Thursday, May 30, 2013

Scottsbluff road trip

I rode the motorcycle to Scottsbluff Nebraska to visit the National Monument there. I left Denver at 11am which was two hours later than I intended. I took I-76 east to Fort Morgan where I stopped for lunch. From Fort Morgan I took HW-52 north to HW-14, then HW-71 to Scottsbluff. I waited out a storm in Kimble Nebraska. The storm produced heavy rain, large hail and a tornado. Fortunately I got into Kimble before the storm arrived. The storm passed north of town and didn't cause any damage.

Wind turbine, HW-71, 24 miles south of Kimble, NE.


Scotts Bluff is an 800 foot tall sandstone out-crop on the west edge of the great planes in western Nebraska. It served as a prominent landmark for native americans, fur trappers, wagon trains and the poney express. The North Platte river flows along the north side directly beneath the bluff, and the Oregon Trail passed through Mitchell Pass directly beneath and south of the bluff. President Woodrow Wilson established the Scotts Bluff National Monument by proclamation on December 12, 1919. The Civilian Conservation Corps completed work on the tunnels and summit road in 1937.

Scotts Bluff


One of the tunnels on summit road


Scotts Bluff from summit


Dome Rock from summit of Scotts Bluff


Sentinel Rock with Oregon Trail below


From Scottsbluff I continued east to Torrington Wyoming where I joined US-85. I scarfed down a cheeseburger and fries in Cheyenne before joining the heavy traffic on I-25 back to Denver. In Denver I got rear-ended while waiting at a traffic light. Fortunately I didn't get hurt and there wasn't any damage so I accepted his apology and we went our separate ways. I think he was fully stopped and let up on the brake just enough to tap the rear of the bike.

It was 9:20pm when I got back to the apartment. The trip took 10 hours and covered 432 miles.

I'm a little disappointed in these photos. Maybe it's just me but I think the color sucks in most of them.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Cherry Creek State Park

I rode the motorcycle to Cherry Creek State Park Sunday and hiked the wetlands trail loop at the south end. I took my big telephoto with me. I still have trouble handling it.

House Wren


Red Wing Black Bird (male)


Red Wing Black Bird (female)


White Pelican


A dramatic photo from Cherry Creek State Park

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Grand Opening

I rode the motorcycle west on US285 early this morning to visit Colorado's newest state park on its grand opening day.

Staunton State Park has been 30 years in the making. Frances H. Staunton left the initial 1,720 acres to the state in her will; adjoining acreage was acquired over the years through land grants and funds from Great Outdoors Colorado. It is a beautiful park and one I will return to.

I went on one of the guided tours. The tour only covered a small portion of the park; that was a good thing because I was worn out by the time I got back.

Follow me.


Over the Hills and Far Away


The snow covered mountain in the distance is Pikes Peak
however, I may have heard her wrong.


Lions Head


I bought a commemorative pin
The color is off in this photo.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Backyard lamp

I picked up my little Olympus pocket camera and went walking around looking for interesting things to snap pictures of. I came back with a few interesting photos. I think this one is the most interesting of todays photos.

Blue Hi Contrast filter


Antique Light


Original

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

I Made This

I am not having a second childhood - I'm have a third childhood.

I made this using free Sketchbook Expres for iPad by AutoDesk Inc.  I worked really hard on this so I expect lots of kudos.