First snow in Boulder

Winter started in Boulder on Monday, November 10th at 12:44 pm. It was about 65 degrees when I went to work, and was in the 20's by lunch. That actually sounds warm right now, as I just got back from a walk and it's 5 degrees out now, up from 0 earlier today (Wednesday November 12th). 

The roses in front of my work were not expecting this. 

Braving the cold. Photo credit to my friend Correne. 

When I got home from work, I took Muddy Waters (Rod and Drea's puppy) out front. Like me, this is his first Colorado winter. 

Here's looking back at our place in Downtown Boulder. 

I woke up to quite a bit more snow this morning. This is the view from my room. 

I ended up working from home today and went on a walk this afternoon to get some cool shots of the storm. 

This little creek is a block from the house. 

And here is Boulder Creek. 

I went for a walk upstream on the Boulder Creek Path. 

Here are the outdoor volleyball courts at Boulder High School, which is right next to the creek and path. 

And the baseball field. 

The Boulder Creek Path. 

A little too big for our Christmas Tree. 

My turn around spot on a bridge over Boulder Creek. 

I ride past this house every morning on my way to work, looks beautiful covered in snow. 

This Miata has not moved since we have lived here, and the windows are missing. 

It was a cold walk, but at least I have a puppy to help warm me up as I write this. 

Boulder

Thought I'd post an update on Boulder. 

Went bouldering after work this Thursday to Flagstaff. Beautiful area with fun problems.  Approximately 10 minutes from the house. Here is the view from the top of a boulder towards Boulder. 

And then scored the best sunset yet in Colorado from Chautauqua Park. 

Then Friday, Rod (kinfolk) and I went on a little hike to Sanitas and did some scrambling on these awesome formations. Once again, about 10 minutes from home. 

Then on Saturday, we picked up Muddy Waters. He's 8 weeks old. 

Today, Sunday, Rod and I went up Boulder canyon and took Muddy Waters. We did some flyfishing. Didn't catch any, but was a beautiful day nonetheless. 

Muddy hanging out by the creek. 

After being sick for over a week, I guess it's been a good few days. 

Rocky Mountain National Park

I had a little time Saturday afternoon so I decided to drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park to check it out. It's only about an hour's drive and I have the National Park Pass, so I thought it would be a quick little trip. I should have known something was up as traffic was horrible getting into Estes Park, which is the town just east of RMNP. I go to show my pass at the entrance station, and she told me that today is national park day and is free to everyone. After getting my bearings, I headed to the Bear Lake trailhead, which had signs everywhere saying parking is full. I tried anyways and scored a parking spot. I decided to do a little 4 mile out and back hike to Bierstadt Lake. 

Along the drive to RMNP. 

The mountains above Estes Park, just east of RMNP. 

Bear Lake, start of trail to Bierstadt Lake, RMNP. 

The trail to Bierstadt Lake. 

Bierstadt Lake, a beautiful spot to relax. 

The trail back to Bear Lake. 

After getting back to the car and heading back home, I stopped along the side of the road to take a couple pictures of the Aspen's changing colors. 

Fall is here. 

Then I hit the worse traffic ever, barely moving for nearly two hours. The views were amazing though, and I was able to watch the sun set over the continental divide with a few elk grazing in the foreground. Couldn't really get pictures to come out though, as I was looking directly west into the sun. 

On my way out of the park I learned what the traffic hold up was; hundreds of elk grazing feet from the road, right at the entrance/exit of the park. 

Zion National Park-The Narrows

Jeff and I got up early and secured an awesome campsite in the South campground after staying in Watchmen campground last night. We hoped on the shuttle bus  to the Temple of Sinawava, the stop for The Narrows. 

Looking at the Court of the Patriarchs from the Zion shuttle. 

The start of The Narrows. 

Jeff in awe. 

You can see why it's gets it name, The Narrows. 

Wildflowers along the Virgin River in the Narrows, Zion National Park. 

Words not needed. 

Hiking the Narrows. 

We found a sunny beach, had some snacks and a beer (Ballast Point, Sculpin IPA) and went a little further then turned back. 

Log on a rock. 

And saw this guy on the trail back to the shuttle. (Sorry Jessica). 

 

Jeff watching me write this blog post. 

And here is where I right this from. 

Cheers. 

Switzerland-Day Thirteen-Basel

Our last full day in Switzerland, as tomorrow will be a travel day. 

Jovan and Tamara's daughter, Ivana Sofia, had a little cold, so they took her to the doctor for a check up. 

Ivana Sofia, preparing to go out. 

We borrowed a couple bikes from Jovan and rode around Basel. Basel was by far the biggest and most confusing city we visited in Switzerland (Geneva is bigger but we never left the airport/train station).  The roads are narrow, winding, and full of light rail street cars. We made it to the Rhine River and then rode along it for a bit. 

Jessica riding along the Rhine. 

 Me riding along the Rhine. 

Looking across the Rhine at Basler Münster, or Basel's Cathedral. 

We made it back to Jovan's just before the rain started coming down. 

Jovan then met us and we headed to Germany for lunch. Germany and France are right on the border in Basel, and Germany is much cheaper than Switzerland. We ate at an Italian restaurant in Germany (ironic but really good and much cheaper than Switzerland). 

We headed back to Jovan's and packed up our things, had an awesome home cooked meal and went to bed. 

Our last day will compose of getting up at 6am local time, taking a train to Zurich, taking a flight to Toronto, and then a flight to San Diego. We will land in San Diego approximately 24 hours after leaving Basel.

Switzerland-Day Twelve-Lucerne to Basel

We decided to check out the Museggmauer, the old city walls of Lucerne.  The oldest part of the wall dates back to 1386. 

Jessica standing in front of the wall. 

There are nine towers attached to the wall, the second one (the one in the foreground), looking back to Saint Leodegar church on the left and the first tower in the middle. 

You can actually go up in the 4th, 5th, and 6th towers, and walk along the top of the wall between them. 

Looking out from the 4th (Schirmer) to the 5th (Zyt).

The oldest city clock, dating to 1535, is in the Zyt tower.  It also has the privilege of chiming one minute early every hour before all other city clocks. 

Inside the Zyt tower looking at the actual inner workings of the clock. 

Looking up at the Zyt tower from below.

We just missed being up there at noon, which would have been very loud. However, we were nearby, and it was one minute early, and then all the other clocks started. Instead of the normal ring and then 12 dongs for noon, all the clocks in the city went off for five minutes!

Me climbing up into one of the towers. 

We then decided to try to find a castle. After a little research, we hoped on a train headed for Lenzburg.  From the train station, it was about a 1/2 hour walk to a castle. 

Schloss Lenzburg, or Lenzburg Castle, the Castle of Knights and Dragons. 

It was free to visit with our Swiss Rail Pass, and was really cool. It was originally built around 1100, but had changed hands over the years and continually fortified through the Middle Ages. 

Drinking an Avery IPA, brewed in Boulder, Colorado in the Schloss Lenzburg, Switzerland. 

Jessica in the garden at Schloss Lenzburg. 

Standing in front of one of the many buildings in the courtyard at Schloss Lenzburg.

Looking back at Schloss Lenzburg from the town. 

We then walked back to the train station and boarded a train for Basel, a city in northern Switzerland on the border with France and Germany where Jovan currently lives. 

Jessica in Basel, on the banks of the Rhine River, with the Mittlere Brücke (Middle Bridge) in the background. 

We met Jovan for dinner and headed back to his apartment for the evening.