March 13, 2026

Very warm today for mid March. It was in the mid 60s. This morning when we were outside Joann got bit by a mosquito. Crazy that they are already out. This afternoon I walked 5 miles up Sandy Wash road. It was toasty, but the breeze sure helped. I only took a few videos, no photos. It was a great walk basking in God’s great outdoors. This is a photo from the archives. Wetterhorn Peak  

 March 12, 2026

Today we decided to take the Defender out for a ride. It was warm, in the upper 50s but we weren’t too hot riding. Unlike previous machines we didn’t overheat. It was totally enjoyable. We roamed all over the Escalante Rim road country. We visited a point above the old Musser ranch that I hadn’t been to since back in February 2020 with the ole silver Tacoma. We also rode down the Rim Rd and over to Escalante Creek. That road sure has a couple gnarly spots. But, the rig handles it fine. Dry Creek was totally dry. Even the main stream wasn’t running that high. We stopped at Taco Time and had supper. What a blessed day. 

 March 9, 2026

Today we spent all day putting the doors on the Defender. I did walk a couple miles before we started. After a great supper of burritos we headed up on Kinikin (nothing, not even turkeys) then on to Bostwick. Saw quite a few deer on Bostwick…one small buck still packing antlers. It was warm today in the mid 60s. It’s getting windy every day now…the usual spring thing. 

I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; 

Psalms 108:3-5

 March 6, 2026

It snowed another inch last night.  By the end of the day it was most all melted.  It was cloudy all day though.  I took off this afternoon to the river.  Got a few shots - nothing spectacular.  It was cool and the wind was blowing in my face all the way before turning around.  I finally turned around and was happy to get it at my back.  I hadn't gone a mile and it suddenly switched and was in my face again.  Arrrgggghhh  haha.  Oh well, it beat staying in the house.

“The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.”

― Eric Berne

 March 5, 2026

We finally got a good snow. A whole four inches. It was very wet and didn’t stick to the sidewalk or street. So I didn’t have to shovel. 

 March 4, 2026

I’m not doing so good posting every day now. It’s not my thing and becomes a burden, not a joy. So, I’ll just be posting when I want to, but it will be lots more frequent than I used to. Today Allen and I took the Defender out for a ride in the Cedar Road country. He had never been up there so it was a special treat for him. The weather was great…in the upper 50s and sunny. We got in about twenty miles. We are sure enjoying that UTV. What a blessing to be able to get out in nature and worship the Lord in His creation. It’s so peaceful and fun. We commented to each other on the huge landscape and rocks how God just spoke and it came into existence…not only our tiny corner of this world but the entire universe. What power!  Genesis 1 repeatedly says …”and God said”..and incredible things like sun, stars, seas, heavens, animals…and even humans came to be!  

 February 28, 2026

Today we did some yard work. It was in the 60s. This afternoon late we headed up on Kinikin. We saw a lot of deer and turkeys and three cow elk. A couple nice bucks were still wearing headgear. 

 February 27, 2026

Today we took the sxs out for a ride again. This time we went up Cedar Road and along the Roubidous rim. We had our small butane stove and toasted a ham/turkey cheese sandwich and had a picnic on the rim. It was a beautiful day…mid 50s. 

 February 26, 2026

Today we took the sxs on its maiden voyage. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We went up Sandy Wash. we tried to cross over at the top to Exhilaration but on one of the draws it was really sloppy mud with a deep rut on the side. So we didn’t want to risk getting stuck in there as I don’t have the winch on yet. It was a really fun day. 

 February 22, 2026

Church this morning. God is so good.  It is a pleasure to worship Him. If He never does another thing for me in this life (which is impossibly out of character for Him), He is still worthy of worship. 

This afternoon I went to check out my tramping grounds up by Sandy Wash. the road was muddy so I didn’t even leave the main road. I don’t like walking in mud. So I came back and walked my 4.5 miles at the river. Lots of people. Ouray ice climber from 2005  

 February 21, 2026

Today we got the itch to go somewhere. The clouds cleared, so we went up to Pitkin. We hadn’t been up there for awhile. We hoped to see critters but only saw a few deer. Surprisingly this week of storms didn’t leave much snow in that country at all. The hills around Blue Mesa are still mostly bare. The road was snow packed and slushy in shady spots near Pitkin. I only shot a couple video clips, no photos. This is Blue Mesa in December 2005. It sure doesn’t look that way this year. 

 February 20, 2026

Today was a real mix of weather. We woke up to a skiff of snow with more anticipated. It was quite cold. Late morning a blizzard came through for about thirty minutes. It turned everything white. After a couple hours it had mostly melted. The wind still blew a bit. I took a couple mile walk around home. My face nearly froze withe that breeze. During the day we put the back panel on the Defender and cut up all the cardboard for recycle. This evening we went to Pahgre’s for supper with Landon and Shelly. It was their birthday gift to Joann.  Another archive photo today. A snowy San Juan shot from 2005. 

 February 19, 2026

Off to GJ today to pick up the Defender sxs. It was mostly sunny and only in the low 30s. The wind was blowing a bit still so it was nippy. Ate lunch at Chic-fil-a. When we got home we worked for a few hours installing the windshield and things. I didn’t take any photos today so here’s another from the archives. Joann by the Black Canyon at sunset  

 February 18, 2026

Another off weather day.  The wind howled and a cold front came through.  It was a blizzard for about 15 minutes, but quickly melted.  It only got into the low 30s today - which is a huge departure from the last several months.  Went and picked up the trailer we bought last Saturday.  The temporary permit system was finally back online.  Tomorrow, Lord willing, we will go back to GJ and pickup the Defender.  I did a YouTube video today while the weather was not agreeable for getting out and walking.  The cold and snow doesn't bother me a bit, but the wind sure does.  It makes photography and video hard to do.  Plus, it's my least favorite weather event.  So, we have to go to the archives again for photos.  Winter shots from 2007.

 February 17, 2026

Stormy day. It rained a lot early this morning and the wind howled. Wind chill this afternoon was 20. Quite a change from the last several weeks. It’s welcome. I was supposed to pick up the trailer we bought Saturday. But the state system was still down so they couldn’t do a permit still. We finished up the garage rearrangement today. If the weather straightens up we will head down to pickup the Defender in the next day or so…provide we have the trailer. So, again no current photos. So, it’s another blast from the past. Winter 2012

 February 16, 2026

Today we tore into the garage and storage shed trying to make room in the garage to store the SxS inside.  We got a lot done and will finish it up tomorrow.  So, there was no walking outdoors or taking photos.  Here's a shot from 2013 from up near Ridgway.

 February 15, 2026

Joann's birthday.  We went to church and then had lunch at Mickey D's.  Then we headed up Gunnison way and went over to Cebolla Ck.  It was a muddy mess there so we didn't go far.  We saw a few deer along the way.  We were hoping for some bald eagles that usually hang out up there, but there weren't any.  We came back to Gunnison and had a snack and Mickey D's again.  It was a good day!  Very warm - high of 60. OMD EM1 III

 February 14, 2026

Today we were trailer shopping. We got a good deal on one here locally. Sharon came up and took us out for supper for Joann’s birthday. We went to Chili’s. I could have walked in the afternoon, but didn’t. What a blessing the rain was. But, in talking to the guy we got the trailer from it’s going to take a lot more.  He’s also a rancher and they’ve already been warned that the irrigation water will begin this year at 50%. By July it could be down to 25% or less. So a lot of farmers and ranchers may be in dire straights this year. Please send more Lord!  This photo is from September 2013 as a storm passed over the valley. 

 February 13, 2026

Today it was dumping rain when we got up. Yay!  We decided to head to Grand Junction to look at a CanAm side by side. It was snowing huge flakes when we left at 11. We got more rain today than we have in many months  it was fantastic  

We ended up purchasing it…a 2025 HD7 EPS. We then went out to eat at Famous Dave’s for Joann’s birthday. No walk today. 

 February 12, 2026

Today was a bit cooler. This afternoon I headed up to Exhilaration for a walk. There was a breeze and it was cooler than it has been…actually just perfect. It was cloudy and there was rain approaching so I cut things short. I got back to the Jeep and it started raining sideways. After about five minutes it was over. It looks like the mountains are finally getting some snow. Thank you Lord. 

 February 11, 2026

It was supposed to rain today, but as usual for the past year or more it didn’t. I walked around home this morning. Then, since it didn’t look like rain, I took off to the river this afternoon. So, I walked about seven miles total today. With the wind and clouds, the temperature was perfect. And there were very few people…a nice treat. I saw lots of mallards and a few flickers. Flickers have been scarce for a while. Anyway, it was a great day. Still praying for rain and more importantly snow in the mountains. Panasonic G97

I've seen this one before - he's an odd one.