Look at this!

See that?! That trail?! That trail with NO SNOW!!!!!!!

That's what I got to run on today. Me and many other folks and dogs,
running, walking, splashing through the mud, smiling, and calling out cheery hellos every one!
Spring: 17 days to go, and counting!

Take the tiger by the tail

Starting into the trees of the Kohler Mesa Trail

What a winter we've had. The snow that fell in December, which eventually turned into ice, is still hanging on. We've had all of one day this year of 2010 that has been above freezing when I headed out for my 6 a.m. run. And now, with February approaching its final week, it's been snowing since Thursday. Harumph. To top it off, I came down with a cold right when this most recent snow started to fall. So cold in me, and outside. Double harumph. What's a gal to do?

Well, wailing and whining just isn't my style (at least not for long) so today I decided to go straight into the eye of the storm. I pulled on my yaktrax (and three layers of clothes), headed out the door, pointed myself west, and set off for the trails up in the foothills. As soon as I got into the calf-high snow on Boomerang Hill behind NIST I began to question my sanity. But I held firm to my goal: make it to the top of the hill and find the trail. Finding the trail turned out to be easier than the 10-minute hill climb as I was not the first to tromp through the snow on the Kohler Mesa trail; indeed, based on the tracks, two humans and one dog had preceded me on the trail, leaving a lovely path for me to follow. So into the quiet of the snow-covered trees I trotted, catching occasional glimpses of the frosty flatirons poking through the low-lying clouds. Perfectly quiet. Perfectly serene. Perfectly beautiful. Today, I reveled in all that winter has to offer.

Looking back at the Kohler Mesa while coming down the Enchanted Mesa trail

Calf Run!

Today's plan:

• run north on trails from my volunteer job
• rendezvous with running buddy Connie
• continue north on trails alongside or through cow pastures
• keep a sharp eye out for newborn calves

Pastures one and two had lots of cows - some verrrry wide - but no calves.
Pasture three, and there it was: a brand new calf on wobbly legs, then laying down under the watchful gaze of its mother who lumbered over to lick the youngster.

Mama cow keeping a close eye on us as her baby snuggles down in the grass

Those babies are going to be popping out all over the place now. There will definitely be more pasture running in the coming days!

A good day

You can wake up grumpy, you can be out of sorts, you can be grumbling about the state of the world or less than satisfied with your current state of affairs - but if you're out trotting down a country road and see the full moon setting behind the Continental Divide, well, life is pretty darned good.

A quarter century - my first born is a quarter century old. Wow!

Devon with his Grandpa Vaughan (left) and Opa Miller (right)

Yep, Devon Andrew VaughanMiller has been roaming the earth for 25 years today. Amazing!
The adventure of parenthood is second only to the adventure of life itself and it has been a real treat to see how Devon's life has unfolded. This year, with his move back to Colorado, we have the pleasure of actually celebrating his birthday with him. And, because the boy does like an adventure, we will be going to the Big City to take in an Avalanche game...something Devon has wanted to do ever since the Avalanche moved to town. Always trying something new, that's our boy. We are lucky parents!



Pictures, from left:
Devon greeting his mom upon her arrival in Petoskey, summer run 2007; Devon in Japan, 2006; Devon's Knox graduation, 2007

New trail - Yay!

What with all the long-lingering ice and snow, my collection of running routes has been somewhat restricted of late and, frankly, has become rather boring. So! Today I tried something new!

First, I ran from home to the Boulder bus station (along an oft' frequented route, but to start a new adventure so it had some thrill associated with it). There I caught a bus to the neighboring town of Longmont (arriving at the bus station with an entire 60 seconds to spare before the hourly bus left ... adding to the thrill of the day).

Once in Longmont, I ran north from the bus stop wandering through unfamiliar neighborhoods until I found the marker for the St. Vrain Greenway trail - a trail I had read about but had never run on. What a delight! It's a concrete bike path (beautifully plowed) with a dirt path alongside (still snow-covered) that runs right along the banks of the St. Vrain River for 7+ miles. I saw no other humans once I set out along the trail - just water birds, raptors, chattering prairie dogs, river water running over and through ice formations, ice-covered ponds - one pond with a fox carrying his breakfast across the frosty surface (look closely at the photo below).


I tell ya', there's nothing quite like a new trail to brighten up the psyche!

Wintry winter

Little Traverse Bay, first day of winter 2009

While we were in Petoskey there was no doubt it was winter. Snow, ice, cold, wind, long winter shadows. No sense in complaining about it...it is winter in northern Michigan after all! Bundle up, lace up the shoes, and enjoy a brisk run in a winter wonderland!

Upon our return to Boulder, I must confess I was a tad disappointed to discover that the snow we left behind when we headed east was still here - plus some. Rather unusual for Boulder where the sun typically works its magic quickly and melts away the white stuff. Since our return, the weather gods have continued to pile on the frosty flakes and wrap us in a deep freeze. Running routes have been modified, warmest clothes have been worn and washed repeatedly, yaktrax came out of their box for the first time. Again, though, no point in complaining...it's still winter just being winter. The big difference between Colorado and Michigan winters? The Colorado sky! Even when the temperatures are in the teens and snow covers every surface, Colorado's blue sky and sunshine warms the cockles and brings out the grins.

Frosty flatirons from CU cross-country property, Boulder, January 8, 2010

A fine wrap-up to 2009; ready for 2010

We took the plunge and trundled everybody to Denver International Airport during the height of the holiday rush, winged our way to Detroit, hopped in a rental car, drove 5 hours north, and entered the holiday wonderland of Elena Vaughan's Petoskey abode at Christmas time. Mom was delighted to see us and we were delighted to be there. 'Twas the best present we could have given eachother.

Mom, her new sweatsuit, and giggling grandsons

Nine days later we headed "down below" and had a delightful visit with Murphey cousins in Ann Arbor. After that, it was back to the airport (and a much longer security line), a return to home-sweet-home where we then had a whirlwind of festivities including Miller Christmas with bunches of Kendall's family and extended family, New Years Eve with friends Mort & Lysa, and New Years Day lunch with Devon's girlfriend's family who were heading back to Kansas City after a ski vacation.

Life has settled down a bit since New Years. Boulder is deep in winter weather, Kendall is back to teaching, Paul has returned to his studies at Knox, Devon is enjoying the tail-end of his winter break, the CU Women's Basketball team is off to an exciting start to the season, my volunteer hours and running miles are piling up, and the VaughanMillers still love a good laugh together. Here's to 2010!

Frosty morning glow

Winter's breath is sending chills through Boulder Valley. I've had a string of early moring runs to my volunteer job accompanied only by the sound of oh-so-cold squeaking snow beneath my feet. Today, as I made my way through the frosty darkness along the Bear Creek bike path, I discovered that someone had been busy over the weekend: last year's tree decorations have reappeared - a delightful treat brightening the way for us pre-dawn travelers.

Cake artistry

Amber with the cake we made for Kitty's 60th birthday

It's been a while since I've posted (shame on me!); life has just been rolling along, no major hiccups nor whoopdedoos. But things are starting to pick up. Paul is home for winter break (from Thanksgiving week through New Years Day - weehawww!); we've made plane reservations for a Christmas trip to Petoskey (lots faster than running there); we partied on Thanksgiving day with bunches of Millers and extended family; and we just celebrated my sister-in-law Kitty's 60th birthday. Kitty's younger daughter, Amber, and I made a cake to honor the day. I've made a lot of birthday cakes over my years of motherhood, some quite niftily decorated - scorpion, sailing ship, island, Star Trek Enterprise, a bicycle, a guitar, and a really cool working volcano - but, as you can probably deduce, all for boys. This time, a lovely cake and with the help of Amber who actually knows how to do fancy cake decorations. Many hours later, we had our cake - and the next day, our rewards - the question "Are those real flowers?" and the smile on Kitty's face!