Cloud study for 365 days

Looking high above the sky I consider and gather my thoughts through the expanse that I see.

Like the sun, moon and stars that congregate in the skies communicating in a language that I am not familiar with the sky holds another language I have not understood either.

It was a 4th of July weekend when my family took a drive up to Pikes Peak Mountains in Colorado swerving to and fro from the Curvey switch back road. Climbing up the mountain in the car a 14,114 feet height elevation was an experience.

Several years ago, my son Ethan and I attempted this trail hiking up the mountain with some friends only to be told at the middle stopping point from the ranger that the rest of the trail was closed. We weren’t sure the reason why nor did the ranger let us in on this. Disappointed we tracked the trail back home.

Driving up this time gave me a certain anticipated surprise as I didn’t know what was above and at the top of the peak. Needless to say it was breathtaking to be at the top of this mountain looking down.

I had began to grow an interest in the terrain as I noticed the change that was beginning to happen driving up. It went from forested areas that were lush to a dull landscape. They call this the summit.

When hiking you have to get through this area coming down before summer storms hit as the lightning bolts can strike anywhere on the mountain. To be safe you need to start your hike rather early making sure you exit out of this area.

This time with the car held a new passion as a spark was lit within me as I observed the closeness of the clouds next to me. I knew that someday I would began my own scientific studies of clouds and their formations. Picking up a notebook I began…….