Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Happy Holiday's and Goodbye 2011.

Well It's been one hell of a year, and I have overcome a lot.
A lot of fears, and obstacles.

I learned I am a strong person, I learned I can drive highways, off roads and into other states.... and survive. I learned how to be a better person, and I learned God hears me.

I was baptized Aug 21st, and since then....things are happening as I had hoped.

I have had a rough year,
but thanks to my folks, and some great friends....it didn't kill me.
Patience... that's been my toughest obstacle.

I made some great new friends. I joined 3 great Facebook groups, one of which meets face to face every month.

Through this group I have met:
Try S, Brian B, Katy P, Paula M, Tom R, Brian L, Tony R, Steve and Nanci C. and more....
and I look forward to seeing them each month.... and for some, more than once a month. I get a new challenge each month, which sends me out on more adventures.

I have entered several photo contests this year, and won.
I have been successful w/ some sales of my dried flower window necklaces.



I joined a gym, and actually like it. I don't (however) like the 7am wake up. But 13LBs lost in 10 weeks aint to shabby.


I want to THANK YOU all who read, followed, and commented on my Blogs, It was exciting to know you enjoyed it. I will be back in spring when I get a more reliable vehicle and can head out further. I had a spectacular year of adventures, w/ some excitement.. i.e - tornadoes, lightning zaps, rainbows.. etc.

Leaving you w/ a couple fun photos of  "puppy" of  Getting lost w/ a .... puppy, he enjoyed my adventures also, and will join me again in 2012.

Happy New Year to all,  
Sayonara 2011! Hello 2012!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Off to find a photo of Foliage

Ok, so maybe I have one more blog in me... I have been busy, gym, and getting ready for the holiday's... but I also find time to shoot photos.

My friend Brian is limited in his pursuit of the perfect photo.. for 2 reasons...
1. He is new to the Springs, and
2. He only owns a bicycle.

Thought I'd show him our area....


A Wagon in Limon,         Cars in Ramah...


 Scamp, being a ham for the camera..... In Limon.


 Bears at Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado.
Mamma and 3 cubs... tearing up trash, and playing w/ pumpkins...

Will Rogers' Shrine of the Sun behind the Zoo....

and a random art collection nearby.. I loved the bird sculpture best, so I had to show it.

 Some of these are entered into the Manitou Springs Photo Club's monthly photo contest, October is Autumn Colors. I have a couple contenders, the last 2 photos here, and the black and white bench. Enjoy!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Looking at windows and doors... a study.

This is a photo study I am always working on....


Click on collage to make it larger, 2 clicks makes it HUGE.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Presidents, Buffalo, Needles, and Bears, Oh My!

I am so blessed, my folks love to travel, and invited me (at very little cost to me) along on a 4 day trip to South Dakota!

We started out at 8:30 am on Friday Sept 16. Had Breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Westminster, CO.

Drove the long (and awfully familiar) roads through Wyoming, and then scooted over through to South Dakota.


All I can say is... I am sick of the Plains!!!!!!! LOL
Trains, and Grains...Gives ya Migraines!
Now.. South Dakota, through the mountains and hills... much better. Got to our motel at about 4pm, and look who greeted us across the street!
Long Day, had a Nice dinner (place - nice, food - eh.) Time to chill, swim, and sleep by 9PM.

Early to rise, Breakfast in the motel - same-ole free food - toast, hardboiled eggs, and OJ for me.
On the road by 7:30am.....

CUSTER STATE PARK.

Early morning on the border of the park.

300 or more Buffalo walked out in front of us on the road, and up beside us. but eww,. tons of flies.




We drove along Iron Mountain Road, switchbacks that made my mom almost cry, and tunnels, and more tunnels and Pigtail bridges, etc.

This was taken on a road outside the actual park, at a turnout towards the landmark.


Next was Mount Rushmore Visitors Center..
OMG, I can't believe I was here!
We got some great memories (and souvenirs), and I completed a geocache challenge here.
Around the corner is this view -
Ahhhh, what a view!
Now lunch down the street, w/ a waiter straight from Germany/Czech Republic. This was his last day in USA, so he was very chatty w/ us.

We head off to Bear Country USA to what we saw in a travel guide as a cool tourist spot.

Baby Big horn sheep
Badger
Big Horn Sheep
Peacock
Bears.....

There were Bears EVERYWHERE, walking among us, our cars, and so were the Reindeer, and other animals. This was a drive through zoo in a sense.

We headed back to our hotel, and had dinner... and ice cream from a building that was pink and purple.

Good Night

Next day, early to rise again, Back into Custer State Park and Needles Highway.
The "Eye" of the Needle

This highway is high elevation, and low canyons, tunnels, switchbacks, and small guardrails if any... enough to again make my mom a nervous wreck. LOL


We also went to a place called Chapel in the Hills, a gorgeous hand carved ornate church....



surrounded by wild flower gardens.





And then , back to the hotel... and check out next morning.



Off to the Badlands....early am....
Natural sandstone, windblown into hard mountains and canyons, 
multicolored through the eras to create the Grand Canyon effect.

So Cool!

Checked into motel #2, had a few minutes to chill out, and off to Wall Drugs!
This place is the biggest indoor drug store, complete w/ photo props, coin entertainment, restaurants, bars, outdoors area props - 8 foot tall Jackalope, choreographed water terrace, train cars, garden, water spots to 
drink from, etc. and more. 


Dinner at the Cactus Cafe... Mmmmm
Indian Fry Bread Tacos, Fries, and 2 Margaritas.

A geocache later to earn my SD badge, and the day was done.

Next day, checkout, and another brief trip through the Badlands, and off to Nebraska... to Chimney Rock.




and saw some cool photo ops along the way


12 hours + small packed back seat + w/ parents who are complete opposites of you = one long @ss Ride!!!!





Nice way to end a great trip don't ya think???



Glad to be home, 
Hope you enjoyed this trip, see ya in 2012!