Rick and Barbara had a dream trip and are sharing it with us. The covered 2,200 miles, three states and visited three National Parks. Their goal was Denver via the 'scenic' route. Their first night was in Cortez, but before chowing down on Mexican food they had already stopped at the Cameron Trading Post and then spent three hours at the Mesa Verde National Park.

The Little Colorado Wash behind the Cameron Trading Post hotel.

Before leaving Durango they stopped by the Durango-Silverton Railroad to capture the steam locomotives.

From Durango they headed up Wolf Creek Pass which tops out at 11,000 feet.

Fall Creek Falls at the base of Wolf Creek Pass.

Rick and Barbara then spent time in Winter Park with some very close friends. A walk around the neighborhood gave them some nice photo opportunities, including hot-air balloons near the local lake.

Rick wrote that there was a hummingbirds frenzy at this feeder.  Lucky one sat still just long enough for a good shot. — Rick wrote that there was a hummingbirds frenzy at this feeder. Lucky one sat still just long enough for a good shot.

From Winter Park they headed on to Denver via Rocky Mountain National Park and the Trail Ridge Road. The road is the highest maintained automobile road in the US. Patches of snow and lots of elk most assuredly reminded them they were not at home.

Well, they did reach Denver. The second part of their trip is up tomorrow. A very special thanks to two exceptional and generous photographers.

We met in Boulder and headed 'up the hill', going through Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park. We expected the upper roads in the park would be closed. They were. However, the lower roads were still accessible and we were just happy to have a road trip.

A horizontal take on the scene. — A horizontal take on the scene.

Diane and I had a nice conversation on the composition for the scene.  I shot horizontally but the saw her vertical take on the same scene.  Her shot was stronger and used the diagonal sun rays to highlight the single tree.  Seeing he… — Diane and I had a nice conversation on the composition for the scene. I shot horizontally but the saw her vertical take on the same scene. Her shot was stronger and used the diagonal sun rays to highlight the single tree. Seeing her image made me get out of the car, set up my tripod again and get one for myself!!

Diane took this with her Fuji Finepix S400 in pano mode.  Dang, my D800 will not do that! — Diane took this with her Fuji Finepix S400 in pano mode. Dang, my D800 will not do that!

A vertical take.  I read recently that vertical shots were 'on their way out'.  Sorry I don't remember the reference, but am not sure I agree. — A vertical take. I read recently that vertical shots were 'on their way out'. Sorry I don't remember the reference, but am not sure I agree.

We hiked the perimeter of Sprague Lake (1/2 mile cold and windy).  Diane got the two best iconic shots. — We hiked the perimeter of Sprague Lake (1/2 mile cold and windy). Diane got the two best iconic shots.

Part of the path was still covered with snowy slush!  The view made up for it. — Part of the path was still covered with snowy slush! The view made up for it.

We spotted these Big Horn sheep along the road in front of a small motel as we headed up from Estes Park.  They were in no hurry to move along even though they were drawing quite a crowd of photographers. — We spotted these Big Horn sheep along the road in front of a small motel as we headed up from Estes Park. They were in no hurry to move along even though they were drawing quite a crowd of photographers.

On our way back to Boulder, Diane suggested we look for the Malo Center.  She described it as a unique building with a great background.  She was right. — On our way back to Boulder, Diane suggested we look for the Malo Center. She described it as a unique building with a great background. She was right.

I have posted a couple of images of the flowers planted along the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder.  We were hungry so we stopped there for a late lunch.  The wind was pretty strong but Diane prevailed. — I have posted a couple of images of the flowers planted along the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. We were hungry so we stopped there for a late lunch. The wind was pretty strong but Diane prevailed.

After lunch we each headed home. A special thanks to Diane for spending three consecutive Sundays with me. She is fun to shoot with.

2200 Miles, 3 States, 3 Parks

Rocky Mountain National Park

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