Winter goes out beautifully.

It began snowing in the eastern foothills of the Rockies in the wee hours of Saturday, and continued steadily until late afternoon, when the sky began to clear over the Continental Divide:

Blue skies appear over Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak.

Blue skies appear over Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak.

Sunday morning broke bright and calm, without a cloud anywhere to be seen.  A perfect day to climb into the snowy forest.

Looking back to the southeast towards the eastern plains of Colorado.

Looking back to the southeast towards the eastern plains of Colorado.

Even the deer were dragging their feet on the way up the hill.

Even the deer were dragging their feet on the way up the hill.

Only my own footsteps to follow back down the hill.

Only my own footsteps to follow back down the hill.

Nine more days until Spring!

Crystal clear

After a dusting of snow yesterday afternoon, a nice morning around Lyons - calm and sunny - quite cold [but the wood stove is drawing nicely now that I've replaced the mica windows]:

Along South St. Vrain Creek.

Along South St. Vrain Creek.

Round Oak wood stove, built circa 1913.

Round Oak wood stove, built circa 1913.

Along Rt. 7, just outside of Lyons.

Along Rt. 7, just outside of Lyons.