Stardate 2016.016

2016!!

Happy New Year!!

Remember when 2016 seemed so faaarrrrrr awwaaayyyy? Me too, and it's here now! Ouch!

We've had a bit of a cold spell, but temps broke free today, climbing well into the 40s. The temperature was a good enough excuse to procrastinate and take the Pearl for a ride up Waterton Canyon. The ride began dry, with a touch of Fahrenheit-cold lingering in the shadows.




Northerly aspects still have a blanket of snow for show.




I turned around at the trailhead for the Colorado Trail.




Turkshead Peak rises from 5,780 feet to about 7,700 feet in elevation.




The shadows stealthily morphed into a heavy, dark and cold ambience.




The South Platte River isn't completely iced over.




You've been mooned!




That's it for now. It's been a rather slow start this new year. Stay tuned...

Adios

Stardate 2015.975

Mystic Sandstone

Our trip to California came to an end, and we began our journey back to Colorado. Our journey across the Mojave Desert was uneventful, and by evening we found ourselves back in Cedar City, Utah, and snow-covered slopes. We enjoyed our overnight in Cedar City (nice vibe to it) and had a short hop the next morning to my favorite (in the top 5) locale – Moab, Utah. Moab has some of the most magical landscapes on the planet; especially during the off-season when the town is dead quiet. Following are some pics of this fantasy land.


Cedar City bids farewell to another day.




Arches National Park prepares for a long, cold night.




A 10-minute sunset in Arches National Park enhances the senses. December sunsets are awesome!








We enjoyed the early morning along the Wallstreet climbing area, Potash Road, Utah.








The sandstone cliffs reflect off of the surface of a cold Colorado River.




Desert cathedrals catch the early morning light.




The Colorado River visits a labyrinth of sandstone canyons while on its journey to the sea.






That's it for now; I'm not sure what's up next. Thanks for reading!

Adios

Stardate 2015.962

California IV

Our California trip was rapidly coming to an end. We visited Morro Bay again for an hour or so before heading back to Bakersfield and beyond. We found the beach and waves to be full of surfers. The coastal waters between Point Buchon (south of Morro Bay) and Point Estero (north of Morro Bay) apparently host a fair number of Great White Sharks. This link illustrates what happens when Morro Bay surfers sight one. Despite being land-locked, I'm a strong swimmer and I can assure you I would have been the first one back on shore.




Dude, the next one has your name on it.




He makes it look easy!








I would love to try surfing, but I don't like fish larger than me hanging out in the vicinity.






See you again in several years Pacific Ocean.




Well, that's it for sunny California. Ancient sandstone of Utah is next on the docket.

Adios