Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Purple Mountain Majesty


NATIONAL PHOTO MONTH, DAY 8

Hubby and I just returned from a relaxing mini-vacation to the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies.

In Colorado, as has been the case out here on the Plains, spring has been slow to show its face. The trees had even fewer buds than ours at home. We haven't seen this much snow on Pike's Peak in May for several years. 


Here's a tidbit about Pike's Peak you may not remember from your school days: Katherine Lee Bates wrote "America the Beautiful" in 1893 after experiencing the breathtaking views from the summit of Pike's Peak. 


 At 14,115 feet, Pike's Peak is among Colorado's 54 "14ers"--mountains over 14,000 feet high. We've driven to the summit in summer and taken the cog railway to the top in the fall. Even in summer, visitors generally need a jacket to keep the chill off. On our October ascent, we left behind beautiful, fall-jacket weather and were greeted at the top by minus 40-degree F wind chills and icicles hanging from every structure, including the telescopic viewers. It was too cold to take photos that day.

This past Sunday, the day was cloudy and dreary, so my photos are subpar. Each is taken from a different vantage point and at a different time of day. 

The first shot is taken from the top of a rock formation in Garden of the Gods. The second is taken from the northern approach to Colorado Springs on I-25. The last photo is taken from Woodland Park, up Ute Pass from Colorado Springs.

No matter how often we visit this area, I never tire of its beauty.

Make it a great day!

7 comments:

  1. We visited Colorado Springs three years ago and loved it. It was early May and Pikes Peak was still covered in snow. We couldn't go to the top as planned because of all the ice. Lovely photos you have here. :)

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  2. That is one of my favorite places to visit. Just do not get the opportunity to go often enough. Loved seeing it again through your lens.

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  3. So Majestic! Wow! Great shots for ODW ^_^

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  4. Wow, just gorgeous! I've always wanted to visit Colorado and see the Rockies in person. But until then I can view it through your lovely photos :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving the sweet comment about Duchess. I appreciate your visit!

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  5. How wonderful to be able to see those majestic peaks on a regular basis. Your photos are GREAT!

    Judith

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    1. By the way, I love your blog title and your email address...fireflies make me think of magical days in my childhood and magical days at my house in the country now. I'm watching for the first ones to make an appearance any day now.

      Judith

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  6. Hello..thank you for linking into this week's Nature Notes.. What a beautiful place to take a little time-off in... breath-taking... Michelle from Rambling woods

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