April 26, 2013

SPRING 2 (?)


 We have had three snowstorms and very cold temperatures in the past few weeks.  But, the grass is getting a little bit greener, the bear is awake from hibernating, and I saw blooming crocus today!
We have been at Glen Eyrie for almost three weeks already, so I am again overdue for an update.

Initially I was going to write a bit more about our fall cruise to the middle east, but that can wait for a bit. I just want to share a littlet about the flood mitigation projects going on here in Glen Eyrie.  Because of the Waldo canyon fire, the soil above Queen’s Canyon is hydrophobic.  Any significant rain will cause flash-flooding in Camp creek.  Much debris is expected to come down the canyon and the strong current could damage the castle foundations. 
 So, two barriers have been erected in Queen’s Canyon and the creek bed has been reinforced, “armored” is the term, to protect the castle foundation and divert the stream from washing away the Carriage House.
 

Crews are in the process of replacing the rocks at the creek sides and reinforcing this with concrete as well.  The final activity will be to re-sod the sloping lawn with grass.   They have made a lot of progress this month.  We have been busy hosting and helping.  I have done some educational tours, primary school children get to come here as part of the heritage of Colorado Springs, which was after all, founded by General William Jackson Palmer.  The wild life is here as usual, the big horn sheep have reclaimed TheGlen for grazing and resting.

The bear is awake and had to be chased off, he tried to climb the tree in our back yard to get to the turkeys, who nest in these trees overnight.  
We continue to share the grounds with deer, turkeys, 

 
coyotes, squirrels, and rabbits. Of course all species of birds and then there are the human visitors as well.  Life is fun at The Glen, we are blessed to be able to serve here.


No comments: