10-19, Garden of the Gods

Fall break- who knew?  They do things differently here in Colorado than the other states in which we've lived.  Actually, it's not a bad idea- fall break, winter break, spring break and summer vacation.  So this fall break, we discovered it's a beautiful time to go visit the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.  On one hand, the Garden of the Gods wasn't quite what I was expecting, but on the other hand it was so much more.

"Garden of the Gods"

"GG Pikes Peak View"

"GG Rock Tower"

This rock formation is known as the "Kissing Camels".  Can you see it?

These rock climbers were way up there. 

The infamous "Balanced Rock".

As Eye See It / Locations/ Colorado:

http://www.aseyeseeitphotography.com/-/aseyeseeitphotography/gallery.asp?cat=165172&pID=1&row=15

10-7, Pikes Peak

I wasn't "feeling the love" this day.  I couldn't quite get into the spirit of our first visit to Pikes Peak.  Maybe I was just worn out.  Maybe it's the difficult transition from the hot summer to the chilly autumn.  Or maybe it was the snow on the ground as we climbed up past 12,000 feet (or maybe just the lack of oxygen?!).  Whatever it was, I didn't really put much effort into capturing the experience. I think maybe our next drive up there should be in the spring when the flowers are in bloom and the air is warm.  Driving by the aspens already beyond their peak and towards the snow line was a symbolic journey through the seasons.  I'm just not sure I'm ready for winter!

"Aspen Patchwork"

"Pikes Peak Buck"


As Eye See It/Locations/Colorado

As Eye See It/ Animals

9-22, Rocky Mountain Natl Park

Now I know what all the fuss is about-- Rocky Mountain National Park is amazingly beautiful!  I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to this park.  There was so much to capture:  the fall foliage, the sweeping views and the elk.  I look forward to many more trips back to this park.  I imagine each season bestows its own beauty.

"RMNP Autumn Gold" 

"RMNP Elk Pair"

"RMNP Elk Solitude"

"RMNP Elk Up High"

"RMNP Fence"

"RMNP Lake View"

"RMNP Sunbathing Elk"

"RMNP Valley View"

"RMNP Vista"

"Rocky Mountain National Park"

As Eye See It website:

Animals:

http://www.aseyeseeitphotography.com/-/aseyeseeitphotography/gallery.asp?cat=134809&pID=1&row=15

Colorado:
http://www.aseyeseeitphotography.com//aseyeseeitphotography/gallery.asp?cat=165172&pID=1&row=15

9-21 USAFA

My brother (minutely seen in the first picture below with his fiance) is a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Much of my childhood was spent visiting him during Parents' Weekends and events such as that.  If you have ever had the privilege to visit the academy, you know how picturesque it is snuggled up against the mountains with acres upon acres of rolling, tree-covered hills.  In a word- it's beautiful.   (And as I say this, in all honesty, you must know that I am a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy!  Beauty is what it is, all rivalry aside.)  During a recent visit, we toured the academy grounds.  The USAFA chapel is infamous for its artistic design.  It is amazing.  

"USAFA Cross"

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