Castle Valley and snowy Breckenridge

Here are the Lizards at Castle Valley B&B.  In the distance is the hot tub.  The local cat, Amber, is not in evidence, but she kept me company the two previous evenings.  The B&B is upscale with all modcons, but is very relaxed and tranquil.  A travel gem!

The groove in the lawn is a squirrel path.  They travel this route to share in the goodies from the bird feeders, grazing peaceably with the mourning doves.

The west wall of Castle Valley.

Here is Vail Pass, six thousand feet above Castle Valley (10,500 msl) on the same day.  Spring, in full flower in the valley, is still several weeks away here.  As a matter of fact, it looks like midwinter with some fresh snow, and more has fallen since I took the pic.

Spring clouds loom over a winter snowscape.

Ah!  A sign of melting. 

Breckenridge on the morning of May 8.  An inch of fresh snow fell overnight.  The Lizards are confused.  A week ago they were in Arizona and it was 101 degrees...now this?  The snow quickly melted but is being replaced by sleet this evening as thunderstorms rumble through the area.

The mountains of Breck are stunning in their purity.  It has been a long time since I have seen so much snow, and so fresh!

Clouds, forest, and snowy mountains.

It looks like folks should still be skiing at Breckenridge.  Except for the lowest slopes, the runs still have plenty of snow...with another 8 to 16 inches expected this weekend.

Color contrasts, and, once again, fabulous light.  This whole week (it's now Friday) has been a photographer's dream with the great light, caused mostly by massive clouds across the southwest.