Back to our trip - the day had come that we needed to move on from my favorite campsite with the expansive views of the Lizard Head and other mountains. My camera was out all night on our last night, taking photos of the stars.
Here's one of the photos from that night. If you look at the horizon, you can see the "Lizard Head", the volcanic plug that's like a small tower pointing toward the sky. Above the horizon, you can see the zillions of stars spinning around the North Star. Many stars were visible because the moon had already set.
I awakened at dawn to bring my camera into the LabMobile. The smoke from the western fires muted the light of the almost rising sun. However, I loved seeing the layers of ridges with haze settled between them.
Later in the morning, Shyla and I took one last mountain bike ride in the glorious wildflowers there.We traveled a lot in Colorado this summer, and the wildflowers were incredible almost everywhere. However, I think that the flowers in the San Juan mountains won the "best in the state" award.
During our ride, Shyla and I stopped for her to take one more swim in the alpine lake.
And then to romp in the meadow near the lake one more time.
Whenever we visit the precious places that I love so much, the concept that our lives are finite seems clearer to me than at any other time. I wonder if all four of us will be back again next summer. I wonder how many more visits we'll get. I hope it's lots and lots.
It's not a morbid sort of pondering but, rather, it's a process of realizing, yet again, that I love this life and want to make the most of every day.
With those thoughts in my mind, I set off on a point-to-point ride to meet the pack near our next campsite. As I rode, I kept looking over my shoulder at the region I have come to love so much.
When I reached the highest point on the ride to meet the pack, I stopped to look over my shoulder one last time before plummeting down the other side, into a whole new world of ridges, valleys, and streams.
My point-to-point ride was uneventful - I didn't get lost or get too tired or have anything go wrong at all - which is a minor miracle for me! I rolled down next to a long creek to meet the pack in the LabMobile, almost right on time.
It turned out that our next campsite was near a gorgeous trail network for mountain biking and running. It was a new area to us... and I'll tell you a bit about in the next installment!
Your pictures are so beautiful, it makes me want to go camping!
ReplyDeleteOh! The colors!!
ReplyDeleteAnother area of lovely scenery!!
ReplyDeleteDrooling Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
And yes,, you will all do it again, and again,, and again.
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
Thank you for letting me see beauty I never get to see
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ReplyDeleteYou take your readers on mini vacations with you each post.
I feel like I am on a Lewis and Clark hike or Ansel Adams adventure.
Happy Crazy Love
Linda & Cinnamon
You are so right...it's not morbid pondering but realizing how much we do love our lives and need to make the most of what we have. Our lives are indeed finite as are the lives of our beloved dogs. It's all so precious. Lovely and thought-provoking post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these gorgeous pictures with us! They are so gorgeous and I love to see your adventures! Those wildflowers are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty in your state!
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
We hope you have lots and lots and lots more visits - all 4 of you! Gorgeous photos, KB.
ReplyDeleteYour love of the life you lead is so apparent in every post! I love your attitude and try to follow your example.
ReplyDeletewell said... and this place is an inspiration to love life and to make the best of efurry day... and it seems you did it , Bravo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful ride and such beautiful country. I have to remember the snow you get or else I'd be packing up to move !
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous sweet Shyla and those stars are amazing!
ReplyDeleteOf course you know your star trails with Lizard Head will be immortal in my memory! What a fabulous shot!
ReplyDeleteThe landscapes you photographed are breathtaking. It still's very green up there - it is here,too, but the forest floor is changing. We had freezing temps last night but not long enough to damage the gardens.
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous pictures of an amazing place. I really liked your ability to realize our finite existence in such a positive way-to appreciate what you are experiencing now and to know that it is a gift. You certainly are embracing every moment!
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