CA Zephyr in Truckee, CA

CA Zephyr in Truckee, CA, originally uploaded by THOS.

The California Zephyr on a run from San Francisco to Chicago (3 days and two nights). It has just come over Donner Pass for a quick stop in Truckee.

Donner Pass Bridge

Donner Pass Bridge, originally uploaded by THOS.

First snow on I-80 crossing the pass between Truckee and Soda Springs, California

Donner Lake from Pass

Donner Lake from Pass, originally uploaded by THOS.

Looking east from the top of the pass over Donner Lake into Nevada. The Donner Party camped on the far end of the lake when over 20 feet of snow made it impossible to climb over the pass. Only half of the group survived the winter.

Snow at Donner Pass

Snow at Donner Pass, originally uploaded by THOS.

Over 6000 Chinese laborers bored through solid granite to complete the transcontinental railroad through the mountains.

UP Freight clearing snowshed on Donner Pass

UP Freight clearing snowshed on Donner Pass, originally uploaded by THOS.

The location of the hardest tunnel digging on the 1868 first transcontinental rail line. We watched a long westbound freight climb slowly up to the pass.

Stellar Jay

Stellar Jay, originally uploaded by THOS.

This beautiful bird visited us at Donner Lake where we had a picnic.

Kelly and Ethan

K&E, originally uploaded by THOS.

We had a very good time at the wedding reception and caught this cute picture of our favorite young couple.

Truckee River in Reno

Truckee River in Reno, originally uploaded by THOS.

A view out our hotel window on the Truckee River in downtown Reno.

T at Donner Memorial

T at Donner Memorial, originally uploaded by THOS.

At Donner Memorial Park we walked through the early first snow of the season on a nature trail around the site where the Donner Party spent the brutal winter of 1846-47 in three crudely constructed cabins and two tents. Recounting that tragic time: "The 81 members of the Donner Party 25 men, 15 women and 41 children, including six nursing infants were now huddled miserably in two makeshift winter camps. The Breens and their seven children took over an abandoned shack not far from Truckee Lake (now Donner Lake). Peggy Breen did what she could to calm the younger children. Lewis Keseberg built a rough lean-to for his family against one side of the Breen shack. Nearby, the Eddys crowded into a hastily constructed log cabin with the Murphys, the Fosters and the Pikes. A second drafty cabin housed the family of Franklin Graves at one end and Margaret Reed and her four children at the other. Six miles away, on Alder Creek, the two Donner families huddled in tents where the storm had caught them." (PBS film: The Donner Party: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/donner/)

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, originally uploaded by THOS.

The deep water colors in Lake Tahoe are hard to believe! Squaw Valley ski runs are across the lake.

Lake Tahoe from plane

Lake Tahoe from plane, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our view landing in Reno.

Our meadow from air

Our meadow from air, originally uploaded by THOS.

On takeoff from Austin we flew over our valley; ours is the third house from the left.

A & Tiki

A & Tiki, originally uploaded by THOS.

October afternoon by the pool.

Tiki stalks

Tiki stalks, originally uploaded by THOS.

On a warm fall afternoon our fearless Burmese is stalking a dragonfly on the pool deck.

Early Autumn Trip to Colorado Rockies

Hot Texas weather inspired us to take five days in September to have our yearly mountain 'fix' of cool air and high country inspiration. We discovered that the second week of September is the ideal time for fall colors, as well as finding Aspen almost empty of tourists. Here are pictures of some of our favorite places in and around Aspen.

Denver airport sunset

Denver airport sunset, originally uploaded by THOS.

From our plane window we had the best sunset of our fall Colorado trip.

Fall aspen grove

Fall aspen grove, originally uploaded by THOS.

Gold aspens near Redstone

Gold aspens near Redstone, originally uploaded by THOS.

Sunset Picnic Above Aspen

Sunset Picnic Above Aspen, originally uploaded by THOS.

We had the mountain all to ourselves overlooking Castle Creek Valley.

Enjoying Richmond Hill picnic

Enjoying Richmond Hill picnic, originally uploaded by THOS.

Some white wine and cheeze in a meadow above the top of the gondola house on Ajax. We took the road down the face of Ajax to our condo in Aspen.

Hawk Circles Over Our Picnic

Richmond Hill Hawk, originally uploaded by THOS.

A pair of red-tailed hawks circled overhead atop Richmond Hill Road near the top of Ajax Mountain.

stormy

stormy, originally uploaded by THOS.

The storm followed us all the way down Richmjond Hill Road into Aspen.

Early snow at Taylor Pass

Snow at Taylor Pass, originally uploaded by THOS.

A snow/sleet/rain thunderstorm blew in at Taylor Pass (13,220' elevation) forcing a quick dash to safer lower ground.

Taylor Pass sign

Taylor Pass sign, originally uploaded by THOS.

The long view south at the top of Taylor Pass between Aspen and Crested Butte just before the storm hit us full force.

Storm brewing

Storm brewing, originally uploaded by THOS.

Up Express Creek Road from Ashcroft heading to Taylor Pass.

Aspen and red rocks

Aspen and red rocks, originally uploaded by THOS.

Montezuma Basin Falls Near Pearl Pass

Montezuma Basin Falls, originally uploaded by THOS.

Drive up Castle Creek Road past Ashcroft (ghost town), turn off on Pearl Pass (jeep) Road and climb almost to the tree line and turn off to the trail to Montezuma Basin Mine.

Pearl Pass Road

Pearl Pass Road, originally uploaded by THOS.

Turn left off Montezuma Basin Road to take the 'highway' up over Pearl Pass. We decided to take this route on a clear day.

Aspens and clouds

Aspens and clouds, originally uploaded by THOS.

Early afternoon scattered showers while we did some serious hammocking.

Aspen Leaf

Aspen Leaf, originally uploaded by THOS.

The aspen leaves were showing off their colors in the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness.

Fall colors near Maroon Lake, CO

Fall colors, originally uploaded by THOS.

We hiked in the aspens above Maroon Lake on a beautiful September day.

Alaire above Maroon Lake

Alaire above Maroon Lake, originally uploaded by THOS.

After a hike up from the lake we found a private spot for lunch.

Maroon Bells near Aspen

Maroon Bells, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our favorite place: the Maroon Bells in the wilderness near Aspen, September 11, 2004. We hiked up to the golden trees in the distance for our lunch. It had snowed the previous night and was clear and cool.

Maroon Lake Friend

Mini bear, originally uploaded by THOS.

As we picnicked on a glacial moraine above Maroon Lake this brave little 'mini bear' enjoyed Tom's apple core.

Columbine in woods

Columbine in woods, originally uploaded by THOS.

Rare purple columbine on the trail up to the Maroon Bells

Alaire in our condo on the Roaring Fork

Alaire in our condo on the Roaring Fork, originally uploaded by THOS.

Morning coffee overlooking the river in our Aspen condo. Getting ready for a day up in the mountains.

Muledeer in Velvet On Haggerman Pass Road

Muledeer in Velvet, originally uploaded by THOS.

After crossing Haggerman Pass we passed Ivanhoe Lake and Skinner Alpine Corps hut. This is the smallest of three bucks we saw by the roadside.

Independence Ghost Town

Independence Ghost Town, originally uploaded by THOS.

West of Independence Pass on our drive to Leadville, CO

Tom demonstrates a perfect J-stroke

Cape Cod: Tom demonstrates a perfect J-stroke, originally uploaded by THOS.

The trip back from the shore was easy traveling with a 5 knot tide and 22 knot wind at our back. It took an hour to travel the 1.25 miles to Nantucket Sound and 30 minutes to return to the canoe rental landing on the Swan River.

Mouth of the Swan River on Cape Cod

Mouth of the Swan River on Cape Cod, originally uploaded by THOS.

A paraskiier skimmed across the waves at astonishing speed while two boys chased each other on the shore. We enjoyed crackers and wine while resting up for the return trip 'upstream,'

Cape Cod Store on 6A

Cape Cod Store on 6A, originally uploaded by THOS.

The summer flowers on the Cape are hard to believe.

Eating lobster on the Bass River

Eating lobster on the Bass River, originally uploaded by THOS.

Out first evening on Cape Cod for August 2004 at the Sundancer Restaurant overlooking the Bass River. This is one of our favorite places to eat lobster and watch the sunset over the marsh.

Mo Ranch rainbow

Mo Ranch rainbow, originally uploaded by THOS.

A hot July afternoon produced a Texas-sized thunderstorm roaring through the Hill Country. As it receded to the east we saw this beautiful sight.

A & E bike at Walnut Creek

A & E bike at Walnut Creek, originally uploaded by THOS.

Ethan shows us the best trails in north Austin.

Train room

Train room, originally uploaded by THOS.

The train room at the top of the stairs has been finished out, AC installed, lights in place, carpet laid, and the sky painted (the clouds are photographs I took this week). Now comes the process of planning the track design (with Ethan's help) and the scenery. Tiki loves to sleep curled up in a plastic tub on the shelf.

Tom at work on west 'water feature'

T working on waterfall, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our new west side beauty spot with a spring (near bag of mulch), stream (center). pond (center left) and waterfall-in-the-making (lower left corner). Note the boulders and honeycomb rocks rolled in from around the area. The canoe has been relocated and work has begun on a bridge across the new stream where T is standing.

Tom and Lorn talk on the new deck May 27

Lorn and Tom visit May 27, 04, originally uploaded by THOS.

Taking advantage of the new deck, Tom and Lorn discuss adding a codicil to a will and other arcane topics, while Angel (under Tom's chair) spies on a bird down below.

Angel on stair, guarding the train room.

Spanish Stair Coon Cat, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our fluffy Maine Coon cat

Jack laid out after a hot day stalking insects & lizards.

On the cool tile kitchen floor, originally uploaded by THOS.

Blackjack is a rescued animal who was born of feral parents in a Dairy Queen dumpster - originally named 'Blizzard.' He is still phobic around strangers, but is very sweet to us and the other cats. He is big (17 lbs.) and quite strong, but has an incredibly high-pitched meow like a little kitten.

Tiki the Burmese

Tiki sees something interesting, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our 1.5 year old Burmese is still kittenish, especially when he spots something interesting.