Back on the road again....

Well hello Spring, I have missed you!

It's been up in the 60's and 70's this week, so I had cabin fever... brushed off the camera, found the dog leash and water bowl, and decided to go take a drive. The plan was Woodland Park..... That's it, nowhere else....

Yeah Right!

Started out in Woodland Park, looking for a geocache in a series of "Colorado Spirit Quest"

Cemetery hides, cool, but spooky.

Puppy was making too much noise and a few people were starting to glance my way... so I decided to give up the search...and I believe I was sooo close too. Another day!

Ok, Now where????

The drive down Rte 67 is nice... in the direction of the Hayman Fire scar, towards Decker's.

This Forest fire location is 35 miles northwest of Colorado Springs.
The date was June 8, 2002, and this became the largest fire in the state's recorded history.

It caused nearly $40 million in firefighting costs, burned 133 homes and forced the evacuation of 

5,340 people.
The fire wasn't contained until July 2, 2002 and was finally brought under control on July 18, 2002.   The cause of the wildfire was found to be arson.

This road also follows along a mountain river, w/ waterfalls.

Ahhhh so serene!

 Now I am in Decker's - Population unknown.
Decker's is an unincorporated town along the South Platte River in Douglas County, Colorado.
 There is a small plaza w/ a country store, cafe, bait shop and a place to buy alcoholic drinks... what more could you want I guess. LOL

Grabbed some snacks... and shared em w/ puppy.  

Ok, should I keep exploring? 

Why not?

This road I am on goes on and on, up in elevation, but the views are amazing!

I get to this little place called Ferndale..... it's like they don't want visitors......

 (click photos to make larger)

Don't Make Eye Contact with the Locals
heh heh

Guy fly-fishing in another small place called Buffalo Creek, he caught me shooting this photo, so I took off.

No Vacancy? Darn!

Maybe I'll move in here instead.....

Ok, now I am in a town called Foxton.... I am seriously lost!

I follow the road around and in and out of the mountains.

I finally stop and look at a map.... Yes I said it... a MAP! I am running low on fuel, so I can't afford to be wrong. I also ask some fisherman if I am on my way back.. Thank You, I am!!!

Back into the Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods area... and a couple more photos...

I love the Golden Hour!

150+ miles, 8 hours and a 1/2 tank of gas,
but It's the start of the Phlog 2012 Spring season!

Paint Mines, and Painted skies!

So, seeing as my readers keep asking me to go out and Blog, I did. Left puppy at home, headed out to Calhan, CO.

My friend Brian and some others went to see this place in Calhan called the Paint Mines. I've heard of it before, but when I saw his photos......I had to see this for myself.

BTW..... It's cold out, and I spent New Years w/ 2 kitties in my presence, causing a severe asthma attack. I wasn't able to go explore these colorful rocks & crevices up close...yet.
Spring will be here soon, and then I can get up close. I didn't want to risk another attack due to the cold air  - as much as it killed me to hold back.


What I was able to see and photograph ---- Click each photo to enlarge them ---

Info on this beautiful natural wonder =
The Paint Mines are a collection of eroded gulches of sandstone-capped clay colored by leaching minerals, ghost-white hoodoos and elaborate labyrinths of eroded rock. They cut through the landscape southeast of Calhan, where they have formed over millions of years. Resembling the fantastical gullies and drainage's of the Badlands of South Dakota, the Paint Mines lie in the valley of the Big Sandy Creek drainage, a tributary of the Arkansas River. They are named for clays found there, thought by archaeologists to have been used by American Indians to make paint. The colors - butterscotch yellows, rusty oranges and faded greens that glow in the sunlight.

I also snagged a geocache out in my travels, some other cool photos, 

and finished a photo contest w/ a 3rd entry.

Enjoy!

More tomorrow, 

as I ran outta light, got lost, and was invited to a friends....just in time for Taco Night!

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!

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!

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.

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!