Exploring the Pueblo Alta trail on the mesa at Chaco Canyon leads you to a wonderful ruin sitting lonely on the crest of a hill. Pueblo Alto Ruins are the highest ruins in the park and don’t have the pressure of tourists as the others because you have to climb a winding trail up the canyon walls then a couple mile stretch of the legs to the ruins but it is well worth the trip. I made it there in the early afternoon on a beautiful fall day just before Thanksgiving.
Winter Storm at Redrocks Amphitheatre
Exploring Redrocks in Morrison colorado during a nice winter storm is always a fun adventure. Teig loves to run up the stairs at the amphitheatre when it is chilly outside. The views are amazing when the snow covers the ground at the park.
Cliffs above Pueblo Bonito
Teig and I spent an autumn day exploring Chaco Canyon National Monument in northwest New Mexico. We hiked the desert mesa and learned about the Anasazi Indians that settled the area between 800 and 1400 ad. We decided to hike the cliffs above one of the main pueblos. We were surprised by this beautiful view from a few hundred feet above Pueblo Bonito. We truly love New Mexico and it’s wonderful history, culture and landscape.
Lybrook Badlands Cave
Teig and I spent the day sauntering through one of the unique San Juan Basins Badlands. This citadel formation had a cave into it which was very interesting. I climbed up and peered into it. I was not brave enough to explore to deep for fear of a cave in. It appeared quite fragile but uber cool.
Gold in Lybrook Badlands
Exploring one of the San Juan Basin Badlands near sunset I ventured into a wash a came upon this beautiful scene full of gold color. Lybrook Badlands is a remote location where a person can get away from civilization and explore strange rock formations and study the ancient geologic record. Fossil hunting is fun but I would never keep them but leave them for others to enjoy.
Zebra at Balloon Fiesta Take-off
Zebras - Launch Director is the first person of contact for the pilots and crews on the field. In their black and white attire LDs, aka Zebras, are rather prominent ambassadors of Fiesta. The LDs work with the pilots to conduct a Safe Coordinated Launch. Even well before daylight, the LDs walk their rows to greet pilots and crews. They remind the pilots about the 3 Row Rule. During inflations, the LDs look for proper tie offs and anything out of the ordinary. The flight operations kick off when the Balloon of the Day launches as the National Anthem is played from the stage. At the conclusion of the anthem, the LDs are able to start launching the first wave. Each LD has a conversation with the pilot about the launch. The discussion may include overhead traffic, layers of wind, false lift warnings, and other topics necessary for a successful launch. The Launch Card (chit) is collected and then the LD clears the spectators down wind and reestablishes eye contact with the pilot. When the airspace above the balloon is clear the LD blows the whistle and gives thumbs up for launch. The LD stays in position until the balloon is above head level and in controlled flight. The LD waves or salutes while wishing a safe flight for the pilot and crew. LDs take this time to observe the balloon’s flight to be prepared for the next launch. Then it is on to the next balloon to repeat the launch process. After all the balloons are launched we shift our hats to become Landing Assistants. When the permission is granted to allow landings on the launch field, the LDs help the incoming balloons land safely until balloon crews arrive.
Desert Storm near Abiquiu
Nothing better than a late afternoon desert storm in northern New Mexico. If you never seen a storm with the sun shining on you in the desert southwest, you need to add it to your bucket list. This one was outside of Abiquiu and brought a smile to my face.
Lybrook NM Badlands
We explored this badlands which is not well known. Lybrook is in northwest New Mexico on the Navajo Indian Reservation. I was surprised how rugged and beautiful the rock formation were with numerous hoodoos and arches. We spent a whole day exploring some of the canyons and cliffs. It was well worth the time spent.
Above the De-Na-Zin Wilderness
The De-Na-Zin Wilderness in northwest New Mexico is a fantastic location to get away from civilization. The desert is so unique here on the Navajo Reservation. The sun was near setting on this evening in late autumn. Teig and I had hiked all day in the canyons seen below and were now enjoying the evening with a beer in hand a no other soul for miles. This was heaven on earth!
Cruising on the White Sands of New Mexico
A beautiful evening on the White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico. What a perfect location for a traildog during late fall. The western sunset is awesome in the southwest.
Traildog in the Rio Grande Gorge
Teig and I hiked down Chiflo Trail down into the Rio Grande Gorge in New Mexico. It was fun hike to reach the river at the bottom of the chasm. Exploring the rock formations and the river were so very cool. I love and miss my birth state!
Sunrise on the Pawnee Grasslands
I love sunrises when we are out exploring Colorado. We witnessed this fantastic summer sunrise on the Colorado plains while camping at the Pawnee Grasslands. You just have to get out saunter through our wonderful natural areas.
Cheerful Flowers
The election is here... maybe a beautiful cheerful flower photo is in order.
La Junta Milling & Elevator
We came across this mill and elevator in the small southeast Colorado town of La Juanta. No one was was working on this day and the building was interesting. The structure was on the main thoroughfare and stood above all the other buildings.. We really love to explore these small western towns.
Taos Ski Valley Autumn Panorama
Taos Ski Valley in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains during the peak aspen color run in early October. Rain and snow was moving into the Taos Ski Valley when I captured this panorama. Luckily I escaped with just a slight soaking of my clothes.
Teig Resting below Jicarita Peak
On our hike up to Jacarita Peak, we had a short layover on the trail above Serpent Lake. The views were amazing on this jaunt up the Sangre de Cristos in northern New Mexico. The aspen leaves were turning to their autumn orange and gold. It was not a bad place to rest and take in the colors.
Valle Vidal in Autumn
The Valle Vidal in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico is quite the view during the autumn color change. The valley stretches out below you and the mountains are dappled in yellow and gold with the air is crisp and clean. From the higher altitude, you can view the high peaks to the south near Taos and Santa Fe. What a wonderful sight.
St. Louis Creek in the Fraser Experimental Forest
We were afforded the opportunity to relax and contemplate our existence next to this waterfall on a hike up St Louis Creek in the Vasquez Wilderness. The exploration of the Colorado Rockies help ground wayward souls. Teig and I are so very lucky to experience this wonderful life.
Filling a Hot Air Balloon at the Night Glow
Filling the hot air into balloons for the “Night Glow” activities is quite the sight. The flames shoot up 10 feet into the air in the balloon from the flame-thrower.
Autumn Colors Above Camp Hale
A 180 degree view from a few hundred feet above Camp Hale in the Eagle River Valley north of Leadville Colorado. This valley was surrounded in early Autumn color and we spent a good half day playing and exploring around Camp Hale.