Throwback to fall leaves

Posted on November 8, 2021 by dinajohnston

Normally we got out west for vacation in early October but last year we didn’t go due to Covid and this year we didn’t go since we were right in the middle of moving. We’re planning a trip early next year (to see some snow) but I was bummed to miss the fall leaves out west two years in a row. These were taken several years ago in Colorado. On the way to Cripple Creek and Mueller State Park. The aspen trees were bright yellow and the valley around Pike’s Peak was a blanket of yellow. I think the last shot above was taken in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

The above were taken in the North Cheyenne Canon Park just outside of Colorado Springs. There wasn’t a lot of water coming down but it was raining on us as we hiked around the area.

I found these bright orange leaves in the parking lot at the Air Force Academy. We stopped by for a tour on our way back to Denver.

Hopefully next fall I will have some new pictures of the leaves.

One last look at Colorado for now

Posted on March 15, 2018 by dinajohnston

We only saw a few bison during our drive through Rocky Mountain Arsenal Park.

The view of downtown Denver from the park.

I did not want to leave. Even though we had cold rainy weather the entire trip out here I could so live here. Maybe I’m just tired of the beach and heat after living in Florida for almost 16 years.

I had a window seat on the way home.

I knew I was getting close to home when I saw so much water.

Where to next????

Lots of deer at Rocky Mountain Arsenal Park

Posted on March 6, 2018 by dinajohnston

The park was full of deer. I don’t see bucks often at the parks near my house so it was fun to see the big antlers everywhere.

Driving around the park, you could see families pretty far out.

Linking to Wednesday Around the World.

Little critters at Rocky Mountain Arsenal Park

Posted on March 5, 2018 by dinajohnston

These little prairie dogs were so cute. I know, they are just cuter gophers or maybe more like meerkats. We just sat in our car and watched them run around for a while. These shots are all extremely cropped up. They were pretty far out in the field and if I opened my door they would all scurry into the holes.

My first ever coyote sighting. He was also pretty far away.

A few birds along the road: pigeon, meadowlark, kestral and a sparrow of some type.

Some of the critters we saw during our drive through Rocky Mountain Arsenal Park in Denver. I think if I lived here I would always be cruising through here. Lots of critters to see roaming around. It was near our hotel so we drove through quickly before getting dinner. We also saw bison and deer so more on those later.

One last look at Garden of the Gods

Posted on March 1, 2018 by dinajohnston

More pictures from our walk through Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. It was our first day in Colorado so I took a ton of pictures. What an amazing place. Even with the dark clouds it was a magical place. I think it even drizzled a little while we were there but at least it wasn’t freezing. I’m sure on the weekends and in the summer when it’s extremely crowded it’s not as much fun. There were signs for over flow parking down the road and you have to take a shuttle into the park.

A few birds. A pigeon and a western scrub jay. The western scrub jay was a first for me. I still haven’t seen the eastern one that lives here in Florida.

A quick look at City Park in Denver

Posted on February 28, 2018 by dinajohnston

A few shots from our quick walk around City Park near downtown Denver. It’s always fun to see Canadian geese walking around. We don’t see them often in central Florida. After a sunny morning, the clouds had started to move in. Our last stop on our visit to Colorado was Rocky Mountain National Arsenal Park. More on that later.

Painted ladies in the park

Posted on February 20, 2018 by dinajohnston

Brett and I stopped by City Park in downtown Denver before heading on to our next stop after visiting Red Rock Amphitheater. Right when we got out of the car I noticed the plants were covered in the these butterflies. There were hundreds of them. We must have been there during a big migration. I rarely see Painted Lady butterflies around my home so I took a ton of pictures of them.

There were lots of bees as well as a few monarch butterflies in the mix.

Linking to Wednesday Around the World

The parking lot at Red Rock.

Posted on January 25, 2018 by dinajohnston

The view driving into Red Rock Amphitheater Park and walking up from the parking lot.

Birds in the parking lot. A towhee, magpies and a first for me was the western scrub jay on the left. He was very skittish.

After leaving the amphitheater we walked around the park for a while. We took a short trail right off the parking lot. Even from the parking area, the views were amazing.

Red Rock Amphitheater

Posted on January 18, 2018 by dinajohnston

Heading into the famous Red Rocks amphitheater was a jaw dropper for someone who hasn’t spent a lot of time out west. Not just the rocks and the view but to see a concert here would be amazing. The hike up the main ramp was incredible although I can imagine at night you just want to get there so you can see the band you came to hear. Most people who grew up there probably doesn’t stop to look at the view. My husband thought the big rock in the 3rd picture looked like a dinosaur head.

We came in from the side of the stage and then walked up to the top.

Brett took a picture of me taking a picture of something with my phone. I had heard that when the park is open (on days when there is not a concert scheduled) you can come in and walk up and down the stairs. I saw several people doing that.

View from the top of downtown Denver.

Pano of the area.

More to come on this fun place. There’ an actual park around the amphitheater that has trails you can hike. We did a little hiking but was on a tight schedule so we didn’t go too far.

Inside the Air Force Academy chapel

Posted on January 17, 2018 by dinajohnston

Seeing inside the main chapel at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs was worth the small hike in the freezing rain from the main parking lot. Due to the weather there was only a few other people inside so it was quiet. I would love to come here for service.or maybe a wedding but I think only cadets can attend service here. Several religions are practiced here. I can only image how pretty the colors on the ceiling are when the sun is shining.