While some of Boulder's older, most desirable neighborhoods boast the mixed blessing of large, non-indigenous shade trees that provide atmosphere and character but are not really suitable for the region's climate, xeriscaping is a plus in contemporary homes. Xeriscaping is the art and science of landscaping with indigenous drought-tolerant plants that is increasingly popular in the Southwest and Mountain States. See our Shopping chapter's Close-up on Xeriscaping. One of Boulder's most distinctive characteristics is that it is a true city with remote mountain living close by. Mountain living is not for the fainthearted.
Residents keep their snow chains handy.
One winter day, the snow on Magnolia Road hid a steeply tilted skating rink. One woman's sporty truck skidded off near the top and plummeted nearly 100 feet. The truck's bed hit first and collapsed like an accordion. Maybe NASA should study the event to improve their hard-landing techniques, for the lucky lady walked out of that truck alive. Notice a rocky mountainside covered with charred black sticks marking the 1989 Black Tiger Gulch wildfire.