Colorado Trip - Day 2

My folks and I set out bright and early to tour the Rocky Mt. National Park. We saw lots of elk, some moose and a few birds. The views were spectacular. Our trip had an unexpected detour when the car malfunctioned. We had to arrange for towing and a rental car in a very remote area, which was no easy task. It hasn't ended yet, but we were able to get towed. We acquired a rental car which allowed us to make the two hour journey back over the continental divide to our temporary home back at the RV park. Check back to read about the next episode.

THE LAST OF MY COLORADO PHOTOS

OK, it's been almost three weeks since I got home from the Colorado Rockies. I've still got some photos on my desktop that I wanted to post, so here's a few more for your enjoyment!

This is Gothic Mountain, located less than a day's horseback ride from Crested Butte.

The Aspens made me feel very small beneath the canopy so high up in the sky.

We enjoyed picture perfect weather as you can see by my photos.

Sally's Natural Images of Colorado

I'm so grateful to have Sally Vennel as a friend. Her generosity really is overwhelming. She and her husband put me up in their gorgeous home for a week and took me out to all the most beautiful spots around Crested Butte. A wonderful photographer, Sally also let me download any of her photos that I wanted to use as reference for paintings. See more of her recent July Colorado shots on her blog. Here are some of my favorites. Thanks a million Sally.

I love this shot of an old fir tree stump.

Here's a shot of me in a typical Colorado pose.

Sally's quick reations get her the good shots. This one is of a
Weidemeyer's Admiral.

I love this photo of our early morning visitors as they were making their retreat back to the stable.

Last but not least, this magical shot of Crested Butte Mountain and ski slope was taken from her dining room window.

Visit Sally's blog at Natural Images by Sally Vennel. Leave her a comment and tell her Sandy sent you!

Look Deep Into Nature

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
~ Albert Einstein

NATURE GETS INTO MY SOUL

The mountain streams are still rushing with snow run off
and plentiful summer rainfall.

This is a log jam on Dollar Lake where we hiked my last day in the mountains.


"Nature gets into our souls and opens doors to hidden parts of ourselves."
~ Pamela Heyda

LOVE OF NATURE

Sally took this photo of me standing next to a dirty patch of late July snow.

The Blue Columbine were beautiful and plentiful in some elevations.

This is a shot from Lost Lake where we hiked on my last day in the Rockies.

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."
~ Frank Lloyd Wright

MAGICAL MOMENTS IN THE MOUNTAINS

SALLY AND CHUCK, the best people and hosts in Colorado!

Snow is still clinging to the land in the higher elevations.

Magnificent mountains make magical memories.

MORE PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP TO THE ROCKIES

The tall and short of it among the Aspen forest.

The variety of wildflowers was astounding. By the end of a day of sight seeing,
I was contentedly savoring a feeling of visual overload.

I had to get my wildflower guide out for this one. This meadow contains Silvery Lupine, Scarlet Paintbrush, Sulphur Paintbrush, Cow Parsnip, Fireweed and more.

Wildflowers and Panoramic Views

We went out driving in the mountains yesterday. The wildflowers are plentiful and the views are spectacular.


Sally showed me how to get the best shots.


Six species of Paintbrush thrive in the Rocky Mountains and offer an array of beautiful color. This is a Rosy Paintbrush.