are totally themselves and who appreciate--and take care of--their surroundings and their environment, for the benefit of all who live there. Go visit sometime, and say hi to my dear friend Diana, who was THE highlight, and the epitome of all things the state has to offer. Thank you, Di, for making Colorado a place I want to return to--soon!!!
