Click on the picture to better see the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in the far distance. I'm at St. Vrains State Park taking this picture, a few weeks back. It's about 20 miles east and a few miles north of Boulder. Saw 5 American White Pelicans ( what a sight to see them take off from the water ! ), a platform nest of Osprey with 3 big fledglings, many many swallows ( VG, Tree, Barn, Cliff), Western Kingbirds and several other species. There was a big stand of milkweed near the water that was in full bloom, but no Monarch activity. I need to go back there and see if there is now.
We've been here for almost two months now, and it's felt like coming home from the very beginning. The Western climate really appeals to my early years in California, and the geology is not only spectacular to look at, it also shapes the weather and plant and animal life.
We arrived in Boulder with our two cats, Sam and Tomsky, May 30th. The kitties endured being pressed into tiny cat carriers and stuffed under the seats in front of our feet, for the 3 hour plane ride. We stayed three nights at the Boulder Outlook Hotel. Sam's carrier had to be taken apart for him to get out of it..he'd snagged a claw on the padding I put in there for him. A "single stream recycling" cardboard box provided by the hotel to drop our recyclables into became Sam's spot to pass two days and nights in deep ( comatose ? ) sleep, getting out only to drink a little and use the litterbox. He rallied on the third day and decided to join the rest of us. Yeh ! Hang in there , Sam ! Tomsky spent hours at the big window that faced the dog exercise area, watching people and dogs go by.
Jamie and I set out right away, exploring the town ( and birding ! ) and getting ready to move into the great house he rented for us only a mile or so from Scot and Terry. The PODS arrived as scheduled, my car showed up on the transport, delivered without incident :) Jamie spent a few days ( after working all day ) unloading the PODS. Scot and Terry's youngest son, Byron, came over one day and lent a strong back and some fun. My stupid back doesnt allow me to lift much weight, so I mostly unpacked and sorted things as they came in.
Each day we go for walks, bike rides and/or hikes in the surrounding area or get in the Prius and head up to the mountains, or out to the foothills, hogbacks, mesas, grasslands, plains or flatirons to poke around. Downtown and the farmer's market is just a quick bike ride away. It is so easy to live here.
