Keep Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'...

The snow storm finally stopped around three on Saturday afternoon.

Bernie was able to get up for a bit, then he went back to bed.

With his blessings, I headed up Mill Creek Canyon to see what had gone on up there during the storm.

Not too much to see that I could see, at least not right away.
Then I started to see all the naturally created runaway  snowballs.
I have yet to see one form and begin its journey down an incline; do they speed along or just roll very slowly?
I like how they leave what looks like a dotted or dashed line behind.

I have no idea what starts them off in the first place.
As I learned during my time in avalanche school, ahem, snow balls aren't the cause of entire snow shelves breaking loose.

Just so cute...

I suppose a story could be spun about forest elfs or angels playing and making the balls for fun.
Perhaps someday that story will flesh itself out in time for telling to a wide eyed grandchild who has joined me for a snowshoe walk.

We had been told that after the storm cleared the temperatures would drop dramatically.
No kidding...it has been in the low twenties/high teens for the past three days; after the sky cleared the temperature dropped to 5 degrees F.

The sun's departure was gentle.

The roadway was a slushy deep mess; I was afraid it would freeze solid before I could make it back down the canyon, so I was back on the road just a few minutes after I shot these photos.

The Mill Creek Canyon water fall across from Log Haven Restaurant was nearly frozen.
Tomorrow...it will surely be at a stand still.

On the way I up I had noticed the trails up on the mountainsides where the deer had obviously wandered about after the storm cleared.

There was a small parking area for about six cars where I had parked; a couple on snow shoes returned to their car while I was photographing the deer trails.
They called out to me asking if I had a telephoto lens.
Not this time.
 I was seeing what I could do with my 60mm set on infinity.
(Without reading the handbook first, duh, I should know better than to do that..)

If I had had my telephoto 55-250mm lens you would now be seeing the deer in the center of the photo in crystal clear definition.
Or perhaps if I had read the 60mm lens directions that might have worked too.
(I'll get back to you on that one!)

The couple suggested I hike up the hill to get a better shot.
I don't think so...
It was just moments away from being completely dark.

The deer were clearly heading down the hill in search of food.

You can see that they are up to their shoulders in snow.
As I continued down the canyon two emergency fire truck vehicles roared passed me, and then another emergency vehicle went by towing a trailer of four ski mobiles.
Someone up in the canyon was in trouble.
 The temperatures were still dropping and it was going to be pitch dark in a few minutes.
In situations like this where one just doesn't know what exactly is going on, but it is clearly not a good situation, it is a relief to be able to send up a pray for all the people involved.
Later I learned that a couple had been skiing 2 miles up in Porter Fork and an avalanche had come down on the 42 year old woman skier.  Her partner had avalanche equipment with him and was able to get her out, albeit unconscious at first.  She was flown out and was talking when they lifted off.
Good news, isn't that?

Before going  home I stopped to pick up some food treats that had sounded good to Bernie.
 Remember the Canyon is three miles from home, and our shopping center is about a half mile from my home; the grocery store really is right on my way home.
The Rocky Mountain Pizza Company's smoke glowed red against the night clad Mill Creek area mountain.

From the grocery store parking lot: If I looked to my right, to the south,  I could see Mt. Olympus.

To the right and east is Neff's Canyon. 

My grocery store for quick shopping...

By now it was dark out and the time lapse feature for night shooting gives the photo a bit of a blur but the glowing lights in the bottom of Olympus Cove, where we live, can be seen.
Bernie and I always shake our heads over the fact that the very best views of the mountains can be seen from the grocery store parking lot.

And if I look west, I see the entire Salt Lake Valley floor, with the copper mine glowing on the  western mountains, and the tiniest bit of a crescent moon floating like a soap bubble in the sky.
It sure is a pretty view no matter which way I look.
Makes a quick run to the store a real pleasure.
Even if this time it meant my fingers became numb just from the walk from the store to my car.