While there IS lots of sunshine and much of the snow has melted, my body doesn't feel Spring yet! There is still LOTS of snow on the sun-sheltered slopes and I hear that for a normal year, we should expect another 14+ inches of snow! And while I'm hearing more and different birds throughout the day, I've still not seen any sign of spring flowers! (No "Sound of Music alpine meadow experience yet!) The only visual clue I've noticed that Spring may be coming was on a hike last weekend where I noticed some fresh green foliage underfoot! However, yesterday we replaced the rubber on the two plows we use for clearing the roads/parking lots in preparation for an expected spring storm this weekend! So while my head knows Spring is coming/is here, the feel of daily life just doesn't quite let my body "know" that Spring is here!
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Insert from Betty: Earlier this week, I took a short walk to try to find a little white flower called candytuft which is the first spring wildflower to bloom here around camp. Success! I was delighted to find a small patch of candytufts which confirmed to me that spring is on the way!
Plus we spotted three of these lovelies prancing down the driveway a couple of mornings ago.
But I was wrong about Spring! Here's what showed up today . . .
Not even kidding! Over 34 inches just in time for the annual spring quilters retreat with 26 women here, sewing machines buzzing, conversation flying, and a bountiful supply of food. These women are not fazed in the least by all this snow. They have come to expect it because it happens every year. They just wanted to get up the mountain before it hit and they all did. Jonathan was the taxi driver, taking them back up the curvy steep, snowy road to Emmental in shifts, the last one at 11:00 p.m.
Jonathan' and his Uncle Charles and Aunt Esther. Esther came to quilt and Charles helped with construction in Pleiades and was very helpful with snow removal. |
The path to our apartment. The post on the left has a sign that says "no motor vehicles, please." As if! |
Our buried Toyota Rave - only the mirror is showing. |
The entrance to our apartment. |
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So I (Jonathan) am enjoying this Rocky Mountain Spring and all that comes with it - it feels different. It is SO different from our Indiana Spring! And I'm glad it doesn't often snow 34 inches in 36 hours! (It's hard work plowing/shoveling all that snow and I'm ready for a rest!) Life is hard and life is good!