May 10, 2012

Today has been a long day. Tom drove for hours and hours and was weary when he was done. If the truth should be known, Tom played 36 holes of golf, first at Peterson Air Force Base and later on at the Air Force Academy. Well, he was driving wasn't he? We did see 2 things during the day. First we went to the US Olympic Training village in Colorado Springs. The are about 150 full time athletes training there getting ready for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Mark your calendars...save the date. July 27th.

Does anyone know why the 5 colors were chosen?

I took this one for one of my daughters.

There weren't many athletes training there today but we did see some of the facilities that they used. In the afternoon we went to the Air Force Academy to look at the campus...and yes the golf course.

The chapel at the academy houses Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist houses of worship all in the same building.

and yes, the inside of the chapel where the Protestant services are held is beautiful. Just a note, no cadet is allowed to be married in the chapel as Cadets are not allowed to be married. Currently the chapel has been scheduled well into 2013 for weddings. Anyone who would like to attend a service there is welcome. Tomorrow a big road trip to Denver, home of the Colorado Rockies.

May 9, 2012

After leaving Durango Wednesday morning we rode for more than 5 hours and took in the scenery along Route 160 on our Way to Colorago Springs. It was one of those times when, while looking at all the beauty, you think to yourself, wow, once we get back, we need to sell the home and move out here. Of course, while listening to a big selection of John Denver favorites (Thank God I'm a Country Boy, This Old Home, Rocky Mountain High), realization hits with a tear, you look at more of the beauty and feel ever so lucky that you are here to see this, and you drive on. The Rocky Mountains are absolutely beautiful! Once we got to Colorado Springs, we headed straight for Pikes Peak. At 14,110 feet, Pikes Peak is only # 32 on the Colorado elevation list. Mt Elbert tops the list of 56 peaks above 14,000 feet. You can drive, or take the Cog Railway to Pikes Peak. For those brave (or foolish enough) you can ride to the top and ride a bike back down the 19 miles of hairpin turns. Some of the pictures will need no comment.

Some of the scenery from Durango along CO route 160.

Treasure Falls

Rocky Mountains

Could this be a "Rocky Mountain High"?

Or maybe this one.

Young Longhorn Sheep.

Wanna butt heads?

Looking from Pike's Peak, many of the pictures were hazy but this one came in clear.

I just had to take a couple of pics that the Sons-in-Law would enjoy.

Didn't see anyone hauling anything in but saw plenty trying. Today we agreed this was definitely the best traveling day for seeing America's beauty.

May 8, 2012

Hi all. Between Monday and Tuesday we managed to get a good look at Mesa Verde. We left Monticello, UT Monday morning and arrived at Mesa Verde National Park. We went straight to the visitor's center and got tickets for Ranger led tours of Cliff Palace and Balcony House. The Ancestral Puebloans lived in the Soda Canyon for around 700 years before they left in the 1200's. It was thought that severe drought was the reason for their leaving. Although Mesa Verde is the best known of the cliff cities, there are many of these structures along the Soda, Spruce and Cliff canyons to name a few. They lived below the cliffs for protection from the elements and lived off the corn, beans and squash that they grew on the cliff tops. For 2 days we really got to appreciate the capabilities of the Ancient Puebloans. If you are ever in the area, Mesa Verde is a MUST SEE.

This is a view of the Cliff Palace from a gathering place for the tour.

Getting closer to cliff palace, one can notice 2 basic structural shapes. The square ones were living spaces while the circular ones known as Kivas were for ceremonial purposes.

All of the structures were made with sandstone rock, clay, water and trees to help make the roofs. This is a closer look at a Kiva at another location, the Balcony house.

The only way out of the Balcony House was through a 12" wide opening in the rock. After that was a 32 step ladder back up to the top of the cliff. Alice squeezed with "No Problem Mon". Whoops how did Bob Marley get in here.

Monday evening we stayed at the Farview Lodge near the top of the mountain. This was the room with a view.

Tuesday we drove around to other lesser known sites. Stopping at the 21st Museum so far on our trip, we saw some of the many artifacts, among them a pair of winter slippers for protection from the cold.

Just below the museum was another dwelling, the Sprucehouse. This one has been somewhat restored to show more of what the original ones looked like. Years ago people could climb further into the cliffs to see more of the rooms but, because of damage, this is no longer allowed except for Archaeologists.

Couldn't resist a shot of the Banana Yucca Plant and flower.

This shows some of the area burned by a lightening started wildfire. Luckily the wind shifted and spared a lot of the Mesa Verde area but, a lot was still burned. A little later on we went on a drive around Cliff Canyon. At one spot looking both ways we could easily see no less than 6 dwellings. Later on we drove to Durango, Co. It is a neat city of about 6000 people that has retained its old-time appearance. We ate at the Old Tymer's Cafe. Had we read a little closer, we could have walked 200 yards to the Durango Brewing Company.

May 6, 2012

This morning after a continental breakfast at the Rim Rock Inn in Torrey, UT we headed to Capitol Reef National Park. Again the views were great and so was the sunshine-a-plenty.

Shortly after getting inside the park, we slowed down for a couple of Mule deer beside the road. They weren't bothered by the human presence. We were in the van taking this picture while they fed beside the road.

As is typical of Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef, there is a predominance of red sandstone in the area. This particular area has a lot of sandstone that has piled up at the bottom of the rock structures.

Rocks that seem to be precariously perched on top of others are common as well as signs warning of rocks in the road.

It's a wonder that some of these rocks are still there. It's a good thing to not to get too close to the edge of the canyon not knowing what might not be under your feet.

Quite often the rocks have developed multiples of the structural patterns.

These lizards are found scurrying around from bush to bush looking for food or staying out of the heat.

Capitol Reef has many species of plants and flowers. This one is Harriman's Yucca. For more, go to http://user.xmission.com/~nelsonb/capitol_reef_guide.htm You might have to copy/paste to open.

The road in the park eventually runs out and you find yourself walking down a gorge which is less than 10 yards wide in some places. There were many Mormon pioneers traveling through the gorge who left their presence known on the "Pioneer Register".

Sometimes you see strange names in the History books.

Heading back out of the gorge there are still many beautiful sights. Many of them long distance shots that cameras can only attempt to show, but still nevertheless beautiful.

As you look all around, there are many patterns in the rock that show up at the same elevation. Many times the tints and shades vary to create a great display.

Becky recently bought a free range "beefster". Maybe it came from here. We only saw one in the road today. A busy day today but a fun one. Tonight we are in slow pace mode in Monticello, UT. Most of the places were closed today so we made an assumption that it is a Mormon community, but we did manage to find "suppah".

May 5, 2012

Today we were at Bryce Canyon National Park where the scenery is beautiful and red. This could be a scene from almost anywhere but it happened to be Red Canyon.

At Bryce, on a clear day you can practically see forever, and today was that day.

We decided to take a hike on the Queen's Garden trail, part of which you can see at the top of the picture.

After the 2.9 mile hike, we were glad to be done and you would be too. We were however, weren't the oldest on the trail. This pic was taken from near the top.

We have to get in our daily kids pic. This pronghorn deer was seen next to the road. She watched us watching her.

Goodnight Moon

May 4, 2012

A full day at Zion National Park

Trying to get in a full day at Zion we decided to get up early to see the sun rise on the wonderful formations. On this one the sun was just starting to shine on the peak.

Turning in a different direction you can see the sun's rays just about to make the side of the mountain.

After passing some of the higher tops, we then went through the tunnel which was 1.1 miles long through the mountain, and on the other side the road winds down further into the canyon.

I think we found the New Hampshire Old Man in the Mountain's twin brother here in Zion.

The shuttle driver pointed out the climber high on the mountain and explained that somebody had to sleep on the mountain overnight. He also told us that an expert climber had, without any equipment, climbed it in 84 minutes!!!

Just about time to shed the fleece. It was a little chilly in the canyon this morning.

Alice was snacking a granola bar when she found a friend looking for a snack.

An afternoon view from the Emerald Pool Trail. There was not a cloud in the sky today and the colors were all so vivid. What a great day in the park. We are now on Mountain time and only 2 hours behind. Tomorrow a trip to Bryce.