Friday, December 16, 2011

Last week during the full moon, we were invited by another church to go on a moonlight hike at the McClure Pass. I looked at Jon and said MOONLIGHT HIKE!!! Even if the bears are sleeping, mountain lions do not hibernate!! How do we see? You know it is also pretty cold at night. Well I decided to go along in spite of possible life threatening danger!!

The drive up to McClure Pass was beautiful! Agai
n at 8000 plus feet there is no way to explain the brilliance of a full moon. We began the hike with the few folks who had gathered. We had views of the mountains with the moon reflecting off the snow covered peaks that took my breath away. I was teary eyed seeing God 's creation in the brilliant light of a full moon.

As we continued along we would pass among the fir trees and the leaf bare Aspens. The white Aspen bark also reflected the moon's light. The snow glistened like tiny diamonds. It was invigorating!

I asked one of the fellow hikers about the mountain lions. He responded nonchalantly "Oh, I don't worry about that. If a mountain lion pounces on you, you will be dead before you know it. Now a bear is a different story!" I didn't ask for any other explanations on the wildlife!!!

As Jon and I walked the snow covered trail with the stars overhead and the bright full moon showing us the way, I thought of shepherds long long ago:

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2;8-18

Wednesday, November 9, 2011


Today we took Starbuck for her morning walk. It was 10 when we woke up so we waited till the sun rose above Whitehouse (one of the mountains that guard our community). Once the sun rose above the mountain, it warmed up immediately.

It is so intense here at 7950 ft.  Due to this altitude the sky is this gorgeous blue. I think this is the echo of God's voice saying "It is good!"

We crossed over
from Beaver Lake to the Crystal River which is one of those rushing mountain streams. Parts of it were frozen and it was surrounded by leafless bushes that were covered with ice so that they glistened and sparkled in the sunlight. Starbuck was running around and Jon was exploring. I found a log free of snow to sit on. I sat. I was silent. I was facing the sun above the snow covered Whitehouse Mountain. I sat. I was silent. I heard the river rushing over the rocks and saw the sun making a sparkling reflection upon the river. I sat. I was silent. Starbuck came bounding around the corner in free abandonment; she greeted me and was off again. I sat. I was silent. Did I not hear the echo of God's voice saying "It is good!"

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalms 36: 5-7

Thursday, November 3, 2011



Living in between two wilderness areas in the middle of the Colorado mountains has some interesting experiences involved. Our community of Marble is located between the Maroon Bells/Snowmass wilderness area and the Jagged wilderness area. Now is the time that the bears are beginning to hibernate. We have one in particular that found a source of food in our 'backyard' neighbor's house. This resourceful bear was able to tear into a part of the 100 year old home and find the cat food which he quickly consumed. So since then he keeps reappearing. It seems that bears do not forget a success!!

Since he frequents our neighbors, we often find tracks around our house. Last night around 9pm, I heard our bearproof garbage can banging around. Jon and I immediately knew "our" bear was back. We ran to the windows to get a glimpse of him but turning on the lights must have scared him off. However our garbage can had been moved quite a ways and turned over. Jon made the comment that the bear was showing up early. Do bears have clocks? Are they not big enough and strong enough to show up when they darn well please?

Later Jon (of course I am not going to face a bear) had to take our yellow lab out for her last potty break. I turned on every light in the house and outside, stayed in the house trying to find the whistle to scare any wildlife away. Well they made it safely in but the said bear's tracks were everywhere and Jon placed the garbage can in its rightful place.

I have decided to name said bear. I call him Bear!