A Stick Artist's View of the Spring Flooding of the Cache La Poudre River - Part 2

This spring with a massive snow melt in the Rocky Mountains and unusually wet weather, water began to rise in the Cache La Poudre River--and rise and rise.  

I noted in my diary that the water was higher and faster, even covering a sandbar near the the County Road 13 bridge near our house on May 22.      

It is not unusual to have spring flooding but this year's water was so abundant that we here along the banks of the Poudre experienced flooding eerily similar to or above (in many areas) what we had during last September's flooding, which was often referred to as a 100-year flood of epic proportions.

Of course I was out there documenting the event, my camera in one hand and Molly's leash in the other.  Here are some images I hope will convey the incredible, untamed power of water, a reminder that Mother Nature makes her own rules.

As you read in my post, Part 1, I am a "stick artist" and had to laugh at the sheer wonder of it all.  All winter I had been bringing home sticks of all shapes and sizes, but often would "cache" sticks along the riverbank intending to retrieve them later.  

Well, as you might suspect, the Cache la Poudre had other ideas about that.  Those sticks I had set aside have likely traveled along the South Platte River through Nebraska, joining the North Platte River.  By now they've probably already reached the Missouri River which joins the Mississippi River (which is now flooding) and will eventually flow into the Gulf of Mexico!!!

Of course, often what Mother Nature takes away with one hand, she gives with the other.  To my sheer delight, when the waters finally subsided enough for me to explore safely along the still muddy edges, what did I discover?  A "cache" of sticks bigger and more intense than anything I had encountered after the 2013 fall flooding! Woo-hoo!!!

  
   You can see why I stood in sheer astonishment when I saw what awaits me!!

But, let me share some images to convey what happened between May 22 and June 27.  

Near County Road 13 along the Poudre River Trail was a small tree that I referred to as my "measuring tree."  It still had dried grass and bits of debris in its branches from the fall flooding and it gave me an easy visual as to how high/fast the water was flowing.

May 22, 2014

Completely underwater by June 7, 2014

 

June 18, 2014, sadly what's left of it with sandbar visible again on the opposite shore.

Along the Poudre River Trail, east of Country Road 13, the trail was nearly completely submerged by the river by May 29, 2014.

Perfect reflections looking west.

The spillway nearly indistinguishable at height of flooding.

 

The Cache la Poudre River flowing over its banks.

By June 20, the walk along the Poudre River Trail was much different.

The Cache La Poudre River back within its banks.

The spillway once again recognizable as such.

The Poudre River Trail, looking east, dry, scraped free of mud.

In my neighborhood we have been quite fortunate to only be inconvenienced by the flood waters of fall and spring.  Not so fortunate for those along other parts of the Cache La Poudre River.  For those of us near County Road 13, when the bridge closes, well...it does make for much longer round-about drives to Windsor and other places north of the river, but it also brings neighbors together, at least at first, when water covering County Road 13 is an unexpected sight.

Molly and playmate splashing along County Road 13.

 

A warm, sunny day to play in the water!

I do feel great empathy for the sand and gravel company that again (as it did in the fall) served as a reservoir for the Cache La Poudre River as it spilled out of its banks and into the deep spaces of the excavation site.  After weeks of pumping, they appear to be back in business this week.

The sand and gravel company at the corner of County Road 13 and Highway 392, filled to capacity with river water.

Thank you, sand and gravel company, for involuntarily serving as an emergency reservoir yet again.

 

After pumping, dry-ish as of June 30, 2014

As of yesterday, the Cache la Poudre still running fast with some minor flooding due to severe rainstorms in the mountains and along the foothills.

And, so the story of this beautiful river, the Cache La Poudre, continues.  The water has receded tremendously but is still wild and dangerous.  Even rafting companies are taking extra care and precautions as several have lost their lives by falling into the strong currents.

For additional flood photos see my other blog site, Whimsy Calls.  

A Stick Artist's View of the Spring Flooding of the Cache la Poudre River - Part 1

I am an artist and walk nearly everyday by the Cache La Poudre River, listening to it, observing it, wading in it and dreaming along its banks, all seasons, all weather. 

It is a precious pilgrimage for me, reminding me that water beginning high, high in the Front Range in the northern part of the Rocky Mountain National Park travels 126 miles to reach me, dropping over 6,000 feet in elevation through the mountains until it merges with the south Platte River not far from where I live.  

After last September's flooding, I was attracted to the flotsam left by water now departed--that wonderful well-worn, well-traveled wood that somehow survived a remarkable and powerful ride in a river gone wild.  

I began to explore the muddy riverbanks as the water receded and discovered intricate stick jams (what I call them,) so complex and beautiful, sticks precisely fitting with sticks like a zillion-piece puzzle to create an incredible pattern with soft hues, abstract shapes and unexpected textures.  I was hooked.

Unintentionally, certain sticks would call to me and I would find my arms laden with sticks of all kinds, all unique, all wanting to come home with me.  (I swear they jumped into my arms!)  I'm sure my neighbors must wonder if I'm collecting kindling or something, but whenever a passerby is brave enough to ask me, I reply cheerfully, "I'm a stick artist!"  That seems to suffice.  They nod in an understanding way and smile.  (Honestly, between you and me, I think artists can pretty much get by with just about anything.) 

Mid-winter I had gathered a fine collection of flood sticks and was inspired to create a wall sculpture that totally blew me away once it was completed.  I call it Flood Stick Alter I:  Defiant.  It reflects the types of stick sculptures I found along the riverbank that resembled (to me) an altar in a chapel.  (I selected alter for the title to reflect the changes that a flooded river bring along with it.)  

These altars were beautifully constructed by the velocity and current of the Poudre River and resting on the top were the lightest of the flotsam--small twisted sticks and chunks of heavily textured bark.  They reminded me of the implements one might find on an altar.

 The piece I created for my Music Room is called Defiant because of an added relic, an old scratched key I found on a walk with the word DEFIANT inscribed in it.  I decided that word seemed to reflect so much of the courage and perseverance of those affected most by the fall flooding.

 

I am busy working on a number of flood stick sculptures for an exhibit I will have in the Boardwalk Gallery in Windsor, Sept. 12-14, 2014, when what marvelous and powerful event occurred?  SPRING FLOODING OF THE CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER!!! 

And, so my story will continue...


(To see more art see:  www.tobybakerart.com)







    

Spring in Cape Cod

Corn Hill Beach in Truro

I returned recently from a delightful trip to Cape Cod and Boston where I indulged myself with time with friends, the Atlantic--and a second lilac season!

After the winter this area endured, it's no wonder that Colorado might be slightly ahead of Cape Cod when it comes to Mother Nature making a visit.  You already know my passion for lilacs--from the first blooms to the surprise snow--so indulge me when I take time today to share some of my trip photos and observations.  (Yup, there's lilacs involved.)

Compared to those who have been trekking out to the Cape since childhood, I am a relative newcomer to this place.  As a girl from the High Plains and Rocky Mountains, I am, no surprise, in LOVE with all the beaches one can discover all over this island!  (I call it that because the Cape Cod Canal actually separates it from the mainland...but, I may be wrong.)

So, make yourself a cuppa and enjoy a few minutes in Cape Cod...

Boardwalk leading to Lewis Bay

   

This beach is lovely with foamy gentle waves lapping and fine sand. 

If you imagine a map of Cape Cod, Lewis Bay is located on the south, facing Nantucket Sound, in about the middle of the island. 

Jingle Shells, a.k.a. Fairy Toenails

Cranberry bogs in May

  

Doors of The Belfry Inn & Bistro in Sandwich

Beautiful stained glass windows hint of The Belfry's former life as a Catholic Church.

In addition to a lovely dining room it features a stunning garden.

 

The former sanctuary is now a dining room

Blues, the color of glass, sky and water.

Eye-candy displays in a Main Street gift shop in Sandwich.  (I asked if I could take photos as displays this good are truly art.)

A calming Sandwich Beach vista...

 

 

Lavender Farms in Harwich

Ahh, the sweet perfume of French Lilacs

In Wellfleet I met this kind gentleman who explained to me, a Wyoming girl, that this fabulous rusty anchor is from a clipper ship who cut it loose rather than try to haul it up.

Welcome to Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA

 

 

A whimsical place for lunch with girlfriends!

        

 

Colorful boats waiting for season's start.

Mayflower Beach in Dennis, Cape Cod Bay

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

    

         

   

A perfect conclusion to my holiday!