More Western Photos

Old Faithful.  Note the Old Faithful Inn in the background on the left.

Mammoth Hot Springs.  And no you can't swim in the hot springs.

Tower Falls.

Grizz.

Oh give me a home....

Western Photos III

Check it out!

You should definitely checkout my friend Matthew Dunn's blog fishbeer and watch the trailer for his short film about brook trout.  Pictures from the brook trout fishing extravaganza with Matt will be posted soon.

Western Photos II

The Teton's in the background with what I believe are mule's ear flowers in the foreground.

The "Mormon" barn outside of Kelly, WY.

The same barn from a different view.

Ditto.

Sara through the ruins of the "Shane" cabin.

Western Photos

This is part of what's left of the cabin from the movie Shane, located just outside of Kelly, WY.

Awaiting lunch at Billy's in Jackson, WY.

The Tetons just after sunset.

The Teton's and reflection.
Mom and her ducklings.

Pia Loves the River

Sophia loves going to the local River (the Enoree River) and playing in the water. We try to make it out there several times a summer but we really should take advantage of the area a bit more. It's actally a really nice retreat.

Tetons and Flowers

Black Lake Panorama (RMNP)

Panorama from the Ute Trail (11,000+ feet)

In the Rockies Pre/Post Sara

For the past 4 days... or is it 5 days...   well, 4 nights anyway I’ve been in the tent alone at night.  Sara has been at a conference in Denver (the National Association of Student Councils) and I have been in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).  I’ve hiked quite a bit:

 

Day 1 (Saturday):  I hiked to Cub Lake where there were lots of lily pads and lots of people.  I continued over a ridge (much fewer people) to Bierstadt Lake only to find more people but the scenery was nice.  I spent the night in Glacier Basin campground.

Day 2 (Sunday):  I awoke at 5:30 and headed to Sprague Lake for some sunrise photos (See images).  I later went to altitude (12,000 + ft) and did some hiking along the Ute Trail.  Afterwards I ventured to the western portion of the park to camp at Timber Creek campground and much to my dismay found the grounds had to be clear-cut due to the infestation of pine beetles.  It was a sad sight but I knew at that point in the day it was too late to head back to the eastern quarters of the park.  So I set up camp and drove back up the road a piece to walk along the headwaters of the mighty Colorado River (knee deep at best).  Later that night I heard a ranger talk about moose in the park.

Day 3 (Monday):  Back up to altitude and I did a little walking and photography of the Lilliputian world of the tundra (mostly flowers).  I then made my way back down to Glacier Basin to ensure I got a campsite before heading out for the day.  After camp was set and lunch was had I made my way to the shuttle, to the Mill’s Lake trail head and began my day of hiking.   I hiked to a series of falls and then on to Mill’s Lake.  Once again there were LOTS of people, so I continued to Jewel Lake.  Jewel Lake is only about ½ mile further but it’s amazing how few people actually make the extra effort.  Perhaps it’s called Jewel Lake because it’s so underappreciated and often the Jewel’s in our lives seem as such.  But I wasn’t satisfied with my day and headed on up to Black Lake.  WOW!  It is certainly one of the more spectacular individual places I’ve had the pleasure to visit.

 

Day 4 (Tuesday):  I again awoke for some sunrise photos over Sprague Lake (at 5 am this time) before heading to pickup Sara at the hotel on the south side of Denver.  I showered, we loaded the car and headed back to RMNP.  Sara’s first trip to the Park and she was impressed.  We did a short hike at altitude because I really wanted Sara to see the tundra.  We then headed back down the mountains over to Loveland, up to Fort Collins, and up to Cheyenne, only to be attacked by as many mosquitoes at our hoped for campsite as I have ever in my life seen.  So... we stayed the night in a KOA KABIN!  Sad but true.  Our first night out together after seeing such beauty and we spent the night here but... It is what it is.