Quiet Days in Four Corners with Family

The tractor is now working. Russ' dad took it out and tidied up the lower field after the expert house mechanic (youngest brother) took a look when Russ and his dad got stuck.

The trailer was to take the tractor to the mechanic, but it wasn't necessary.

Final fuel fill up to test the effort

Mostly, we've been hanging out and reading. I went food shopping with Russ' mom last Thursday. We mostly found what we needed, but TP is still in short supply. I'm enjoying our quiet time here. I continually forget how beautiful the night sky is from a high, dark place. We can see the Milky Way and dim stars that are not remotely visible from Tacoma. I've also been watching the prairie dog town in the neighbor's field behind our R-Pod. We've had mostly clear weather, but it has continued to blow, rain, and snow on and off all week.

The cottonwood is budding, despite the snow.

Snow. Plus cows in the neighbor's field for scale.

Russ and I drove up to Durango this morning to finish the shopping (some items are definitely cheaper and more available in Colorado). We took the opportunity to walk the Animas River Trail. The Animus' full name is el Rio de las Animas Perdidas, the River of Lost Souls. I find my soul walking in nature, and I especially like trails along rivers or creeks, so I'm not sure it is the most appropriate name. This trail would be great to ride using our folding bikes, as it is fully paved and in great condition. We only did about four and a half miles, from Santa Rita Park to the High Bridge and back. The wind was brisk, but the sun was out, so it didn't feel cold.

Geese on the Animas River

What a fabulous city resource in Durango!

Sign.

Inadvertent Art. Inverted Art. This sculpture is temporary.

Most amazing city trash receptacle. This could survive anything.

It looks like it is set up for Bear Resistance.

Russ stands for scale.

I want to walk more often; I'm sitting too much. It seems like most of the parks and trails are sparsely used right now, so we should be able to continue social distancing and still get out. It seems strange to even drive through the city and see so much of it closed down and empty.