Rain and Rocky Mountain Goats

A storm over the Indian Peaks at sunset, Colorado ©Bennett Barthelemy

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand - Sting
 

Rain falls over the slopes of Mt. Evans, Colorado ©Bennett Barthelemy

 Raindrops spatter upon the porch flagstones and works to keeps the ranch dust in check. The view of the Front Range and the Rockies is again blotted out by coal colored afternoon clouds that bubble greyish white at the edges. Streaks of virga fall like deftly painted watercolor smears.

Rocky Mountain Goats, Mt. Evans Colorado ©Bennett Barthelemy

Godrays split a rainbow into fingered sections. A bolt of lightning miles long hits the summit of Mt. Evans. Flashes from jagged bolts hit sub-peaks to the south from the passed through squall. The sky rumbles and low clouds overhead crackle, sending sound arcing from west to east.

Rocky Mountain Goats, Mt. Evans Colorado ©Bennett Barthelemy

 All eyes on us. Two young goats surrounded by a dozen adults. They move closer down the mountain, forcing us back to the trailhead. Pressured by lightning and the determined goats we slowly back our way towards the car.

Rocky Mountain Goats, Mt. Evans Colorado ©Bennett Barthelemy

 Subalpine again. Amazed at the survivability. Most months per year blasted by freezing rain, snow, wind. Pointing boughs east in tandem with the prevailing winds. Dozens of miles north, Longs Peak is cradled between needle and clouded sky. Nostrils filled with the smell of wet asphalt - to the end of the road - home.

A tree showing the effects of a life at altitude ©Bennett Barthelemy