Trip to Colorado Part 1

This past weekend, my wife and I traveled to Colorado to visit family and do some sightseeing/hiking. On the way, we stopped at Arches National Park. It was toasty there, 95 degrees. We stopped at a few spots and took short hikes. In Colorado, we hiked to Hanging Lake, a small lake of bright blue waters and numerous waterfalls.

Back from Colorado!!

Our quick weekend in Colorado was a blast! My wife and I were able to enjoy the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley and other places around Aspen. Here is a teaser photograph from our trip with a promise of more to come. This is a view from the Maroon Bells area.

New Palette Knife Oil Painting

"Sunrise from South Bass," 8x10" palette knife oil painting. This is a study for a larger painting I completed last weekend. The subject is from my Grand Canyon trip earlier this month on the South Bass trail. It was early morning, 6am, overcast and soft lighting. The clouds began to break up and the sun spotlit this scene for me to be inspired to paint.

Evening at Lynx Lake

A hike around Lynx Lake in the evening is gorgeous! We arrived at the South shore at 7pm, and began walking on the un-paved portion of the trail that follows the East side of the lake. My favorite spot for photos is where Lynx Creek flows into the lake, although the creek was not flowing today. The water was still and the sunlight was orange. We saw a blue heron that didn't allow me to get near enough for a photo. This is one of the best times to hike around the lake because it is so quiet, hardly anyone else was there. The trick is to not park on the North shore because the host likes to lock up the gate around 7:30. The hike around the lake is 3 miles and can take 45 minutes or up to an 1.5 hours. What are you waiting for?

I would have traded places with this fellow. I am itching to get a kayak of my own...

New Oil Painting

11x14" palette knife oil painting, "From Havasupai Point." 

Watson Woods on a hot summer day!

What is there to do on a hot summer day in Prescott, AZ? Wanting not to spend the hot afternoon being a couch potato in a cool, air-conditioned home, we decided to go to Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. This place is a gem! Many times I visit here for inspiration and to be amazed by nature's resilience. About a year and a half ago, a huge flood ripped through Watson Woods and it's bouncing back! I especially enjoy bringing young ones here to discover and explore. We found lady bugs, a toad, two snakes, a maze through the reeds, spongy ground, some trash, and an eagle roosting in a far-off Cottonwood tree. The air feels cooler there and refreshing. We are so fortunate to have this place to visit and to benefit from.

New Oil Painting

A recently completed oil painting: 14x18" oil on canvas, palette knife. "Lynx Lake Spring."