Arches National Park Arches National Park is one of the most fascinating places on earth and exceedingly more spectacular than I had imagined. Upon ascending to the top of a high plateau, a gateway of rock towers welcomes you to a world of canyons, cliffs, valleys, mountains, gardens, caves, pinnacles, spires, hoodoos and arches. The […]
Gore Mountain Range If one studies a map of central Colorado, you’ll discover an assortment of topographic features that share a common nomenclature. The different landmarks are called Gore Wilderness Area, Gore Creek, Gore Canyon, Gore Pass and the spectacular Gore Mountain Range. I’ve always thought that was a cool title for a chain of […]
“Search and Rescue” by Dustin Miller Guest post by Dustin Miller On May 22, 2011 an F5 tornado hit the small city of Joplin, Missouri. It cut a path a half-mile wide and destroyed one third of the city. More than 150 people perished in the catastrophe. I live about five miles south of Joplin […]
The Brook Forest Inn is southwest of Evergreen It was the summer of 1943 near Evergreen, Colorado and the Brook Forest Inn was a luxury resort nestled in a stand of lodgepole pine at the base of Black Mountain. Carl was at work in the nearby livery stable when he learned that his wife, Jessica, […]
Bald Eagle Back in 1872, Benjamin Franklin argued against the Bald Eagle’s nomination as the United States national symbol. The shifty bird’s frequent thievery prompted him to write that the bald eagle “is a bird of bad moral character”. Franklin believed the wild turkey was a better selection because it was “a much more respectable […]
Prairie Rattlesnake “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” ~ Indiana Jones Dwelling in Colorado’s dark underworld, the prairie rattlesnake is a misunderstood animal that always gets a bad rap. Despite its intimidating appearance, the shy serpent is not looking for trouble. As a matter of fact, the reticent reptile does everything in its […]
Common Sense Horsemanship “A horse is a thing of beauty… none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor.” ~ Xenophon circa 360 BC Clinicians Bern and Kay Miller are traversing the panhandle of Nebraska sharing a common sense approach to horse care with all who will listen. […]
Ostrich Yesterday we learned about a tiny, hyperactive movie star from Colorado. Today features a massive, flightless nomad from Africa. Ostriches are world famous for their “buried-head” hiding strategy. When an ostrich senses imminent danger and can’t run away, it flops to the ground and remains frozen with its head and neck pressed against the […]
Allosaur skull Down near the entrance into Bear Creek Canyon a prominent landmark rises above historic Morrison, Colorado. Locals call it The Hogback but Paleontologists have named it Dinosaur Ridge because it’s one of the most fossil rich locations on Earth. In 1877, some of the best known dinosaurs from the late Jurassic period were […]
“High Country Clouds” Colored Pencil It’s a perfect, summer day in Colorado’s Front Range where soft clouds drift across a hard wilderness that’s constructed from wood, rock and water. The remote cirque is set below a string of jagged giants who don’t possess even a trace of snow. As is usual in the alpine environment, […]
U.S. Grant Peak Colorado became the 38th state to join the Union on August 1, 1876. President Ulysses S. Grant issued the proclamation. Today, the massive U.S. Grant Peak forms a dramatic backdrop for glittering Ice Lake Basin. Mirrored in Island Lake, the rugged mountain reflects the personality of the man to whom it owes […]
Columbine on the Chavez Trail Down in Beaver Brook it was a sunny day on the Chavez Trail. Traversing a north-facing slope the dense forest was deep, dark and damp. The little known out and back starts with a steamy descent and you’ll finish in a sweaty mess. The strenuous hike is a weekend workout. […]
Marigold Lorikeet The rainbow lorikeet is one of the most beautiful species of parrot. They’re widespread in the coastal bush lands and rain forests of Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Lorikeets have specialized, brush-tipped tongues used for feeding on nectar and soft fruits. They’re cute but they can be aggressive and are […]
Snowstorm at Evergreen Lake “My idea of travel is a downward travel really. Getting to know where you are better and exploring feelings that you know more deeply. I always think that ‘knowing something by heart’ gives you a depth of possibility which is more powerful than seeing new sights, however marvelous and exciting they […]