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Coronavirus Pandemic

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  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Watching the hailstorm from our covered porch — Colorado Springs, CO.
    The aftermath of the hailstorm on our back deck — Colorado Springs, CO.Pea- to grape-sized hail on the back deck — Colorado Springs, CO.Won't be sitting out on the deck today! — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Summer Hailstorm!

    August 15, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    The pandemic is still raging in the US. We’re still social-distancing and staying away from any activities that might find us indoors with a bunch of other people. And of course, we’re wearing our face coverings — willingly — whenever we have to be in an enclosed space.

    No overseas travel plans for the rest of the year ... tired of having them canceled, so we’re not making any. Instead, we’re making good use of our home-on-wheels to explore our new home state. Those stories are in the “trip” for our Phoenix Cruiser travels (https://findpenguins.com/8pccjefaitoru/trip/t2t….)

    That’s the catch-up. Now to get on with the story described by the title of this footprint.

    Summer storms are a fixture in our area. They tend to come in the late afternoon and are often fast-moving. Sometimes they drop hail ... small ones, big ones. Most times it’s just liquid stuff.

    These summer storms tend to bypass our neighborhood. We've been known to stand on our porch and watch the storms pass north or south or east of us, with nary a drop wetting the ground at our house. We listen to the thunder. We watch the lightning. But we remain storm-free in our neighborhood.

    Not this time. No sooner had Mui finished installing a cell signal booster on the Cruiser and taken it back to storage that the heavens opened up. A few minutes later the pitter-patter that announces a hailstorm was going full blast.

    The good news? Unlike the golf ball-sized hail that covered the ground at The Broadmoor a few weeks ago, the hail that fell here at the house today was pea- to grape-sized. It was over in five minutes ... nothing to cause any serious damage.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Fall Foliage on Hwy 67, Colorado.
    Fall Foliage on Hwy 67, Colorado.Fall Foliage on Hwy 67, Colorado.Fall Foliage on Hwy 67, Colorado.Fall Foliage on Hwy 67, Colorado.Panoramic view of fall colors — Hwy 67, Colorado.Fall Foliage on Hwy 67, Colorado.Fall Foliage on Phantom Canyon Road, Colorado.Fall Foliage on Phantom Canyon Road, Colorado.Fall Foliage on Phantom Canyon Road, Colorado.

    Leaf-Peeping

    September 29, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    We went out to do some leaf-peeping today.

    Heading up Hwy 24, we turned on to Hwy 67 near Divide. WOW! What a difference a week makes. When we drove the section of the road up to Mueller State Park just a week ago Monday, there was no color at all. This time there was an abundance of gold ... mixed with patches of orange. Phantom Canyon Road — narrow, curvy, dusty though it was — similarly rewarded us with plenty of fall cheer ... even though the temp was more reminiscent of summer than the current season.

    The forecast for this year’s fall foliage is for it to peak and be gone in a very short time frame. Drought and freezing night time temps are the culprit apparently.

    Though we did see plenty of evidence of foliage past its prime, there was enough brilliant colors to keep us happy today.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    October sunrise — Colorado Springs, CO.
    October sunrise — Colorado Springs, CO.October sunrise — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Colorful Sunrise

    October 17, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    I don’t like that the days are so late getting started now that we’re past the middle of October. I know, I know. It’s going to get better in a couple of weeks when we fall back from Daylight Saving Time.

    There is a bonus, though. Colorful sunrises seem to coincide with our wake up time. I love these sunrises ... they bring peace to my soul.

    Yesterday, we winterized the Phoenix Cruiser ... our “vacation home on wheels.” What that means for this “trip” is that the footprint activity should pick up. That should make FindPenguins happy. Maybe it will stop reminding me that I haven’t posted a footprint here for a while.

    I also get frequent reminders from FindPenguins that I have yet to set an end date for this “trip.” No surprise there? I have no idea when the Coronavirus pandemic is going to take a back seat to what I anticipate is going to be our new normal for the foreseeable future ... even after a vaccine is rolled out.

    In the meantime, I’ll add bits and pieces to this “trip” when I have something I want to share.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    It's an important election year and we've done our civic duty — Colorado Springs, CO.
    Our reward for voting ... a savory pastry dish that Mui made ... Colorado Springs, CO.

    1st General Election Vote as Coloradans

    October 19, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Colorado is held-up as the gold standard for mail-in voting. If our experience with how it all worked out is anything to go by, I’d say that reputation is well-deserved.

    Ballots were mailed to registered voters on 9 October. The BallotTrax notification system advised us immediately. We were on a camping trip, however, so filling out our ballots had to wait a week.

    Yesterday, Mui and I sat down and completed our ballots. Even with all the propositions adding to the length of the ballot, it did not take us long to fold it back up, seal it in the provided envelope, and sign our names in the provided space ... as instructed.

    We’d already decided that we’d be using a convenient ballot drop box instead of the postal service to get our ballots into the voting system. Today, we drove to the DMV and did just that. Now we sit back and patiently wait for the election results to be announced!

    Our reward for doing our civic duty? Mui made a delicious savory pastry ... a Turkish dish that we call “kol böreği.” This baked dish consists of phyllo pastry dough layered with a filling ... in this case ground beef. 😋😋    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Sunrise from our back deck — Colorado Springs, CO.
    Sunrise from our back deck — Colorado Springs, CO.Sunrise from our back deck — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Sunrise & Acceptance

    October 21, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Don’t worry! I won’t be posting only about sunrises from our back deck. But, these colorful starts to our recent days were particularly spectacular. I think they deserve to be posted for their beauty as well as a reminder that there are things to be grateful for — small and big — even during pandemic times.

    By the way, Mui and I both received notifications from BallotTrax today. The first message was to advise us that our ballots had been received. The second message advised us that our ballots have been accepted.

    Acceptance means that the signature on the ballot envelope has been verified against the signature on file. Colorado does this immediately upon receipt.

    Counting of early votes in this state begins 15 days prior to Election Day. Technically, we’re within that time frame, so our ballots may well have been counted already. No way to know if that’s the case. Even though Colorado is an all-mail vote state, there is still an in-person voting option. Besides, legally, the vote count won’t be released until after 7:00p MST on Election Day. We’ll just have to wait until then. Patience is a virtue they say!    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Well camouflaged by the landscape and falling snow, the pronghorns come for a visit — COS, CO.
    The snow is accumulating ... slowly — Colorado Springs, CO.Most of the snow in the driveway was blown here by the winds — Colorado Springs, CO.View of the arroyo and the plains from the stairwell — Colorado Springs, CO.Yes, there is a bit of wind blowing the snow around — Colorado Springs, CO.

    First Snow of the 20-21 Season

    October 25, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °F

    If you want to be technical about it, the first early snow of the 20-21 season fell on 8 September ... or maybe it was 9 September. It doesn’t matter. We were camping at St Vrain State Park in Longmont, Colorado at the time. So, in my book, that snow doesn’t count 🤪

    Today, the snow started falling early this morning. It was soft. It was dry. It was being blown about by stiff winds. I checked the Wunderground weather station closest to us and it was reporting the highest gust as 18 mph. It sure felt a heck of a lot stronger.

    The forecasters are predicting anywhere from 4-8” where we are. Since the snow is expected to fall well into tomorrow, we’ll have to wait to see just how much white stuff accumulates here at the house.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    That's about all we got from the snowstorm — Colorado Springs, CO.
    Neither cold temps nor snow will stop Mui from grilling — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Storm Was a Dud!

    October 26, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 10 °F

    Hah! The snow storm, with an expected accumulation of 4-8” in our area, turned out to be a dud. Other regions got hammered ... especially further west and south of Colorado Springs. I think I saw 23” reported in La Veta. But here we didn’t get even close to the forecast.

    I measured the snow in the driveway at 2 ½ inches. Even without looking at the yardstick, however, I knew there was less than 3” because there was no sign of the snow removal team that shows up when the minimum accumulation threshold is met or exceeded.

    No complaints! I’m sure there are some major storms in our future once winter truly sets in. Not that it didn’t feel like it today. The 2F low we woke up to didn’t get much above 20F today.

    I only hope that this storm has helped to slow down the progress of the two major wildfires that have been raging in Northern Colorado — Cameron Peak and Calhan ... respectively, the first and second largest in the state’s history.    Read more

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    Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center — Divide, CO.

    Happy Halloween

    October 31, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    We didn’t grow up with Halloween celebrations. And we never really “got into it” in the 38 years that we’ve been living in the USA.

    BUT ... I can't resist posting this cute photo from our recent visit to the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center in Divide.

    Happy Howl-oween indeed 😉😄

    (If interested in reading about our visit to the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center, go to the footprint at this link ... https://findpenguins.com/8pccjefaitoru/footprin…)    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    View from the Bridge Canyon Overlook — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.
    Lake Gulch Trail ... when Catlewood Dam was built, this area was a reservoir — Castlewood Canyon SP.Lake Gulch Trail ... this land was covered by water before the dam burst — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.1Lake Gulch trail ... hurry, I can't hold it up much longer 🤪 — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.1Boulder crossing to get to the Dam Trail — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.What's left of Castlewood Dam ... Mui's standing on part of it — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.Trailhead for the Inner Canyon Trail — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.1Enjoying the sunshine after scrambling over the boulders — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.1Checking out Cherry Creek — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.Looking up the Inner Canyon — Castlewood Canyon SP, CO.

    Hiking in Castlewood Canyon

    November 2, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    We took advantage of spring-like weather today to check out Castlewood Canyon State Park (CCSP) near Frankstown. With plenty of sunshine and temps reaching up to 70F, it felt great to shed our jackets and go exploring ... and get some fun exercise to boot.

    CCSP is just off CO-83, between Colorado Springs and Denver ... about 32 miles from our house. We’d noticed it when we drove that way as an alternate to I-25. I’d even considered camping there in the RV. Turns out, however, that there is no camping at this state park. So, we planned a day trip in early October instead. Alas, the weather did not cooperate then. Our second try was the charm today.

    The park has an interesting geology. The canyon that is within the park boundaries was created by Cherry Creek cutting down into the bedrock, leaving behind the well-cemented Castle Rock Conglomerate. Interestingly, this creek flows north ... thanks to the rise of the Palmer Divide millions of years ago.

    A piece of Colorado history is also protected by this park — the ruins of the Castlewood Dam. Built across Cherry Creek in 1890 to store water for irrigation, the dam gave way in 1933. The deluge of resulting water traveled down Cherry Creek, flooding farmlands, sending a 15-foot high wave into Denver, and killing two people.

    At the visitor center, reading one of the info panels about the dam disaster, I couldn’t help but think of mankind’s hubris ... not unlike the way the Titanic was billed as “unsinkable.” We all know how that ended. Here’s the statement from A.M. Wells, Design Engineer of Castlewood Dam: “The Castlewood Dam will never in the life of any person now living or in generations to come, break to any extent that it will do any great damage either to itself or to others …” — in a letter to the Denver Times, May 2, 1900. Just over 30 years later ... poof, the dam collapsed.

    CCSP has two sections ... east and west. There is no road connection between the two from within the park. The visitor center is in the east area, so we opted to hike there. After a quick look-see from the Bridge Canyon Overlook, we drove to the Canyon Point parking lot at the end of the road.

    The trails from here are all in-out, but it is possible to kludge together a loop by combining several of them. We started off on Lake Gulch — which gave us a chance to see the ranchlands that were flooded to create a reservoir after the Castlewood Dam was built. Once the dam broke and the waters emptied out, the area became ranchlands again.

    Crossing over a “boulder bridge,” we next connected to the Dam Trail, which took us to see the remnants of the dam. Then, we re-traced our steps to get to the Inner Canyon Trail. The trail was narrow and strewn with rocks and boulders. We had great fun scrambling around and enjoying the delightful day before taking the steep stairs at the end of the trail to get back up to the parking lot.

    The CCSP trail map describes these three trails as moderate. Despite the stairs we had to walk up at the end of our hike, and the boulder scrambling along the way, I’d say all three are actually easy as long as you’re in reasonable shape. The direction in which we hiked worked in our favor. Had we done it in reverse, the last segment would have been all uphill ... not a bad grade, but uphill nonetheless.

    Will we return to Castlewood Canyon to hike the other trails? I’m not sure. We have more interesting trails far closer to us. That said, the landscape would be a lot greener in the spring, so perhaps we will go back then.

    You can see more photos from today’s hike in my online gallery ... https://eenusa.smugmug.com/North-America-US-Can…    Read more

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    Happy Thanksgiving ... Happy Anniversary — Colorado Springs, CO.
    The usual Thanksgiving trimmings with a chocolate mousse anniversary cake — Colorado Springs, CO.

    T'giving & Anniversary

    November 26, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F

    When we got married in 1981, our wedding fell on Thanksgiving Day.

    Today — 39 years later — we again celebrated both occasions on the same day.

    Unlike last year, when we had a houseful of guests for Thanksgiving — family and friends — it was just the two of us raising a toast to ourselves in 2020. What can I say? During a pandemic like the one that is blowing up all across the country, it's best not to involve others.Read more

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    From naked to dressed windows ... step-by-step windowsill project — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Dressing Our Naked Windowsills

    November 27, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F

    July 2018 ... after we went to contract on our house, we met with the design studio rep for upgrades. We were given the option to add sills to the windows. We asked them to price out the option ... saw the add-on cost ... gulped ... and said we'd add them ourselves later.

    Fast forward to 2020. Finally, the windows have their sills. Mui purchased the PVC sills online from Sill-Rite earlier this month. Once they arrived, the installation began. Measure twice; cut once; liquid-nail them on the naked sill; caulk and paint.

    Another home project now completed!    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    1Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.
    At the head of the dirt path ... Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.Crackling ice on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.Pikes Peak frosted with snow ... Winter Stroll on the Cottonwood Creek Trail — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Winter Stroll ... Cottonwood Creek Trail

    December 7, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    A day of blue skies and sunshine — with a forecasted high of 61F — begged to be enjoyed. So, we tapped into the AllTrails app to find ourselves somewhere new to go for a stroll.

    A trail that runs through Cottonwood Creek Park, about 4.5 miles from our house, fit the bill perfectly. The narrow, dirt trail followed the creek bed along which the partially frozen water trickled slowly. The Front Range and Pikes Peak were distant but constant companions, adding to the beauty of the scenery. Scrambling down some boulders we even managed to get down to the creek to listen to the crackling of the ice as it lost the battle with the warm rays of the sun and began breaking apart.

    Though this is a community park, it was a quiet place today. There were couples strolling arm in arm on the paved path rimming the playing fields. Young mothers pushed strollers. Dog owners played fetch with their pups. Young adults got their exercise at the nearby disc golf course. A group of socially-distanced young ladies enjoyed a picnic. Only a few people ventured onto the dirt path, which we had to ourselves except in a few places where we encountered like-minded people seeking a peaceful stroll.    Read more

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    Left or right? Checking the trail map — Black Forest Regional Park, CO.
    2The burn scar from the 2013 Black Forest Fire — Black Forest Regional Park, CO.A bus stop? No, probably a weather shelter — Black Forest Regional Park, CO.A "we are hiking" selfie — Black Forest Regional Park, CO.The trail snakes through the burn scar — Black Forest Regional Park, CO.

    Black Forest Regional Park

    December 8, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Another terrific winter day. Again ... blue skies, sunshine, and temps forecasted to reach 65F. Mui once more tapped into the AllTrails app and off we went to enjoy the day ... this time at the Black Forest Regional Park, located about 7 miles from the house.

    Unlike the flat Cottonwood Creek Trail we walked yesterday, the Black Forest Loop is more of a hike. An easy one to be sure ... no real elevation gains. But the ups and downs gave us a good cardio workout since we walked at a pretty good clip.

    That we had the trail entirely to ourselves was a delight. We saw one runner who passed us just as we were starting our hike and we did not encounter anyone else until we were well on our way back to the car. A peaceful and quiet park for sure ... which was a surprise on such a beautiful day.

    What we didn’t know when we set out for our hike is that the park was the scene of what is still listed as the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history ... eclipsing the Waldo Canyon Fire that is still talked about in hushed voices. Granted, there have been bigger fires — this 2013 fire was 14,000 acres only — but it destroyed over 500 homes and killed 2 people. We saw evidence of the burn scar as we hiked the meandering path through the park. Sad ... especially since natural causes have been eliminated as the source of the fire.    Read more

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    Preparing to paint the office furniture — Colorado Springs, CO.
    5Panoramic look at the finished project — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Another Project Completed

    December 12, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °F

    When we moved into our Colorado Springs house, I took the front bedroom on the main floor for my office.

    Today, Mui completed the few projects that were pending. One ... repainting the surface of the furniture I had in my home office in Virginia. Two ... adding box valances above the two windows. I’ve not yet decided whether to buy a rug. If something catches my eye, I might do so. I’m in no hurry to make that decision.Read more

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    All set to make strawberry santas — Colorado Springs, CO.
    1Adding the mascarpone filling and eyes ... yummy — Colorado Springs, CO.2Strawberry santas! — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Giada’s Strawberry Santas

    December 22, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    Mui tried out a new Christmas treat this afternoon! Strawberries with a mascarpone/powdered sugar/vanilla filling and chocolate chip eyes.

    (The recipe called for mini chocolate chips, but Mui filled this week’s “grocery store shopping” quota before he found the recipe, so he used what he had on hand for this test run.)Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Mothers Church with Pikes Peak in the backdrop — Colorado Springs, CO.
    Frozen creek @ Rock Ledge Ranch — Colorado Springs, CO.Love the reflection on the pond with the ice breaking up — Rock Ledge Ranch ... Colorado Springs, COGalloway Homestead Cabin (1867-1874) — Rock Ledge Ranch ... Colorado Springs, CO.Outhouse @ the Galloway Homestead — Rock Ledge Ranch ... Colorado Springs, CO.Chambers Farm Barn (1867-1874) — Rock Ledge Ranch ... Colorado Springs, CO.Barnyard animals @ Chambers Farm — Rock Ledge Ranch ... Colorado Springs, CO.Orchard House (1907-1910) was built by the founder of Colorado Springs — Rock Ledge Ranch ... COS.Garden of the Gods ... Pikes Peak peeking out between the red rocks — Colorado Springs, CO.A "we are here" selfie @ Garden of the Gods — Colorado Springs, CO.

    When “Plan A” Fails ...

    December 25, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    Sunshine, blue skies, and temps ranging up to 58F ... best to get out and make the most of the day before the next cold front arrives after the weekend ... possibly with snow to follow.

    We set out mid-morning to do a hike at Sondermann Park, described as being “so well hidden that it feels like one of the State’s best kept secrets.” So accurate. We found one entrance to the park, but there was nowhere to park the car. Neither the GPS nor Google was able to get us to a better access point.

    So, we went to plan B.

    Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a very popular hiking area. It’s off US-24. We’ve driven by it several times. We know exactly where it is. But neither the GPS nor Google could route us to the parking area from where we were ... without going out of our way a considerable distance.

    So, we went to plan C.

    Garden of the Gods, with its beautiful red rock scenery, is a very popular place in Colorado Springs. We figured it would be hopping today with locals showing it off to their Christmas visitors. We were right. Vehicles were backed up from the road all the way to the parking lot for the Central Garden ... at least a mile.

    The good news? The GPS routed us the back way, well away from the crowds. Parking on the road by Mothers Church — near Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site — our plan was to do a perimeter trail at Garden of the Gods. When we noticed that the grounds to the ranch were open — and free since the buildings are closed due to COVID-19 — we detoured to wander around there first.

    The ranch is a living history farm and museum that depicts life in the Pikes Peak region from the time the American Indians lived here (1775-1835) to the early 1900s when the founder of Colorado Springs purchased the land. In between, homesteaders and ranchers eked out their living here.

    Our meandering walk eventually took us across the Garden of the Gods entrance road. Following the Foothills Trail, we cut across to the Dakota Trail, which connects to several other paths. Kludging together a bunch of pathways to keep ourselves away from the crowds, we eventually connected to the Galloway Trail, which took us through the ranch and back to our car.

    All told — we hiked some 3.6 miles and enjoyed a warm winter day walk.    Read more

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    Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
    Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Christmas cheer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

    Holiday Cheer!

    December 25, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 30 °F

    Christmas night, Mui and I hopped in the car to check out the holiday decorations in and near our neighborhood ... our only “holiday cheer” nighttime outing during the 2020 pandemic year.

    I’ve attached a few photos here ... more can be found at this link:
    https://eenusa.smugmug.com/Other/Christmas-Chee…    Read more

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    A warm-day hike @ the High Chaparral Open Space — Colorado Springs, CO.
    A warm-day hike @ the High Chaparral Open Space — the Front Range ... Colorado Springs, CO.A warm-day hike @ the High Chaparral Open Space — Colorado Springs, CO.A warm-day hike @ the High Chaparral Open Space — Colorado Springs, CO.A warm-day hike @ the High Chaparral Open Space — Colorado Springs, CO.

    High Chaparral Open Space

    December 26, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Another day with forecasted temps about 20 degrees higher than is normal for Colorado this time of the year. Blue skies. Sunshine. So, off we went again to take advantage of the conditions. Our destination this time was one of the many “open spaces” found around the state ... this one just a short drive from the house.

    The Colorado Springs website describes the High Chaparral Open Space as follows: ¨… prominent ridgeline vegetated with scrub oak, shrub land patches and mixed-grass prairie. Views from the crest of the ridge, the highest point in eastern Colorado Springs, include the Spanish Peaks and Wet Mountains to the south, the Black Forest to the north, and an uninterrupted view of Colorado Springs mountain backdrop to the west.¨

    What the description fails to mention is that the scenery is rather dull vegetation-wise … especially this time of the year. But there are expansive views of the Front Range. And Pikes Peak is a constant companion. Walking a bit down the trail, the residential neighborhoods surrounding the open space become less intrusive as well.

    We hiked both trails, coming across only a couple of people along the way ... mostly locals from nearby neighborhoods. All in all, we hiked about 3.5 miles by adding a paved path near the trailhead for a good cardio workout and some extra steps.    Read more

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    Prospect Lake with Pikes Peak in the background — Colorado Springs, CO.
    1Pikes Peak peeking through the tree trunks @ Prospect Lake — Colorado Springs, CO.Panorama of Prospect Lake with the Front Range as a backdrop — Colorado Springs, CO.Canada geese and other waterfowl enjoying Prospect Lake — Colorado Springs, CO.3"Snacking Squirrel" in a tree @ Prospect Lake — Colorado Springs, CO.Panorama of Prospect Lake ... boathouse on the left — Colorado Springs, CO.Looking across Prospect Lake to Memorial Park — Colorado Springs, CO.Panorama of Prospect Lake from the far end — Colorado Springs, CO.1A "we are here" selfie @ Prospect Lake — Colorado Springs, CO.Buffalo Soldiers Memorial with memorial to all who have fallen in the service of country (back) — CO

    1st Outing of 2021

    January 2, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F

    We like to start off the new year with a walk ... or a hike ... or doing something active. It’s a tradition we began years ago when we were living in Virginia.

    Alas, this year, we had to postpone that tradition to the second day of the year. Not because we were lazy, mind you. No, it was the gusty winds that added a chill to the already low temperatures kept us indoors yesterday.

    Today, the weather conditions were much more pleasant. It was around 40F when we left the house ... sunshine and blue skies ... not even the hint of a breeze. Perfect.

    Our plan, when we left the house, was to hike one of the trails at Palmer Park. Unfortunately, we neglected to consider the snow that was still on the ground. Snow that had melted and frozen again ... and again ... creating icy trails.

    So, we switched plans. Searching the AllTrails app for a paved walking path, we headed off to Prospect Lake ... the Front Range and Pikes Peak adding to the beauty of the setting in which the lake is situated. The adjacent Memorial Park, with monuments dedicated to all those who have fallen in the service of their country, was an added bonus.    Read more

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    Our second "frozen lake walk" of 2021 — Quail Lake Park ... Colorado Springs, CO.
    Quail Lake with Cheyenne Mountain as a backdrop — Colorado Springs, CO.Panorama of Quail Lake with its beautiful mountain backdrop — Colorado Springs, CO.1A "we are here" selfie — Quail Lake Park ... Colorado Springs, CO.The tip of Pikes Peak ... ever-present — Quail Lake Park ... Colorado Springs, CO.Interesting break-up points in the ice — Quail Lake Park ... Colorado Springs, CO.Quail Lake Park ... Colorado Springs, CO.Panorama of Quail Lake Park ... Colorado Springs, CO.Quail Lake Park ... Colorado Springs, CO."The Windmark" ... a rusty steel sculpture @ Quail Lake Park ... Colorado Springs, CO.

    Frozen Quail Lake

    January 3, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F

    With 50F forecasted for today, not to mention blue skies and sunshine, we just had to get out for another walk. This time, we drove 19 miles to Quail Lake Park, located on the west side of I-25.

    Quail Lake was formed in 1973 by damming a tributary of Fountain Creek. It has a beautiful backdrop of mountains ... the three peaks of Cheyenne Mountain being the most prominent. The tip of Pikes Peak is visible as well ... from certain parts of the dirt trail that rims the lake.

    As popular as this park is, I was surprised at how few people we encountered today ... a couple of people hiking the 1-mile loop that has a gentle, 300-foot elevation gain ... anglers fishing from one of the piers. And, oh yes, there was a young woman in a bikini taking a dip in a hole she found in the mostly frozen lake while her friend took a video to document the occasion!!!    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    "So Proud of my Children" ... N. Kadzungura @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO.
    Frozen pool @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO.Beautiful orchids on our way to the art exhibit @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO.Colorful orchids @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO.The Immersion Wall @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO."Parmelia" ... one of the pieces at J. Guralnick's "Prima Lingua" Exhibit @ the DBG — Denver, CO."Plants That Changed the World" by J. Guralnick @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO."Three Generations" by T. Ortega @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO."Cousins of DACA" by T. Ortega @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO.Al fresco dining with Sonia & Boris @ the Denver Botanic Gardens — Denver, CO.

    Denver Botanic Gardens

    January 23, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F

    Denver is some 66 miles from where we live in Colorado Springs. So, anytime we head in that direction, we try try to mix business — or errands, as the case might be — with pleasure.

    With delightfully warm and sunny weather forecasted for today, we arranged to meet up with our friends Sonia and Boris before heading off to Denver International Airport for our Global Entry interviews. Of course, this being COVID times, I suggested an outdoor venue for our get together.

    Winter doesn’t offer colorful flowers at the Denver Botanic Gardens ... especially since places like the conservatory remain closed. We knew that and were OK with that. Regardless, we enjoyed a meandering walk outdoors, chattering away like magpies as we caught up with the goings on in each others’ lives. We even found a warm spot in the sun where we partook an al fresco picnic with sandwiches that we brought from our respective homes.

    That we seldom ran into anyone else was perfect for these times that call for social distancing. Especially at the two art exhibits we checked out in one of the buildings on the grounds. We weren’t expecting that any of the indoor attractions would be open, so these two exhibits — each colorful in its own way — came as a lovely surprise.

    A beautiful day ... a great time with friends.

    P.S. And yes, we did eventually get to our appointments at DEN. Our membership in the Global Entry Program has now been renewed and we’re good until our birthdays in 2025. The process might have taken 13 months to complete — we submitted our renewal applications in December 2019, but then ... well, you know ... all that disruption due to the Coronavirus — but once we got in for our appointments, the interviews were completed in less than ½-hour.

    (More photos are at this online gallery: https://eenusa.smugmug.com/North-America-US-Can…)    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Old Look ... disregard the blue tapes ... this is an old photo from the pre-closing walkthrough.
    Do It Right ... good motto for any project we tackle.1Ta da ... the finished look with glass tile backsplash.

    Vanity Tile Backsplash Project

    January 23, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F

    When we bought our house, we opted out of the tile backsplash for the bathrooms vanities. It was a pricey addition that Mui said he could do himself later.

    So he did.

    We had enough tile to do all four bathrooms, so he decided to tackle all four bathrooms. Now we have another ✅ on the “home projects list.”Read more

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