Mother Nature's Paintbrush

I don't even begin to claim to be an artist.  Especially when I see what Mother Nature does with her paintbrush.  This mornings sunrise had lots of color so I went down to the pond to see if I could capture anything cool.  I like it - hope you do also.

Fall Colors

Yesterday I went to Custer to second shoot a wedding for a friend.  I left early enough that if I saw any colors starting to show I would have time to stop.  The colors this year are kind of spotty - either very vibrant and brilliant or still green.  The next couple weeks should be interesting to see how they develop.

You guessed it......Life Is good!

My Life Is a Wondeful Place to Live

Bill and I spent this past weekend sanding our front and back decks then refinishing.  

Big Job.  Job Done.  

After finishing this project we went for an afternoon ride on the Harleys; road over to Beulah for some lunch then road through part of the Wyoming Black Hills as we made a loop home.  Last evening as we sat on the front deck enjoying the fruits of our labor, watching the sunset, I spied what I thought was a pretty cool sight.  Maybe you will also.

Life. Is. Good.

As I Sleep at Night

I have written on here in the past that I am grateful for the life Bill and I have built together.  We have had the wonderful blessing of traveling and experiencing once in a lifetime opportunities.  (Had our share of hard times and trials, but in the end, we always persevere and make the most of it all.)  

Last night I dreamed of our last adventure in Africa......There was no rhyme or reason to my dream; it skipped from Mozambique to Namibia, and back again.  One minute I was fishing, the next we were sitting in front of the fire in Namibia.  As vivid as my dream was, I still managed a good nights rest as I relived the adventures in my sleep. 

The adventures of Africa 2013.......fishing the Zambezi River with our friends Curt and Renan from Pinedale.  We laughed, we fished, we visited around the fire, we enjoyed each others company.  We caught BIG fish!  I even caught a crocodile the first night - no pictures, he stole the bait and went deep into the reeds!  Life of 'real' Africa unfolded before our eyes as we saw people bathing in the river, families paddling their dug out boats with the catch of the day, listened to elephants eating literally outside our cabin the very first night, our fishing guide Kenneth showed us around the river to the different villages and camps.  We Americans have life so easy......Everyone should experience seeing how others live.  

Namibia brought us to a very dry climate - a very stark contrast to Mozambique.  Life of her people really wasn't much different though.  There is no room for laziness in the bush - you work hard or you don't survive - end of statement.  As I slept, I dreamed of a stalk our guide Bernie and I put on some gemsbok as we crawled on our hands and knees trying to get on them, Bill and I along with Bernie laughing reliving the tales of the day around the bar in the evening, tasting the melt in your mouth schnitzel we had for dinner one evening, the thrill of stalking and harvesting my awesome kudu.  And of course, how can one forget the kudu and the waterbuck fighting just across the watering hole....my camera firing away!

I woke this morning hearing Africa calling my name......The probably of ever making that trip again just isn't real likely, but I cherish my memories.  My memories that Bill and I built just the two of us, the memories we built with Curt and Renan, the memories of new friends we made while visiting Africa, the sunrises and sunsets ever etched in my memory.  Ahh......Africa........I miss you.  But as much as I miss you, life is pretty good around the Snow Chateau.

Morning Fawns

We had guests stop by this morning as we finished our morning coffee.  It's quite cloudy making it difficult to get correct lighting, and I also wish I would have had my longer lens on the camera.  Reaching the end of the summer, the fawns are growing and soon their spots will all be faded.  Until then, we sure enjoy seeing them.

 

We are blessed to live in such a wonderful spot!

An Undisclosed Location

Early this week, Bill and I decided it was time to unplug from the world and head off to an "undisclosed location".  That spot isn't exactly a secret spot, as most times the camper leaves and particularly if the boat goes along also, we are headed to our favorite camp spot in the Hills - Sheridan Lake.

Not exactly what Casey thinks camping should be.  Never fear, the rain didn't last to long and back to the lake she went.

First morning.  The steam was quite pretty coming off the lake.

Been two years since the boat was out....it was PAST time!

Captain Casey at the helm.

What's a camping trip without an awesome white-man fire?

We camped next to a young family that is stationed at the base.  Took them out on the boat so they could catch their first perch, and the girls had their first kayak rides.  Didn't take long for them to get it figured out and motor around in the cove like they were pros!

Good times - Fun times.

Shall we say a good time was had by all?

Has it REALLY Been........

Can you believe it?  It's been 15 years since Bill and I said "I do"..... What a ride we've had together.  Best friends.  Closer than ever.  Better partners than ever.  Lovin' life more and more everyday.  Yep, I'd call this marriage a success! 

Pretty happy we are....Indeed!