First Winter Hike

Fort Collins has wonderful Natural Areas that are both supported and patronized by the citizens of the city. The Gateway Natural Area was the spot I chose to explore, hike and photograph. Historically this site functioned as a water treatment facility that outlived its original usefulness. This spot is where the North Fork and the Cache La Poudre River meet.

I took a short and steep hike up the Black Powder Trail to the summit of 5800 feet. The trail runs up a rock and dirt trail through ponderosa pine, rocks and grasses. The dam creating the Seaman Reservoir is visible along the upper reaches of the hike. There is evidence of past fire with the charred tree bark and trees fallen and burned.

The water of the North Fork River flows out of the Seaman Reservoir to the north and joins the Cache La Poudre at the Park Area. There is a parking area with restrooms available.

It appears that trout fishermen try their hands year round stalking their version of rainbows.

New Puzzle

When we arrived home from our trip to Arkansas, we found a puzzle waiting for me on our dining room table....courtesy of Doug & Heidi. They had finished it and were giving me an opportunity to put it together as well.
As can be seen, it was a bit confusing, but I put it together in about 24 hours. When I start something like that, I like to finish it. It is now back in the hands of another puzzle aficianado. ...a friend of Heidi's. I am now trying my hand at a puzzle that is a replica of one of Jackson Pollock's works of art. Intense splashes of color on canvas. I estimate that this will take me about a year to complete. Lucky if I can get one piece/day.

The Old Mill in North Little Rock, Arkansas

This winter we went south to explore Arkansas. We stayed in the Northern parts but traveled to Little Rock for a day of sight seeing. The weather was cool but pleasant.
On the day we visited Little Rock, it was in the low 70's. Very comfortable for walking and touring.

Before we arrived in Little Rock, we made a stop at one of the more famous sights in North Little Rock: The Old Mill.

The Old Mill is a picturesque site located in one of North Little Rock's parks. It was used in the opening scene of Gone with the Wind. The park surrounding the mill has benches, trees, and blooming flowers.












Peter taking a picture of the Old Mill.



The Gardens have Faux Bois (Fake Wood) Sculptures throughout. These were installed by Mexican Sculpture, Dionicio Rodruquez in 1933.
Spectacular!

Trip to Valles Caldera

Sunday, Nov. 21st we traveled north to Los Alamos, New Mexico. We took the circle tour (a drive of about 90 miles) and explored places such as the Valles Caldera and took a step back in time.
The Valles Caldera National Preserve was a private ranch until 2000 when Congress created the Preserve in the volcanic Jemez Mountain Range. This 89,000 acre property is situated inside a collapsed crater. The area is very interesting and worth a return trip to do some hiking.
On the property itself is the original homestead.


This Peter looking through one of the windows on the property.


The original homestead.

First Day in Santa Fe

Monday, Nov 15th, 2010 was our first day visiting the town of Santa Fe. We began the day with a bit of geocaching knowing that this would be a way of exploring and getting to know the city.
One of the old adobe buildings in town.


Peter walking in the Plaza next to the Veteran Memorial.
Even on a cool day, there were still many people milling around in the Plaza.
A true gathering place for locals as well as tourists.


One end of the Plaza houses artisans who are selling their wares --- mostly pottery and jewelry. When talking with one of the gentlemen, I was told that they are out in the Plaza 364 days of the year (closed Christmas) selling their goods. They do not pay anything for the place that they chosen but sitting on the ground can not be very comfortable for the entire day.

While in Santa Fe we noted that shopkeepers and building owners were installing luminaries on the tops of their establishments. This all in preparation for Christmas.


Galleries were found in every corner of Santa Fe. Too numerous to count.


One of the market stalls in the Plaza selling wreaths and strings of chilis.

Trip to Taos

On Wed. Nov 17, 2010 we traveled north from Santa Fe to spend the day in Taos, New Mexico. The last time we had been there was in the mid 90's. Nothing seems to have changed.
Wonderful architecture, not much traffic and a great time trying to find the old places we had been to and to find new ones.

One of the places that we were looking to photograph was the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ranchos de Taos. This was the subject of four paintings by Georgia O'Keefe and many photographs by Ansel Adams. Georgia O'Keefe described it as "one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States built by the early Spaniards. It was built between 1772 and 1816 and is about 4 miles southwest of the town of Taos, New Mexico. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970.

Dash to Milwaukee

On Sat. November 6, 2010 we left Fort Collins and headed to Milwaukee for a quick trip for a couple of dental appointments. Ride to Milwaukee was uneventful and the first night of the trip was spent in Des Moines, Iowa. En route we stopped for a couple of geocaches (only those that were close to the highway) to break up the trip. On Sunday we continued our trip and arrived in West Allis to pick up some of our prints that had been in a show at Walkers Point Center for the Arts. From there we headed to Wauwatosa to stop for a cup of coffee with friends, Paul & Maris. During our brief time with them we learned of a dietary plan that they were following that is meant to reverse diabetes. Food for thought.
We arrived at Sue & Tony's house in St. Francis where they had graciously told us we could spend the nite. Had dinner at St. Francis Brewery and then headed home to watch the Packers.

The following morning we were up early and left for our dental appointments on the North West side of Milwaukee.

Drove back to Fort Collins and arrived home on Nov. 9th, 2010.

On Nov. 8th Heidi had her surgery in Denver so we went to visit with her on the 10th before we would have to leave home again. This time to Santa Fe, New Mexico.