Sub Alpine Pine – Echo Lake, CO

It’s been almost a full 2 weeks now since we moved into the new house which is still undergoing renovation construction.  Needless to say, it’s a challenge to live without kitchen facilities – but we are oh so close.  We now have counter tops, a sink with faucet, lights and our appliances will be delivered this Thursday which hopefully means that we will have a functional kitchen by next weekend.  Yesterday, we also moved our daughter out of our bedroom into her own – whew – I no longer have to circumvent her mattress and myriad of stuffed animals and blankies to get to my side of the bed.  (Yes – 11, almost 12 year olds still have lovies…Jasmine would be mortified if she knew I told anyone! ;D)

Meanwhile, Jasmine and I have both started school and are in full swing.  She loves Japanese – though I can’t make heads or tails of the language myself.  As long as she gets it, that’s all that is important.  I have already been on 1 field trip into nature and am heading out this morning to Mt. Evans with my Landscape Ecology class.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with Colorado, Mt. Evans is one of Colorado State’s ’14 rs’ – meaning that elevation at the summit is over 14,000′ above sea level.  We  have to leave early because weather normally sets in after 12pm making the visit very uncomfortable and also potentially dangerous.  I personally have no desire to be up close and personal with lightening at 14,000′.  We also have to visit this alpine/montane region now because the road to the summit closes next weekend due to snow.  Yikes, did I say snow?  I sure hope that I have enough clothing along today!

Hope everyone has a terrific week,

Cynthia