Friday, October 2, 2015

An Autumn Drive Over Kenosha Pass to Buy a Bear


This was the sight that greeted my eyes last week as my husband and I drove up US 285 to Kenosha Pass, at an elevation of 10,000 feet.  The aspens were at peak color in glorious shades of yellow, gold, and orange. (All photos and photo collages in this post will enlarge for easier viewing if clicked on)


The immense aspen groves meshed with part of the vast pine Pike National Forest that traverses this area of Colorado.


In this portion of the pass, you can see that the tree leaves were in the process of changing from their normal green to autumn yellow.


Right before the end of the pass, traveling west, we saw a roadside pull off. We parked and found the two above interesting signs there. (please click photo to enlarge)


I also had the chance to walk around under some of the aspen trees...


...and take some close up photos.


We did not linger too long, however, and soon we were on Kenosha Pass again as we were on our way to buy a bear in the town of Fairplay, in South Park.


South Park is comprised of a beautiful flat basin of gently rolling grasslands, lying at 10,000 feet elevation, and surrounded by mountain peaks, some of which are over 14,000 feet.


I took all of these photos as we were driving on US 285, so they are not the sharpest quality, but I wanted to show you the cattle ranches...


 ...and rustic old barns...


...and beautiful homesteads we passed along the way.


There was lots of fall color on the distant mountains...


...with bare, high mountains looming in the background.


It won't be long until the snow comes to this high elevation, and the snow fences were up in many areas to prevent snow drifts from blowing across the road.


We finally reach our destination!  It is the Fairplay Consignment Furniture Shop


There is a large display of recycled tree trunk carved wooden bears, owls and moose outside. I've been wanting to purchase one of these bears, ever since I moved to Colorado, to greet guests at my front door. My husband decided that this nice autumn ride should culminate in the purchase of any bear statue that I wanted! He must have read the sign the bear above was holding  I looked for quite a while until I chose the one that "spoke" to me, and we loaded him into our trunk.



Our ride back was also enjoyable, as we saw all the beautiful foliage again on the way home. We were also relieved not to encounter any rain even though the skies were threatening for most of the day.  Here we are headed back over Kenosha Pass...


...and in this direction, we could see the 73,000 acres Mt. Evans wilderness ahead


Here it is -- my bear! 

I liked him the best, as he was one of the more rustic looking bears in the group. My granddaughter thinks that he looks very friendly! What do you think?





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46 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What beautiful scenery! I love your bear, very cute!

Ola said...

Lovely Trees!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

The colors are breathtaking! We would drive through South Park when we'd visit family in Duango. How I love visiting here with you! AND the bear is gorgeous!!! Have a grand weekend! Cathy

The Gathering Place said...

You choose a perfect bear-one who won't scare off your guests. Love the fall colors!,,

Michelle said...

Such beautiful views! I have always enjoyed my visits to Colorado!

Anonymous said...

I really like the bear you chose! Love it's face! Looks like little one is quite pleased, too. That was a nice drive with a fun destination!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

You had me going there for a minute Pat. Love your bear and so much better than a real live one. The scenery there is magnificent and I'm glad to see it. We probably won't have much color here this fall because of all of the rain. The leaves will probably just fall off they are so soaked.
Sam

Barbara said...

We don't have one of those wood bears, but they sure are cute. As always, you capture the beauty so well with your camera!

Vee said...

I have two bears who hold the French doors open in windy weather. Your new bear is very nice! And I can tell that your granddaughter likes him quite well. That was a great title to pique interest in today's post. Buying bears? I'm there! Exquisite colors in those beautiful mountains.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

My goodness you are showing us some beautiful scenery!!!

Pat F. said...

All I can say is WOW, Pat! The colors on all those trees are absolutely breathtaking! I now live in the desert and really miss the changing of the leaves and your scenery is gorgeous! Thanks for posting all your beautiful pictures! I also love your bear; he is really cute! I love watching the live bear cameras of Katmai National Park in Alaska (explore dot org). Bears are amazing animals and if you are interested in watching bears in their natural habitat, be sure to check out the cameras. (Note: I do not work for the explore organization, however, I am a fan of nature and enjoy watching their cameras!)

Thanks again for the fantastic pictures!

orvokki said...

How beautiful yellow autumn you have.
All landscapes are lovely and so different as we have in Finland. I love the cattle ranches.
We have also autumn here, and all trees cange their colors, too.
Greetings

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Love your bear ---just perfect.... AND what a marvelous trip. The Aspens are amazing.. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Lorrie said...

The mountains are beautifully splashed with gold. Your bear is a cute thing. It reminds that when we lived in Ecuador, I taught piano to the daughter of a Lufthansa pilot. The mother of the girl was German as well and the family had lived in Canada. She couldn't understand why we, as Canadians, didn't have a carved bear on our porch!

Sonja Hoyt: The Happy Travel Bug said...

I thought you were going to buy a real bear. :) What a gorgeous drive!

SmilingSally said...

Hi Pat,

LOL Oh, I do like your bear. (I do believe that it's BLUE.) You sure found a unique blue today.

Have a Beautiful Blue Monday!

4 Lettre Words said...

Awww...he's great! And, what a glorious drive.

Jeannie Marie said...

I'm so glad I stopped by! I really enjoyed all the fall color, we don't see it much in Florida! I too have a carved bear. I purchased it with my husband because we saw the two artists working on the side of the road and stopped to watch. Ours was just so cute, I had to have him! He is waving a friendly welcome but doesn't hold a sign. Now that my husband has passed on, I treasure my little guy more than ever remembering that time together.

Pieni Lintu said...

Lovely autumn colors!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I think the bear you chose is perfect and the scenery along the way was gorgeous.

Annesphamily said...

Those bears are so popular! Someone in my neighborhood has a life size one in their yard. He is gorgeous! I love to take a photo with the one outside Famous Dave's lol! Jeremy will be heading to Boston about the time their leaves are at peak, running late this year. Our leaves changing early this year. But nonetheless still lovely.

Have a great week and thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Oh How GORGEOUS. REminds me of my fave autumn year in Kentucky - it just GLOWS doesn't it? We are more subdued in California when it comes to fall foliage but do have a few special spots. One of these years I'll have to tour here and check them out.

Happy AUTUMN!!! :)

Kaye
KayeSwain.com/7parks

Donna said...

An adorable bear...but oh the gold on the hills is taking my breath away. Stunning.

NCSue said...

Breathtaking shots!
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/10/poor-little-birdie.html

Pamela S said...

As usual, your photography is breathtaking. I always look forward to your posts.

Homeschooling in the Fox Valley said...

A lovely post. So beautiful :)

A Colorful World said...

Love your bear! The views in CO this time of year are stunning! Great shots!

csuhpat1 said...

What beautiful pics. Love them. Thanks for sharing.

http://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2015/10/summer-thursdays-in-san-rafael.html

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

WOW! The views and all those ASpens are stunning.

Kate said...

Stunning views, beautiful shots.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Such a beautiful drive! Nothing like Colorado in the Fall. I loved how you really took us along on the trip by showing us the drive by scenery as well as the stops. I didn't know about that Governor! A political hero for sure. And I think you chose the best bear!

LV said...

One of the most gorgeous part of the states. Nature in its best glory.

Pieni Lintu said...

Oh how beautiful!!!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

You live in a beautiful area of autumn splendour Pat, and your little bear is sweet.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

Klara said...

hahahahaha, I couldn't wait to come to the end and see what was the catch. the scenery is amazing, colors breathtaking and the end was way above my expectations - I would have never thought of carved tree trunk bears. genius.

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful country! Lovely autumn colors and glad you bought a bear ~ adorable!

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

Ida said...

Wow! Now that is stunning autumn foliage. - What a wonderful sight to behold. Your bear is cute but your granddaughter is cuter.

Beth F said...

What a lovely drive

betty-NZ said...

What gorgeous color! And what a great memorial to a great man who stood up for others.

AdriBarr said...

I'm certainly glad you found your bear. He's a beauty. As I always say, the vistas you have where you live now are absolutely breathtaking. I just love seeing your new state in all its fall glory.

diane b said...

Colorado must be the most beautiful state in USA. very post is more beautiful than the last. Love the colours, the scenery and of course the bear. Your grand daughter is growing up fast.

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

WOW! Just beeeeautiful!

Anonymous said...

Wow wow wow - those colours are fabulous! And cute bear.

Powell River Books said...

Nice bear, you had me wondering. We have several excellent chainsaw carvers in town that make beautiful artwork. - Margy

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

Wow! I was in Colorado Springs that weekend visiting a friend. Guess we should of gone for a road trip instead of just loafing around her house.
Thanks for giving me a chance to "look-see" anyway!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I had to smile at this post :) Years ago, when our girls were younger and we would take ski trips to Colorado we bought a bear also! Without a cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin or a Colorado retreat, the bear has spent the past few years in the attic. I should get it down because I think our grandsons have never seen it. Ours is standing on all four feet.