About 2 inches of snow covered the ground when I hiked into the basin, and snow was still blowing.
I saw one band against a ridge a fair distance away and continued along the trail to look over the edge of the hill I was on – and in the opposite direction, saw a band just disappearing at the bottom of a little drainage. No other horses were visible, so I started toward the closer band … and of course, there appeared a third band, just out of my previous sight in a *closer*, shallower drainage that led to the farther, deeper drainage.
Of course. 🙂 Sometimes, the best things are seen when you’re not looking for them.
Snow pattered my jacket even as blue sky was appearing through the snow clouds across the southern sky. … And just like that, we were under a great blue ceiling, and the sunshine was on us, and the blowing snow had stopped blowing! … And after what seemed to be just a few minutes, the clouds were back – but not the snow.
Sunshine and clouds fought back and forth the entire time I was out (I visited all three bands), but we didn’t have more snow.
Although the melt was happening even as I trekked back to the road, my snowshoes had plenty of snow (mud was showing on the walls of south-facing arroyos), and the road was already muddy from the tracks of previous vehicles. As I drove lower, the ground appeared already brown, the snow already mostly melted. The difference, only a few miles and a few feet lower in elevation; the temperature was already in the 40s.
What wonderful moisture we have now in the ground and among the roots of the growing things.
Chipeta, ever serious, really is very excited about that. 🙂
Chipeta is so stunning in those snowscapes! We also seem to be getting the clouds/snow versus blue/sun in a pattern of alternating waves…and it’s been wonderful – a dab of moisture alternating with brilliant illumination. Very pretty. Glad you’re getting this too TJ!
I’m finally starting to feel some relief. 🙂
Love the pintos! So very glad for the moisture! Hope you get more!
And more has come! We’re so very thankful for the moisture!
What a profound statement: “ Of course. 🙂 Sometimes, the best things are seen when you’re not looking for them.”
Well … I always say “no agenda!” when visiting the mustangs, but I *would* like to find that elusive band! 😉
So great you hike to find what is happening to the land and the horses and there the appear! Just over a hill or in an arroyo.
It’s the very best way to travel. 🙂 Besides being on a horse myself, of course … but really, it’s quieter on my own two legs.