Night light

The need to get out and explore hit again this one day, but it struck in the late afternoon.  It was partly inspired by the cool storm clouds - always the potential for good photography lighting...  So out me and Zou went.  Not knowing where we were going...we were just going...

 A pretty barn along our route to wherever.

 We found a dirt road.  No idea where it went.  Was kind of late and getting dark (although partly just because of the storm).  Always a gamble...but usually one worth taking!  The clouds pretty much closed in so no wow sunset or cool lighting, but we did have to stop a couple times and try for some lightning shots!

 I LOVE lightning and thunder!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was a little worried about where we might be, just because I really didn't want to have to backtrack.  That would get us home pretty late - Bill would be wondering what the heck happened to us.  But those of you who truly know me know I have a bit of a wild hair, as they say...  I'm sure I inherited it from my dad.  So we kept going, and I kept hoping that this road would get us to something I recognized, and ultimately get us home.  We were headed in the right general direction - but that could mean nothing whatsoever...!  If the road petered out or took a sudden 90 degree jog, as often happens!

But, as luck would have it, we finally came to a spot I DID recognize!  We wound up connecting with that road Zou and I had explored a couple of weeks earlier - right near the rock park.  Phew!  Bill wouldn't need to call out any search parties tonight   ;)   (fortunately, he knows me well enough not to do such a thing - I always come home, just maybe not in the expected time frame...).

Back on The Path

 The Zou and I do another morning stroll through Cow Town.  Sadly, Mizzou's pal is back behind bars this time...  But this pup and heifer remember their last meeting (and may be planning another one!?)!

 The Morning Moos...

 Get a piece of the rock!

Ranch overseers.

 Wonder why these birds are called redwing blackbirds?

 What a pretty place to walk, eh?

 Hmm, another open gate...  Where are the cows?  (hint:  coming up in future post!)

 Been some good rains recently...!

 Happy horses...

ooo boy!  More cows!  I think...?  Wait...  WHAT is that one?!!!  

 Is that a big 4-legged muppet or what?

 Yup, that must be it!  A muppet!  (actually, I think this is a Highland - Scottish - calf)

 One of each - normal and Super Hairy...

 Is this Momma?

 HAS to be Papa!!!

 ooo, another wading ditch!

 Can you see me now?  (no...?!)

Rider on the storm...

 So the sky didn't look that aggressive when I left the RV park - or maybe I just didn't look that hard...  It seemed like a perfectly good time to go for a little ride...

past Zouey's river stop...

 and on up near the rock area again...

 and past the turn-off...

But after getting my second shower for the day, and listening to some thunder rolling past, I decided it might be a good time to turn back (after a few more photos, of course!).  And knowing me, I was probably just wearing shorts and a T-shirt...

Oh well, will be a good road to explore more on another day!

These cool cats are rockin' out!

Same place, different day.

Players:  Tractor, Scratty, and Zou (and staff).

 Tractor is one hell of a rock climber.

 Scratty's not bad either, although not nearly as confident or daredevil as her brother.

 Ridgecat.

 Poor Zou is shackled with her promise lead (nose loop) so that she won't jerk her mom off a rock (and then go and get hit by a car!)...  She may be under 50 pounds, but she pulls at full horsepower!

 Zou, wondering if that's one of the roads she's been on yet...

 Cool cubbyhole.  

 Good shady spot for a catnap...

 ...unless you're Mr. Wide Awake who's In His Element!

 As Ross Perot put it so well all those years ago - here's another one of those blow-dried guys... (OK, so it was just a bit windy right here...)

Had to stop by the river on the way back so Zou could get clean and cooled off (sure beats the heck out of a dogwash!  Wish we had a good river nearby here in San Diego...but no such luck).  Looks like she's trying to talk Tractor into a dip - good luck little dog!

Oh what a Zoutiful morning...

The Zou and I went out exploring one morning, just following dirt roads, seeing where they would lead...  Turns out this one took us to a giant playground with cool rock outcroppings everywhere.  We'd been there before (and will be there again!), but there are so many roads into, through, and around this area, some folks find themselves lost!  Not a bad spot to be lost in however...

Later, I ended up being really glad we took this one road during the daylight...(yeah, guess why...!?!)

 Zou makes the most of a pitstop, reveling in full flight and freedom.

 Making our way to the other side of the park.

 This spot is popular with everyone but esp. mountain bikers.  There are tons of dirt roads and cool single-track for them here.

 Great views of the town from up here too.

 Pretty pasture land on the way back home...

And there's nothin' like those Colorado clouds...