It’s Friday and you know what that means…hiya…Elsa here. Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday.We’re joining our pals from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others have posted.
We didn’t post last week because Mom was too sick to prepare a post, so a couple of this week’s photos were ones that were slated for last week. Especially the snowy scenes from the foot of wet, white stuff that fell. Mom was up north getting the House Pony spiffed up and killed some time by taking an extended walk in the neighborhood where her groomer works.
Wilson: Don’t remind me of that day…I got myself so worked up Miss Sydney wasn’t able to groom me because I had really bad stress diarrhea. I felt badly for her and couldn’t leave fast enough to recover at home. I was super clean but Mom had to trim me up for my pet therapy evaluation last Monday. Let’s start with our first photo-Longs Peak.
Longs Peak is one of the many 14,000+ ft. high mountains in Colorado. At 14,256-foot (4345.22 m) ‘fourteener’ it’s located in the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness, about 9.6 miles (15.5 km) from the Town of Estes Park. It was named to honor explorer Stephen Harriman Long and the mountain is featured on the Colorado state quarter. To the left in the photo shrouded in the clouds, is Meeker Peak (elevation 13,911 ft. (4240.07 m). The two mountains are sometimes referred to as the Twin Peaks. Longs Peak has long been popular among climbers year round, it being the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a cold day and fairly windy and she sat next to the snowman on the bench above watching the clouds shift from her perch for a while. Well…until she got too cold and resumed a vigorous walk to warm up again.
Elsa: Makes you wonder what early settlers thought and experienced as they came through the area. It got her thinking maybe she’d like to head up there when the weather was less severe and hopes it won’t be too crowded during the middle of the week. We’ll see. She gets all cranky about scenic places where thoughtless tourists ruin the experience like when she went leaf peeping back in September. I remain skeptical but as the expression goes, ‘we’ll see.’
Wilson: She told me that she was very contemplative as she sat there shivering on the hill looking westward as the clouds hurried through the area.
Elsa: Brrrrr…glad I wasn’t there. I mean, I don’t mind bouncing around in snow but to just sit there…yeah…no. {head shaking} Mom and her zen moments kind of goes over my head.
Wilson: I know what you mean. When we were on our way home, she stopped to get petrol and while pumping, she kept staring at the colors of oil drops mixed with the slushy snow at the parking lot. Weird, right?
Elsa: There are so many weird things humans do, you’ll get no arguments from me. But the colors are kinda cool. I’m sure Mom got contemplative thinking of the environmental impact of oil on roadways, especially during that intense storm.
Wilson: Come to think of it, she did. She got real quiet. The next day, she noticed how the ice had formed in the solar fountain and watched it for several moments. Then she realized she needed to pull out the leaves so it didn’t clog up the pump. Guess there’s always something for her to do.
Elsa: Whenever she’s been out walking, she comes back inside almost melancholy. When people walked past our house, she often finds paper wrappers or plastic cups. Why do humans liter?
Wilson: Beats me. Mum was picking up stuff that had blown in on Monday and suffered a small relapse because she overdid it. That got her attention so she’s been better about it. It’s important to get a nice dose of Vitamin D but she doesn’t have to build Rome while she’s getting back to 100%. I even tried to convince her to take it easy by laying across her legs. I figured that’d hold her down a bit but you know Mum, she gets a notion in her head and off she goes.
Elsa: Yeah, I have noticed that. Thank goodness you are able to literally pin her down so she can fully recover. I’m glad she went outside for a little sunshine and didn’t come back in with a trash bag full of rubbish or leaves. Gawd knows with the wind bringing down most of the leaves, she’d be outside for hours. She did find some interesting hip fruit on a tree and on an Euonymus shrub. She notices little berries and kinda goes crazy checking them out. I guess they’re good for birds and squirrels…
Wilson: {interrupting with an audible gasp} Squirrels?! Where…let me at them!
Elsa: Down Rover. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to go hunting but remember Mom is still recovering and doesn’t need to be turned into a kite. Remember, you can check them out…you just can’t go running like a Sherman tank after them.
Wilson: I can’t help myself. They call me names and taunt me….
Elsa: Oh for bloody sakes, dude. You’re a dog, of course they are going to taunt you. Get. Over. It. Sheesh. You need to be above that, dude.
Wilson: When you put it like that, I guess I need to demonstrate more control, now that I’m a full fledged therapy dog.
Elsa: I’m impressed, you didn’t even argue with me. Maybe there’s hope for you yet. So what’s on your schedule this weekend? Got any big plans before the big turkey day celebration next Thursday?
Wilson: I’m just going to make sure Mum doesn’t work too hard. She’s attending the Denver Dog Days event on behalf of the rescue for a few hours and just hope she doesn’t overdo. But there will be other volunteers there so I think she’ll be okay. If you’re local, swing by and say hi. I know she’d love to see folks. Click on link for details and location.
Elsa: Sounds like fun, but you know me, I’m planning on napping in a nice warm sun puddle. The weather should be the 60’s. Perfect for snoozing and chill-axin. Whatever you do, we hope you have a great weekend as you prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. Make it a great weekend and by all means check out what scenes Nature provides.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Java Bean: “Ayyy, stress diarrhea? That sounds like no fun at all! I hope that doesn’t come back!”
Lulu: “Mama and Dada were in Colorado several years ago and they said those mountain views were amazing. So cool that you get to go out and there they are. And the snow! I would love to play in it someday!”
Thanks, Bean. We hope the stress bug stays away too.
Lulu, the mountains are truly something else around here; we sometimes forget how lucky we are they are so close and so beautiful.
Wishing you all a restful weekend. Maybe the squirrels will ease up on Wilson. Congrats again on his achievement and service. Take care.
Many thanks, Dan. Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy Thanksgiving
‘howliday.’ Sadly your comment was in the spam folder. Sorry about the delay in acknowledging your kind comment.
Elsa and Wilson, thank you for a great conversation telling us what is going on there. Nice to hear your mom is much better. So you have snow now, not so nice. Those peaks look amazing, made me remember the TV series Twin Peaks.
Have a great weekend.
Kiltos, Kristiina. The snow is about 95% melted (it’s been nearly 17C today-63F) but the weatherman says we may get a bit more on Tuesday. Longs Peak is quite picturesque especially when you’re further north from our house. I need to drive up there in the summer to check it out up close. Enjoy the rest of weekend.
Thank you, Monika. The weather man here says we will have rain, and + degrees C, so it means wet snow up to our knees😂
Oh dear, that’s no good. Those wet snows are hard on old backs, just ask me how I know. 😉
Yes, I know it, too😂
We are hoping that your Mom DOES take it easy and DOES get more rest so she can be 100% for the upcoming holidays. Lots of people get sick this time of year with the weather change and “bugs” (ick) that go around but here’s hoping your efforts to keep your Mom RESTING work! Meanwhile thanks for the beautiful photos – we love seeing them and it sure looks like winter has decided to make itself comfy where you are! We had six or seven flakes of snow (it wasn’t even worth calling snow!) yesterday but so far, no REAL sign of it here (except for being cold!). Sending HUGGIES………
Love, Teddy (and Mom Pam)
Thanks, Teddy and Mum. Our mom is doing well and back to being pretty much her normal bossy self. So much for a holiday from that. BOL We’re supposed to be in the mid-60’s today so guess that means we’re now in the yo-yo weather season since snow may arrive again on Tuesday. Us dogs are getting whiplash! Here’s hoping you have a ‘furbulous’ weekend!
Your fur-iends,
Elsa & Wilson 🐾
Very nice photos.
Many thanks, Ellen. Sending good cheer and positive thoughts to your mum. Have a good weekend.
Excellent walk once again kids. I’m glad Wilson and Mama are feeling better these days, but Wilson is right on, Mama has to keep it chill- and no, that wasn’t a temperature joke.
As for weird stuff humans do? How’s about those settlers back in the day, traveling cross country when doing so was taking your life in your hands?
Thanks, Marc. Seems like the desire to travel helped fuel the expansion of the country. Who knew we all are basically gypsies at heart?
It seems so.
I hope you and your Mum are both feeling better now. Yes, the settlers had many sights and many experiences on their journey!
Definitely much better. Early day settlers makes one wonder what drove people to travel to such far away places with less than hospitable conditions, doesn’t it?
You both are right, rest is the best medicine. A nice cup of tea and a couch works wonders. Will be thinking of your Mom and a wish that she feels better soon.
Thanks, John. She’s doing much better now-thank heavens. We don’t have thumbs and it’s hard to be helpful without them. Hope you have a good weekend.
Ha ha ha. Laying on legs helps.
It’s rough on the circulation though. 😆
That’s true.
Mommy understands about being contemplative in nature. She’s like that too. Your cold must have headed our way. It was in the 30s this morning and we all did our potties in a hurry. Now we’re headed to Fort Wayne to visit our grandma and aunts and uncle, it’s not getting any warmer
Good thing Mommy brought some warm sweaters for us (and didn’t shave off my hair). XOX Xena
Even though it’s in the mid-50’s today, it’s cloudy and feels chilly. Tomorrow it’s supposed to reach the mid 60’s and then in a couple of days, back to snow. Have a safe trip and stay warm, Xena.
Beautiful snow scenery!! We had snow here, too, but it was all gone by the afternoon. It did look pretty for a brief while…I Love how fresh snow makes everything look pristine and calm.
Keep on keeping on, and hope you stay well with no relapses.
Good report, you pups!
Thanks; that storm was really a one-two punch but it was very pretty even if messy as all get-out because it was so wet and damaging to trees. Our mom is about 95% now and expects to be raring to go in time for the Thanksgiving holiday food fest. Have a great weekend-don’t work too hard.
We can’t believe how fast Summer faded into Winter. It feels like we didn’t have much of an Autumn. Beautiful captures today, and well reported, Wilson and Elsa!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny(and Beth)
Thanks, Rosy, Sunny and Mom. Yeah, autumn did seem rather short-lived. It’s going to be back in the 60’s tomorrow. Silly yoyo weather! Have a great weekend.
Beautiful views! Hoping you feel stronger and back to yourself soon, Monika!
Thanks, Eliza. I’m about 95-98% and expect to be 100% by the time Thanksgiving arrives. Yay…just in time for the food coma. LOL Have a great weekend.
Peaceful mountain scenes. Much needed now. Hope the peep is doing much better.
You got that right…we can’t see/enjoy enough peace these days. Here’s hoping all is well with the kitties and you all have a great weekend.
Longs Peak looks very inviting. We would love to be in the snow in the mountains but Mom isn’t keen on driving in the snow in the mountains. Thankfully, around our area there isn’t much littering going on. Here and there, yes, but not much. Even dog poo is picked up most of the time. We had a touch of snow yesterday but we are all happy it is going to go below freezing next week and stay there, maybe some snow too. We love winter! Have a good weekend.
Wow, you’re lucky. Don’t gert mom started on the dog poo. Enjoy your weekend and hopefully more snow will hit your area soon. I think something is coming through early again next week.
As in your area, we see a fair amount of (don’t understand it) trash and litter. But living in the heart of our city, and an historic neighborhood, even more disheartening (now happening worldwide) is the endless graffiti and in some cases actual destruction to these beautiful buildings and monuments. ~ your post is beautiful today, the cleanliness of the mountains refreshing the soul ~ paws together for you to be well and whole and good again soon.
Thanks, Ann and June. Early last month several streets were resurfaced and the pedestrian stripes for the intersection were graffitied early this week. It broke my Mom’s heart someone would do something so horrible. It was weeks of blocked lanes and inconvenience for everyone going through that intersection and then some idiot comes along and does that. Now the city will have to pull up the stripes, shut down the street again all because some jerk-wad thought they’d vandalize. Grrrr….it was so unnecessary and pointless. Seeing those beautiful mountains brings a smile to mom’s heart; hopefully with some hope. Have a good weekend.
I hope your Mom is all better …or at least well on the way to being all better. Wilson..you are doing THE thing that will keep her down and warm as well.
Thanks, Carole. She’s doing better with each day and that ginormous House Pony is doing his part keeping her pinned down so she can actually recover. Who’d have thought that lummox would be a good ‘alternative treatment.’ Have a pawsome weekend!
Oh my gosh, those mountain photos are breathtakingly beautiful!
Congrats again to Wilson for getting officially certified!
Excellent job on this post, Elsa.
Have a fantabulous weekend!
Thanks. Longs Peak is very scenic; it’s always great to see it in the distance. Enjoy your weekend!
So gorgeous!
Thank you 😉
You dogs need to exert more control over your mum….keep her warm and cosy indoors so she recovers properly.
Wilson: I’m doing my part by laying on her legs. She won’t be going anywhere as long as I’m around.
Elsa: I’ll do my part too by barking at her for no apparent reason. That’ll keep her occupied. 😉 Have a great weekend, Helen.