Saturday, October 15, 2016

Indian Summer

Well, I thought I'd take a break from the organizing posts to share some photos from my recent bike rides. We're enjoying a fabulously beautiful "Indian Summer" here in the Mile High City, and I have to say that I'm feeling totally spoiled.

Usually by this time of year we've already had at least one snowstorm, but this year it's just been absolutely gorgeous. I mean, it's really hard to complain about temps in the mid-80's in mid-October (that's around 29C for those who don't speak Fahrenheit.)

Anyhow, here are some photos from recent bike trips:

This is Bear Creek - it's one of the creeks that comes in from the mountains and feeds the South Platte River. This photo was shot about a month ago in a little park just west of the town of Morrison, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.





This next photo is Chatfield Reservoir. It's one of three flood control reservoirs built to protect the city of Denver. It's built at the confluence of the South Platte and Plum Creek. This picture was taken a few weeks ago before the leaves started to turn.





Another photo of Chatfield - actually taken at the same spot looking the other direction. There's been a lot of erosion lately because we've had several major flood events in recent years, so at the left side of this photo you can see where the bike path just disappears into nothing. I love how the erosion exposed the roots of that tree too.





OK, this photo is back at Morrison Park along Bear Creek - shot yesterday, It was a picture perfect day for a bike ride!





This picture isn't perfectly in focus, but it's better than most of my attempts to capture an image of the "meepers" as I call the prairie dogs. Can you see the little guy peeking out from his hole in the center near the top of the picture? There are colonies all along the greenbelt - this picture was taken up north of the city where Clear Creek (which runs through Golden, CO) enters the South Platte. Don't know what those yellow flowers are, but apparently they don't taste good because the prairie dogs seem to leave them alone.





OK, now we're back along the Bear Creek trail again. This picture is shot from near the top of the Bear Creek Dam looking down over the Metro area. This photo was taken yesterday - what an amazing day!






Now we're a few miles further west - just outside of the town of Morrison, up above the park where the creek runs. This is just a generic view of the foothills taken a few weeks ago.






Another shot taken up above Morrison, only facing the other direction. You can see the iconic Red Rocks park (and amphitheater) in the background, with some beautiful rabbitbrush in full bloom in the foreground.






And finally, about a mile from home, as I'm racing to get back before dark! There have been some wonderful sunsets this fall.




I really do feel spoiled with this beautiful weather, but I'm hoping we get some moisture soon because the fire danger is getting to be extreme.

So what's the weather been like in your neck of the woods? Sending good thoughts to all of my friends in the southeast and northwest - I'm hoping you've all weathered the recent storms without incident.


24 comments :

  1. We are hoping for rain here too. Everything is becoming very dry. I like the photo of the prairie dog. Are they a type of rodent? Beautiful scenery in your neck of the woods.

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    1. The prairie dogs are just adorable, aren't they? They are rodents who make little burrows in the ground. I call them the "meepers" because when they sense danger they send out a warning call or whistle that sounds like "meep! meep!" And yes... I am spoiled with the scenery around here!

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  2. Besides the beautiful weather, you have beautiful scenery to ride in. Thanks for sharing.

    The last couple of days, our weather has been great also. Clear with highs in the 60's.

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    1. The views are pretty amazing around here. It's part of the reason bike rides generally mean instant happiness for me - it's almost impossible to take in so much beauty! Hope you're enjoying your fabulous weather and not stressing too much about the move.

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  3. That looks like a great ride! Our temperatures have been dropping to the 30s in the morning last week, but it looks like it will get into the 70s this week. I have the week off from work, so it should be nice!

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    1. Well, these photos were actually compiled from several rides - it would have been well over 100 miles to get that all in one day.

      Hope you enjoy your week off, and that the weather cooperates!

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  4. I enjoyed your pictures! We are planning a Yellowstone/Teton/South Dakota trip next summer and I'm looking forward to having my kids see prairie dogs. Enjoy your autumn. We are having ping-pong weather here--warm and dry, then cold and rainy.

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    1. Well, I think prairie dogs will be the least of the sites on a trip like that! I've never been to Yellowstone, but the badlands are a must see, and once in Custer State Park (SD) we went on a hike - when we returned to our parked car, we found it totally surrounded by a herd of bison! We had to wait about an hour for them to clear out before we could safely get back to the car!

      Anyhow, enjoy your warm days when you can get them! I'm sure they're a fleeting joy up north! :-)

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    2. There are so many things to see that it's overwhelming! I've been to the badlands/Mt Rushmore but haven't been to Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons. I guess I can't tap you out for info about those areas ... oh well. :)

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    3. Someday I hope to make it to Yellowstone - it's on my bucket list for sure! :-)

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  5. Those are some really great pictures. I'm glad you've been enjoying the nice weather. I have to ask, is your Plum Creek the same one from the Laura Ingles Wilder books?

    It has been pretty warm here, too. October is always iffy for us. We've had everything from the windows open to snow during the week of Halloween. This year the warmer temperatures seem to be holding on.

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    1. I think there are probably a million Plum Creeks in this country. But since the Laura Ingalls Wilder book was set in Minnesota, I think I can say with confidence that its not the same Plum Creek!

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    2. Now I feel dumb. I couldn't remember where they were set.

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    3. Don't feel dumb! I had to go look it up. :-)

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  6. Great pics!

    It's Indian Summer here too, with highs in the 70s and 80s. Perfect weather to me. I haven't needed A/C or heat for 21 days.

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    1. It's so wonderful when you don't need either heat or AC, isn't it? There's something about not having all those fans making noise in the background that I find really peaceful.

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  7. Your pictures are beautiful!!! I especially love the one at Morrison Park with the tree.

    This year seemingly is having an extended period of nice weather in the Midwest. This part of Kansas could use some rain as well.

    You do have such a beautiful state.

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    1. I am spoiled, that's for sure. It's really nice to have a pretty autumn for a change. Usually we get an early snowfall that knocks all the leaves off the trees, so it's nice to get to enjoy the colors this year.

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  8. Colorado is freaking beautiful. I haven't taken the bike out in months (need to switch out a tube, and it was hot her until a month or so ago). But you've convinced me I need to get the hell out of dodge for a minute.

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    1. And you've reminded me that I have a slow leak I need to fix before the next bike ride! I imagine winter is prime outdoor weather in your neck of the woods.

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    2. Just took the bike out for a quick ride at lunch (I have a slow leak, too, but hey...nothing the pump can't fix for a short while. :)

      Yeah, it's starting to get really nice here. Windows open at night...maybe a night ride is in order.

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  9. It never ceases to amaze me at the wonderful spots you have around you in a city so densely populated. The foothills I do remember from my trips out there but the rest, lets just say the traffic drove me crazy so I got out as fast as I could.

    The weather here has been up and down. We have a week here and there of gorgeous weather, mid to high 70s followed by downright chilly weeks. Just yesterday it was 76 and I had to remind myself that we need the cold even if I dread it.

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    1. I feel incredibly fortunate to have so much beauty right outside my backdoor. Sometimes when we're out riding I just can't believe how gorgeous it is!

      People complain about the traffic all the time, but honestly I hardly ever see it. Every once in a while I miscalculate and end up running errands during rush hour (which is more like rush 3 hours these days) and I'm like "where did all the people come from?" Of course, my father is the world's expert on back routes through Denver, and I seem to have learned his tricks. I almost NEVER drive on the major arterials, let alone on the highways!

      Our weather is still crazy warm. I just harvested a half dozen cucumbers, a few zucchini and a big bowl of tomatoes... in NOVEMBER! I still have basil in my garden - the cold usually gets it sometime in September, but it's still goin' strong... incredible. I'm not complaining, but it does seem a bit unnatural.

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  10. Hi Cat, Gorgeous pictures and very diverse terrain!

    I can't find an email address for you - can you send me an email, to anexactinglife at gmail?

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