A night of relaxation

I went to my sister Laura's house Tuesday night for an enjoyable evening of grilling and relaxation.  There were no smiley faces on the grill this time, but there were on our own faces.  It was a wonderful night to be outdoors.

Laura's crabapple tree is blooming!

A shot of me with my sister Laura's dog, Shelby.  She's so fun (and cute) !

Laura starting a fire for the evening.

There's nothing more relaxing than staring hypnotically into a nice fire....

Now I have Two!!

I've started another blog!!  Now everyone can see what it is I do at Bailey's (where I work).  I haven't put up anything yet, but am slowly constructing it!  Check it out in the near future for photos and more!  You can find my work blog at http://www.working-green.blogspot.com/. 

Enjoying Spring

                                 

Wind!!!!!!  Today is EXTREMELY windy on the farm at work.... as you can tell.  Note the frustration...

                                        

It was a soggy, muddy morning at work this Thursday.  Just look at my filthy self after being out in the field sorting out roses!!

The Magnolia tree in my backyard is in full bloom! A couple of shots taken yesterday.

The tulips in the yard will open very soon too!

This is Stan, my landlord's cat.  He's very large and round; and looks like a Weber grill with legs. He happened to be waddling around the yard last night while I was outside.

Colorado

This past June, I revisited the Aspen, Colorado area where I camped near the Maroon Bells.  When I was younger, I remember my parents taking us out there for a camping trip.  I had forgotten just how beautiful the area was!  Here, some of my favorite shots that I took while visiting.

A horse ranch near the campground where we stayed.  Maroon Bells in the distance.

A friendly and curious resident on the ranch.

Here, a replica of one of the cabins that once was part of Independence.Independence, Colorado is a ghost town located just west of Independence Pass and served as a mining town in the 1880's. Because of the harsh and long winters and the bust of good mining opportunities, the town was eventually abandoned, with many seeking better mining opportunities in Aspen and elsewhere. This to us looked like something you would see out of the movie "Deliverance". We believe someone actually lived in this replica; there was music playing inside and "evidence" of a person living there outside next to the cabin.

One of the cabins that was once part of Independence.

Another small cabin.

A unique snapshot looking into the entrance of one of the cabin remnants.  Looking through the "rooms" within.

Part of the scenery along Highway 82, also known as Independence Pass.

Independence Pass (el. 3686 m./12,095 ft.) is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado in the United States.

The pass is at the summit of the ridge of the Sawatch Range between Aspen and Leadville, on the border between Pitkin and Lake counties and is located within the confines of the White River National Forest. The pass connects the upper valley of the Roaring Fork River upstream from Aspen with the headwaters of the Arkansas River near Leadville. The pass is traversed by State Highway 82 and is the second-highest paved mountain pass in Colorado.

                          

Near the top of Independence Pass.  Here, a waterfall trickling down the edge of a cliff... also great views of the river down below.

The top of Independence Pass.  Still snow lingering around at the near end of June.

Wildflowers begin to bloom around late June/early July.  Signs of some while hiking around Independence Pass.

Beautiful views of the Rockies at Independence Pass!

An overlook of the mountain range.

Stopping for a photo op at the Independence Pass overlook.  Though it was near the end of June, it was still very chilly at the elevation where we were at.

At the Independence Pass overlook hike.

Some spectacular views along the drive.  Here, a shot of the rental car, which did have trouble making it up some of the inclines along the way!

Winding roads..

Another breathtaking view of the Rockies

Stopping to get a shot of the view

There was still plenty of snow along the roads.  Here, a "wall" of snow still thick enough to write in.

                           
So many evergreens.... my favorite!

More views of the river...

Down by the river.... more signs of wildflowers

Stopping for a brief moment to shoot some frames of the roaring river, just below this cliff edge that I'm on.

The great challenging climb. On an afternoon trip to Maroon Lake, we decided to get a wild hair up our ass to try to climb to the top of this mountain.  It looks harder and steeper than one thinks; especially when trying to climb to the top in sandals and shorts.  The rock would constantly slip out from under our feet, making it crucial to taking the right steps.

About half way up the mountain climb.  Views of the lake below.

Another look at the lake below.  About 3/4 of the way up the mountain.

Views of the mountain across from the one which we decided to attempt to climb.

Maroon Bells are named "Maroon" for the purplish-reddish hue of the rock in which the mountain is made.

The top of the mountain climb!  Snow!  

Views of the neighboring mountains from the top of the one we climbed.

Another view of the lake below.

More "purple" mountains.

A hiking path we encountered around the Maroon Bells.

I wanted to get to Maroon Lake on a calm day to get a shot of the reflection.  I succeeded on this very early morning.  There were several other photographers out that morning as well.

Another shot of the Bells and Maroon Lake, later that day.

Another angle of the reflection.

                                           
Maroon Bells.

Maroon Bells

On the way to Maroon Bells.  About 1/2 mile from the campground.

                           

It was quite the view from our campsite; a distant shot of Maroon Bells and lots of Aspens.

The reason why the city Aspen is called what it is... all the Aspens in Colorado!

Another view of the campsite.

Aspen bark....quite the eye-catching sight

Almost looks fake.....