Scenes from a Mountain Retreat

Mitchell Lake Trail

Yesterday I answered my mountain craving.

Even though we live right at the base of the mountains, 

we don't make the drive up into the hills nearly often enough.

We were treated 

to the very beginnings

of the golden Aspens' seasonal change

as we made our way up to 

Brainard Lake Recreation Area

& the Indian Peak Wilderness.

It was sunny when we started the hike

up to Mitchell Lake, 

but as we ascended, 

the fog met us.

The fog became so dense that we

nearly walked right past the lake

without even noticing it.

It was so beautifully eerie

to be completely enveloped

so that even the horizon is erased,

and to feel like we were the only ones for miles.

The promise of rain 

& the cold seeping into our bones

pushed us back down the path, 

and back down the mountain, 

out of the rain, 

and into our cozy home

to wrap our hands around steaming mugs.

Sports Weekend continued

Not only did we attend the Buffs' basketball game on Friday, 

but we also made it to the football game the following day.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day...

except for the wind.

We're talking gusts around 70 mph.

Thankfully the stadium protected us from

being hit by tree branches

but there was still plenty of dirty & leaves

blowing around, 

and the strong wind cut right through our layers.

The good news: a Buff win...

finally.

It's always fun to see the students so excited, 

especially after such a disappointing season for them...

we just had to stay to see them rush the field

to celebrate the win with the team.

But then we made our way back home as quickly as possible

to thaw out in blankets with piping hot tomato soup & sandwiches.

Yum.

How was your day?

Two days ago Z & I were out riding our bicycles 

on a sunny, 75 degree afternoon.

Today we awoke to snow, snow, and more snow.

We both had to work

(I can't complain too much about having to work, though), 

but I snapped a few photos when I got home this afternoon.

Mr. W really loves snow...he just leaps right into it!

The tree right by our deck.

Some of the major tree damage on our block.

Our deck.

And as a little contrast, 

some gorgeous flowers leftover from

Z's installation on Sunday.

And finally, getting mail always brightens my day.

So I was thrilled to find a little package

from my friend Kerri...

It was a teensy-tiny Kleenex box!

So there's my day.

What did your day look like?

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Autumn is upon us & 

the landscape is changing accordingly.

We haven't made it up to see the aspens yet, 

but I did snap some photos on a little hike this week.

Check out the rest of the photos here!

Fall in NC

When I was in NC at the end of October

my study breaks

involved stretching my legs &

getting some Fall shots around my parents' house.

This post is linked to Outdoor Wednesday.