Go West

On February 7^th I decided to go to Denver.  New babies in the family and an uncle celebrating his 70^th birthday on the 23rd prompted this trip.  I left central Ohio in an ice storm; DH and I always joke that on the rare occasion that we plan a trip bad weather can be expected.  Just a note here that I hate flying more than anything (right up there with driving on the outer belt  freeway during inclement weather) and actually got a prescription for anxiety from my physician in order to make the flight more bearable and it worked!  Better living through chemistry.   I arrived in Denver mid- morning and my uncle Henry from Ohio who had driven out with my aunt Patty picked me up and the airport and took me to my cousin Angie’s house that she shares with her partner Maureen.  Only a couple family members knew I was making the trip because I wanted to surprise uncle Ray, the birthday boy, who is also my godfather.  Aunt Patty got a surprise too, when I arrived, and it was great fun to see her expression when I walked in the door at my cousins home.  Of course a non-stop gab fest ensued right on through the afternoon and into dinner at The British Snug (dinner was fish and chips, the best I have ever eaten)  in downtown Denver, at which time my cousin Greg joined in on the festivities which were followed by a visit to a the Denver Art Museum.  At the museum there was, to my delight, a Georgia O’Keefe exhibit, a wine and cheese party and also a painting station where my aunt and I stopped to paint our own breathtaking masterpieces.  We got to bed at midnight which was 2 pm Ohio time. Rebbe, the Bichon Havenese, was more than happy to comply when I asked him if he to wanted snuggle.  DH said I better not let Daisy know that I cheated on her while in Denver. LOL

The next morning Angie, Maureen and I (aunt and uncle drove separately) went up the mountain (Rocky) to my uncles house near Conifer for the party.  We arrived early so as to have time for some extra visiting. Uncle Ray was totally surprised and excited to see me, as I hoped he would be and aunt Janet was pleased that we had pulled off the surprise.  Another aunt and uncle and a total of 9 (of 28) cousins were present. We have four new babies in the family all born between August and October of 2012 and three of them were at the party.  (I knitted baby booties for all the babies and fingerless driving mitts for my uncle). They were delighted. The babies were passed around and around and all of us “kids” got  to catch up with each other as our visits are infrequent due to everyone living all over the U.S.

At 2 pm I got a call from the airport telling me that bad weather was expected and I could change my flight with no additional charge.  An hour later the flight got cancelled. Darn!  I had to stay an extra day.

We went back down to Denver that night and the next day we had a blizzard. Conifer got 19 inches of snow and Denver got 10.  We were housebound all day and so we did what our family does best-cook and eat. For breakfast challah bread French toast (super yummy), lunch was Dagwood sandwiches and lentil soup, and dinner was amazing spaghetti –made that way by the sauce that my aunt whipped up from scratch. I didn't see any cars on the street as it was snowing and blowing so hard.  During a lag in the precipitation my uncle and I and Lucie the Labrador went outside to “play” and I used the snow blower to clear the driveway and my uncle did some shoveling.  That evening the Conifer clan sent me some photos as there were 15 mule deer in their backyard looking for something to eat from the bird feeder.

On Monday my flight was on schedule so we made the early morning trek to the airport in my aunt and uncle all-wheel drive vehicle.  Denver, unlike, Ohio is prepared for snow and people there actually know how to drive in it. And they use environmentally friendly sand for traction and not salt on the roads.  We were treated to spectacular rime ice displays along the roadside and my uncle stopped and let me take a few photographs since we had plenty of time before my flight. 

Needless to say I had an absolute blast and appreciated my hostess’s warm and welcoming home and of course am ready to go back tomorrow.  DH said twist his arm. Hope you enjoy the photos.

My bunny painting

 Driving/Hunting mitts

Me, Zoe and Uncle Ray  Prayers for baby Zoe as she has spinal muscular atrophy disease

I will cherish this photo.

 All the sweet babies ( modeling their booties) and their mom's Susan and Brianna,

 Emily and Leo, Eliza and Zoe

 Angie, Karen, Me, Emily and little Leo

 Rebbe and Lucie

 Fun in the snow

 Yummy french toast

 Mule deer

Rime ice

Knit One...

This past week I have been busy making baby booties for the new three babies in our family. I also made some knitted driving mitts for my godfather who is celebrating his 70th birthday this coming weekend.  The baby booties are 60/40 red satin angora and cream alpaca.  The driving mitts are 100% blue-faced leicester wool and are very warm. Hoepfully the recipients will love them as much as I do. Amazing what one can accomplish without the distraction of a computer. Ours in in repair hopefully coming out today.

Mass Production

My girl Vesper sure can grow the fiber. Here she is after being groomed yesterday; surrounded by the fiber that I pulled out of her.  And as much as there is on the grooming table there is still three times that much on her body. She's the best wooler I've ever had. Sits very patiently while being groomed and is just an easy going  doe. Crazy up and down temperatures and weird weather is inducing molt in my rabbits and I don't want to take their coats all the way off because I think we are still going to have some chilly temperatures.  I'm saving all that I get this spring to mix together and handspin into yarn of 100% angora.

Antique Rabbit Book

I was perusing eBay not long ago trying to find a vintage book for hubby that he has wanted for some time.  While looking I came across a vintage 1948 edition of Rabbits by Herbert S. Zim and decided to purchase it for myself.  When it arrived the other day I was pleasantly surprised by the lovely illustrations done by Joy Buba and the inclusion of information devoted to the angora rabbit.  While seeking to learn more about the author I discovered that he wrote dozens of the golden nature guides of which I have probably ten.  My brother and I referred often to those books as children and seemingly learned everything we knew about natural history at that point from Zim's books.  Here are a few of the pages for your viewing pleasure. Oh and I did find the vintage book for hubby and gave it to him for Valentines Day. He was delighted.

The Mackinac Bridge

These photos of the Mackinac Bridge were taken by my dad in 1957. I had  forgotten they were around until I was prompted by Facebook (a page about the bridge); and asked my brother who is keeping them in an album, if I could make some scans.  My dad took these in route to Leech Lake, Minnesota via the upper peninsula in 1957.  Back in the "old" days cars crossed the Straits by ferry.  Hard for me to imagine a time before the bridge; our family has made an annual trip to the upper peninsula since 1968.  Good times! For more information about the bridge you can see their website here where there is lots of interesting historical information.

My Current Obsession

Way far off topic at least for me-Gavin DeGraw; very unique talent,
very distinct vocal style, easy on the eyes. Have a listen!

Beautiful Snowflakes

Andrew took these photos last weekend during a snow storm. Certain conditions are needed to form the type of flakes that make for interesting photos.

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.  ~Vista M. Kelly

The Ice Caves

Last time we made a trip to the "Ice Caves" was in winter 2006.  They probably haven't existed since then because it takes a certain amount of water and a certain period of below zero temperatures to get the formations.  We had a substantial amount of rain followed by a long period of cold over the past two weeks so on Thursday of last week we started checking the weather and making plans for our journey.  We left for Hocking County at 11 am on Sunday but didn't get to the caves until 2 pm. It should have only taken us about 1.5 hours.  None of the township roads on our route were plowed and we simply could not get the Vue up the steep hills going the back way which necessitated taking the long way. Once we got to the back entrance of the area we had to drive up another snowy road and park the car and then hike a couple miles down to the cave.  It was beautiful and very quiet in the woods. Andrew was on the job in part as he was assessing the health of the hemlock trees and looking for invasives while we were in route. Happily nothing to report there.  Here's a few photos of the cave. None that do it justice but a few that might make a publication somewhere. I also made a video of the water dripping and flowing and of the ice formations. Click here to view the video.

 Inside the cave looking out

 Entrance to the cave

In the ravine above the cave

 Ice flow

 Close up of dripping water

 The entrance

 Holly

 Inside toward the back wall

 Looking out and up

Andrew is far left in this photo so you can get an idea of the size of the formations.

About the area:
The Clear Creek valley extends from the intersection of Clear Creek with the Hocking River in the east to the town of Revenge in the west. In 1996 the valley officially opened as Clear Creek Metro Park, part of the Franklin County Metro Parks system. The beauty of the Clear Creek valley comes from the overlap of geologic and climate zones. Here the prairies of the west meet the Appalachian forests of the east. Canadian hemlocks pushed south by glaciers meet southern species such as rhododendron. And it all rests on a bedrock of Blackhand sandstone. The topography of the park is extremely rugged, with many steep ravines, rock outcroppings and cliff faces. While hemlocks and ferns prefer the cool ravines, the hillsides are covered with oak forests. Open fields on the ridgetops and in the valley provide habitat for meadow plants and animals, and wetlands along the creek create homes for sycamore trees and waterfowl. Over 1200 plant species have been identified in Clear Creek. Among the standouts are mountain laurel, little gray polypody, maidenhair ferns, horsetail, pink ladyslipper, skunk cabbage, witch hazel, American chestnut, and persimmon trees. The valley is home to over 150 species of birds, including black vultures, eastern bluebirds, veeries, wood thrush, great blue heron, woodcock, wild turkey, and many species of warblers. Evidence of beaver activity is easily found near the creek, but bobcats live more secretive lives among the rock ledges. Chipmunks rustle among fallen leaves and deer sightings are frequent.  www.hockinghills.com/ClearCreek

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Snow Birds

Andrew took some more bird photos today. It was snowing and that brings them to the feeder in droves. We also saw purple house finch, cardinal, the red bellied woodpecker, carolina wren, red breasted nut hatch, goldfinch and bluebirds in addition to what you see here.

Bob's Birthday

My brothers birthday was yesterday.  We grilled steaks in 14 degree weather and had a big dinner and pineapple upside down cake.  A good time was had by all. And I can't believe how old we are. Yike. I've got the big 5-0 coming up....

(out of cherries...the blueberries were a good substitute)