Our first day of spring looks different than most of the rest of the world’s, but that’s what we’ve come to expect living at 9,000 feet above sea level. Hannah took this photo just outside our downstairs door at home. The deck keeps snow from accumulating on this one little patch of dirt that is now sprouting shades of green to celebrate more sunshine and less frigid temperatures.

This weekend is our last events of the winter season. 50 men from around the county join us for a Christian retreat complete with speakers, worship music, and grand fellowship.  As they are in their final session on Sunday morning, the Big Shooter Bonk ski race will begin. Racers from all over the state descend upon the ranch and can choose to race 1, 2, or 3 times around the 10K lap of trail. We will serve lunch for them when they’re through.

Our off-season is packed with projects, trips to visit family, and lots of experimenting with new recipes. We don’t get too excited about the 20th of March marking the first day of spring because we just plan to move from winter into mud season into summer. The 36 inches of snow we received on Mother’s Day last summer is still fresh in our minds!