Why this blog?

To understand why this blog was created and where it got its name, start here

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Brainard Lake

I took another hike in the Brainard Lake recreation area west of Boulder yesterday. And although I do go for the sightseeing and the exercise,
Brainard Lake

I always enjoy the flowers

 and the waterfalls,
Blue Lake

but the real reason I go is because . . . . .
 


of the mushrooms!! This prized edible is known by various names: boletus edulis (Latin), king bolete (English), porcini (Italian) or cèpe (French). But whatever you call it, it is delicious!!

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Lake Isabelle

Every once in a while, my solitude - admittedly self-imposed - finds me in a melancholy mood. My favorite form of self-medication is a hike in my beloved Rocky Mountains.
We've had a lot of rain lately and I set out yesterday to look for mushrooms on the Isabelle Glacier trail near Brainard Lake west of Boulder.

I didn't find any mushrooms, but the wildflowers were out in force.
And the streams were flowing swiftly.
I walked as far as Lake Isabelle, only two miles from the trailhead


And took a selfie before turning around
to head back down the way I came.
As an extra bonus, I encountered a couple of bull moose who stopped eating long enough to have their pictures taken.
Check out the size of those antlers - still covered with velvet!