Final Bat Flight.....

Autumn continues on. The leaves are now blowing off the trees and fluttering across the ground.  Bare branches of trees ready for winter slumber. Some are still in their radiant foliage of reds, oranges, and yellow. The last flights of Rose Guano Cave are in action. The kids and I were happy to go up to see the winged mammals in their October symphony.... before they leave on their hibernation route. It was a beautiful, warm early evening.

The Mexican Free-tailed bats were already beating their wings as Ava and Isaac climbed the rope into the mouth of the cave.......

The sun began to set. The light painting the valley floor and warming the rocks of the cave before it disappeared. A bone-warming October glow.

This trip up, I wanted to focus on the researchers this time as they process the bats and release them after collecting data. They have a smooth system and it amazes me that they account for 500 -900 individual bats each night here. Impressive.

I have a great appreciation of bats and I am reminded that they play a valuable role in the web of life. They too contribute to this delicate balance of our planet.

Oh, it's October!

October arrived! The clouds had started to build within the first few days of the month. The sunsets were a little more fiery with the rabbit brush in full bloom. After almost 50 days without rain, we finally had some predicted in the forecast. The desert misses the rain......

We had Donna and John drive our bikes up to the top of the Snake Creek Trailhead after school one day. We planned on riding all the way back to the highway. Minimal effort maximum thrill! It was supposed to rain for a few days so we thought we better have this adventure before it got too cold. At over 8,000 ft, the rain had already started. But, it didn't bother us much....

There was a gentle pitter patter of rain as we made our descent. The sun would break through the clouds and you could see the rain glistening. It was beautiful passing through the aspen trees with their yellow leaves still clinging.....

Willow giggled in her bike seat all the way down the mountain. She was able to ride a little some on her own bike until the wash boards bounced her around too much.  Ava, Isaac, and Charlie enjoyed the ride too. Smiles for miles!

The evenings are chilly now. Bryan's bats season has wrapped up. The bats at Rose Cave had their final flight from Spring Valley in 2018......

It rained through the night along with flashes of lightning and thunder. Then it continued to rain through the following day......

Luckily that weekend I had family in town. Good company helps rainy day blues!

Ava wanted to change her look up again. She chose a different color of blue dye and had Kelsy come over and do it. The color matches her braces! I really like this color. I feel like Ava can pull off any look.....

We harvested the garden for the last time. Mom also gave us squash and pumpkins. Gardening is a wrap....

I looked on Pinterest to see how to use extra basil. I found this recipe where you take olive oil and basil and freeze into cubes. Brilliant! Great way to enhance dishes with fresh herbs in Winter!

It rained for a few days. Then the evening of October 3rd the peaks had their first snow storm, and it was more than a dusting!

What a glorious sunrise with white capped peaks!