Amy Roby and her friend looked skyward and were greeted by what appeared to be the profile of a lamb set against a backdrop of blue.
Amy Roby photo
Searching for shapes in clouds is something I’ve enjoyed since childhood, and the Carson Valley’s recent variable weather and stormy skies have offered plenty of opportunity to indulge in some creative cloud spotting.
Last weekend, a friend and I took a walk along the Martin Slough Trail to enjoy some fresh air, mountain scenery, and time together. It felt wonderful to be outside; the cool temperature was balanced by warmth from the sun and the vast sky was interspersed with sheaths of white clouds that moved slowly east.
As we rounded a corner, my friend and I looked skyward at the same time and were greeted by what appeared to be the profile of a lamb set against a backdrop of blue. I grabbed my phone from my pocket just in time to get a photo before watching the shape morph and merge with the rest of the larger cloud formation. It was there one moment and gone the next.
A little online searching about cloud spotting led me to the United Kingdom-based Cloud Appreciation Society. Launched in 2005, this organization aims “to bring people together through a greater understanding and appreciation of the sky (cloudappreciationsociety.org).
The group has members in 120 countries around the world, and a percentage of each year’s membership revenues support a cause deemed worthy by the organization. The CAS website also offers a “Cloud Appreciation Pack” that includes free lesson plans, activities, and resources for educators as well as other information, some of which is complimentary and some available for purchase.
There’s also a gallery featuring member photos, videos, art, music, and poetry, all inspired by a love of clouds.
Part of the CAS manifesto encourages people to “Look up, marvel at the ephemeral beauty, and always remember to live life with your head in the clouds,” which is a good reminder of the magic all around us. If we take the time to look, we might be surprised by what we see.
Family Day at the Museum this weekend
The Douglas County Historical Society hosts Family Day at the Museum on Saturday. The fun takes place at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 1477 Highway 395 N, Suite B, in Gardnerville.
This month features the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada and the Nevada Area Council of Boy Scouts sharing about their programs and community service projects.
The museum is open 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; the program gets underway at 11:30 a.m. and there is no cost to attend.
Throughout 2025, each visit to Family Day earns attendees a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the museum bookstore. The annual drawing will take place in December and the winner need not be present to win.
Family Day the Museum is sponsored in part by Renewal by Andersen, the WNC Foundation for Children and Families, and the Dennis R. Little Trust. Visit historicnv.org for more information.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.