We are expecting our first snow on the ground in this town for the first time all winter. Yea! If all reports come true we could have inches by Wednesday night and I know that doesn't sound like much to those of you who have endured walls of the stuff scraped to the sides of your roads this year, but it is the best we can hope around here. In anticipation of perhaps being able to walk our dogs in the snow on Thursday instead of having them spend a spa day at the groomers (she and I discussed on the phone Tuesday afternoon and left the appointment "open" while also scheduling another day next week), the selection of an old postcard was easy for me this Wednesday.
I noticed that the person who wrote the note to my grandmother was writing from Wildwood Lodge after obviously having made the trek over Loveland Pass, which she described as being over a couple of "Hills" from Denver. When I Googled for information about Wildwood Lodge I hit on the Wildwood Lodge at Snowmass, Colorado, near Aspen. Their website does not help with information about the history of the place (the building is new so would have had to have been replaced since 1954 when this postcard was mailed). But it is likely that my grandmother's friend was spending a night in what is now Snowmass. You can visit the
Wildwood Lodge website for more information, but here is a bit from the "What's New" tab (because in spite of the white stuff in February, March belongs to the green) :
| St. Patrick's Day Festival 3/17/11 |
 |
| 9:00 - 6:00 pm Snowmass goes all-out green with a full line-up of Irish fun. Celtic dancers, a Lucky Leprechaun Scavenger hunt, free traditional and rock concerts, green beer, and much more highlight this fast-growing street celebration that takes over Snowmass with Emerald Isle spirit. Along Snowmass Village Mall Last Year's Schedule: 9:00am-2:00pm - Lucky Leprechaun Adults Scavenger Hunt & Kids Hidden Treasure Boxes- on Snowmass Mountain 12:00pm-4:00pm - Kids Crafts/Entertainment & Face Painting - Jamming Jim & Sparkles the Clown 12:00pm-5:00pm - Irish Beer Garden & Food 1:30pm-1:45pm - El Jebel Shrine Pipe Band - Professional Irish March 1:45pm-2:15pm - Wick School of Traditioal Irish Dance - Traditional Irish Dancers 2:15pm-3:15pm - The Commoners - Folk Rock / Rock /Indie Traditional Celtic Music 3:15pm-3:30pm - Diegos Umbrella - Experimental / Flamenco / Rock 3:30pm-4:00pm - Wick School of Traditional Irish Dance - Traditional Irsh Dancers 3:45pm-4:45pm - The Commoners - Folk Rock / Rock / Indie Traditional Celtic Music 4:45pm-5:00pm - El Jebel Shrine Pipe Band |
About Loveland Pass (-from allsummitcountry.com)
Overview
At 11,990 ft. above sea level, the Loveland Pass is the alternative route to I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. Rising 800 feet above the tunnel through a series of hairpin switchbacks, you'll find yourself with a healthy grip on the handlebar.
It's tough to keep your eyes on the road with the surrounding mountain views, so make sure to take a break for pictures at the top of the pass. There is a sign and some walking trails to appreciate the incredible views.
Location
Loveland Pass is on CO-6, located between exit 216 of I-70 and Keystone.
Seasons
The Loveland Pass is the highest road in the United States that is kept open year-round, weather permitting.
Activities
Hiking
The top of Loveland Pass is a trailhead for many different routes. Those looking for a little exertion should try out Grizzly Peak, a 7 mile hike to 13,427 ft. Those looking for something a little less strenuous can take a walk on the loop trail, which follows a ridge on the Continental Divide for an easy 3 mile loop.
All hikes around the area will give some great views.
Skiing
Going up the pass in winter, particularly on days after a large snowfall, skiers can be seen hitch-hiking back up the pass to squeeze in another run. The pass is a great opportunity to get out into the backcountry of Colorado to ski some open bowls, glades or the steeps.
Proper use and knowledge of a transceiver, snow shovel and probe, and the ability to analyze safe skiing terrain are necessary to ensure a safe outing.
Finally, here is noaa's current weather alert for the area where I live. I am sure many of you will howl at the inches, etc......but it is so unusual for this time of year here, and not good news for the crocus and the camelia tree already budding out in our yard.
Winter Storm Warning
Central Willamette Valley (Oregon)
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
327 PM PST TUE FEB 22 2011
...SIGNIFICANT LOW ELEVATION SNOWFALL EXPECTED LATE WEDNESDAY
THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...
.UNSEASONABLY COLD WEATHER FOR LATE FEBRUARY IS CAUSING THE SNOW
LEVEL TO FALL TO THE LOWER ELEVATIONS OF THE CASCADE FOOTHILLS AND
COAST RANGE OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON TODAY. AS
MUCH COLDER AIR MOVES INTO THE REGION WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY...ACCUMULATING
SNOW WILL BECOME LIKELY DOWN TO THE BEACHES AND VALLEY FLOOR LATER
WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. BY THE END OF THE WEEK...SNOWFALL
ACCUMULATIONS IN THE CASCADES WILL BE MEASURED IN FEET.
ORZ002-007-008-231400-
/O.UPG.KPQR.WS.A.0003.110223T2000Z-110225T0000Z/
/O.EXB.KPQR.WS.W.0003.110223T2200Z-110225T0600Z/
CENTRAL OREGON COAST-CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-
SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...
CAPE FOULWEATHER...YACHATS...FLORENCE...SALEM...MCMINNVILLE...
EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY
327 PM PST TUE FEB 22 2011
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM WEDNESDAY TO 10 PM
PST THURSDAY FOR THE CENTRAL COAST...THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
WILLAMETTE VALLEY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM WEDNESDAY
TO 10 PM PST THURSDAY. THIS REPLACES THE WINTER STORM WATCH THAT WAS
PREVIOUSLY IN EFFECT.
* TIMING...RAIN MIXED WITH SNOW IS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON...THEN HEAVIER SNOW BEGINNING WEDNESDAY EVENING AND
CONTINUING INTO THURSDAY.
* ACCUMULATION/SNOW LEVELS...2 TO 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED LATER
WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. SOME LOCAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 8
INCHES IS POSSIBLE MAINLY IN THE HIGHER HILLS...ESPECIALLY WHERE
THE VALLEY MEETS THE CASCADE FOOTHILLS.
* IMPACTS...ROADWAYS MAY BECOME ICY AND SNOW COVERED... RESULTING
IN SLICK DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS MAY SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE
COMMUTE THURSDAY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF
SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN
AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
.
6 comments:
Okay, I live in NY - so yeah, I did smile reading about your snow.
Wildwood Lodge sounds like a delightful place to stay. I've always wanted to visit Colorado.
As for weather in my area, this week alone: Saturday was 50-60mph winds with snow. A total white out for most of the day.
Sunday, I don't think the skies ever looked so blue. I began to hope for Spring.
Monday, I woke up to another 7 inches of snow. Even Pickles was like, what the freak where's the path so I can poop. Yeah, we get the lovely adventure of having to shovel an area just so she can relieve herself.
Since then I've woken up to mornings in the single digits. I want to come visit you. I think Spring is boycotting NY. (Hugs)Indigo
hahaha...you are calling up some old memory for me of driving down from there toward Denver, listening to a Wagnerian overture and smoking pot! It's a wonder we didn't take a short-cut through the barricades and over the rocks! (Note: don't do drugs...they will screw up your short-term whatchamacallit..)
Loved the postcard! I really hate going over Loveland pass, so I don't do it (lol)
Your first snow there, wow you guys have had a lite winter. We have only had 2 really good snows this year. My back says a big thank you to mother nature but the downside is we need the water form the melt off (sigh). The yin and yang of life.
take care :)
Lydia- so far the snow is still softly coming down! I walked outside to photograph - look and listen to the blue silence.
Indigo~ You and Pickles deserve springtime to arrive and quickly, most definitely! I do feel guilty for loving a few falling snowflakes when the east coast has had such a whopper of a winter. May you see blooms soon. :)
mythopolis~ Aren't those memories fun and funny to recall from time-to-time? I must say that your pot-smoking soundtrack was much more highbrow than I remember mine being. :)
Looking to the Stars~ Yes, we have had a very mild winter. The entire west has been weird this season.
I found it intriguing that you actually know (and dislike) Loveland Pass. :)
Kathe~ For us this Thursday it has been intermittent, some nice snow episodes mixed with others of sunshine. The outside cats have been totally confused, not knowing whether to ask inside or stay out. :)
I LOVE the picture!
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