Basalt

The paved bicycle trail runs from Carbondale to Basalt. It follows the old railroad grade along the Roaring Fork River. Sometimes it runs next to roads. We found the roadless section, only recently completed. They're still working on the shoulders. One person loops around in the car, the other person gets a one hour walk if they stop to look at birds a few times along the way. Roadless river, a mountainside. Some houses and hammocks on the other side. Trees, bushes, blue sky. A flyfisherman. Chickadees, kinglets, finches, magpies, ravens, kingfishers, juncos. Today, a mink….. or a ferret…. a small weasel? Long and slim, loping across the trail. Soft brown and white with black on the tip of its tail. Deer on the trail as I round a corner watch me intently, then bolt and disappear.

Yesterday, there was a breeze and it was too cold. Today, it was forty, calm, and sunny; just right.