Spring Thaw

Against our better judgment, Wilbur and I went camping Friday. We started out in a driving rain, but it was a balmy driving rain. We camped at around 6000 feet and it was even raining, not snowing, there. We stepped a month back in time at that altitude because the leaves were not out and the grass was not as green. After it rained all night, we ventured out the next morning and explored some of the back roads. When we reached 7000 feet or the north side of a hill, we were blocked by snow. With the warm rain, the snow was slushy and water was running in every gully.

When we broke camp and arrived home, it was if we were in another world that was warmer and greener. I usually like to be high in the mountains but not in the spring when I have to retreat from spring into winter.
Wilbur has equipment to start fires that is the envy of all other campers.

Yellow bells are just coming out at 6000 feet.

The camera couldn't do justice to the views.

The creeks were bank full and water was running everywhere.

Right after the snow melts there are these funny loose dirt trails everywhere. They look like creature trails, but we don't really know.

We ran into one drift after another until...the end of the road.

On one road we found a group of three or four old cabins. There is probably a mine nearby.