A Spot of History—Monday, January 9, 2015

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Dayphoto

Before I move forward

The dome building behind the cows is someone’s house. Our farm is the edge of California Mesa, then it drops down into what the old-timers call ‘No-Man’s Land’. No-man’s-land is the flat land just before the next drop into Roubidoux Canyon. No-man’s-land is very poor ground, not fit for good farming back in 1882 when Delta was incorporated. Farming was hard enough in our area, although not so bad in the town of Delta and North Delta…they had water. Water the lifeblood of man.

Here you see the edge of the mesa better. You also see more of the flat land.

Today the flatlands have been subdivided allowing people to live ‘out in the country’. Also, water is available, which always helps any ground improve. I could go on and on about the history of our place, but I think I will stop here.

On a sidebar note—those gigantic transmission power lines are on the OTHER Side of Roubidoux Canyon…The blue/grey is the foot hills of the Uncompahgre Plateau, and the blue is The Uncompahgre Plateau.

I’m sure I’ve bored you long enough. I thank you for stopping by and asking questions. I love to go on and on about the history of this area, but…enough, really is enough!

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

Canyons, Mesas and Hills April 27, 2014

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Dayphoto

Boy, is it ever COLD here!!! Miserable in fact. We started the heat back on in the house yesterday and have kept it going all night and even today. I’m down to four logs of wood (that have been cut to length) I was hoping the cut wood would last us until warm and settled weather of spring. So far that isn’t going to be the case.

Last night Terry and I were dress in our winter clothes —carhart jackets, hooded sweatshirts, with warm winter hats pulled way down over our ears to do the irrigation water. Miserable changing and resetting (melted snow) ice water in all those clothes. But we had to do it or freeze.

Today there is edges of ice along the rows it’s so cold out here.

Of course, the fruit trees are in full bloom—apples, cherries, prunes, pears, and plums. These trees are on our place and I don’t smudge. I’m sure the orchardist are smudging or running wind fans to try and save their fruit and their living.

Out there on the ditch bank I had to marvel at the beauty that surrounds us—sometimes it is just stunning.

The storm clouds had lifted a little bit allowing the sun to shine on the canyons, mesas, hills and the Uncompahgre Plateau (Un-come-pah-gray) highlighting the vistas surrounding our mesa.

There is something about being near these geological wonders that lifts my soul. Something mystic, even exciting. The canyons draw me to them speaking of mystery and and enchantment—opening my spirit to those who have traveled long long ago, within their captivating walls, or walked along the mesas and hills hunting, foraging, putting down roots, making a life for themselves.

Then there are all the wild animals and other creatures that complete the magic within the vista…calling to my soul!

Anyway….I couldn’t tarry long day dreaming, but for a spell, a very short spell, the canyons and mesas, the plateaus and the hills where filled with sunshine then the storm descended upon them also.

But, lucky for me, I was outside and saw…now you can too.

From the high mountain deserts of Western Colorado I sing to you a bright and very cold “Good Morning!”

You friend,

Linda

Closer to Real Spring March 6, 2014

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Dayphoto

A few clouds have arrived in our area, the high, way up there, WAY, WAY up in the air winds pushing the clouds from somewhere in the far west…California to Utah and then to us..to fill our sky blocking the warming rays of the sun.

When the dogs and I went for our mid-night walk the stars were out and the sky was brilliant with their sparkling beauty. I almost tripped as I walked along with my head tiled back trying to find the different constellations…there was the Big Dipper (always very easy to see) I use it as my mooring point.

Around 8 o’clock in the evening it is in the east, then after mid-night sinking under the rim of Grand Mesa in the north west.

I really can’t remember the names of any of the others anymore, although, I used to know…way back when I was in high school —centuries ago.

Today we are a cold and cloudy late winter day. A jacket wearing day. At least right now. Maybe later we will warm up…only time will tell.

Yesterday was warm enough that the dogs spent most of it panting (and smiling). Terry and I worked without jackets in the afternoon–it was that warm…if you kept moving. He is building a irrigation box…one of the ditches that enters our place has created a huge hole in the ground…the hole works, but water keeps eroding it so the hole just keeps getting bigger and bigger. A cement box will with stand the constant of water and protect the earth around the ditch. We always want to protect the land. At the same time make our work load a little easier.

I got the wood pile sorted and stacked for next year…green wood here, dry wood there, and all the sticks and weeds and leaves under the wood racked.

I have a old pile of junk wood I need to sort and cut and get it in the firewood pile so I can use it up next winter. The old pile is made up of tree limbs, rotted off fence posts, an old building we tore down…junk wood, but we don’t want to just throw in a heap and burn it sending smoke spiraling into the air…we want to utilize it as heat for the house. So I continue to sort and cut and stack.

Other than ordinary everyday things nothing much going on here.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Monday, November 11, 2013

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Dayphoto

Way back here I promised to show you the photos and tell you a little bit about the Diversion Dam.

The Diversion Dam is where our irrigation water starts (and out potable water for our homes) out of the Gunnison River flowing through the Gunnison Tunnel. This is the dam and the little house is sitting over all the ‘workings’ that move the water from the Gunnison to farms along the Uncompahgre Valley (Un-come-pah-gray…accent on the pah). We live in the lower part of the Uncompahgre Valley…the irrigation water starts flowing through farms in Montrose, then Olathe and finally Delta. The water is used many, many, many times before it flows back into the Gunnison River on it’s way to California, Nevada, and Arizona. Water in our neck of the high desert is not wasted. Water in Colorado protected by law…we can not even catch rain water as all water must be allowed to flow back into the land. This link will show you other people’s photos of the dam and the tunnel.

Anyway, our water starts at Taylor Reservoir flows into Blue Mesa Reservoir and then starts it’s way down the Gunnison to Delta, through the Black Canyon.

Gunnsion-River

Only a portion of the river is diverted at the Gunnison dam. The above photo shows you the water flowing onward after the dam.

The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users manage the water with senior water rights on the river. This house is where the people live who take care of the Dam and the tunnel on this end of things.

The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users and Delta Montrose Electric Association combined forces to start a hydro project on the canal…

You are looking at the gate that takes the water to the hydro.

Water…always a fascinating subject for me… Since I grew up at the foot of Grand Mesa (my father and grandfather had big orchards) water was always a topic of discussion. After getting married to a farmer we continued the water discussion …the one of — is there enough to farm with this year? Always a concern.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your short trip. It’s always a treat to take people to see where the ‘water’ comes from, water for drinking and for irrigation in our tiny spot of the world.

You Western Colorado Friend,

Linda

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Dayphoto

More flash flooding is predicted for our part of Western Colorado.

Although, we are NOT getting what the Boulder, Colorado Springs, Longmont, and Greeley area are having. (They are in the Corridor of our State) Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone in those flood damaged areas. 😦

Our rain puddles are starting to grow slime

Even the trees are showing signs of moss

We are so wet it is hard to find a spot to walk without sinking up to your ankles.

An old-timer called this the ‘100-year rain’.

This morning we had some scattering of blue skies

Just seeing the blue made me happy.

Last night there was also a break in the clouds

The sunlight was outstanding! It caught the rim of Black Canyon. You can’t see the other mountains behind Black Canyon because the clouds have them covered.

The sunlight also produced a rainbow

Rainbows always make me think of hope.

According to the weather channel today is the last horrible day of torrential rain, then the slow moving storm will move on…which means it will move toward the east possibly hitting Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and/or parts of Texas, it just depends on the the jet stream. I sure hope you don’t get the floods, but lots of really nice ground soaking rain. 🙂

I hope your Sunday turns out well my friends,

Linda

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Dayphoto

We have arrived at the last week of August! I already miss Summer!

The corn is starting to dent…maybe (just maybe) only one more irrigation then the corn will be left to dry. Harvest should occur in October.

The snakes are starting to hole up for the winter…we are seeing fewer and fewer every day.

The Hummingbirds are still here, although I’m having a terrible time keeping the honey bees off the feeders.

This sugar water is like some sort of drug to them, even crawling clear in PAST the bee guard then drowning.

Any suggestions on how to stop the bees from eating at the feeders would be greatly appreciated.

A huge storm blew in late yesterday evening complete with flood watches and warning out for today and tomorrow, then in will gradually leave just in time for the third and last cutting of the old hay field and to pull the beans.

Magic thoughts for at least two weeks (possibly three) of warm drying weather would be greatly appreciated. 🙂 🙂 🙂

I picked the cannas and the datura as my daily view for today…my tribute to a tiny tropical garden in western Colorado. 🙂

I guess there really isn’t much going on here — which I’m loving. I hope your day is just as nice.

Your friend, Linda

Monday, August 19, 2013

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Dayphoto

Terry and I are still working on the five cords of rounds and ends we had delivered to our place. We would have gone and got our own but this year it just wasn’t going to work out.

Gradually we have everything sorted and hauled.

We just have a few more piles to cut then we are completely set for the winter. (We hope). If a killing frost comes early and Indian Summer/Fall is short we just might need more come next spring. Only time will tell.

Every day we work on this giant ends dwindling the size to a manageable firebox length.

As for now it looks pretty good.

Rain played along the top of the Uncompahgre (Un-come-pah-gray — with the accent on the ‘pah’, which means (take your pick) ‘rock made red by water’, ‘rocks that make red water’, or just plain ‘dirty water’.) Plateau all last evening.