Seniors

On my October 12^th post, I showed you a faded hill. Well, the 2007 seniors have come of age, and the hill is alive again. This year, my son Tim contributed!

The Mountain View

In yesterday’s post of Mountain View Park, you were hard pressed to see the mountains. Well, they are there. Go to the edge of the park, and look south. There you will see a glimpse of the San Juan’s. Calling it Mountain View Park may be a bit of a stretch, but the place is nice in any case.

Mountain View Park

Back on November 27^th I posted a picture of a sign from downtown Delta and asked; which way should I go? The majority thought Mountain View Park, and I promised I would go there. The problem was that I cold not find it! That was the only sign, it did not show up on any maps I saw, and I forgot about it until now. On my morning walk, there was a road I wondered about, and I went exploring last week. It turns out that the road goes to Mountain View Park! There are no signs until you get to the park. I wonder how much use it gets……Now I need to find those lions!

Blackness

Everything around went black as the evening sky took center stage.

Sharp Seat

You had better be careful where you hang your barbwire before you sit down.

Another Kind of Light Show

Sometimes stillness can overwhelm......

Light Show

Last night, we were treated to a spectacular light show, as a massive lightning storm swung by to our west. I was heading out for a walk, but decided getting the camera out was a better idea. I think I was right!

Happy Mother's Day

Today is the first time where I am not able to call or visit and wish my Mom a happy Mother’s day, but I know she still hears me. We lost her to breast cancer last October, and she was a fighter to the end. I believe that this is the last picture ever taken of my Mom, and it was taken by an exceptionally close friend who took a week of vacation to fly out and help us with care giving. Mom did not like to have her picture taken, but somehow I think she knew this would be the last one, and when Matt pointed the camera, she rose to the occasion, giving us one last glimpse of who she really was, a woman with dignity. The cancer may have taken over her body, but not her spirit. The following morning she left us, and I look forward to the day I can again give her big hug, and wish her a Happy Mother’s Day, in person.

I miss you Mom.

Help Wanted

Earlier this week, the women of our church had a Garden Party, and the men of the church did the cooking, serving, and cleanup. Now being a formal event they decided to use the formal dishes that someone had graciously donated to the church. So, a formal setup for 160 women was put together. After the salads were served, the fun really began….washing the dishes. We had 10 people doing dishes constantly for over three hours…….I got volunteered to help clean up after a “Teachers Appreciation” dinner planned for tonight. You guessed it, they are using the good china again…..Does anyone want to graciously donate an industrial kitchen to our church?

Show Time

Perhaps I was wrong about the wedding. A pan to the left shows a more complete picture. Could it be that they are all here to take in a showing of “Wild Hogs”? Alas, this shot was taken at 4pm, and the show is not till 7pm. The owners are not anywhere to be found…… I think that the likely scenario is that they are all camped out at Wanda’s Place enjoying a cold one, waiting for the show to begin.

Could be an Interesting Wedding

My “run around town” Canon SD900 is in the shop, and I was using my wife’s SD400, which seems to double as a “Family Camera”. Apparently my son Tim has developed an eye for the unusual as well, and noticed this shot. I could not resist posting it. Thanks Tim!

You can take my ditch water when you pry it from my cold dead hands.......

A few weeks ago, there was a note on our community mail box that said “The irrigation water is in”. The word around town was that the ditches are running! Water is a very big deal in the Southwestern United States, and people go to great lengths to get it. City water is too expensive to use for irrigation, so ditches like run all across the county (I have been listening to my daughter too much). In the winter they are dry, but in the spring, when the water levels of the larger rivers rise, the weirs are opened up, and the ditches flow. Now the interesting thing is that they can not simply take the water they need from the river. The ditch companies own shares of these rivers, and the amount they can take out is strictly monitored. The ditch companies in turn sell shares of their water, and individuals have gates that allow a pre determined amount of water to be diverted into their personal ditches so they can water their yards, irrigate crops, etc. Depending on the ditch company, some shares can be traded or sold like stocks to other people, even in other states. Some of the more forward thinking companies locked the water shares to the property, not the person. I know of existing court cases regarding water rights, and people have died over the issue. One interesting thing is that a large percentage of the water flowing through Colorado is “owned” by cities in Nevada and California, and this has many Colorado cities rather nervous. I have heard that the Colorado River never makes it to the sea of Cortez as every last drop has been diverted before it gets there.Water is a big deal out here, and the “ditches are running” cry puts a smile on many faces. Let the green up begin!

Walking

This morning there is hardly a cloud in the sky, and the sun is intense. It looked somewhat warm from the house as I started my walk this morning, but now, back with my photo for the day, my hands are having a hard time navigating the keyboard. Funny, I did not see any ice out there…..

One of the benefits of working from home is that I don’t really need to rush to work. The ability to get out and experience a “crisp” Colorado spring morning is a real treat. My typical route takes me by a couple churches, schools, orchards, and fields being set to plant. It will be fun to watch the changes as the season roll by.

Fresh Leaves

I love the brilliant green of Springs first leaves.

The Battle

There is a battle going on in Delta. The Grand Mesa refuses to give up on winter, but the fields of the valley have her surrounded. It is only a matter of time before winters grip is released……

Blind

So I am sitting in my office this morning looking through my latest photographs, and nothing is jumping out at me. I notice out the window that Grand Mesa is cloud covered today, including high level and low level clouds. Still nothing jumps out at me in my collection……I wonder when I can get out today to take some more pics……why is my Canon D60 sitting on the desk…..boy those are interesting clouds……what picture should I publish……

Sometimes we are blind to the things right in front of our face. In my case, I blame it on a lack of coffee. However, after a few minutes, I figured out that I simply needed to go out on the front porch to get today’s shot of a cloud covered Grand Mesa. If you look close, you can also see a local formation known as Devil’s Thumb. Don’t be blind today!

Storms

The Colorado sky is big, and the storm clouds do their best to fill that void. It can make for some incredible cloud watching.

Looking Forward to Fall

At the end of our street is an apple and peach orchard, and the trees are in bloom. While I am not trying to hurry spring and summer along, fall is showing good promise! There is nothing quite like a fresh, cold, crisp Gala apple! You know, there really is not a season here I dont like.

Last Game

Delta JV played their last game last weekend. They had a good season, and we think they tied for first, but no one is quite sure………

Field of Dreams

Old Tread

OK, so my story was thwarted (See Saturday’s post) by a little thing called reality. Abraham must have been right, those rear wheels would not work on the train track……to say nothing about the need for 4 rails to accommodate the width…So what could have happened…..I think I will stick with the salvage cost theory.

Eagle Scout

Yesterday, the chain was completed at an award ceremony in Delta. Like his father, and brother before him, my second son Tim was awarded the highest rank that the Boy Scouts of America can give a scout, the rank of Eagle. Tim’s trail to Eagle was especially difficult as he had to start over with his Eagle project 2 months before his 18^th birthday, due to the sudden nature of our move to Delta. He stuck with it, and completed the goal. A job well done. Tim, your parents are proud!

The Great Chase

Not far behind the old car is this tractor. My guess is that the man was being chased by the farmer, and both vehicles amazingly broke down at the same point in the chase. Obviously they both jumped out of their vehicles and the chase continued on foot across the dobies, and on to Grand Mesa where they were overcome by the snow or mosquitoes, depending on the season, never to be seen again…….Or perhaps someone just did not want to pay salvage fees……We may never know.

Hey wait, the tractor seems to have rail road wheels. Perhaps the farmer was plowing the tracks when all of the sudden…………..

Where did I park my car?

A long time ago (around 17 years according to the license plate), someone parked their car here, and it does not look like it has moved since. Considering the color, and the location (in a field right off the main highway), I don’t think it was a case of forgetting where they parked it. I suspect is was more of a case where they really did not know what to do with it.

Transitions

As I mention in my summary for this blog, Delta is an area of transitions. The previous two days posts are both looking west. Today we look east. Generally speaking, to the west, life is on top, and canyons cut through the landscape. To the East, life is in the valleys, and the mountains push up through the land. That trend to the east will continue for the next 200 miles until you get to Denver and Colorado Springs, when the mountains suddenly stop at what is known as the “Front Range”.

Rewards

Sometimes, nothing hides things. If you take the time to follow a seldom used dirt road across the lonely plain, you are rewarded with the views of the canyon country that does not quite make it to Delta.

Nothing

Many people will tell you that we have a population crisis. Too many people, not enough land. Perhaps that is true in New York, or in the LA Basin, but not here. One of my favorite things to do is to simply stop on the side of the road and look at the wide open spaces that are so integral to this part of the country. “Nothing” to me, is very special. I can sit and look at it for very long pauses, and every now and again, I venture out into it.........

Old friends

It was once a home, but no more. Now it is just an empty shell, a shell that lay exposed all winter long. But the trees have sympathy for their old friend and will attempt once again to protect her with fresh spring leaves.

Location, Location, Location!

Based on everything else I see in “North Delta”, I find it hard to believe that this would be a great retail location, but if you build a store here, and stand on the back loading dock, you will get a nice view!

Turn Quick

Gas for $1 per Gallon! Don’t get too excited, the place is abandoned, and for lease. Any idea how long it has been on the market?

One Way or Another

Tow it, crush it, it does not matter……

Low Sign

I am not nearly as impressed with the effort these guys went to in order to display their product! Who needs a crane, everyone, on 3, lift!

It is interesting however that they name the trailers “Wes” & “Chris”

High Sign

There are a number of boat dealers on the western slope, which is rather odd as there are not really all that many lakes…..This is a rather small one, so it is not too unusual, but some of the large boats you see in Grand Junction could never get up to speed without needing to turn around first in most lakes within 200-300 miles. I am impressed with the effort this place went into to build their sign!

Lawn Ornaments

A number of people in this area have lawn ornaments in their yard. Many times, it is a cement deer, duck , or rabbit, large ceramic pots, etc. We often thought it would be fun to put something unexpected, such as a cement kangaroo, just to see if people would notice……..

We never thought of a flying saucer……..

Every Boy Needs a Dog

Now, if I could just find my saddle….

Orange Attack

Orange Sun Glasses, orange shirt, orange water balloon………..Don’t even think of going after the cameraman!

Spring has arrived in Delta!!!

Boys Will be Boys

So I must assume that some adult figured that the opening was unsafe, and they bolted a board over the opening. Of course that simply makes it more of a challenge!

Smokkkkkkkkk’in

It is branding season, and the Tongue Creek Ranch is busy. The new members of the ranch are not all that interested in playing along. But who can blame them?

Ute Tribute

This sculpture welcomes you to the site of the “Ute Council Tree” where Ute Indian Chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta, made a peace agreement with the area's white settlers. I wonder if they ever considered that those "white settlers" would also us it for an egg hunt.........

Room to Roam

Spring means fresh grass, and these two horses are making the best of a lazy afternoon

Buddy Barrel

The kids at our church are encouraged to collect coins in their “Buddy Barrel” to support mission causes. The Buddy Barrel was out for a visit at the egg hunt.

Nowhere to Hide

You must be “quick as a bunny” to win this contest!

Sunrise Service - Bill's Synopsis

In the beginning God said, this is all yours, except that one tree over there. To Adam & Eve, that was a pretty good deal…….for a while. But mankind could not live with that deal, and broke it. God was rather put off. Everything that He had done was thrown back in his face, so he banished them from the place he had created especially for them.

So with their new found knowledge, mankind tries to do it on their own. This does not go well, and God was rather put off. It is not a good thing to put off One who can flood the world, but God put all the good ones on a boat, and did just that.

So there was a new beginning, but again, mankind being what it is, showed its true nature, and God needed to show them yet again what He wanted. He sent a man, Moses, to present the new rules. However, if man could not deal with one simple rule (stay away from that tree!), how was it going to work with 10 new rules (it depends on how you define covet)? People tried, and created all sorts of other rules that would “help” them keep the 10. It was a massive failure, as mankind continued to do something they did exceptionally well, mess up a good thing.

It was again time, but God, as a father would, had promised Noah that he would not flood the world again. Mankind had thrown everything back in God’s face, but God still loved them as only a father can. He was a just God, so letting them all off the hook was not really an option. The consequences for their actions needed to happen. The price needed to be paid, but they were incapable of paying that price. And he loved them…….

He had a much better plan, and sent another man. This man was special, he was a part of God, and at the same time, was God. Mankind did not get this, but that was ok. This man was perfect in every way, and agreed to pay the price. The price was the death of an innocent, perfect man. This man, Jesus, agreed to pay that price under one condition. The terms were agreed to, and it was done. He felt all the heartbreak, pain, shame, betrayal as all men do, and died a horrible, painful death, as He said he would.

But being God, death could not hold Him, and on a day we celebrate as Easter he returned to his rightful place.

He paid the price as only a father could, and the condition was that this would be payment in full. Payment for all the times man had messed up in the past, and payment for all the times man would certainly mess up in the future. He paid the price for all of us, and only asks one thing in return:

Accept my paying the price for you as a gift, and let my spirit live in you showing you the way God wants you to live. You will try to live up to the standards and will fail, but that is ok. I will instruct you, and help you get back up on your feet. I already paid the price for your failures. Just strive to live the way God desires, and one day you will see Me face to face.

The price was high, but “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved “. (John 3:16-17)

Have you accepted the gift, or are you still trying to do it on your own?

Egg Hunt

I am not sure where the tradition came from, but Easter is often found hand in hand with Egg hunts. Our church in Delta puts on a city wide hunt the day before Easter each year, and the turnout today was as good as ever! There will be more pictures from this event later this week.

Vegetarian weight loss location

Warning, if you are a vegetarian, stop reading now……..Don’t say I did not warn you…The name says it all apart from a small salad bar, most everything for sale in this place is meat (or alcohol). Looking at the menu the other day (you guessed it, I am a meatetarian) even I was surprised. There was a portion of the menu the explained how to order your steak. It defined well done, medium well, medium, rare, and blue. Yes, I said blue, and no, I had never heard of that before. Blue is defined as being cooked for 30 seconds on each side…sort of a meatetarian's sushi I expect. I will stick with medium!

To Spring or Not to Spring

It seems that the trees can’t all agree that spring has arrived. It has!

Sorry for the late post. The day started early, and I moved my office back to our new home after work. For those of you who know my setup, that is no small task, but that is a subject for another post.

Not Even Close

All interesting guesses yesterday, but not even close. When I turned to the right, this is what I saw! Today’s and yesterday’s shots were taken at the United States Air Force Memorial located at the Navy Annex across from the Pentagon in Washington DC. I use to live in Fairfax VA, and spent a good deal of time photographing the various monuments, primarily at night. I was back there for work last week, but I only had my Canon SD900 (without a tripod) on this trip. I will be back with the big rig (Canon D60) on a future trip! For more information on the monument, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Memorial

New Places

I found myself traveling again last week, and returned to a place I know rather well. While there I was pleasantly surprised to find that something new had been created. Do you have any idea where or what this is? One hint, it is not in Delta!

I was struck by the intensity of the colors as I drove by this place, so I had to stop. Had I been in need scaffolding, I may have gone in!

South Delta

As I have mentioned in past posts, we have recently bought a new home, and that home is located in the SE section of Delta. Now you can stand at one end of Delta, and look most of the way across town, but it is interesting how your perspective changes when you travel the opposite of your usual direction in a well known area. I had always seen this place from the other side, but this side caught my attention, and I now think I will swing by there on my way into work, if they are open!