Connie in Ouray

 Not only me, but our snow totals are woe, is me.  As of today, the 26th, we have just under 70 inches of snow, 20 inches ahead of two years ago but two feet behind last year.  There's not much in the forecast for the next week, but then the week after, it looks a bit better. Last weekend was the Ice Festival, and the town was really hopping.  The weather was fantastic, warm-ish temperatures, not much snow, cold temps at nice to refreeze ice.   two climbers An ice-encased metal cage filled with wood, which was then set on fire.  Interesting, but not worth an hour and a half standing in the cold. Mike and I dug out two of the fire hydrants to make them more visible...just in case. I've been snowshoeing up Veenstra's trail, seeing all sorts of deer trails and a few bunny and squirrel pawprints.  It's beautiful and so serene, just me breathing hard and the sound of my snowshoes.  I highly recommend. In the big meadow, I started uphill trying to find the trail. I started up

 We've had an additional 10 inches of snow since I last posted, with more on the way.  We are now at 60 inches, a foot behind last year but ahead of the year before last.  I really enjoy keeping track of the snow. We are expecting a propane delivery soon, and on my way home from the gym today, I realized that the tank was probably covered.  I went out and tried to knock snow off, but I kept stepping in snow above my knees.  I finished by strapping on my snowshoes.   The yellow sticking up is what I needed to uncover I have forgotten to mention that we have a new neighbor.  Jason (13) has rented his tiny house to a man, and he moved in mid-December.  I haven't met him yet, so no details.  Bummer.

 Another six inches of fabulous snow during the night, and then the storm cleared.  We're at 51 inches.

 Six and a half inches of the lightest, fluffiest, fake-looking snow fell overnight.   I guess this is all it takes to make me happy.  I snowshoed up the trail, and the only sound was my snowshoes and my hard breathing.  It is no wonder it is my happy place. Ice climbers are back!   When we came back from Oklahoma New Year's Day, all parking lots were full, and downtown was hopping.  The ice festival starts the 18th. Also on the agenda next week is skijoring in Ridgway, which starts Friday and goes through the weekend.  I have never been to one in person, and I'm so excited.  I'll post pictures.

 When we got back from Oklahoma on January 1, suddenly the parking lots near the ice gorge were full.  The ice climbers are back!  Not only are they here, but downtown is hopping.  It's so good to see. It's snowing now as I write this, but southwest Colorado - us - is in a moderate drought.  We've only had 38 inches of snow so far, and we are way behind last year and slightly behind the year before.  The outlook for the next 10 days looks a bit more hopeful but still. Look at the Christmas ornament Marchelle gave us  to celebrate our newly acquired Jeep: