Photographs of Colorado
By PK | March 26, 2010
Colorado State Flower, Columbine, Hiking Rabbit Ear’s, July 2008
Young Mule Deer Buck, Routt County July 2008
Topics: "Post Cards From the West", Uncategorized | 4382 Comments »
Visiting ‘The Boat’ and ‘Riding Dino’
By PK | March 18, 2010
Work today was business as usual, with Steamboat being 60% capacity with tourists, thats a little over 10,000 visitors. With only a few weeks left of the 2009-2010 Ski season, visitors are definitely having FUN. I had the pleasure of snapping this photo with a group of tourists. That is one of the fun parts of my job is interacting with the tourists and the locals.
Great shot kids!!! You were excellent subjects!! Have a great time in Steamboat!
And don’t forget to come back!! You know about the Yampa Curse, right??? Leave a comment, please so I know you got to see your photo!!!
YEEHAW!
Topics: "Post Cards From the West" | 4868 Comments »
Flat Tops Scenic Byway
By PK | March 28, 2009
The Flat Top Scenic Byway runs from Meeker, Colorado in Rio Blanco County to Yampa, Colorado in Routt County. It consists of 82 miles, of which 40 miles is unpaved dirt or gravel roads. I do want to mention some of these roads have a washboard effect, so hang on tightly and be prepared for a bumpy ride at times.
This trip is accessible by car, except for a short hike up a steep hill to see Trapper’s Lake. There are several trails up to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Flat Tops…I am obsessed with this place. It is not a hike for a beginner. You pack in…you pack out. You leave no trace that you were there.
The Flat Tops Wilderness consists of 235, 000 acres of pristine, untouched land atop 11,000+ feet of plateaus that are occupied by fragile alpine tundra. The view from the top is well worth the hike. It is the one place I have yet to hike and am anticipating it with great enthusiasm. It is simply said…the hikes of all hikes. As I stand at the entrance, knowing it is not yet time for me to accomplish this feat, I patiently await….and while I’m waiting, break in my new Cabela’s hiking boots!
Trapper Lake is known as the “Cradle of Wilderness” due to the efforts of Arthur H. Carhart. In 1919, his recommendations stopped construction of roads and homes around the lake. This was the start of the wilderness movement, which led to the Wilderness Act in 1964.
This mountain is well-known as the Amphitheater or one giant’s big butt, whichever you prefer.
Topics: Colorado | 5571 Comments »
Gore Pass, Colorado
By PK | March 3, 2009
With a bright, sunny sky over our heads we left for our first excursion in awhile. I’ve been managing a c-store since mid January, doing one of my ‘flips’ as I call it, spending many of my waking hours cleaning, ordering, adding new products and waiting for the hordes of customers to flock and see my hard-earned pay as I collect their hard-earned pay.
With the sound of melting snow dripping endlessly throughout the day as the sun shined brightly we headed south of Steamboat on Hwy 131 and then along Hwy 134 to Gore Pass. Many of you will remember our camping trip, the dead zone, the colorful autumn photographs of aspens, and our many hunting trips on Gore Mountain. I think I’ve hiked every inch of the area especially during bow hunting season. It is one of our favorite ‘getaway’ spots consisting of woods, nature, wildlife, and serene peacefulness.
In the higher elevation on Gore Mountain, not much dripping was going on. But one thing was for sure, you’d better have your sunglasses on because it was starkly white, enough for your eyes to tear up just looking across the valley of snow.
Gazing across the wide expanse, my eyes locked on the Flat Tops. Many of you may remember my many articles about the Flat Tops Wilderness and my goal to hike to the top this summer. I had a small taste of the Flat Tops last summer, but Dalton assured me that I was not ready for this journey. During the long winter months, I fear that once again I may not be ready with all the inactivity that comes with being snowbound.
While many enjoyed skiing the slopes of Mt. Werner, my courage and tenacity did not carry me through to be brave enough to tackle strapping on skies and sliding down the side of a mountain. Well, okay, to be truthful after watching Dalton with his buddies as they attempted to teach him to ski, and this was just around the house, and then eyeballing his stooped over demeanor during the next week, listening to his moans and groans, just kind of kept me from going through the same consequences.
Although I did try snowshoeing and really enjoyed the outdoor activity, for me, a southerner by birth, I found just walking on ice and snow a challenge without the snowshoes. Much to Dalton’s disappointment, I did not help chop wood, build fires in the woodstove, nor did I learn how to operate the snowblower. I did learn, however, the best spot in the living room to feel the heat of the woodstove, how to bellow loudly whenever the embers burned too low for my comfort, and the best of all….the first to holler that it was snowing again.
Awww….our first winter in Steamboat!
So, now as I once again feast my eyes on the Flat Tops Wilderness, I again remember my personal challenge. As I sit here writing this article, listening to the dripping of melting snow, seeing patches of bare ground, the taste, sights, and sounds of the wilderness call to me. Soon the grass will return, the awesome wildflowers I love to photograph will spring forward as I once again stuff my bare essentials (and my vanilla iced coffee) into my backpack as I strap on my hiking boots and explore Colorado.
True…the snow may as yet not be over and this may be a good case of Spring Fever, but sure as the sun rises everyday and the moon follows, I will conquer the Flat Tops.
Until then….happy skiing for you!
Topics: "Laugh or Cry", Colorado | 2539 Comments »
Do YOU Remember???
By PK | March 2, 2009
Someone asked the other day, ‘What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?’
‘We didn’t have fast food when I was growing up,’ I informed him. ‘All the food was slow.’
‘C’mon, seriously. Where did you eat?’
‘It was a place called ‘at home,” I explained!
‘Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn’t like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.’
Topics: "Laugh or Cry" | 5362 Comments »
