Sunday, December 31, 2023

Recap of the Year

I've been meaning to write about a lot of things all year but somehow got to actually doing it only when things were down to the wire. Only a few hours of this year remain and I am trying to get a snapshot of the year. It was a year of healing! The process that has only just begun, though the quest has been on almost all year.

We made an overnight trip to Galveston early spring, visited the Smith Oaks rookery, rode the ferry, walked along the strand and had a leisurely break. 

At LaFitte's Cove, Galveston

Great White Egrets getting ready to nest


Love is in the air 

A brutal summer followed a pleasant spring, and an extreme drought challenged every gardener. Water restrictions made it even harder. I have so much more respect for plants that hang in there in such adverse conditions and still manage to bloom and bear fruit.







In October, we went on a road trip to Colorado. It is the perfect time to visit and we got to experience some of the finest vistas nature has to offer. 

There were some surprises too, like the Cadillac Park at Amarillo, Texas, on our way to Colorado.


Manitou Cliff Dwellings


Driving up to Pikes Peak was an exhilarating experience. Driving up to the peak and down are both sure to get the adrenaline flowing!
On the way to Pike's Peak Summit

One of the 14ners, mountains that were 14,000 feet or taller, driving to Pike's Peak was a wonderful day trip.


The long and winding road to the top, hardly any vegetation at that altitude!
View from above at Pike's Peak, CO

I will write more about the other places we visited later. Durango, Mesa Verde, Ouray were all just spectacular!

Diwali, Thanksgiving, and finally Christmas and almost New Year! Here we are! The end of another year! Goodbye 2023!