Winter Wonderland

I really wanted a white Christmas.  Having lived in Colorado all of my life, not having a white Christmas is rare...and just not right.  There is something about having snow on the ground, even if it is just a dusting, that makes Christmas feel, well, more Christmassy. 

We live on 40 acres in Strasburg, Colorado.  Strasburg is about 50 miles east of Denver...and we live another 12 miles south.  Right now, it is dry as a bone out here!  On Christmas morning, after opening presents, Matt and I decided to go on a walk.  It was 52 degrees.  On Christmas morning!  Weird.  I have to admit however, that it was an absolutely gorgeous day!  And, it was nice being able to walk our 5 mile course without the wind howling at our backs and the chill creeping into our bones.  Still, it was hard to believe that it was Christmas day.

Snow may have eluded our country home on the eastern plains...but that did not deter us.  We went in search of our winter magic elsewhere...and what a treat we had today!  We traveled to Grand Lake to visit my parents and were ecstatic when we summited Berthoud Pass and entered a Winter Wonderland!  Snow!  And lots of it!  We were giddy, and the snow only deepened the further north we drove.  Hallelujah...Christmas!

We had our new snow shoes, still in the packaging, stowed away in the trunk.  This would be our first outing on snow shoes and we were very excited.  We had waited long enough.  With high hopes and multiple layers, we strapped on the shoes and set out across the pristine snow.  It was glorious!  There was not another soul in sight.  The crisp mountain air was invigorating and we were in heaven!  Navigating a path through the virgin snow was much easier than I expected. Yes, I could feel my heart working, but I was not gasping for air!  I could exercise like this everyday (given the right temperature, no wind, and perfect snow)!  One day, actually just over an hour, and we are hooked. 

So, we got our white Christmas...and so much more!  Matt and I spent the day traipsing atop the untouched white powder.  We would talk, but were also content with silence.  It was a peaceful day.  A day we had longed for.  And tomorrow...we get to go back.

No wine today...but the hot coffee was just as good (especially with my Samoa cookies, a gift from the KitchenAid goddess)!!

~Cab Lover