Fool me once...

 Winter weather advisory from Monday 6 p.m. until Wednesday 12 p.m. - five to 11 inches above 9000 feet.  Our house is at 8600 feet.  As I mentioned before, if we don't get measurable snow in the next four days, it will be the first time in our four years that we haven't had any in October.

The geology students from Fort Lewis College had a wonderful time traipsing around our woods last Friday for about three hours.  There were 12 or so students, the professor, Mike, Steve Cumella, and Cindy Carothers.  Steve and Cindy are both geologists we are lucky to have residing in Ouray.  They are rock fiends both in their careers and personally.  Mike said he wasn't expecting all the students to be engaged, but they were, so happy to be out and about and excited about finding rocks they could open with their little hammers.  For reference, it appears we have a lot of galena up there.  

On their way out, Mike took them to see the big mine building.  He said it was the typical reaction.  As one comes around a corner, there it is, totally unexpected.  They had their picture taken in front of it.

Before I moved to Ouray December 1, 2020, my only experience with a small town newspaper had been the one in Mike's home town of 2,500.  If you wanted to know who had lunch with whom, what the kids were getting in the school cafeteria, some sports scores, and a lot of ads, it was the newspaper for you.  It's safe to say it was light on the news part.

When I started getting the Ouray newspaper, I was shocked, thrilled, excited that it wasn't Mike's hometown newspaper.  We are beyond lucky to have a newspaper that is willing to hit the hard issues, willing to be transparent, willing to admit if they've made a mistake.  I don't think it matters what side of the issues you're on.  This newspaper is worthy of your money whether you live here or not.  I would highly recommend the $48 per year for a digital subscription.

And lastly, for the first time in two months, I walked up the trail to the mine.  Since September 3rd, the date of my foot surgery, I've been non-weight bearing for a month, two weeks with a walking boot, and two weeks with a surgical sandal.  Today was the first day I was allowed to wear regular shoes, if possible, and I could wear my hiking boots with socks.   I have missed it so much as it is my happy place or where I go when I need some peace.   The grasses were beautiful!