December 26, 2013

 

Well out here on the land bordering the foothills— the Christmastime Buying spree or Christmas- shopping depression Season has slowed and now the after Christmas- buying binges are in full swing.

Seems to be something the resource owners purvey to the folks that thinly and vainly want to be liked. Some are beginning to notice that they themselves are not buying into the Shopping-Depression Season bender nearly as much as they were compelled to do so in previous incarnations and as a feature of their much thought-about life- stations.  

How are my friends the Day after the Christmas Shopping Depression Season is finally over?

The resource owners are once again hawking their manufactured items as after Christmas 'bargains' for those still compelled to jostle in the lines. When will this capitalistic stuff subside?  How does all this help us be ‘merry’?

See living here in the US of A is something that is unpredictable however this said  the societal shopping experience is well thought out and planned for us by THEM. We really have little if any Control on what they offer us to purchase, right?

Remember that the elk— remember the elk?  They are still out THERE!  Did they buy into the emotional shopping depression season?

Remember the thru- hikers at this time of year. Did they?  Or for that matter did those that camp out at this time of season — did they have to?

Yesterday, I took Ellie- Mae UP to Georgetown and we walked. For once the tourist downtown was devoid of cotton candy seekers and trinket collectors! Nice cool afternoon —the sunset there about 3:30 PM in the valley- and the temperature began to drop like it usually does at this time of short- season sunshine.

The Solstice is nearing again. The first arctic cold snap has dissipated and we have returned to more temperate weather. Hopefully, you are enjoying the seasonal change to things too.

A cool day altogether-

Got up- good sleeping weather. Had turned off gas heater and was mid 60s in the house when rising. Fed old Ellie- Mae and then bundled up enough for a RT walk with her to post office— maybe 2 miles or so on the surface streets and lots. Quiet out there… the way we love it when a weather event like this one sets upon us!

Was 8 degrees and broke a sweat so had to unpeel so to speak and then continued on a bit slower so as to not soak up inside the layers. Was actually quite comfortable. Now temperature rose a degree or so  is holding steady @ 10° F.

Interesting note here is that with proper gear low temperatures are ok and not a hassle.

It snowed some— you know the dry sand snow particles. Was champagne powder last night at the outset. Maybe less that four inches-- and-- Ice- fog! 
A little much for the “three season” tent but w/ the right winter tent I think the next few days would be a welcomed respite from the omnipresence and ubiquity of the American subdivision cultura. The culture— is everywhere; and few and far between are the ONES that know. —about the solitude afforded those on the winter schedule outside.

The first arctic weather front is upon us and without a decent soaking for the trees —a second year in a row. Last year the ground did not freeze either and the trees are stressed by the drought conditions. They are more prone –again- to infestations.

October 25, 2013

Updated reading list:

• The Emerald Mile : the epic story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon / Kevin Fedarko.
• Colossus : Hoover Dam and the making of the American century / Michael Hiltzik.
• A story that stands like a dam : Glen Canyon and the struggle for the soul of the West / Russell Martin.
• Glen Canyon Dam / Timothy L. Parks.

• Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn’t any. But this wrongs the jackass.
• “Go to heaven for the climate and— Hell for the company.”

Attributed to Mark Twain

October 16, 2013 

I thought I would include the current reading list as I thought some of you might be thinking about the Canyon during these cooler days of autumn.

           Current Reading list:

 The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Though the Heart of the Grand Canyon        By Kevin Fedarko

·  Colossus: Hoover Dam and the Making of the American Century     By Michael Hiltzik

· 

September 21, 2013

The equinox brings autumn on September 22, 2013 at 4:44 P.M EDT.

Accessed from website this date:        http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-fall-autumnal-equinox

Question: Why aren't there exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness on the fall equinox? 

Answer: On the equinoxes, the very center of the Sun sets just 12 hours after it rises. But the day begins when the upper edge of the Sun reaches the horizon (which happens a bit before the center rises), and it doesn't end until the entire Sun has set. Not only that, but the Sun is actually visible when it is below the horizon, as Earth's atmosphere refracts the Sun's rays and bends them in an arc over the horizon.

Song birds have long departed, the croak of the crickets are prominent on the evening air tonight. Some trees are paling out and beginning to turn. The cooler early mornings are already welcomed. The flooding rain of last week has been replaced with reserved— more fall like weather… Dry, warm days, cooler night times and a peacefulness that is better felt when temperatures have moderated such as NOW!

September 5, 2013

What of a trip on the Colorado Plateau w/ the dog too, I was musing over.  This weekend might be just the right time. Have Saturday afternoon until Thursday— need to be at the job Thursday. Is this enough time to walk out in the desert and possibly onto the Book Cliffs?

Drive Sunday early— make it to somewhere WEST and sleep… then Monday figure out the terrain and the end of season weather. It is always the weather— is it not?

Eventually I would like to go to False Kiva and see what it is that is there… Like the arctic traveler or distance desert hiker   we go to experience the what it is and discover—> that is there, correct? Semantics…

Then Tuesday knock around in the weather somewhere. Sleep by river.

Wednesday… the long drive up Haul Road and to a decent spot— maybe under the trestle of the Georgetown Loop in Clear Creek Co. and Thursday morning back.

Just thinking out loud!