A Walk on a Warm Spring Day

On Saturday morning, we woke up to beautiful, clear skies and warm temperatures. It's often windy here in the Spring, but on Saturday, it wasn't only warm but the air was still. It was definitely a perfect day to get outside and enjoy, as at this time of year the weather is not dependable and winter can return at any moment! So we all (Lacey included of course!) headed out for a walk in one of our favorite areas.

The Uncompahgre Valley (where we live) is considered a "high mountain desert", and desert it is! I'm including several photos that I took on Saturday, mostly for our far-away friends who have never visited us here, so that you can see what the "back country" looks like, when you're not in the mountains! We went walking on BLM land.....Bureau of Land Management, which is Federally managed. There is a LOT of BLM land close by and we spend quite a bit of time out and exploring when possible! The trail that we were on, on Saturday, is one that we've walked before, but each time we see something new!

I especially like walking along this trail as it reminds me of the old Western movies! I half expect cowboys to ride up to the edge of the hill above us on horseback!!

So dry and desolate, even at the end of winter! We have had a rather dry winter, with little snow or rain so things are looking particularly dry already! Even though it looks like "snake country", they aren't very common. While we are always on the lookout, we've never come across one, except for the one we found in an irrigation ditch last Spring and brought home and made a pet!! (That's a whole different story!!!!)

What a great place to take a boy who LOVES rocks!! James loves to explore here and find interesting rocks! It provides a wonderful lesson in geology and many other earth sciences.....we always end up having very interesting discussions while walking!! LOL

Cacti grows everywhere, which provides a challenge....to keep the dog and James safe. At this point, I'm not so worried about James, as he's old enough to understand and be careful. Lacey, on the other hand, is a different story!! She'll have to figure it out on her own and I guess she will. Once or twice through a cactus patch ought to cure her!!!

Some of the rock outcroppings on the hillsides above us are quite amazing!

And here comes James, running up the trail, to catch up with us! That's tumbleweed growing on either side of the trail......so unusual to see it growing! Most of the time when you see it, it's blowing across the road in front of your car!!!

James hiked up off the trail to have a look at the big rocks.....when there are rocks, they have to be explored!!! In those camo pants, he just about disappears!!

And one more of James....I stopped him as he was examining some more rocks!

As the weather continues to warm and improve, we look forward to more trips around our area!!