Sunday Morning Gallery - Lake City to Marmot Crossing

Ric and I took this camping trip in June 1997 but it is one that really sticks with me. We packed up our camping gear, and our dogs Keota and Champ. Champ was just a young pup at the time. We loaded up our brand new Toyota 4Runner to test out its grit, and headed to Lake City, Colorado.

Lake City is an 1870’s mining town, located in a valley formed by the convergence of Henson Creek, and the headwaters of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The picturesque community is surrounded by majestic, 14,000 foot peaks, and tall, old growth Cottonwood trees line the highway through town. Lake City has an elevation of 8,671 feet.



On the way to our camp site we traveled through some beautiful country. I had to stop to take a picture of the "marmot crossing" sign. I had never seen such a sign and to this day I have never seen another one. You know you are remote when you have to stop for marmots!





We finally found our designated camp in a hard to find state forest campground and set up camp. When we stay in one spot for a week we like to set up the "circus tent" which is really just a huge LL Bean tarp that is plenty roomy for outside living when the unpredictable mountain weather gets rough. We learned long ago that it is not too fun to spend all day in a tiny tent with two dogs. It is our outside room with a view.

I will be continuing the story of our Lake City trip with more pictures in a future post. Stay tuned to hear about our 4wheeling adventure to Cinnamon Pass.

Friday Favorites - Butterflies

The Genesis of the Butterfly

The dawn is smiling on the dew that covers
The tearful roses; lo, the little lovers
That kiss the buds, and all the flutterings
In jasmine bloom, and privet, of white wings,
That go and come, and fly, and peep and hide,
With muffled music, murmured far and wide.
Ah, the Spring time, when we think of all the lays
That dreamy lovers send to dreamy mays,
Of the fond hearts within a billet bound,
Of all the soft silk paper that pens wound,
The messages of love that mortals write
Filled with intoxication of delight,
Written in April and before the May time
Shredded and flown, playthings for the wind's playtime,
We dream that all white butterflies above,
Who seek through clouds or waters souls to love,
And leave their lady mistress in despair,
To flit to flowers, as kinder and more fair,
Are but torn love-letters, that through the skies
Flutter, and float, and change to butterflies

Victor Hugo

ferventbutterfly

peaseblossomstudio

theeye

allieart4children

Gypsymoondesigns

Please support these wonderful artists by clicking on their name to view or purchase their work.

Earth Day Green Tips

Today is Earth Day. First, I would like to share some photographs of the beauty of our magnificent planet to remind us all of what it is we are protecting.




















Morning Mist












Horsetooth Reflections



















Ruby Jewel Valley

Making environmentally friendly decisions does not mean having to change your entire lifestyle. Start simple, and stick to small changes that, when continued on a regular basis, can have a huge positive impact on the environment.

Here are a few environmentally friendly ideas I'd like to share.

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner consider using a reusable tote bag instead of wrapping your Mother's Day gift in gift wrap. You can even personalize a tote bag and it becomes part of the gift. Check out this idea for a Mother's Day Tote. Here are some more Ecofriendly Office & Craft Products from Avery.

Stop buying water at the grocery and fill your own bottle with filtered tap water. If you found FilterForGood then you are already aware of the harmful effects bottled water has on our environment. Choose the greener solution by using a reusable bottle, and fill it with filtered tap water. You will save money and help the environment too.

Alternative energy can provide new jobs and help the fight against global warming. Contact your local utility company about alternative energy options for powering your home like wind power, landfill gas, biomass, and low-impact hydropower. If local companies do not offer any of these green alternatives, then consider purchasing carbon offsets to reduce your overall eco-impact. Check out a list of providers at the Green Power website maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency.

When I moved into my solar powered home ten years ago I was forced to take the plunge with compact fluorescent bulbs because they are so energy efficient. The energy savings has been enormous. And after ten years I have only replaced two bulbs, one was defective. Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs. You'll find more on energy-efficient products and practices at Energy Star.

Finally shop smart when you can. I have found that many environmentally friendly products actually work better than the old traditional ones and they sure do smell better too! You can start here at Greener Choices.

Spring Snow in Colorado

I usually do a Sunday Morning Gallery post and I had one prepared for today, but because many of you know I live in the foothills of northern Colorado, and may have heard of our intense spring storm I decided to post some photos. It has been a crazy few days.

It snowed all night Thursday and all the next day and through the next night too. Our landscape became surreal as the heavy wet snow clung to everything. The giant ponderosa pines, which normally can handle heavy snows, were swaying like drunken sailors with the heavy weight.

Then the snapping and popping like a rifle shot started as the tops, branches, and whole trees came crashing down around us unable to sustain the huge weight. I started to wonder when it would stop by that time and listened for house groans, but none came. Our post and beam construction held strong.

I am very happy to get this moisture after a very dry winter here in Colorado, but when it comes all at once it can be challenging. But now the road is plowed, the fire is stoked, and dinner is cooking away. All is cozy, safe and warm on a spring day on Stellers Ridge.

Friday Favorites - ACEOs

ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". These cards have only one rule, they are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches, the size of a trading card.

The reason for this is so that they can be traded! Artists have been happily trading cards, but the general public was left out in the cold. After artists realized this they made their cards available for sale at remarkably low prices so that everyone could join in the fun!

Art Cards can be a riot! Artists from all over the world are creating, and now selling these little gems in different mediums and of different subjects. To get you started I have selected four of my favorites. Just click on the names to find out more information and how to purchase. You can't stop at just one!

LDphotography

Fosterbk

PhotoTeresa

For more Friday Favorites visit:

Allie Art: Photography Benefitting Children

Remember that if you start your own Friday Favorite blog to send me your link. I will add it to my post and we can start a "gallery walk" on Fridays!

Sunday Morning Gallery - Forgotten Roads

There is nothing like the open road. During the early 1970s my husband and I took to the open road many times traveling the length and breadth of the country. One summer, when our daughter was small enough to fit in a plastic dish tub for her daily bath, we lived in a van letting the road call to us which way we would go from day to day. We look back on those days with fond memories and are so glad we took to the road when we were young and unfettered. Now it seems that it is so complicated to arrange.

My love for roads will pop up many times in this blog. I have literally hundreds of road shots. Some are old and yellowed and will need to be scanned. Some are not so long ago. These next three are fairly recent. I like each of them for their lonely remoteness. Some of the best roads are yet to be discovered. Come with me and discover for yourself the beauty of a forgotten road.

The top of Redstone Mesa near Masonville, Colorado.

Red Canyon Ranch Road on the way home.

A loney forgotten track southeast of Zion National Park in northern Arizona.