This is where I turned around today, at the 6500 foot level. It is still very early spring at that elevation, with Spring beauties and Glacier lilies still in bloom.The peak is about 900 feet higher and there is a lot more snow there on the lee side. It was a good winter for the snow pack!
I did think about your weather today, briefly. I remember those +110 days very well! This morning it was very windy and quite cold where the wind swept across the snow.
I’m very happy for you Terry to have made it out onto the trail again, well done, and from a personal point of view it’s great because I get to see those beautiful landscapes again! Talking of which we are on our way out west at the end of the month, can’t wait 🙂
The new knee is first rate. The rest of me needs a lot of work though. I was off for about 5 months and just now am able to start on conditioning. Seems like it was easier 50 years ago!
That snow is about 4000 feet above the valley floor here and snow will remain until late in July. There are still a few freezing nights up there.
I was told many times how difficult it is to re-hab from a total knee replacement and it is, but so much worth the effort. I will now have another ten years at least to spend in the wilderness!
That is in a very photogenic place, Bill. It’s in a roadless area so the forest is old growth and the air is very pure. I visit there at least three times each summer.
I have a friend who struggled to recover from a knee replacement, and it was quite a long process. To be frank, I suspect she wasn’t quite as diligent with her rehab as you, but then — I’m also sure she wasn’t so motivated! How wonderful that you’re out and about again, and able to enjoy those blue skies and that wonderful snow. I was happy to hear about a good snowpack, too.
I have heard about many folks who have had difficulty with rehab for this too. There are many days when I really don’t feel like doing the last couple of miles (I’m up to hiking 5 miles a day now) but I know I will have to probably for the rest of this year just to get the mobility that I want back in the knee. I did work with an excellent physical therapist and I still thank him for keeping reminding me how hard I will have to work to get where I want!
I started to say I can’t believe you still have snow up there, but I can believe it. Given the high humidity in Austin, tomorrow afternoon is predicted to feel like 100°. I can handle that, but the cold quickly does me in.
I was in the Phoenix area, and you’re right, I’ve lost that feeling. Too much population, too much heat. Tonight it’s 57 here with a gentle rain falling.
Glad you’re back on the trail!
LikeLike
Comment by Malcolm R. Campbell — June 9, 2014 @ 8:27 pm
Thanks Malcolm! The new knee is doing well, now I have to get back into condition after a long time of relative inactivity!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 9, 2014 @ 8:35 pm
Hurray! I’m glad you’re back out there again.
LikeLike
Comment by jomegat — June 9, 2014 @ 8:45 pm
Thanks! Not at full horsepower yet, but that will come with time.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 9, 2014 @ 10:12 pm
Glad you’re back in your element! I’m sure you were like a child waiting to get outside after being inside for several days. Take care
LikeLike
Comment by Ron Mangels — June 9, 2014 @ 8:57 pm
Yes Ron, very much like a child. Today’s hike was rather short and tiring, but it felt so good!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 9, 2014 @ 10:14 pm
Don’t overdo it. But how nice that you can enjoy one of your favourite activities again. A treat for us too, as we get the photos!
LikeLike
Comment by wordsfromanneli — June 9, 2014 @ 9:23 pm
I’m very happy, Anneli. I have been working on re-hab for three hours a day for the last several months and it’s good to see that it is paying off!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 9, 2014 @ 10:19 pm
Very happy for you, Terry.
LikeLike
Comment by wordsfromanneli — June 10, 2014 @ 7:44 am
That is some gorgeous scenery. You still have a lot of snow!
LikeLike
Comment by Sue — June 9, 2014 @ 9:34 pm
This is where I turned around today, at the 6500 foot level. It is still very early spring at that elevation, with Spring beauties and Glacier lilies still in bloom.The peak is about 900 feet higher and there is a lot more snow there on the lee side. It was a good winter for the snow pack!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 9, 2014 @ 10:29 pm
Yay! These are the sorts of scenes we became accustomed to. Glad to see them again…and nice to see that snow when it’s 110 here.
LikeLike
Comment by Candace — June 9, 2014 @ 10:31 pm
I did think about your weather today, briefly. I remember those +110 days very well! This morning it was very windy and quite cold where the wind swept across the snow.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 9, 2014 @ 10:39 pm
If only teleportation existed…
LikeLike
Comment by Candace — June 9, 2014 @ 10:41 pm
Yes, wouldn’t that be nice on a 110 day!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 9, 2014 @ 10:48 pm
Happy Trails to you!
LikeLike
Comment by Mother Hen — June 9, 2014 @ 10:47 pm
Thanks! THe hiking season is about to begin!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 9, 2014 @ 10:53 pm
Wow, well done, and I’m so pleased for you! I can imagine how that felt! What a stunning photo.
LikeLike
Comment by Jo Woolf — June 10, 2014 @ 1:50 am
Thanks Jo! It’s like getting a new life!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 10, 2014 @ 7:37 pm
I’m very happy for you Terry to have made it out onto the trail again, well done, and from a personal point of view it’s great because I get to see those beautiful landscapes again! Talking of which we are on our way out west at the end of the month, can’t wait 🙂
LikeLike
Comment by Mike Howe — June 10, 2014 @ 3:12 am
Thanks Mike. I hope you have a great trip!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 10, 2014 @ 7:38 pm
Your new knee must be doing well and that’s great. There’s still a lot of snow up there-don’t slip!
LikeLike
Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — June 10, 2014 @ 4:15 am
The new knee is first rate. The rest of me needs a lot of work though. I was off for about 5 months and just now am able to start on conditioning. Seems like it was easier 50 years ago!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 10, 2014 @ 7:39 pm
Oh, how wonderful! I’m so happy for you …
LikeLike
Comment by Teresa Evangeline — June 10, 2014 @ 5:01 am
Thanks Teresa! I’m not always a fan of technology, but this time I’m very grateful for it.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 10, 2014 @ 7:40 pm
Sure am happy to hear you’re back doing the thing you love. And what a nice view to celebrate hiking again with!
LikeLike
Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — June 10, 2014 @ 5:35 am
Thanks Mama. Yes, it was a very good place to start again. It’s such a beautiful world out in the wild country. I wish everyone could experience it!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 10, 2014 @ 7:42 pm
I’m amazed at how much snow is still around.
Glad to hear you’re out on the trail again. Still, take it easy.
(and well done on the 3 hours per day work – now that is really self discipline. Look forward to more photos).
LikeLike
Comment by Vicki — June 10, 2014 @ 7:22 am
That snow is about 4000 feet above the valley floor here and snow will remain until late in July. There are still a few freezing nights up there.
I was told many times how difficult it is to re-hab from a total knee replacement and it is, but so much worth the effort. I will now have another ten years at least to spend in the wilderness!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 10, 2014 @ 7:45 pm
Love the depth of this photo! It almost feels holographic. The deep contrasts are amazing also! Capturing nature at its best in this photo!
LikeLike
Comment by WildBill — June 11, 2014 @ 5:11 am
That is in a very photogenic place, Bill. It’s in a roadless area so the forest is old growth and the air is very pure. I visit there at least three times each summer.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 11, 2014 @ 8:50 pm
I have a friend who struggled to recover from a knee replacement, and it was quite a long process. To be frank, I suspect she wasn’t quite as diligent with her rehab as you, but then — I’m also sure she wasn’t so motivated! How wonderful that you’re out and about again, and able to enjoy those blue skies and that wonderful snow. I was happy to hear about a good snowpack, too.
LikeLike
Comment by shoreacres — June 11, 2014 @ 6:12 am
I have heard about many folks who have had difficulty with rehab for this too. There are many days when I really don’t feel like doing the last couple of miles (I’m up to hiking 5 miles a day now) but I know I will have to probably for the rest of this year just to get the mobility that I want back in the knee. I did work with an excellent physical therapist and I still thank him for keeping reminding me how hard I will have to work to get where I want!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 11, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
I started to say I can’t believe you still have snow up there, but I can believe it. Given the high humidity in Austin, tomorrow afternoon is predicted to feel like 100°. I can handle that, but the cold quickly does me in.
LikeLike
Comment by Steve Schwartzman — June 11, 2014 @ 11:10 pm
100º would do me in! It was in the 70’s here today and I thought that was too warm.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 12, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
Sounds like you’ve lost that Phoenix feeling (I don’t know where in Arizona you were but I like the sound of Phoenix feeling).
LikeLike
Comment by Steve Schwartzman — June 12, 2014 @ 9:43 pm
I was in the Phoenix area, and you’re right, I’ve lost that feeling. Too much population, too much heat. Tonight it’s 57 here with a gentle rain falling.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 12, 2014 @ 10:43 pm
Landscapes are so beautiful. Gorgeous photo.
LikeLike
Comment by Sartenada — June 12, 2014 @ 12:51 am
Thank you! The views are worth the effort to hike up there!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 12, 2014 @ 8:56 pm
Happy hiking Season in your wonderful environment ! Glad you are feeling good again.
LikeLike
Comment by isathreadsoflife — June 16, 2014 @ 6:13 am
Thank you! There will be plenty of time now to do some of the hiking that I have long wanted to do. It will be a great summer!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 16, 2014 @ 8:31 pm
Such a weird but intriguing photo. You have the snow-capped mountain slope and the bold mountain slope at the approximately same height.
LikeLike
Comment by Lewa — June 17, 2014 @ 7:48 am
The snow is on the lee side of one ridge, the open slope is on the sunny side of another. At this level, they are approximately the same elevation.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 17, 2014 @ 7:09 pm
Enjoy your hikes as much as we enjoy your pictures!
LikeLike
Comment by Watching Seasons — June 22, 2014 @ 3:33 pm
I hope that works the other way around too!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 22, 2014 @ 8:00 pm
Good for you, Terry….and by the way, I’m jealous!
LikeLike
Comment by seekraz — June 24, 2014 @ 1:58 pm
Too bad we couldn’t just push a button and trade places for a few days!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — June 24, 2014 @ 8:12 pm
That would be sweet!!
LikeLike
Comment by seekraz — June 24, 2014 @ 8:13 pm