On one particular evening, the sky looked rather threatening outside our camper van.
We spent a little time in Idaho mountain country on our summer roadtrip. We were in Owyhee County, up above 6180 feet.
Wildflowers were everywhere. This is rocky mountain soil, but the flowers are valiant. They thrive in spite of the conditions.
The roads were dusty, but the air was crisp and clear and the scenery was worth it.
Linking to Gemma's SCENIC WEEKENDS and Mary's MOSAIC MONDAY. Thank you!!
We were staying with our Colorado kids the night of the June Supermoon…and when it began to get dark all four of us looked but didn't see any sign of a moon. We decided maybe the still-smoky skies would keep it hidden from view.
So we played games and visited and then Bill and I headed upstairs to bed. And looked out the bedroom window to see this. (And yes, I went racing downstairs in my PJs to tell Geoff and Lisa and we all went outside to look. But I was in such a hurry to let them know that I forgot my camera, so the only shot I got was this one through the bedroom window.)
These drive-by photos from the State of Idaho, taken on the same day … and within not very many miles … illustrate what water (here in the form of irrigation) can do. Or perhaps better stated, what farmers cannot do when they lack it.
I don't know much of anything about the politics or ecology of water and irrigation, but it is always a marvel to see how irrigation turns acres of sagebrush into acres of useable farmland.
Water, or the shortage of it, is on our minds now that we have arrived at our summer destination. Our RV Park is on a reservoir which is primarily used for flood-control and farmland irrigation. Recreation on the Lake is (as it should be) a secondary purpose.
Early last Spring (way before we got here) there were heavy rains in this area that filled the Lake to capacity. Anticipating more rain, as is usual here throughout the spring, the Army Corps of Engineers began the slow process of draining the reservoir. (If the water gets let out too fast, it would flood farms downstream.) But the rains didn't arrive as scheduled. (Weather can be funny that way.)
So the Lake is too shallow for boating and parts of it (as in the middle picture above) are even too shallow for birds and fish. But there are still great views in some places and it is still a lovely place to spend the summer.
Linked to NATURE NOTES at Michelle's Rambling Woods.
Geoff and Lisa introduced us to Glassworks Studio and Gallery, one of their favorite shops in the town of Estes Park. We loved it too.
We enjoyed watching the creative process happening right before our eyes as the craftsman worked at the furnace.
There was only chicken wire between the "audience" and the artist, so he was able to talk to people and answer questions. He's working in very hot conditions!
Hard to pick a favorite.
But, for a change, we actually got out of our usual window-shopping mode and bought a glass bowl with colors that will be perfect in our Florida cottage. A practical and beautiful souvenir that will remind us of Colorado and the great times we've had there!
This stop on our recent roadtrip is linked to the blogging communities at Mary's MOSAIC MONDAY and to OUR WORLD TUESDAY — with thanks to Sandy and the rest of the OW team (Sandy, Sylvia, Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, and Jennifer).
We always look forward to our first sight of the mountains as we arrive in Colorado. This year, the skies weren't as crisp and clear as usual and so the moutains were just faintly there in the distance. There was still smoke in the air from the terrible fires near Colorado Springs.
But happily it was clearer when we reached our destination (our kids' home). The picture below is Golden Pond near where they live:
Signs that make you say "huh?"
Are there really that many dirty green dogs in Longmont Colorado?
For SIGNS SIGNS. Thank you Lesley.
We took secondary highways instead of the Interstate Freeways as much as we could on our recently completed roadtrip. We like looking at fields and farms and small towns, even though we were a little short of time on this trip and our exploration was often limited to drive-by shooting.
Abandoned homesteads seemed to be a motif for much of our trip. All the way through East Texas into Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho we passed way too many houses and outbuildings left to fall into ruin.
We always hope the people moved away under pleasant circumstances, but we are always afraid that wasn't the case.
This one was probably someone's mining cabin.
This abandoned home was even more poignant because there were still beautiful yellow roses growing in the front yard.
Someone loved this home once!
Inviting the participants at OUR WORLD along on the roadtrip — with thanks to Sandy for hosting.
Wild roses were rampant in our temporary backyard in Montpelier Idaho.
June 26,2013
Summer roadtrip
They were growing all along a little stream where we camped for the night.
This was by far the prettiest camp-site of this roadtrip.
We were glad we pulled in early while we still had plenty of light outside.
SHARED with I LOVE MACRO (thank you Laura) and TODAY'S FLOWERS (with thanks to Denise)
