It was a nice Sunday in February. Actually... it wasn't in the
beginning but.. Hm... okey, let's try it again... The forecast promised a
nice and sunny day (chilly though). But in the morning I figured out
the forecast wasn't that accurate and the snow still was falling down
and the roads were a bit too slippery. But around noon the weather
changed, the sun was shining through the clouds and it was nice. At this
point I was ready to go somewhere. Somewhere nearby, because it was
really late for a long drive. Red Rocks Amphitheater seemed to be a good
destination for a nice quick trip. The lazy snow still was flying down and
covering the road but the ride was really pleasant and after a while I
was turning from Morrison to the windy mountain road. The hilltops still
were by fog or clouds and looked just amazing. The slopes looked
like a cake powdered with sugar... sweet ;)
Red rocks and bright white snow... Isn't it gorgeous combination?
I stopped the car and stepped outside... The
mountains were dissolving in the clouds and I felt like I was moved into
the fairy tail. Everything was incredibly quiet and peaceful. The heart
rate slowed down and I found myself in a mood when I didn't want to
hurry anywhere. I wanted to get the camping chair from the car and sit
there watching the flurries still flying in the air.
But... it was a chilly February day so after a few minutes I was shivering and needed to move. I decided on the short walk that should keep me from freezing on the road. So I started walking.... The road turned around and I again enjoyed looking at the white snow on the red rocks.
I climbed the stairs to the amphitheater and stopped to look at the cliff just in front of me. It looked absolutely breathtaking!
And... it wasn't really quiet anymore! I can hear some ringing
sounds and once I turned around the corner I found the source of this music - a small creek of melting water was running down, sparkling on
the sun and making some noise more suitable for Spring, not February.
Yeah, It was Colorado after all and the snowfall is not the reason
for the hot sun not to melt some snow and not to send the water down the hill ;)
Finally I climbed on the top of the staircase and was looking at
the amphitheater itself. Located between two huge cliffs it looked
absolutely beautiful!
... and empty... That was a surprise... Normally there are dozens of
runners and joggers, walking, running and jumping up and down... But
this day there was no one to see...
Actually... there was one couple sitting on the bench with a bouquet of
roses and a bottle of champagne... celebrating something? Oh, how can I
forget, February the 14th, Valentines Day! Now it made sense for them
sitting alone and drinking bubbly...
At this time the sun finally took over the snowfall and everything was sparkling and bright. The sky was blue, the snow - white and the rocks (still) red ;) And now it was possible to see Denver downtown. This view is always astonishing but that day it was especially good - with white snow blanket covering the hill slopes and Dinosaur Ridge and light haze that creates such a mystery picture...
Now it wasn't so cold anymore and bright sun was calling... so I
decided on drive along Bear Creek instead of returning back home... No clear goal. Just drive and watch...
Slopes looked absolutely unreal. That was some combination of fresh
snow and bright sun that made it this way. From the experience I know
it takes just a few hours and the view changes. The snow will still be
white, but not as white as at this moment. The slopes still will look
great but not the same. And the pines powdered by snow will turn green
and the fairy tail will give place to reality. This reality will be
nice, but not even close to this magic feeling one can experience
immediately after morning snowfall changed by midday sun...
Pictures were taken on February 14, 2022.
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