first big dump of the season
NaBloWriMo day 28.
We had our first few inches of snow on the last day of summer this year. Remember that? It made for some nice fall colors dusted in snow. The weather forecasts were warning of a huge winter storm to strike Colorado’s front range and mountains on Tuesday night. I flew home from California to an overcast Denver International Airport. Friends like Manisha tweeted me to be home before midnight when the snow was to arrive. My RTD bus snaked its way from Denver to Boulder, hitting rain on the way. As Jeremy drove me home up the canyon, we left a steady downpour on the flats and encountered the worst white out conditions we’ve seen in 4.5 years.
by morning
Shovels at the ready, we spent 2 hours clearing our driveway and the communal driveway this morning. There was a good 14 inches of super fluffy snow on the ground. By the time we had made our way to the road and walked back to the garage, another 4 inches had fallen. I scooped snow from our deck into a 1000 ml vessel and let it melt, winding up with just under 50 ml of water. That’s our Rocky Mountain powder – 1:20 water to snow ratio. That’s why it’s so good to ski! And ski it, we did.
wintry aspens
jeremy breaks trail
The roads around the state were in pretty miserable condition so we didn’t even consider hitting the ski resorts (although it would have been decidedly awesome). Reports of jack-knifed trucks and closures on I-70 convinced us to get a little cross country skiing in right out our back yard.
following jeremy down the hill
In total we’ve got about 26 inches on the ground now with 9-13 more predicted overnight. Then some more for good measure tomorrow. Just like the start of every winter season, 20Β°F felt just a tad chilly. I know by spring time, 20Β°F will feel HOT to me :) Yay winter!!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I can’t believe winter’s already upon us! I hope this is just a taste of what is yet to come :)
October 28th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Wow! That is very sincere winter-like weather. I wish I enjoyed it as much as you do. Way to make the best of it!!
October 29th, 2009 at 1:20 am
What a treat to the eyes!!!!!! It is good you are enjoying it minus the shovelling
October 29th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Envy, envy, envy! We’re just heading into our first heatwave of the Australian summer. I’m built for igloo weather, so the forecast +36C this Sunday is not to my liking. Would rather be there in the snow! :-)
October 29th, 2009 at 2:17 am
I am so incredibly jealous. We don’t get nearly that much snow where I live (oh the joys of living near sea level in a temperate climate). We’ll be lucky to have half that amount of snow in the entire winter season so right now I really wish I was there…
October 29th, 2009 at 3:04 am
I can’t believe it – you’ve made me want a real, proper winter, with snow and cedars. Your photography is flawless as usual!
October 29th, 2009 at 4:15 am
Beautiful – we’re basking in unseasonably high temperatures here in London – 16 degrees! We hardly ever get snow and when we do everything grinds to a halt. I love walking in the woods when it’s snowed.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Photos of the woods look so peaceful!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:23 am
glek, i MISS snow! stunning. looks like you all enjoyed it well!
cheers,
*heather*
October 29th, 2009 at 6:33 am
You are such a snow bunny!
I hate the snow in NJ, it’s always dirty by the next a.m.
You make it all look so beautiful!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Oh, the confusion that comes when you see that blog post title on your RSS feed.
I’m too immature and its too early. :)
October 29th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Absolutely gorgeous Jen! I laugh when I think of how things go when there 3 specks of water loaded snow here every 5 years. Panick usually strikes. Ahahah!
A Colorado Christmas has got be a sight to see.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Jenny, you have received one of the very first It’s A Major Award! awards, from bonappetithon.com For all the details on IAMA!, please clicky over to http://bonappetithon.com/2009/10/29/and-the-award-goes-to/
Thanks for being an awesome blogger hon.
Wendi @ BAH
October 29th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Wow, that’s a lot of snow! So shocking for me… here, it is still very warm and the trees have not yet lost their leaves.
Cheers,
Rosa
October 29th, 2009 at 7:55 am
So beautiful. 20 degrees IS chilly. Though I recall x-c skiing and snowshoeing in CA in a t-shirt, and wishing I had shorts on as well.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Love the snow on the Pines, that’s my favorite part of new snow in Minnesota and living in the far North of the state. We’ve just had a dusting so far, and of course it melted. Soon though – it’s coming soon!
October 29th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Oh man, I’m drooling at the thought of skiing through all that! If it is going to be cold and wet it might as well snow! We’re dark and rainy today and I wish I could trade it for a big snow dump!
October 29th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Great photos :) You had a lot of snow. When I was a kid I liked snow. But now a bit less. I hate to drive in the snow. But sometimes I like snow just because of my son (4 years old). It’s fun to see their face when they see that it’s snowing.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Even at our lower elevation, we’ve got nearly 24 inches on the ground. It was great fun wandering around in our nearby natural area taking photos this morning. We missed winter when we were living in SoCal; it’s so nice to have snow again!!
October 29th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I live vicariously through you…sometimes–often in fact–you’re photos take my breath away. It’s high 80s and steamy here in Florida. jealous. Enjoy and thanks for sharing the beauty!!!!
October 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Isn’t it great? I’m down in the ‘burbs, but we’ve gotten over a foot here. The dog loves to play in it. And I’m lucky to be able to work from home. Life is good.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
You guys are so lucky!
October 29th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Welcome home! Good to see that the snow was not wasted by you and Jeremy.
Stay warm, safe, and enjoy those ski’s.
:)
October 30th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Ooh….I miss it so much! I was watching on the news and reminiscing of the good ol’ Boulder days…hopefully you’re digging out and enjoying.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
How wonderful! I would love to roll around in it.
October 31st, 2009 at 8:28 am
Mmm… powder… Definitely gonna have to get over there before the snow is gone :)
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:00 am
Holy Schamole!!! 14 INCHES with a further 4 and then WOW 26 INCHES! I’m just stunned. It never snowed like that when I was in Colorado. Oh, hang on, it did in late February that time, when we had 2.5 FEET overnight. Wow that was so awesome. It was like thigh deep in the morning. That was a good snowfall. Your snow is just WICKED. Have a blast in it Jen!
November 16th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Glad you all enjoyed the snow!
Wendi – thanks for that award! You’re very sweet.