A snow storm hit the Sandia Mountains outside of Albuquerque New Mexico and Teig and I went out to explore Elena Gallegos Open Space. The Tree Cholla Cacti were so striking in the snow especially with their bright yellow fruit. It was surreal to see this landscape and the cacti in deep snow.
Sandhill Crane at Bosque
A lone Sandhill Crane standing in a waterlogged field at the Bosque Del Apache in Central New Mexico.
Sunny Morning at Mount Guyot
A bright sunny morning with Alpine Sunflowers at Mount Guyot. A nice view to start sauntering to Glacier Peak in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado.
Waking the Dragon
One can find some interesting locations while exploring the American West. I was resting in front of this phenomenal rock formation outside of the Valley of Fire allowing my imagination to run free. I stared deeply at the formation and began creating the story... an enormous curled up dragon was waking up from his deep slumber. He was fuming smoke as he was coming back to life before stretching out his wings and heading out for his nightly adventures… I love creating stories and seeing what is not apparent in nature's beautiful forms. If you are a creative and won’t let your imagination loose to roam, how will you create something new and wonderful?
Marmot Sunning Himself on Granite
A lone marmot enjoying the sunny day on a granite rock. He was not too concerned with Teig and I hiking on the trail to Arapaho Glaciers in the Colorado Rockies.
Rocky Mountain Cove in Rainbow Lakes
Teig at the shoreline of one of Rainbow Lakes near Nederland Colorado. I think he was wondering what I was taking a photo of? I did like the reflections in the water and his awesome mug in the photo.
Rocky Mountain Stream into Rainbow Lake
A tranquil evening relaxing at Rainbow Lakes high in the Colorado Rockies. These lakes are a popular destination for casual hikers that don’t want to saunter too far on the trail. There are several lakes in the area. We were lucky that we were there late in the evening and no other folks were around. It was perfect and serene.
Colorado Mines Peak above Berthoud Pass
Summer hiking to Mount Flora in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado affords enthusiasts fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. You rise above Colorado Mines Peak with its Electronic Site and radio towers to see Red Mountain and Jones Pass in the distance. This is a very popular trail because it allows the hikers such fantastic views.
Rogers Pass Trail to James Peak
Summertime saunter up to James Peak in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. This route is up the west side to Rogers Pass and then up the north face of the peak. The trail can be seen to the pass.
Teig on the Continental Divide Trail
A nice day for a hike in the Vasquez Peak Wilderness. This section of the continental Divide Trail near Berthoud Pass is fantastic in July with snowfields still present and wildflowers blooming. Definitely worth the trip.
Alpine Trail to Stanley Mountain
A beautiful summer day above 11,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains outside of Winter Park. Sauntering through the alpine landscape is one of our favorite ways to decompress from a crazy work week. Teig is definitely the scout on the trail leading most of the way.
Red Indian Paintbrush in Colorado Meadow
Beautiful red paintbrush in an alpine meadow near Silver Dollar Lake in the Colorado Rockies.
Outside Looking in the Valley of Fire State Park
An early morning view into the Valley of Fire State Park in southern Nevada. A cool time to get a panorama of the park from it's south-west corner.
Red Rock Formations in the Nevada Desert
Islands of red rock formations can be found around the Valley of Fire. Teig and I love finding and exploring them in the evening when there are no tourists around. It also makes for fun landscape photography.
The Castle at Capitol Reef
One of the wonderful National Parks found in the West. A majestic view of Capitol Reef from Panorama Point.
Peaceful Contemplation at Cottonwood Pass
Teig resting in an alpine meadow on a saunter along the ridges above Cottonwood Pass in central Colorado. We like to take periodic breaks from hiking and just absorb the beauty of the high Rocky Mountains. It helps us keep centered and sane in our hectic crazy lives.
Slot Canyon Falls on Willis Creek
A beautiful waterfall in Willis Creek Narrows. This location is a beauty within the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument of Utah.
Boreas Section House with Stars
The section house is located at the summit of Boreas Pass and in the late 1800s and early 1900s served as the main building for the Denver, South Pacific, and Pacific Railroad when it made its way over the pass. This area was the site of the highest narrow guage railroad in the United States. During the period between 1870 and 1920, a town of 150 people existed at Boreas Pass helping to maintain the railroad and the trains that passed by. The pass was formerly known as Breckenridge Pass in the 1860s.
Winding Road in Valley of Fire
One of the main features in Valley of Fire is the road winding through the wonderful rock formations. This is the main road looking south into the heart of the park.
Peaceful Night Drive in the Nevada Desert
We had a nice night of exploring the desert a couple of hours west of Las Vegas. The desert at night is so calm and serene with the critters coming out of hiding to do their business because of the difficult conditions of the hot daytime hours. The glow of Las Vegas can still be seen this far away at night.