Cabin, flag, post office, railroad

I set the camera on a railroad rail along the Colorado River and I pushed the button and I like the shot that came out.



Along the Colorado Road is, of course, a post office.



Walking along looking at beaver dams I noticed this flag up the mountain. I was at 10,000 feet and this flag was at no less than 12,000 feet. I set the camera to zoom and fired away. I just wonder who climbed up there and posted this flag.



The stories behind some of these cabins must be extraordinary. This was at 12,500 feet.

Beaver, boot, Colorado River

I drove north towards Steamboat Springs today, but I never made it. Instead I turned off on a dirt road that was named: Colorado River Drive. It was about 40 miles long and full of spectacular river scenes.



I would like to know the story behind this boot, which was positioned on a fence post about a billion miles from anywhere.



I took a walk along the river, and the streams feeding into it, and I saw a lot of beaver dams. Then I saw this guy crossing from the dam pool into the stream below. It was really cold outside and he looked as happy as, well I guess as happy as a beaver in the mountains.




This is where I first spotted this guy, swimming, looking at me.

Vail

Relaxing at Steve's cabin it occurred to me that just about all of the material things I care about are with me. I sat on the couch tonight, relaxing and watching football, secure in my never-left-behind "Grandma Sophie" blanket, so named because it was given to me by my Grandma Sophie many, many, many years ago after she used it for many, many years before that. It is old, starting to wear, but ever still so comforting and comfortable.



And then the whole comet journey almost came to a halt when I thought I had lost my superman hat. This old gondola car is behind Steve's cabin and I was playing around in the trout stream in the background yesterday, and I put the hat somewhere that I would not forget it. Of course I forgot it and spent 1 hour this morning tracking it down. It was exactly where I put it so I photographed the moment, trivial as it was, but not to me.




Some times, lots of times, it is good to kick back in not a tent, not a campground, not a van, not a car, but in an incredibly cozy warm cabin watching Sunday night football. Works for me.



Though the lifts are not officially open yet, there were quite a few diehards walking up the slopes with boards and sticks for some early season riding. Me, I chose a bicycle and the 16 miles of trails that weave through Vail. This is Bahn Eagle Gondola lift.

Vail was a great stop as I knew it would be. Friends are good people. I wrote that down.

sunrise, more signs, new address

I have no idea how this photo will turn out on film, but seeing the sunrise in the Rockies is mystical.



Two of my favorite themes....taking pictures of shadows and following the comet.



This sign was in Great Dunes, CO and this time I chose to believe it and turn around. This little MalibuRental has been loyal and I will not test its limits further.



Dear Postmaster General: Please note my new and permanent address. Please forward mail to Tennessee Pass, Rocky Mountains. With a few more days of good weather before the real winter sets in I should be able to get the roof in fairly good repair. Plenty of firewood, water from melted snow. All are welcome to visit.....PLENTY of space.



The route I took towards Vail took me through Leadville CO which claims to be the highest city in the United States at 10,200. A great little town and it appears that the road passes to the town will be covered with snow and closed for the winter very shortly. It did not seem to bother the folks of Leadville at all. Thanks to friend Steve F. for continuing to feed me very, very off the main road routes. This afternoon, 11/15/08, I am heading to Vail to crash as Steve's digs for a few days, laundry, bed, some heat.

North, geese, herron, sand

In the foothills before ascending back to 10,ooo feet, I found this little hot spring place and, of course I had to stop for a soak. I am hooked.



Great Dunes National Park in Alamosa, CO Quite a massive chunk of sand that does not seem to be in place, and it was much colder than any beach I remember.



I am certain I heard geese, but I also saw herron in this grouping. And, for integrity's sake all I did was yell kind of loud to get the gaggle/herd/covey airborne.



This is looking down into Eagle River CO from 10,000 feet. There is actually a railroad track in there somewhere, though how a train climbs here I don't know.



Aptly named Crystal Lake Colorado. The mountain in the background is Mt. Massive 14,200 feet

Ojo Calinete and Northen New Mexico

I am still not certain if these are deer or antelope, but there are a lot of them and I pull over each time there is a herd.



I am really getting used to these ravens (crows) traveling along with me. They are good companions and don't expect anything but a little road kill now and again.



I do enjoy the artwork in these signs and I wonder if a guy actually jumped off of this cliff to pose for the picture.




Heading north towards Colorado I am reminded that the big, snow capped Rockies are ahead.

I spent the day today, November 14, at Ojo Caliente in Northen New Mexico. It is a collection of mineral springs (lithium, iron, soda, arsenic) in 6 different rock baths for soaking. It is just unbelievable. It is very modestly developed ($19 a day for access -- though there were some much more pricey amenities, massages, etc). But for the $19 I soaked in all of the pools all day and I think I felt bumps and kinks from rugby 20 years ago leaving my body. This is a place I will go back to. There is some kind of magic in the water and it has been coming out of these rocks for at least (recorded site) 2000 years. Ahhhhhhhh!

Espanola, carcass and critters

This is Sandy. Sandy tends bar at a little place called Red's Steak House & Espanola Lounge in, surprise, Espanola New Mexico. A long and spectacular day spent in Apache National Forest lead me to stopping for dinner at this, from the outside, nondescript place. Inside it was warm, wonderful, inviting and another example of the great people in this country. Sandy "pried" out of me that I was passing a birthdate which resulted in this extraordinary piece of carrot cake and an unforgettable serenade, by Sandy, of Feliz Cumpleanos. There are, indeed, good days on this planet.





La Ventana Arch, El Malpais National Forest, NM...just another one of those places that I was noticed while driving along. I just can't keep pace with the sights.



I chose to spend most of the day today, 11/13/08, in Apache National Forest. A conversive man at the general store told me the forest was running rich in elk and that I should be careful on my hikes. I was in the forest for 6-7 hours and along one trail this is the elk I discovered....or at least I think it was an elk.



Camel Rock Monument, Santa Fe, NM I saw a sign that read Camel Rock, took the exit, had no idea what I was looking for, then the sky lit on fire and the camel reared his massive and daunting sandstone head.



Antelope? Deer? Elks in training? I don't know, but they were interested in why I was pulling over and fumbling, as usual, with my camera.