Closed for the Season

Trail Ridge Road crosses the Continental Divide into the Grand Valley, headwaters of the Colorado River.  It closes in October each year, ending direct access to the far western part of Rocky Mountain National Park until June.   You can still get there, but its a long ride around!

At the end of October, they pack up and closed down the Alpine Visitor's Center for the season.  It is up there quietly waiting to be re-opened in the Spring.

(And Yes, we did decide to change the Blog name before we got too far into it).

Summit of Longs Peak

A Close-up of the summit area taken from the same vantage point as the banner.   I had wanted at some point to climb Longs Peak but having read its history, have changed my mind.  But I do plan on hiking to Chasm Lake for my Birthday in May (or perhaps June, depending on the snow cover).

Taking a Ride in the Park

Yesterday we took a ride through Rocky Mountain National Park.  This is one of many glacial valleys, looking west and into a snow storm that was passing through.  We'll share more photos from our ride this week.

Also see above our banner photo of Longs Peak taken from Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).

Gardening Prep?

First, Thanks to my two new followers!  CDP had not yet notified me that I was registered, but now let's get started!

I know that it doesn't look like a gardening prep area at the moment.

I am a frustrated mid-westerner trying to grow flowers from my childhood in a climate not quite suited to it.

I tried starting my own seedlings last year, but the growing season is too short, and many of my plants were damaged by a late snow storm.

An organic farmer that  know suggested starting the seeds indoors in my basement.  This will require significant lighting, but anything to get my flowers started.  Once I get my 'indoor farming' setup I'll share it with you.

Happy New Year!

Sharing a Front Range Winter scene for the formal Launching of our Daily Photo Blog.

Shown here:  Eldorado Canyon State Park, near Boulder Colorado.