BY LESLIE REGO
Leaving the house early today, I was greeted with the mountains glazed with snow. Mist was abundant. There were clouds in the sky and the light was trying to break through. Mountains that generally would have been in complete sun were broken up with patches of sun and patches of shade, creating interesting patterns over the rugged terrain. Seeing this, I thought to myself, “I should drive north.”
During my drive, I stopped frequently to gaze at the mountains, especially when the front range of the Boulders came into view. Light was scattered over the stone face, leaving bright whites of the reflecting snow blending into the white of the clouds. This scattering of light and shadow continued as I traveled north. The snow became heavier, covering the trees and mountainsides, until even the highway, as I approached the summit, had a good covering of snow. The fall leaves were a crisp golden color in contrast to the white of the recently fallen snow.
Throughout the drive I was treated to a continuation of breaking light passing through the clouds, causing some prominent areas of the mountains to glow and other sections to retreat into deep dark. The thin layer of snow was endlessly fascinating because grasses, seed heads, and rocks peeked through, creating textures on the mountainsides.
When clouds are broken and the sun passes through, the light is magnificent. Today I was treated to an incredible display of breaking light at its very best.
Leslie Rego is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, artist and Blaine County resident. To view more of Rego’s art, visit leslierego.com.