A lazy evening fishing on Lake Hartwell, SC circa 2011 with my dad. I didn’t recall from this day if we caught anything, but I do remember being so taken with the sky’s gradient of colors, the gentle slap of water against the underside of the boat and it being so peaceful. It was quiet on the water as the final few boats trolled along with only their electric motors barely humming, searching for hits near the bank. Impressive how just a photo can remind you of so many details from so long ago.
Category: The Great Outdoors
Kaleidoscope of Leaves
Staring upward and feeling the sun on my face while walking through Cheswick Park, Richmond, VA.
I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but there’s always been something about this picture I’ve wanted to blow up into a huge print and hang on a wall.
It still reminds me that in this quiet moment on a random foot trail, it was that perfect warm feeling you have when the sun seeps into your skin while being neither too direct or hot. I could hear small chirping birds about and the branches were so ever lightly swaying in the breezes shifting above, clicking against one another in time. The light was filtering through the leaves as they danced into this beam of light and then that one, like a kaleidoscope of leaves.
Simply a very fine day.
Rocky Mountain Getaway – Day 1
This month included the opportunity to take off a few days of work for a 3 day getaway into the Snowmass/Aspen, Colorado areas. En route there, a hiking trip happened near Glenwood Springs to see Hanging Lake.
The mouth of Glenwood Canyon heading towards Hanging Lake. There’s a well-kept rest area with restrooms there. Word of advice: Bring water.
Surprisingly, vibrant pink rose bushes line the sidewalk towards the hiking trail. Despite the lovely flowers here, the consistent small waterfalls and creeks that spill over rocks the entire way up, you are going to hike hard and sweat a lot. So bring that water. And there were Marmots! I had never seen one before. Like little nerf footballs, with fur…and legs!
Parts of the trail up to and down from Hanging Lake were never flat and sometimes quite rocky.
The views become more canyon-like the higher you climb as you near the top and the lake. Most hikers will encourage you on as they descend, assuring you it’s worth it.
And then you arrive. After the strenuous hike, you’re not sure if you’ve just been transported to a tropical island somewhere. Truly, how can this be at the top of a mountain in the middle of Colorado?
Carbonate minerals dissolved in the water give the lake it’s coloration. I had to look that up as I’ve heard a lot of people say it’s the limestone or other factors, but I didn’t know what exactly produced that gorgeous water.
Small trout swim in the shallows against the current coming from the waterfalls and are hypnotic to watch when you’re catching your breath on one of the many wood benches that line the lakeside.
A Different Kind of Garden
Breathing in the peaceful solitude of The Garden of the Gods.
The other weekend marked a local road trip excursion running south to Colorado Springs, CO to The Garden of the Gods.
On entering The Garden of the Gods, a giant plaque came into view on following the sidewalks into the midst of the open space, reminding everyone that this beautiful place was a gift – and that added a layer of appreciation to the entire visit. Truly, some family could have kept this to themselves – but generously gave it to the city for all to get to enjoy.
The Garden of the Gods is otherworldly. It’s calm, and buffered; almost an enormous waiting room to be still, away from the world, just beyond the hills. The high walls and cliffs jutting up to form barriers between the hustle and bustle of Colorado Springs below.
Like many of the public parks and spaces in Colorado, it’s very well-kept and a clean space to enjoy. Paved sidewalks in all directions are plenty; you could spend hours just following them all.
While walking around I noticed that hawks and pigeons quietly held sentry on the ledges above. There was stillness here. Other than the squeal of an excited child or brief laughter, the Garden is quiet. You really don’t want to leave.
Craggy and contrasting peaks rise in all directions.
The landscape is otherworldly.
It’s all fun and games until someone turns on a drone and ruins the peaceful quiet. I’m sure they got great photos, but at the cost of the peace of everyone else there (and the wildlife).
Different Rockies Every Day
The awe-inspiring views of the Rocky Mountains always pull my attention from the hamster wheel of daily life. Whether I’m running errands, pulling into my subdivision or taking a walk, I can’t help but look westward and get lost in the moment wherever I am.
While driving back to Colorado this afternoon, I caught myself thinking how beautiful and different this day was in contrast all the prior weekends.
Their colors depend on the sky, clouds and light. Their contrast changes with the seasons and the winter snows. Every morning, new mountains, filling the same shape and size, seem to replace the last.
But they still take my breath away, and I hope they always do.
Frozen, Cold and Beautiful
Exploring the banks of the Poudre River on a winter morning.
A little pre-holiday adventuring off Highway 14 on Poudre Canyon Road running towards Roosevelt National Forest, just outside of Fort Collins.
Where it was still shaded from the mid-morning sun, the water was frozen over several inches thick. I was thankful for my wool blend base layers. It was still and silent, as if the river was asleep under an icy blanket.
Where it was sunny, everything seemed normal. I wasn’t struggling so much with aperture settings. And I could feel my fingers on my camera.
It was beautiful country and had countless side-road areas I’d never driven out to before. Off Highway 14, there were several pull-offs that enable you to walk down to the river and enjoy the scenery.
The ice fascinated me more than the views actually. It was quite thick in places, so much so that you could walk out onto the water.
I was taken by river rocks; their coloration and texture paired with the currents frozen around them fascinated me.
While the intent was to actually head out on a hike, one can have just as good of a time wandering the pull-offs that dotted the road and never actually taking a trail.
Just goes to show it’s worth it to leave a little room for changes in plans sometimes.
Time to Checkout and Go
A visit to my family in the mountain of North Carolina was called for. And there are times when you simply have to inform people you work with they will have to get along without you for a few days and just go.
I’m fortunate to venture between my current home in Colorado at the base of the Rocky Mountains and my childhood home in North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Two very different mountains and communities, but home and family are always worth the travel, no matter which way the plane is heading.
A Short Hike on Empty
A few photos to share from a recent hike up to Arthur’s Rock at Lory State Park outside of Fort Collins, CO.
View of Horsetooth Reservoir from atop Arthur’s Rock.
I do look forward to returning to hike this very trail again, but I started out on little sleep from the night before and not nearly enough hydration. Would try it again in a heartbeat though – beautiful views for days.
Hidden Falls
A brief photo essay from a group hike to Hidden Falls at Curt Gowdy State Park in WY.
An Evening to Breathe
Wyoming public land where it’s far away and legal to practice target shooting.
Also known as one of my favorite places in the world.
Life by Lens and Laptop 