Purple Majesty

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Kaylene has been talking about wanting to go to school in Colorado for years --- even though we've never been there. Soooo, Fall Break spelled Rocky Mountain Road Trip for us. We checked out campuses in Colorado Springs, Boulder and Fort Collins. If I were the 20-something, it'd sooooo be Boulder, but Kaylene is more level-headed and mature than I am, so she settled on CSU in Fort Collins --- a lovely town, and a beautiful campus. For some reason I did not take any pictures while we were there --- perhaps my way of avoiding the reality of my daughter flying so far away from my nest.

BUT, the highlight of the trip for me wasn't the college search. It was every and any where we drove. Oh MY God. I feel like we should have had passports because it was a completely different world. Absolutely stunningl Each city or town (and we drove through some tiny towns) had its own twist of flair to show off.

Throughout most of the trip we were silent not because of anger or boredom but because we were just in awe. I think this is why I love to travel so much. I'm always reminded of just how simple and beautiful life can be -- we just make it so much more complicated with our wants and money and bills and whatnot. It's hard to remember this when we're constantly focusing on how much ugly there is also in our world.

I cannot tell you how many times during a hike I'd whisper "I'm sorry" to the wind. The negative side of me feels we are destroying the gifts given to us. That said, just as many times 'our gifts' reminded me that we are just one organism of many, and we're pretty tiny, so maybe it's not the wind I'm apologizing to but ourselves.

Anyway, my words will never do nature justice, so I'll stop writing and just show my favorites of all the lovelies we saw.

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Photos

My slice of heaven
When I die it is these waters I'd like to swim across to get to the 'light.'

Entering the Garden of the Gods
This place was Colorado's version of Sedona. Living in Arizona, I see lots and lots and lots of red rock. But, this was a nice paradise to stroll around.

Heavenly heart
I just love that this rock formed a heart hole.

Gate Keepers...
so, do you think these guys are watching over heaven's gate?

Life goes on anywhere...
these birds are creating nests in ancient rocks.

I love free!
Seriously though imagine owning all of this amazing property, and then giving it away for people to enjoy for free.

Pikes Peak road view
You see a lot of this while driving up (or down) the road that leads to Pike's Peak.

The end of the earth!
Tell me it doesn't look like you're driving off the end of the earth.

The Cog
The railroad that goes up Pike's Peak even when there are walls of snow. Can you imagine the view from that?

Bird's View
Driving up to the peak you are as high as the birds.

Rocks
Okay, so I see a lot of this where I live, BUT these are rocks 1,400 feet up. The mountain is so high that trees don't grow here.

Brake check!
You know it's steep when they check your brakes half way down. It doesn't hurt that the gift shop is located here as well, so that you can spend your time wisely (for the park) while waiting for brakes to cool down.

Hole Bound
Somewhere around Colorado Springs we drove on a dirt road that went through a few rock tunnels. It was an amazing drive that led us to Helen Hunt Falls and later Seven Falls, which unfortunately was closed.

Through the hole
and we can breathe again, we're almost out of the tunnel

Helen Hunt falls
I sooooooo miss water.

Kaylene taking shots
of the water

More of our stop
seriously THIS is what I call a rest stop. About an hour before hitting this we drove alongside a river in a canyon. I'm so mad at myself for not stopping and taking photos. It was amazing. There was even a bike path alongside the river.

Clouds
I just like looking at them.

Whose that Sexy Beast?
notice how there's a bikinni clad beast behind me. beotch.

Just to prove ...
my softer side. Snuggling on a rock.

Comments

[Maria Lopez]

Thanks for sharing!
Wow! I've never been to Colorado. How beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful!