Beating the Moody Blues

The weatherman has predicted a 30-40% chance of rain every afternoon this week. We thought we might sneak in a high country ride by starting early. As we began a ride at 7800 feet, above the Uinta River on a road leading to Pole Creek Lake (7800 feet), the sky was still mostly blue.
We made good time, cantering much of the way along a not-too-rocky dirt road.

Our only stops were for the wildflowers.

We saw western wallflower, also known as prairie rocket,

western groundsel,

and skyrocket.

In Bennion Park, a long meadow at 10,300 feet, marsh marigolds bloomed in the snowmelt.

Hefty snowbanks remained in the trees.

We had seen one elk on the way up, and Daisy hunted for more. The territory looked perfect for them. They were probably hiding out, waiting for us to go away so they could return to their grazing on the rich spring grass.

By 11AM, the sky was looking gloomy, so the better part of valor suggested we start back.
When we reached the trailer, the clouds appeared ready to burst.
The first raindrops fell just as we loaded up and began our downhill drive.

We had hail, too.

but that didn't stop us from photographing the blooming chokecherries

and cliff rose along the way.

We rode sixteen lovely miles and didn't get wet. Now, that's good timing.

To view a myriad of skies all over the world, click here.