Right time of the year; too much ‘stay-at-home’.

Not a naysayer, the virus is real but moving forward.  Done with living the past.  Grieving every lost flight, every marathon registration, day-to-day work-family banter.   Not sure what the future holds/our new norm.  Faith.  Balance.  Control what you can control.

St. Mary’s Glacier

Six weeks more ‘til we can attempt the high peaks in Colorado.  No rush; I’m not there yet.  Corona belly & lack of altitude.  Big jump – my home @ 5500ft & our 14er peaks.

Alarm set.  Backpack readied.  Water & burritos.  destination: St. Mary’s Glacier.  Hour from home (nearby Idaho Springs).  Expect far fewer hikers than currently clog Boulder County trails.

Easy ride.  No one on the highway.  Weird to drive again.

Mile half up, mile half down.  Relatively short hike.  Goal: home return by 9am.  Get up/get out/get back/little people exposure.  Snow PILED as the truck CLIMBED.  4WD happy.  Lotta WHITE ❄️

Pre-dawn park Ranger.   Ok to hike, just pay the permit fee.

Been months between hikes.  ROOKIE mistake.  BOOTS.  Where are they?  Been a pair of Brooks or slippers stay-at-home.  I’m here.  I’m parked.  Tag on the windshield.  Suck it up buttercup.

DEEP snow.  Shins, knees, quads, hip bone.  Wind a-blowin’.  No path.  FIRST to forge a way.  Pine/spruce surrounded & virgin snow.  Doing it all from memory today.  30 minutes in, reached my first clearing.  Peak peeping for direction.  Go Right, young man – & UP of course 😊

When it’s snow season, is it glacier or just heavy snow?  Answered day’s question.  Wind whipping, there she is… or there she should be.  LOL>  Looks more ski slope than primeval glacier.

Arms outstretched.  Did my 8pm HOWL.  Sucked in the thin air, held my breath, let it go slowly.  Chicken soup for the mountain soul.  We’re gonna be ok.  LOVE LOVE my Colorado life ❤️

#self isolation HIKE