Morning in Escalante Canyon

After overnighting at a campground near Delta, I made an early start in continuing my journey to Colorado National Monument. It's not far from Delta to Fruita, where the entrance to the Monument is located, so I had some time to explore. I turned onto Escalante Canyon Road, just to see what there was to see. It was excellent, and some of the photos I got out of here are among my all-time favorites.

Sunrise just as I'm making my way in.

The valley is hidden in shadow, while the rock walls are bathed in early morning light.

Further along the road; the sun now fills the valleys.

One of my road shots.

Interesting formation next to the road.

Beautiful red rock on the canyon wall.

I came across an old camp.

A stone cabin.

Captain Smith remembered.

An old wooden building.

A stop along Highway 133

I came across this dilapidated building on my way to Colorado National Monument. I'm pretty sure I was on Highway 133, just before getting to Delta.

The building.

The highway on the left, and an approaching train on the right.

Corner.

Front.

Distant peaks provide a nice background.

Around Carbondale, Colorado

After going over Loveland Pass, I rejoined Interstate 70 at Dillon. At Glenwood Springs, I turned south onto State Road 82 toward Carbondale. My target: Mount Sopris.

A field dotted with hay bales next to the Crystal River off Highway 82.

A telephoto shot from the same place as the prior photo.

Turning around, we see what we came to see: Mount Soris.

Mount Sopris.

More of the Crystal River valley.

After Carbondale, I headed south and west on Highway 133 toward Redstone. Along the way, I happened across this interesting peak.

Here, I think I'm getting close to Redstone. It's been too long; I don't remember for sure.

The Summit of Loveland Pass

Everyone knows that the easiest way to get from Denver to the western side of the state is to take Interstate 70 through the Eisenhower tunnel. Of course, I wasn't interested in easy, nor was I in any hurry, so I went over Loveland Pass. Naturally, I had to stop at the summit to get some photos.

U. S. Highway 6 winds around on approach to the summit of Loveland Pass.

Amazing views abound.

Here we are, right on the Continental Divide.

More terrain above timberline.

Reminds me of tundra.

Even in mid-July, there's loads of snow.

A creek forms from the snowmelt.

At this altitude, wildflowers flourish.

Night Views of Denver

After arriving in Denver, I drove up to Green Mountain, and then up to Lookout Mountain to get these night shots of the city.

Green Mountain area of Lakewood. It had been raining.

A wider shot from Green Mountain.

Telephoto view of the Denver skyline from Lookout Mountain.

More Denver from Lookout Mountain.

Of course, Denverites know that Lookout Mountain is where all the broadcast antennas are located for the area. Here are a couple of them.

Another tower.

Colorado Vacation 1993

In July 1993, I had a lot of time on my hands, so I took another vacation to Colorado. It was a pretty busy trip, with multiple excursions deep into the mountains. On the first, I visited Colorado National Monument, one of my all time favorite places to go. After returning to the flatlands, I went back into the hills to meet my dad who was camping near Gunnison.

A few random photos from Sarasota

Many times, I'll drive around town and see something I'd like to photograph. On this day, I found a few things.

Hibiscus.

Don't know what it is, but I liked it.

A home near the Ringling Museum.

Sunset over Sarasota Bay.

A few more from Myakka River State Park

On this venture to Myakka River State Park, I seem to have concentrated a lot on closeups.

A path leads through the palms.

Another one of my 'tree and sky' photos.

Closeup of moss growing on a tree, as well as something else protruding from a knot.

I don't know...

An elusive water bird - would not avail itself to be clearly photographed.

One must pay close attention while frequenting the trails, or the penalty may be walking into one of these.

A thistle?

Finally, a gecko keeps warm on a railing.

Historic Spanish Point

Another one of my favorite places to visit near Sarasota is Historic Spanish Point. As usual, I won't go into a lot of detail here about the place since I have a link to the organization's web site in the Landmarks I've Visited section. These photos are of just a few of the places at the Point - there are loads more.

One of my typical 'palm next to road' shots.

A succulent thrives.

Sun Garden and Pergola. The pergola is perhaps one of the most well known features of the site.

Bouganvillea growing around the columns and top of the pergola. The colors of Bouganvillea are so intense, I think they can actually hurt your eyes.

Chairs under the pergola.

Some of the grounds.

The White Cottage.

More grounds as seen from the Sun Garden.

The Pergola.