Almost Summer

Summer begins around the 21st of June (in CA it starts on the 20th, at 10:45 PM according to Wikipedia). I don't think it will start on time in the Rocky Mountains based on today's weather. On the otherhand, as I look at the wildflowers that are out, they are more or less "on time."
The wild geranium is blooming.

The lupine is just starting.

The dandelions are having a grand time, but then I think they can bloom any time of the year.

Last year I planted some phlox and strawberries. Surprising to me, they survived the winter and are now just starting to bloom too.

I might have wildflowers this year afterall!

Sunshine

While COTTonLINE (the other DrCs blog) is talking about global cooling; and after 2 weeks of gray, gloominess; I am pleased to report that the sun came out. And, more importantly, it stayed out! It's good to see the sun.

To celebrate the sunshine, I tried to take pictures of wildflowers, but alas, there were not any. The rain has delayed their blooms. Instead, I attempted to capture raindrops on leaves. What I thought would be an easy task, turned out to be more difficult. My nephew said "that's why we have photographers."

Misty, Moody, Mountains

Yesterday we took a ride to the Park. That's the Grand Teton National Park, if you are wondering. We've been having a rainy, drippy, gray, cool late spring, and yesterday was no exception. The mountains were wreathed with clouds. The color of the few flowers that have decided to bloom was muted. Nevertheless, it was pretty, in a moody sort of way.


Take a look. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Early June in Star Valley

It's not winter and it's not summer, so it must be spring! Yet, looking at the moody clouds makes you wonder? Is it really spring? There are not many spring flowers.
There are few colts. The aspens are leafy green.
The trees are happy in the rain. The thunder and lightning boom and slash through the sky! Maybe because we are above 6000 feet the weather is more vibrant than at sea level. Whatever, this "tween time" in the Star Valley will be with us for awhile.
Then the sun will reappear; the snow will melt and summer will sneak into the valley.

Doe a Deer...

We have a guest: a doe who does not have a calf right now. She's hanging around our front and back yard. When we get too close, she retreats into the forest, only to come out again when she thinks we are not looking. I wonder if she is expecting soon, as she does have a little bulge around the middle...or does she suffer the same fate I do? Poor thing!

Star Valley

We are home in the Star Valley of Wyoming. Even for a veteran traveler, it's good to be at our home in the aspens. If you have been reading my blog for awhile, then you know the aspens do fall...and we lost one of the patriarchs. I miss it already. Since it was part of a group of 4 old aspens, I fear we might lose all of the group by the end of the summer. They like to be by their "friends." I want to thank Bob for cutting the tree into pieces so we could use the driveway. Good neighbors are a treasure!

Instead of trying to find the kitchen, we went to Billie's in Jackson for dinner. Both of us have been craving a Billie Burger all winter. It was good! Tomorrow we'll have to unpack the RV and start living at home again. There's a lot to do!

Meeker

What a neat weekend! We visited Bill and Phyllis, and Teresa and Gus and Aunt Marion--we had a grand time. Thank you for putting out the welcome mat!

In addition to neat people, there's some beautiful scenery to see.

And this really neat truck!