Rocky Mountain National Park

Straddling the beginning of the Colorado River at the summit of La Poudre Pass after hiking the Colorado River Trail through Shiper Park and the site of Lulu City
Straddling the beginning of the Colorado River at the summit of La Poudre Pass after hiking the Colorado River Trail through Shipler Park and the site of Lulu City. This was a 15 mile round trip hike! We were ready for the hot tub back at the condo.
The Colorado River starts mainly as runoff and becomes swamp area near the summit of La Poudre Pass. The Grand ditch catches snow melt from a large portion of the Never Summer Mountains and also feeds into the Colorado River at the summit.
The Colorado River starts mainly as runoff and becomes swamp area near the summit of La Poudre Pass. The Grand ditch catches snow melt from a large portion of the Never Summer Mountains and also feeds into the Colorado River at the summit.
The Little Yellowstone Canyon is on the Colorado River Trail south of the La Poudre Pass
The Little Yellowstone Canyon is on the Colorado River Trail south of the La Poudre Pass.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Gorgeous claret cup blooms against the black canyon
Gorgeous claret cup blooms against the black canyon. We enjoyed our stop here on the way home from Utah. We met a fun Australian and enjoyed swapping stories – it is he that told us where to find this bloom and we set off just before sunset to find.

Canyonlands National Park

A weekend of hiking camping fun with friends
A weekend of hiking and camping fun with friends
Greetings from Us in Needles District
Greetings from Us in Needles District
Needles-District-Lost-Hikers-Joint-Trail-Hike
Lost Hikers Joint Trail Hike Panorama
Chessler Park Panorama
Chessler Park Panorama
Colorful Opuntia bloom in Chessler Park
Colorful Opuntia bloom in Chessler Park
Spring in chessler park with Opuntia blooms
Spring in Chessler Park with Opuntia blooms
The Solar Eclipse Ring of Fire at Pot Hole Point
Viewing The Solar Eclipse Ring of Fire at Pot Hole Point
Playing around with Shadows during The Solar Eclipse Ring of Fire at Pot Hole Point
Playing around with Shadows during The Solar Eclipse Ring of Fire at Pot Hole Point
The Shadows look like pictographs on Pot Hole Point during the Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse
The Shadows look like pictographs on Pot Hole Point during the Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse
Enjoying the quiet times. We appreciate all the ranger led programs in the National Parks - Thank you!
Enjoying the quiet times at sunset. We appreciate all the ranger led programs in the National Parks – Thank you! This special telescope allowed an amazing view of the solar eclipse – although the image was upside down.

 

Utah Sights

Ready to do some MINI fun raising camping and hiking in Utah
Ready to do some MINI fun raising camping and hiking in Goblin State park
Caught in the narrow slot of Little Wild Horse Canyon
Caught in the narrow slot of Little Wild Horse Canyon
Gorgeous blue skies to hike White Canyon in Bridges National Monument
Gorgeous blue skies to hike White Canyon in Bridges National Monument
Admiring the petroglyphs and reflections under Kachina Bridge
Admiring the petroglyphs and reflections under Kachina Bridge
Cactus bloom in White Canyon area
Cactus bloom in White Canyon area
Awesome campsite near Bears Ears Pass
Awesome campsite near Bears Ears Pass
Enjoying the Panorama of Goosenecks State Park
Enjoying the Panorama of Goosenecks State Park
Moki Dugway!
Moki Dugway! Those are some serious Twisties!
Motoring towards Monument Valley
Motoring towards Monument Valley

Kizuna: East Meets West bamboo site installation at Denver Botanic Gardens

Working with Steven Talsnik to set up his Floating World Bamboo installation in Monet Pond. There was an art to attaching all the white cable ties to evoke the haiku wishes left in Japanese gardens.
Working with Stephen Talasnik to set up his Floating World Bamboo installation in Monet Pond. Part of my role was to attach the white cable ties, they move in the wind looking similar to haiku wishes tied to trees in Japanese gardens. The team did a fun time lapse video of the water flooding back into the pond which you can see on this link.

http://www.stephentalasnik.com/video_floating.html

this tower of black bamboo was to add da bit of the New York moment to our western plains.
This tower of black bamboo adds a bit of the New York moment to our western plains. It was really fun to help build this and to watch it grow in the gardens.
Fun to try to capture the spirits, reflections and just to contemplate the changing patterns of the ripples in the water. A bit of Wabi Sabi in the gardens.
Fun to try to capture the spirits, reflections, and just to contemplate the changing patterns of the ripples in the water. A bit of Wabi Sabi in the gardens.
I was inspired to write this haikuArtist Talasnik - Chaos meets Serenity: Float, Surrealist world
I was inspired to write this haiku
Artist Talasnik – Chaos meets Serenity: Float, Surrealist world
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The opening of the expanded Sho-Fu-En Japanese garden added a new area to view the floating sculptures.
Tetsunori Kawana also created green bamboo sculptures that aged to a golden aptina. The sculptures engaged all five senses: Sight, Smell, Sound, Taste, and Touch.
Tetsunori Kawana also created green bamboo sculptures that aged to a golden patina. The sculptures engaged all five senses: Sight, Smell, Sound, Taste, and Touch.
When the 5 senses are united with the 5 elements (Easrth, Wind, Fire, Water, Sky) there is harmony.
When the 5 senses are united with the 5 elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Sky) there is harmony.
These sculptures changed each time they were viewed. It was fun to experience and to photograph.
These sculptures changed each time they were viewed. It was fun to experience and to photograph.
Kizuna means bonds between People, Art and Plants. It was great to give tours and hear people's reactions. I appreciateded working with the other 80 plus volunteers which helped install, the artisits who brought their visions, the staff and other tour guides who supported the exhibit, the horticulturists for the gorgeous plantings, and the public for visiting.
Kizuna means bonds between People, Art and Plants. It was great to give tours and hear people’s reactions. I appreciated working with the other 80 plus volunteers which helped install, the artists with their visions, the staff/volunteers who supported the exhibit, the horticulturists/volunteers for the gorgeous plantings, and the public for visiting.

Florida Delights

Sun Rise over the Atlantic at Bal Harbour from the Lido Deck (ie – condo pool)

Family time in Florida March 27- April 4. Waves lapping on the beach, wind in the palms, moonlight over Miami, Cuban pork marinated in mojitos, Argentinian steak, Paella, Vino Tinto on the balcony, having the pool to yourself in the morning for some lap swims, an awesome classical concert at the New World symphony and the following events…

Across the inland waterway from Haulover Beach
In front of the Key Biscayne tennis grand stadium listening to the cheers
Watching the Sony Ericsson Open grand court match on the big screen
Catching up with Roger Federer after the match
Ready for the women’s doubles action to begin
We enjoyed two matches – the second pair went on to win the tournament!
The ride we wanted to motor…but caught a match winning tennis ball instead.

 

Party?! Cabanas?! Florida?! We’re there!

The master mind reflecting the good things in life

Family reunion in the cabanas at the Fountainebleau – what a brilliant idea! Was an awesome day, great conversations, food, kids, drinks, water, bikinis, drinks, hot tub…

View from room balcony of beach, pool and cabanas
As much of the family as we could get together at one time
You are so ON candid camera
Pass me another cold one
The Cabana Bananas
The Girls
The man behind the shades - Hey Cousin: Thanks for a great day!

Happy New Year 2012 !!!

Happy New Year 2012
New Year 2012 cheer with Snowy, a cake, Spanish Cava and Tintos

Here’s a New Year’s toast to to all our friends and family!

We connected with old friends and made some new – to all we wish the best of health and happiness in 2012.

We have enjoyed our holiday season and thank all who made it brighter and merrier with our time together in December.