Going Back Home

It's been a week since I posted any pictures.

Gee, I wonder why!  There aren't

any more mountains, etc.

Anyway, here is the required

corn photo taken in Missouri.

One of the many farms in Missouri.

Spotted this bottle tree in

Eastern Indiana.

With my daughter, Donna, being

a math teacher, I just had to

take this sign advertising

pizza pie (pi)!

Winter wheat growing on a farm

in Ohio.  It will be harvested

sometime in June.

Back visiting an old friend,

the Tin Cowboy, at the Best

Western in Bentleyville, PA.

See you all in a couple of days.

Thanks for coming along

for the ride!!!

God Bless!!!

Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak, CO

Pike's Peak as seen from the

Serenity Deck at our hotel.

So glad the sun finally made

an appearance!

The foothills of the Rockies.

Closeup of Pike's Peak.

More foothills.

I never realized how huge

Colorado Springs was!

There is still building going on.

Pike's Peak as seen from the

Garden of the Gods entrance.

Not all formations in the Garden

of the Gods are red rock.

Taken in the Central Garden.

We were here last year in the snow.

Glad this time the sun was out!

 

Another angle of Pike's Peak,

known as America's Mountain.

We could not go up today because

the top half was snowed in.

Just to the left of the top center you

can see "Kissing Camels".

With a tear in my eye, it is time

to say good bye to the Rockies

and go east.

What a contrast in the land

as we head to Limon, CO!

 

Going to Colorado Springs, CO

This is what we saw last evening

from our balcony in Gunnison, CO.

And this is what we saw this morning

from our balcony!  The "W"on the top

of the hill is for Western State Colorado

University.

Taken just after Monarch Pass at 11,000

feet.  Never thought we would see snow

on May 19th!

An eerie scene on Route 24.

The high alpine meadow.

We are amazed at how small and 

delicate these little pine trees

are on the lower left corner.

This herd of horses agreed to let

me take their photo.

A weather worn house along the way.

Still waiting for the sun to make

an appearance.

By the time we reached the entrance

to Pike's Peak, we were surrounded

by a serious snowstorm!

Palisades Restaurant and Saloon, Gunnison, CO

This is our favorite place to have dinner

in Gunnison, CO.  We have come here

for the last three years.

Love the unique booths here.

I asked our server, Anthony, to take

this photo of us with Preston, the

bartender.  We met him last year

and was so tickled when we walked

in this evening he said, "Welcome

back!  Your favorite booth is 

ready for you."  He gave me a 

big smile and hug.  Yes, Colorado

is my second home!

I just had to take a picture of the

Hashish Hut across from the Palisades

for fun.  No, we did not partake.

Scenic CO 149 to Gunnison, CO

Now this is a grand entrance gate!

The upper tributary of the Rio Grande

River along Route 160.

The lighter green is the blooming

aspen.  Do you see my cabin

in the lower left corner?

Only kidding.

An old mining shaft along

Route 149.

A foot bridge over the

Rio Grande River.

First glimpse of the

Continental Divide.

Dry valley at the foot of the

Continental Divide.

Close to the head waters

of the Rio Grande River.

Spring Creek Pass.

Elevation is 10,898 feet

with grapple falling!

Slumgullion Summit

at 11,530 feet.

The San Juan Mountains.

I took 53 pictures on this

eight hour drive, and

choosing the best photos

has been very difficult.

Toward evening we saw

a couple of elk in the

lower pasture.

Another lovely scene along

the way.  As my friend in the

church office says, Colorado

is truly God's country!

We close our journey with

three deer.  Truly an incredible

drive.  Thanks, Bill!

This is what greeted us on our

way to Mesa Verde.

Mesa Verde translates

to green table.

An imposing monolith

welcomes us to the Park.

Prime example of why

it is called Mesa Verde.

There was a fire in the

Pinyon-Juniper Forest

nearly 30 years ago.

An artsy photo, none the less!

"Cliff Palace"

Ancestral Pueblos moved to

Mesa Verde about AD 550.

Kivas are circular structures

that were used for religious,

social and utilitarian ceremonies.

 

Closeup shot of a section

of Cliff Palace.  Restoration work

has been going on for decades.

 

Another closeup of

Cliff Palace.  Some dwellings

are 2, 3 and 4 stories.

Hemenway House, which is

found in a different section

of the Park.

Standing in front of

Cedar Tree Tower.