The nights are starting to get a tiny chill in them. We can still keep the house doors open all night, but I've added a little thicker blanket to the bed. The wildflowers are fading in the forests and meadows. My tree is unchanged, but the things around it are ever-changing. The sunrises have been as potent and inspiring as the sunsets. The night skies are so bright that I can see even the seasonal changes in the milky way. The wind has been almost completely absent for over 3 months and I haven't missed it even a little.

I looked out this morning to see Sadie and Wynn playing in the field with a herd of 6 bull elk as their witnesses. The bull elk were just practicing their magnificence, perhaps with a slightly judgmental tone, watching the two equines goofing around like toddlers. As the sun rose on the horizon, the elk sauntered to the fence line, hopped over the 5' fence from a mere walk and headed toward the forest above.

Krista came to town for a few days to celebrate our birthday.We took a long hike together on Friday on the Kachina Trail, walking from the Snow Bowl almost home. We had a family get together on Saturday, and then on Sunday, the four boys joined us for another long hike up the Abineau Peak Trail, into the Inner Basin, and along some ridge lines back to our truck. We hiked over 13 miles and some of the terrain was quite difficult. Lochlan was absolutely astounding! We initially hesitated in taking him, as we weren't sure he'd be up to the hike, but when we asked him if he'd like to go, he was affirmative. He hiked like a champ, never once complaining! Gone are the days of M&M bribes or scream hikes. I spent over 9 years dragging this kid through the forest trails relentlessly bribing him to hike short distances, or simply enduring his obnoxious protestations that would wake the dead. I've made habits of hiking well off the beaten pathways lest someone call emergency services to report our screaming banshee. Ankie Tae and Cousin Kaysee were witness to years of those hiking encounters so this hike was a serious birthday gift to Ankie Tae. :-) To see this kid/man blossom, push past discomfort, challenge himself and really enjoy the process was incredible - it felt miraculous. These boys are amazing human beings and I'm ridiculously proud of them all.

We've had several weeks of out-of-town family visiting and their absence is keenly felt right now. I will post more on those visits next, but first I have to download some pics. :-)