• clouds,  landscape,  mountains,  Rocky Mountain National Park

    Apocalypse

    East Troublesome Fire seen from Running Deer Natural Area

    This is my second post today because I wanted to share the sad affairs we are experiencing due to the fires in Colorado. I took this image today about 1:00 pm. The East Troublesome fire that began a week ago, erupted on Wednesday afternoon due to high winds, plenty of beetle killed pine and very dry conditions. It jumped from 19,000 acres to over 125,000 acres by Thursday morning, a rate of about 6,000 acres an hour. The town of Grand Lake was evacuated yesterday evening. As of 1:00 pm this afternoon the fire had jumped the Continental Divide and was burning in the upper reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park. They have confirmed active flames in Forest Canyon just west of Moraine Park. It has now clearly jumped the Continental Divide and is burning on both east and west sides of the Divide. Estes Park has been put on mandatory evacuations. People are evacuating so Highway 36, 34 and 7 are a mess. I saw a video a while ago of elk heading east, they’re evacuating also. The sky looks apocalyptic.

  • clouds,  fall season,  landscape,  leaves,  Rocky Mountain National Park,  seasons,  trees

    A Day for Clouds

    Horseshoe Park in Rocky Mountain National Park

    Well, Kathy, Tom and I ventured into Rocky Mountain Park yesterday. It turned out to be a perfect day. The clouds were the subject even though we were looking for the colors of our Colorado Aspens. We did not know it was a day for free entrance into the park so needless to say people were everywhere. I was a little disappointed because we didn’t get to use our senior passes. 🙁

    Shadows casting across what I think is Mount Chapin on Trail Ridge Road

    We ended up driving farther than we expected and made it almost to the Alpine Visitors Center. We decided to turn around before getting caught in the congestion in the parking lot at the center. It was tough enough finding parking in all the turnouts. Yesterday we had rain and wind so that seemed to make for the clear blue skies we enjoyed.

    Aspen colors near Hidden Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park

    The park was crowded. They even had the road to Bear Lake closed because of the traffic. Estes Park was also a mess because of the Elk Festival in town. We took the bypass around town, another smart move. Today we are planning a drive up Poudre Canyon. We have light fog this morning but that should burn off and give us a sunny day.

  • landscape,  mountains,  National Parks,  Rocky Mountain National Park

    Motivation: or lack of desire

    I sure have not had much desire or motivation to be on the internet. Therefore I have not taken many images (although its always with me), I have not posted much on this site,I have not kept up with my favorite blogs (yes yours), I haven’t been out to my nature areas much. I have, however, been working on my cardiac rehab, putting in time on the treadmill, bicycle and rower three days a week, and walking, and spending money at my favorite coffee shops. My walking has been shortened due to the cold weather. We had sub-zero temperatures a couple mornings in a row. Looking forward to Spring and Summer.

    Each February 1st my friend, Kay and I make a day trip to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park in memory of her husband, Wayne. This year marked six years ago he died. Wayne was a good friend of mine as we found we connected with similar spiritual paths and read the same authors. We always finish off the day trip with a late lunch at one of Wayne’s favorite restaurants, Sweet Basilicas.

    The above image was taken at a turnout in Horseshoe Meadows just inside the north entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Hope all is well with you and I will do my best to get back up to speed at whatever rate my body and mind need.

  • architecture,  clouds,  Documentary/Street,  landscape,  mountains,  National Parks,  Rocky Mountain National Park

    Estes Park and RMNP

    This is a small park area along the river.
    This is a small park area along the river.

    I decided to make a drive up to Estes Park yesterday. My intent was to grab a coffee and sit along the river to read and write. The thought crossed my mind to maybe have lunch before coming back. I ended up driving up to Trail Ridge Road. What a glorious day to make that drive. Last Fall Estes Park had a flood come through the town and wiped out most of it. Here are a few images. The city is built along the banks for the Big Thompson River and has been a tourist attraction for years. I am amazed at how well it looked. Lunch was probably the best turkey/bacon wrap with a pesto sauce to die for.