We made it up into the canyon for a little bit for the first time in two weeks and the colors are at their peak. But the spray from the river is starting to freeze, so there was no splashing around in it for Moley.
nature
Autumnal
It’s the Autumnal Equinox today and the mountains have gotten the memo: The light has changed to that slanting golden light and it was brisk up there.
A beaver lodge that’s just right off the road in upper Millcreek!
Mole Just Wants To Live By A River
We went for another hike by another mountain stream over the weekend. (I couldn’t get in this one, since it’s a watershed; very hard for Moley.)
I don’t know where this fascination with running water has come from but I’m about ready to see if I can go make a life on a river, just like Mole:
This day was only the first of many similar ones for the emancipated Mole, each of them longer and full of interest as the ripening summer moved onward. He learnt to swim and to row, and entered into the joy of running water; and with his ear to the reed-stems he caught, at intervals, something of what the wind went whispering so constantly among them.
(The entirety of The Wind in the Willows is online, btw.)
Mole Visits The River
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
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.
Sundays In Church
Church had a lot of flies in it this week, but it was still a good service:
Take Your Kids To Work Day
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?
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
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
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.)