Getting ready to come back here, we were stunned to realize what a terrible job of packing we did when we left. Just returned from a two week trip to Uganda and Rwanda, me with a broken wrist, and our town and all roads a shambles, I think we were so grateful to get our vehicle out, we didn't pay much attention to what we were doing. When winter arrived in Illinois, we found that much of our winter duds were still in Colorado. Last week, when we opened our duffles to pack for our trip west, we were shocked to find that we never unpacked such unnecessary items for the midwest as: safari pants, binoculars, hiking poles, collapsible water bottles, travel meds and a first aid kit, and more. We were both under the impression that we left our travel clothes and other Africa accouterments with our friend Nancye Nelson in Arvada, Colorado.
At any rate, we packed up and headed out at noon on Friday, February 1… just ahead of the next snow storm to hit Illinois. By the time we stopped for the night in Lincoln Nebraska, Illinois already had six inches of new snow. Getting up early the next morning, we drove out of snow in about 2 hours and arrived home just after noon. As we drove up the Big Thompson Canyon the devastation left by flood waters was heart breaking. Although much of it was hidden under snow, what we saw was stunning: homes half hanging out over the river, parts of homes broken away, huge pine trees ripped up and tumbled into the riverbed, and half a mountain avalanched away piling huge boulders, trees, rocks, and soil below. The very road we were driving on had been hacked and cut by the Big Thompson River. The last pictures we saw showed huge canyons in the road bed that were two or three football fields long. Now, we hummed along on a snow packed road, one lane in spots, but not noticeably different from any other February return. The work that has been done, HUGE!
We turned, as usual, onto Fish Creek Road to travel the three miles to where it passes Little Valley Road. Fish Creek destroyed the road that carries its name. When last we saw this road, there were huge canyons with water roaring over and through them. Culverts, trees, asphalt chunks, cables, and buried (no longer) wires were twisted, wrapped together, ripped apart and thrown willy nilly. Again, the road was a bit rough as it has been filled, not repaved yet, but it was passable. When we reached Little Valley Road, we turned up onto a newly constructed bridge. When we left in September, this bridge was broken beyond repair and water raged through the space it had spanned. A temporary bridge had been built about a half mile upstream. The condition of our Little Valley Road is a testament to a community, neighbors, and a town fully functioning in crisis. Lee told us how our road guy had arranged for 8 huge dump trucks to work 8 hours a day in conga-line fashion to bring in boulders, rocks, gravel, and fill. This went on for a week and a half. Now there are no more huge drop offs on either side of the road and in most places, there is enough room for two cars to pass. What a home coming.
At least three times a day, Pam calls me outside and we just stand. "Listen to the quiet," she says. And we do…music of the stars, hum of the mountain sun, gentle hiss of snow falling. Already Colorado has 100% - 130% of our yearly snow pack. There is a good amount on the ground. Unusual for our side of the mountains. The temperature has been very, very cold… this morning -17 when Lee picked me up to teach me how to use the Jeep with its new snow plow. For the first time this winter, Lucy went out, picked up her foot and was ready to come in as soon as she pottyed.
And so it goes in the mountains. We're expecting more snow tonight. I will run the plow for the first time tomorrow (supervised!). We'll go to dinner with friends, and drink in the beauty of all that surrounds us. We hope you are well wherever February finds you. Please check back again for more of our Colorado wonderland. The link below will get you to some pictures.
Bonnie, Pam, and Lucy Blu
Little Valley -- Estes Park -- Colorado
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtnpostpics/sets/72157640548098293/
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