Photos from Colorado Part 1

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Flower with Flatirons in the background

I spent a few days in Colorado earlier this month.  As I went through all of the photos, I decided I needed to divide them in half.  OK, the photos really weren’t since the second half has more, but the days were. (part 2)

On our first full day we went to Boulder.  Our first stop was at NCAR, a really high profile weather station.  Besides looking around the exhibits, which are aimed more at children, we walked a bit outside.

Fronat Range near boulder

We then went into town and shopped for a while.  We then stopped at Chautuaqua Park for a short walk before heading back to the Denver area.

The second full day we drove out to St. Mary’s Glacier in the mountains.  The hike to little lake isn’t very long, but the little 300 ft (100 m) vertical starts at 10,400 ft/3170 m.  Coming from sea level and going to over 10,000 ft was a change.  Two of us climbed up the glacier for ways, most likely to about 11,200 ft/3415 m.

St. Mary's Lake

Here is a view from just before we turned back.

high glacier

 

It doesn’t seem that high above the lake until you zoom into the rocks across from us and see that those dots are people.

clip

Oh, with this next photo, if you follow Liz’ arm, you can see about where we were when I took the last photo.  See the two parts of the glacier that go off to the right.  We were on the second on, the one closest to the top (still far from the very top).  There are a couple of people where we were standing.

Pointing up St. Marty's Glacier

If there were any disappointments it was that the air was a little hazier than it often is in the mountains.  It was still gorgeous and features many miles away still stood out crisp and clear, but I’ve seen much clearer.  Luckily, I would again in a few days.

Down near the parking area we explored an old homestead.  A lot of these dot the mountains, most of them dating from the gold rush of 1858.

mining camp

After hiking we spent some time in the touristy town of Idaho Springs and had a nice dinner.

Then it was back down the mountain to Denver once more.

 

Here are some photos of these two days.  You can click on a photo for more detail.  Once a photo is up, you can scroll through them.  Enjoy!  (The second part has now been posted!)

20 thoughts on “Photos from Colorado Part 1”

  2. The Broken Spine

    I’m finally getting around to taking a look at the pics. It’s been such a whirlwind these past few weeks. Packing and ultimately moving back to Maryland.

    Anyway, the pics are awesome. I loved going to NCAR. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to do the glacier and some other higher elevation activities – Asthma. I’m glad you had fun and hope you make it back soon.

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      1. The Broken Spine

        I have moved back nearly 2 weeks ago. I thought I would be more unhappy about it, but I’m not. I do miss Denver and my friends. A few of my gal pals and I are already talking about spending birthday time together there.

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        1. trentpmcd Post author

          I love Colorado, but I would rather live on the East coast. I know that leaving friends behind is the hard part, but it is a little easier today with all of the online tools. And, of course, if you budget it in, you can always visit. And they can visit you….

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      It is by far my favorite of the first bunch and way up there in all of them. I have a connection to the flower in a few ways. Two things real quick is a song I wrote about them, which led to a song cycle about life and death (the cycle doesn’t always work, but I love the black eyed Susan one). And then seeing them buried in snow in a freak autumn blizzard. Let me know if you find the post.

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  4. Pingback: Photos from Colorado Part 2! | Trent's World (the Blog)

  8. dawnkinster

    How beautiful. The mountains are so different than where I live in the Midwest. I can’t decide which photo is my favorite…but I keep going back to the one with the black eyed susan in the foreground..so I guess that’s the one! Looking forward to the next installment.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I grew up in Ohio, so I know what you are talking about. I did visit the mountains a few times as a kid and really enjoy them. Of this group I also like the Blackeyed Susan one the best.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks Solveig! The Rockies are very beautiful, and I think the part of the chain in Colorado is the best part (others may argue…). Perhaps a little different from the Alps, but I can see why you’d say that with this photo.

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