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.

 February 10, 2026

Partly cloudy today. Joann went with friends to coffee and lunch. I headed to the river. I did the usual 4.5 miles. Another meager day of trying to photo birds. Later we took a ride up on Bostwick. Nothing!  Oh well, it is always good getting outdoors and enjoying God’s creation. I like walking in the low hills better as it’s much quieter and peaceful. But I don’t usually see any wildlife out there. If you want to be a wildlife photographer, don’t focus on western Colorado. We have much less variety of birds than even the Denver area. I’m getting to the place where photography is less of a focus when I’m out. It’s much less frustrating and in reality I’ve photographed the surrounding mountains thousands of times in all seasons and light. So, it’s time to just savor creation without the distraction of photography. Who knows, that might change tomorrow. Haha  Speaking of photographing the mountains, here’s Sneffels from January 2014

 February 9, 2026

Very warm today in the low 60s. What a winter this has been. My walk today was up on the Heath Rd. I did an extra mile so it ended at 4.6. I could have done more but ran out of time. I only took the GoPro so this is a photo from way back in 2006. Joann and I were on an anniversary getaway to Silverton. It was a very soggy weekend. But, the San Juans never disappoint.  August 25, 2006. I’m blessed!

 February 7, 2026

Joann went with her sis to GJ. I went hiking up on Exhilaration. I hiked off to the south this time. The elk tracks up there are everywhere. But I didn’t see any. I almost stepped on three different cottontails. They were hidden behind sage brush and wouldn’t run until I was right by them. I also spooked a lizard. I found some cool rocks over there. I’ve walked above them before and didn’t realize what was below me. There was some shooting around that area again, but nothing close to me. Pretty warm, high in the upper 50s. iPhone 15 Pro pics. 

 February 5, 2026

This afternoon for my tromp I wanted to go up on Sunshine Ridge off Hwy 90. I got up there and could see it was going to be a lot of mud. So I headed down and cut through Shavano to the Rim Rd and went walking on Crag Rd. I only then had time for about three miles out to the Rock Climber View Point. I met some young folks that were hiking with their two dogs and later an older couple riding mountain bikes. It was a very warm day in the low 50s. I’m sure going to miss these walks come late spring when it heats up. I wish we could afford to go north in the summer. I guess I’ll have to try getting out there at sunrise. But that is often already too warm for me to walk the way I like. Plus, you have to be completely covered because of mosquitoes. For now I’ll totally enjoy my daily jaunts. iPhone Pics

 February 4, 2026

Today we headed down toward Delta on the backroads. We then went up the 25 Mesa Road. We met three loaded logging trucks. With this meager winter they can log up high all winter. We pulled out the chairs and sat in the sun for our lunch snack. Then we drove on higher, and turned around just before the White ranch. We came back down and went walking at EWR on the north side. There are now cows in there….in a wildlife refuge???  It was a good day. We didn’t see any birds to photograph…just cows. So, here’s a nice snowy shot of Buckhorn from 2013. 

 February 3, 2026

Today I took off in the afternoon and went up Sandy Wash again. This time I wandered off to the south and into the draw to get out of the breeze. The cows seem to be gone and the elk too. I only saw a few fresh tracks. It was warm…upper 40s. I rolled up my pants and took off my jacket for the climb back up to the top. I didn’t keep track but probably got in five miles. I only took videos with the GoPro so these are single frames from that.