These are the images that define how I feel about my adopted state. I love Colorado’s cities but I’m never happier than when I’m out in the mountains or enjoying the wide open views of the eastern plains.
Long's Peak Sunrise - Rocky Mountain National Park
Alpenglow lights up Long's Peak as seen from Trail Ridge Road early on April 6th, 2013.
One Last Time - Dream Lake
In September of 2019, I moved back to Illinois after spending about half of my life in Colorado. It wasn't an easy decision as I had really come to love my adopted state. I had a list of Colorado things that I wanted to do before I left. Alas, there was just too much going on and I didn't have time to accomplish much of it. I decided that I could pick one big one and the choice was simple -- one last trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. RMNP has been a pivotal part of my Colorado affinity, dating all the way back to 1991 when my dad took us there for the first time. I remember his excitement at being there and sharing a place that was special to him with his family. It was the first hike that I did when I moved to the state in March of 2001 and was a place where I could always find myself. I woke up at 1AM on September 2nd, 2019 in order to be able to drive up to the park and then hike up to Dream Lake in time for sunrise. I was the first person up at the lake. Alpenglow was short but very nice. I stuck around after sunrise because I was intrigued by the clouds that were moving over the shoulder of Hallett that sits above the lake. The light was very spotty but with enough patience, I was able to get this shot. It's probably one of the best that I took in RMNP and it was nice to spend one last time in the park as a resident of the state.
Boulder Falls
Boulder Falls
San Isabel Aspen
San Isabel Aspen
Twisted
Twisted - Castlewood Canyon State Park
Approaching Storm - Bierstadt Lake Trail
Approaching Storm - Bierstadt Lake Trail
Wheel of Time
Wheel of Time - San Luis Valley
Tree Dream
Tree Dream
Horse in Morning Fog
Horse in Morning Fog
Mixed Seasons Panorama
Seasons often blend in the Colorado high country and such is the case with autumn and winter mixing on Kebler Pass in Colorado on September 24th, 2016.
Lost Lake Slough
Lost Lake Slough
Skyfire - San Luis Valley
Skyfire - San Luis Valley
Winter Aspen - Routt County, Colorado
Winter Aspen - Routt County, Colorado
First Light - Mount Evans Summit
First Light - Mount Evans Summit
First Light - Flattop Mountain Trail
First Light - Flattop Mountain Trail
Last Light on Hahn's Peak - Routt County, Colorado
Last Light on Hahn's Peak - Routt County, Colorado
Hanging Lake Falls
Hanging Lake Falls
Cloudy Cathedral of Color
Cloudy Cathedral of Color
Snow Dawn - Garden of the Gods
Snow Dawn - Garden of the Gods
Rifle Falls - Rifle, CO
Rifles Falls - Rifle, CO
Awaiting Spring
Awaiting Spring
Rebirth - La Veta Pass
Rebirth - La Veta Pass
Approaching Storm - Pueblo Memorial Airport
Approaching Storm - Pueblo Memorial Airport
Frosty Trees - Lake Pueblo
Frosty Trees - Lake Pueblo
Twilight on the Mountain
Twilight on the Mountain
Clearing Autumn Storm - Crested Butte
Clearing Autumn Storm - Crested Butte
Lunar Eclipse Moonset
Lunar Eclipse Moonset
Maroon Lake Sunrise
Maroon Lake Sunrise
Autumn Leaf Detail - Rocky Mountain National Park
Autumn Leaf Detail - Rocky Mountain National Park
Huerfano River Autumn
Huerfano River Autumn
Sandhill Crane Take-off
Sandhill Crane Take-off
Westcliffe Dawn
Westcliffe Dawn
Sand Dunes Morning
Sand Dunes Morning
Autumn Reflections - Lake Isabel, Colorado
Autumn Reflections - Lake Isabel, Colorado
Motion and Motionless
Motion and Motionless
Hallett Peak, Bear Lake and Aspen
Hallett Peak, Bear Lake and Aspen
Fall River Cascades - RMNP
Fall River Cascades - RMNP
San Isabel Aspen in Fog
San Isabel Aspen in Fog
Drama on Hallett Peak
Drama on Hallett Peak