clear creek

Twofer Tuesday: Clear Creek edition

/ Tracy Abell / 4 Comments

As mentioned, I celebrated yesterday’s birthday at Clear Creek. It was a good choice: lots of sunshine plus the peace of moving water. As we walked in search of a sunny place to picnic, we saw a man running behind his dog carrying a frisbee. I was disappointed that I didn’t have my camera ready to snap a pic. Well, a few minutes later, they ran past again and this time I was prepared. Such a happy doggie!

Then we found our spot in the sun.

After selecting flat-ish boulders near the water’s edge to sit on, Zippy and I ate lunch while watching leaves gently sway beneath the water’s surface and bubbles move along on top as they cast star-shaped shadows below. Despite people crossing on the nearby bridge, it felt like we had the creek to ourselves. Too soon, the sun dropped below the canyon cliff, and our sun-filled location was shady and cold. Time to head back home.

Though our outing was brief, it soothed my soul. I highly recommend sunshine and water for late November birthday celebrations.

My birthday wish

/ Tracy Abell / 12 Comments

Today is my birthday and while I’m not celebrating with a solo camping trip as I did two years ago, I am heading out to be near water. Zippy’s packing lunch for us now and then we’re going to Clear Creek to sit in the sun as we watch the moving water.

The Boyd Lake State Park shoreline where I ran on my birthday morning, November 25, 2022.

My birthday wish is for anyone reading this to commit an act of kindness, whether on behalf of a friend or family member, neighbor or stranger, or self. It’s hard days on the planet and a little kindness goes a long way. Shared humanity for the win, yo!

May this day bring you smiles, joy, sunshine, and human connection.

Not great but good enough

/ Tracy Abell

Sometimes I find myself putting a whole lot more time and energy into a project than is warranted. Something about this image caught my attention and I kept experimenting with the editing tools, wondering if there was greatness hidden within. I eventually stopped when I reached this point:

January 12, 2021

Not because I believed I’d finally unearthed any inherent greatness, but because this version pleases me. But to be honest, so do these:

   

I seem to be walking a very thin line between creativity and procrastination today which is not necessarily great. Or productive.

Oh, well.

Better than it looks

/ Tracy Abell / 6 Comments

Did the healthy thing today: got up and out of the house. After walking Emma in our neighborhood, Zippy and I went to Clear Creek in Golden. This time, I brought my camera. We sat on the boulders lining the creek to eat the lunch Zippy prepared, listening to the rushing water and the geese honking as they flew overhead. An absolutely stellar mental health strategy. 10/10 recommend.

Ice, snow, and water rushing over a rock in Clear Creek. January 12, 2021.

I’m going to make Clear Creek a habit.

 

Thankful Thursday: Clear Creek edition

/ Tracy Abell / 3 Comments

This morning I met my pal Laura Perdew  in Golden where we walked the paths next to Clear Creek. It was sunny, but cold and windy. After we adjusted, though, it was absolutely beautiful. We walked and talked. Walked and took in our surroundings. Laura spotted a duck on the water, a species neither of us recognized, and I lamented that I’d forgotten my camera. Later on, we circled back to where we’d started from and there was the duck again. These photos were all taken with my phone. I had on my prescription sunglasses that are polarized and couldn’t really see anything. Basically, I held up my phone and optimistically clicked away.

   

The above image on the left shows two mallards on the ice while the duck we didn’t recognize paddled about. (We later identified that paddler as a hybrid Common/Barrow’s Goldeneye, a perfectly stunning specimen). The Goldeneye is also in that photo on the right which was captured as I blindly clicked away.

These ice photos were taken from where I sat on a boulder in the sunshine, so very happy to be out in the natural world. I swear I could spend hours looking at ice formations.

     

It was a glorious morning and I’m going back there soon with my camera. Clear Creek is balm for my soul.

(Note: Right before waking this morning, I dreamt I was out in public and realized I’d forgotten to wear my mask. As I fumbled to put it on, I realized the throngs of people around me were all mask-less. I called through mine in a panic: “Where are your masks?” I was ignored. Fortunately, I’m pleased to report my real life experience was totally different and probably 95% of the people I saw today wore masks.)