nature

Mole Visits The River

By in children's literature, nature, weekend report No Comments

Instead of a hike, we went wading yesterday. I’m not a great swimmer and have no desire to become one, but rivers (or creeks, in this case) have my heart. Let me stick my feet in one and see the hidden banks and suddenly I’m thinking of becoming a river guide and breaking out The Wind in the Willows quotes:

Never in his life had he seen a river before—this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All was a-shake and a-shiver—glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble. The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated.

A happy Mole, “bewitched, entranced, fascinated.”

 

Playing Hooky

By in nature

Doc had yesterday off, so I took it off too and we finally went up to my favorite lake and spent an afternoon there. I’m trying to “throw the comb away” about summer winding down, but that “hurry and do all the things!” feeling is strong, so I’m glad we were able to get to the lake–especially since we’ve talked about it for two years.

Take Your Kids To Work Day

By in nature

We’ve had hawks living in the neighborhood for a few years now and this week they’re teaching their two kids how to hunt. There’s a lot of flapping and frustrated scree! (and all the pigeons are hiding) but Mom and Dad will make sure they don’t starve.

I wish I had gotten a picture of the kids–their legs are still super feathery so it looks like they’re wearing lil hawk pants.

Enchanted Forest Or Upper Millcreek?

By in nature

Bluebell meadows, mysterious woods, magical stream banks–it was a good hike yesterday. (Also it was 20 degrees cooler than the valley. I don’t know how people without mountains do it.)

4th-ish Of July Hike

By in nature, weekend report

We drove an hour and went on our annual July high mountain hike last Friday–the Lofty Lakes Loop trail in the Uinta Mountains.

Compared to the last two years, there was a lot of snow on the ground (we brought our microspikes and were really glad we did). In some spots the grass wasn’t even green yet and instead of summer wildflowers, there were tiny spring blooms instead.

It was still a great day hike–I love these mountains particularly and the drive up into them is just heartbreakingly beautiful at times. Maybe this is the year we finally go back with a pool float to the largest lake next month…

June, Blue

By in nature

The clouds we’ve had for the last month finally seem to be clearing and summer is here! Honestly, I haven’t minded the rain since the hillsides are so green–but it will also be nice to get the patio set up and have ice cream outside after dinner.

(Photos from The Terraces area of Millcreek, complete with a wild clematis.)

“Nothing is so beautiful as spring”

By in Gerard Manley Hopkins, nature

There were swallows singing and fresh green undergrowth and a blue sky in the canyon yesterday, and it was just like Hopkin’s poem “Spring” (minus the Christian overtones):

…and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness;

The Hills Are Alive (And Free Of Snow)

By in nature

It was our first time in a canyon since the end of February (!) and thankfully it’s finally spring up there.

All of that snow is making some pretty impressive runoff! I was happy to see doggos on leashes around the water.

It’s Starting

By in nature

Now that the equinox has passed I guess I can say the “F” word… Fall is coming, whether we like it or not, so read your favorite passage from Cold Mountain and go see the leaves starting to change.

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