I have always enjoyed the art of photography. A small voice comes through the lens of the camera, and captures an image capable of being interpreted in multiple ways and capable of being viewed from numerous perspectives. It gives me great pleasure to share the photographs I have taken with anyone who shares such a passion with me.
This summer my family and I journeyed to Colorado for 10 days, and what a miraculous trip we had. There was not a chance of me leaving the house without my camera, because there was so much to see - so much massive landscape out West that is simply awing. Here I wish to share photographs that represent the great beauty of Steamboat Springs, CO. It is my hope that one can appreciate these photos as much as I appreciated the vast nature and culture of the West.
We flew into Denver, CO, and then made the three hour journey to Steamboat Springs, CO in our tiny red rental car. As we slowwwlyy climbed our way up the mountain, thinking like Thomas the Train Engine a great deal of the way (“I think I can, I think I can”), my mother kept claiming “WOW, I cannot believe this!” My brother commented, “Mom, you sound like you just saw my report card!” It really was a setting like one I have never seen before. The three hour drive certainly did not feel long when viewing scenery one can never possibly grow tired of.
Each day, I found myself always wanting to be on the go. I don't consider myself normally a lazy person, but I am definitely not a jock either. However, while in Colorado, I wanted to embrace everything, and could not justify spending any time indoors. Each day we hiked, and these were no small climbs. My brother and I hiked 3 miles straight up a mountain alongside a gigantic rushing waterfall to find ourselves gasping at the vast never ending landscape viewable at the top. This was a climb never to forget.
We also made some short trips to reservoirs near Steamboat. The lake was a quite refreshing place to be with the temperatures in the high 80’s and creeping into the 90’s. I could tell my dad wished he could be one of the people catching the western winds out on the lake. My brother wanted to be one of the guys on the jet skies tearing around making a lot of noise. No matter what activity one was engaged in, one was happy to be out and enjoying the fresh air.
My favorite hike had to have been the one up Rabbit Ears Peak. It was a 3 ½ mile hike through the meadow, through the woods, and then straight up to the top of a peak. The wildflowers were miraculous and my dad and I enjoyed throwing snowballs at one another as the elevation increased. At the top of the peak one truly felt as though he/she was on top of the world. You could see what appeared forever. The colors of the landscape were certainly spectacular.
The Rodeo was something we knew we were going to have to experience out West. I horseback ride, and I have ridden in a rodeo before. I have been one of those cowgirls tearing around the barrels many times. However, the night of the rodeo I knew I was amongst a crowd of real cowboys and girls, and I was watching real ranch horses at work. The bronc riding horses were gorgeous and full of power – both physical and will.
One of the best trips we made within Colorado was to the Rocky Mountain National Park. There was not one part of the driven climb up to an elevation of almost 12,000ft that was not enjoyable. My mother is afraid of heights, so she was not a fan of being able to look over the edge of the road and see the long sharp and rocky decent one could take, but once at the top she caught her breath. 
As soon as we entered the park we watched as two moose crossed the road. The road was lined with signs reminding tourists not to get within touch of the wildlife. There were also signs warning the public of wildcats. Feeling fairly safe within out matchbox car it was my hope such creatures would make themselves known. I always had my camera ready.
Well, sad to say, the only wildlife I managed to photograph well was a curious little chipmunk. We stopped to admire the view half way up our ascent, and Mr. Chip was rummaging around for food and picked his head up long enough to say “hello.”
At almost 12,000ft, one could see the Wyoming Mountains. These mountains are always in winter their elevation is so high. Quite a phenomenal site! The cool wind was blowing and the sun was shining. Even though it was July, I was actually cold up on top, although this could be because my brother stuck snow down my shirt!
Colorado was truly a place I never wanted to leave. I kept saying how I wanted to find a nice school out West nearby and transfer. I don’t think I would ever actually do this, but maybe for graduate school I will consider. The people were all extremely friendly, and athletic, and as much as I love the Green Mountains here in Vermont where I reside, you cannot compare them to the site of the breathtaking Rockies.
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