Hannibal, MO

We were traveling along Rt. 24 East when I saw

this creation.  I made Bill turn around so I could

get a picture of this peacock made out

of bales of hay in Monroe City, MO.

Another interesting find.  When was the last

time you saw a dime store?

Bill in Hannibal, MO.  It was the first time that

the weather was nice while we were here.

A river boat on the Mississippi River.

It was nice to see the river clear and not muddy.

Caught a couple of canoeists on the Illinois 

side of the Mississippi River.

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

We made a spur of the moment decision to visit

Rocky Mountain National Park yesterday.  The 

first two times I was here it was rainy, cold and

down right miserable.

Enjoy the view!

A picture on the ascent to the summit.

We are always searching for ferocious animal

life.  Five fierce chipmunks have gathered

to attack Bill!

Before long, Bill has tamed them to eat out of

his hand.  This guy got my M&M!  Everyone at

this pull off feeds the chippies.

Here is clear evidence of the remains of a

flash flood.

On the way to the summit, we passed a semi-

permanent small glacier.

You can see the craggy tops of one of the peaks.

We were just about past the timberline.

We are now in the tundra area of the mountain.

You can see there is a car on its way up.

Rocky Mountain National Park has the distinction

of having a paved road above 12,000 feet.

Here I am at Alpine Visitors Center.

I just had to climb into the snow and make a

snowball!  Note the height of the plowing

stick to my left.  They get lots of snow here.

You don't have to go to the European Alps to

experience the drama of dynamic mountains.

A parting shot of the mountains.

Can't wait to get back out west again soon!

Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods, CO

Welcome to Pike's Peak!

First glimpse of Pike's Peak.

As we started out, we were told that the area past

12,000 was closed due to high winds.  Here

is a shot of the valley below.

Lucky for us, they opened the road the

rest of the way to the summit.  We are now

above the timber line.

Check out the rock climber on the top

right.  Pike's Peak is a favorite of climbers

 and bicyclists.

Up a little over 12,000 feet.

That's the road we will drive on next.

Made it to the summit!

It was 36 degrees and the winds were howling!

I could not walk to the sign, so Bill did.

I was hanging on for dear life to the parking sign.

These were the switch backs we drove

up on.  Now it is time to go down!

A few more switch backs.

Note there are a couple of reservoirs

on the top left.

Wind and water smooths the stones, but ice

splits large rocks into rubble.

We took a short ride through Garden of the

Gods in Manitou Springs, CO.

I love the red rock formations!

Enjoy the view.

This red monolith against the blue

sky with the wispy clouds is beautiful!

Reluctantly, it was time to say good bye.

Cottonwood Pass, CO

Bill is taking a rest besides the Taylor River

before heading off to Cottonwood Pass, CO.

This is the view that greeted us as we

came upon Taylor Reservoir.

I was able to capture this fishing hawk

over the lake.  If anyone knows exactly

what kind of hawk this is, let me

know and I will edit the post.

Another view of the stunning scenery,

Getting closer to Cottonwood Pass.

I find it amazing that at 48 degrees I had the

window open to cool off since the

sun was rather strong.

Approaching the timber line, I saw these "baby"

firs.  The larger is about 14" tall and the smaller

about 4".  It takes a very long time for them

to grow up here.

You can see where we are going next.

Almost there!

Finally made it!  It only took two hours, but

it was a marvelous ride!

The wind was raging at the top.

Beginning the descent down, heading off

to Salida, CO.

I don't normally post restrooms, but I wanted

you to see the "journey" I went on to find some

relief.  Thanks to all my physical therapists

that made this possible with God's grace!!!

Gunnison, CO

Stunning scenery on the way to Ohio Pass.

Most of the way was on a rugged dirt road.

Bill's Subaru got a serious work out!

Where we were headed was about twenty

miles north of Gunnison.  I have to say thank

you to our friends, Sue and Jack, who suggested

years ago we come this way.  I still have that

list and will have to catch other places another time.

An Aspen Cathedral at 9,000 feet,

Snow capped mountains above the aspen.

Looking down among the pines and a small

stream on the way to Crested Butte, CO.

The Gunnison River as we returned to Gunnison.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO

Welcome to the north rim!

Crawford Reservoir.

Gotta love the vanishing point!

Balanced Rock.

This boulder is balanced on the side of

the Black Canyon.

The Black Canyon is over a thousand feet deep.

At the bottom is the Gunnison River.

You should have seen the fancy rock climbing

I did to get to this point for a picture.

A close up shot of the Gunnison River

at the bottom of the Canyon.

A family group of mule deer eating the

farmer's alfalfa.

Captured another snow covered peak

along Scenic Rt. 92 East.

Yes, another shot of the aspens dancing

in the sunlight among the pines!

A surreal shot at distant mountain peaks.

The Gunnison River has widened its path.

Blue Mesa Reservoir, just outside of the
town of Gunnison, Colorado.