Eagles On Road

Driving from Dillon, Colorado to Moab, Utah today I saw a sign on side of I-70 warning drivers that "Eagles On Road."  Good advice, because I would feel pretty bad if I ran over an egale, not to mention what would surely be enormous amount of paperwork.  I've actually had a close call before.  Many years ago while driving from Libby, Montana to Spokane, Washington, I came within a few feet of hitting an extremely large blad eagle snacking on roadkill.  It's the closest that I've ever been to a bird of prey in the wild, and I suspect given the predatory instincts of these birds, they learned that a freshly run-over deer is a far easier meal than hunting down a rabbit or similarly unlucky critter.

I spent the last three days skiing at Loveland.  Although I always knew I was a poor skier at best, seeing an 8-year old tearing up a difficult run was a very humbling experience.  Since most of these kids have been on skis as soon as they could walk, their extreme skills are not unexpected.  I did not take anywhere near the number of pictures I would have preferred, instead spending most of my time and energy trying to not look like an idiot from sea-level on skis.  Also, because of near constant snow on the second and third days, visibility was limited, marking for far less dramatic pictures.

Right now, I'm in Moab getting ready to spend the next two days in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.    After that it's onto Bryce and Zion for some additional hiking, followed by a far too long delayed visit to the Grand Canyon.    Given the amazing vistas in Utah and Arizona, plenty of quality photos should follow.

Loveland's ski patrol hut at the top of lift 2.

With all due respect to Colorado skiers, what they consider cold would only be a crisp fall day in Maine or New Hampshire.

Rocking my Coomback skis with Fritschi Freeride bindings.  Great for real powder/backcountry conditions but far too soft on packed groomed trails.  Sweet skis nonetheless, and the Freeride bindings are amazing.

The mighty Colorado River just east of Grand Junction, Colorado.  I wonder if a couple of hunded million years this canyon will resemble the Grand Canyon.

Just a bit further down the road.

Taken at dusk right on the Colorado/Utah border.