I live in Jefferson County--one of the 64 counties in Colorado and the one that has the slogan that we are the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains." It is easy to see how it got this name, when you see the high peaks of the Rockies in the distance in our area! I can travel the world, but I doubt I'd find any place that can surpass the beauty that is here, and I'd like to tell you a little more about where I live.
My neighborhood in Jefferson County is nestled up to the foothills of the Rockies. The foothills range from 7,000 to 8,000 feet, the Rocky Mountains are higher--up to 14,000 feet high.
But we also enjoy many bright blue sky days and mild temperatures, even in winter. Our climate is changeable on the front range, but for the majority of the year it is very pleasant.
Today, we had another snow storm....wet and heavy snow that brings a lot of moisture, unlike the light powdery snows of winter. It will melt quickly when the temperature return to normal spring weather. I am looking forward to a beautiful wildflower season, because in Colorado, "April snow brings May flowers"! Smile
Just a few days ago we were playing soccer with our grandsons, wearing short sleeves in 70 degree weather....
...and today everyone was shoveling snow!
But there is a quiet beauty to the snow.....
...and it makes our neighborhood look so beautiful!
I always enjoy seeing our neighborhood deer frolicking in the snow....
.....they often come down from the foothills during a storm to look for shrubs to eat. In this storm they enjoyed eating the blossoms that fell from many of the flowering trees.`
I often see deer in my own backyard.
It's nice to look out my windows and be entertained by my visitors.
I love that scenes like this still exist in Jefferson County...
The Jefferson County's Government headquarters is located in Golden, Colorado, and the building design is based on President Thomas Jefferson's home called Monticello. Jefferson County is adjacent to a section of Denver County where Denver is located--the capital of the state of Colorado. There we have access to world class museums, state of the art health care facilities, arts and entertainment, sports, fine restaurants, and also recreational facilities.
One of the best things about living here is the Jefferson County Open Space Recreational Areas, which covers more than 54,000 acres, includes 28 regional parks, and boast a trail system that spans 230 miles! The beautiful South Valley Park is within walking distance to my home, and I have walked its trails many times. My husband and I are slowly exploring as many of the other parks as we can, finding beauty in each one.
This short Youtube video tells you more about Jefferson County.
I think you can see why we enjoy living in the Gateway to the Rocky Mountains! I'd love to know what you love about where you live--tell me in the comment section below.
I'm linking this post to the following blog events:
Seasons, Amaze Me Monday, Mosaic Monday, Blue Monday, Through My Lens Monday, Life Through the Lens Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Inspiration Monday, Good Random Fun, Nature Notes, Grand Social, Our World Tuesday, Ruby Tuesday, You're Gonna Love It Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Oh My Heartsie Girl's Wordless Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Warm Heart Wednesday, Share Your Cup Thursday, Thoughts of Home on Thursday, Friday Photo Journal, Skywatch Friday, Friday Features, Share It One More Time, Pink Saturday, Saturday Critters, Camera Critters
Thank you to all the blog hosts!
Spoke with family yesterday and they were anticipating more snow, but as you said it is not surprise for those who live in Colorado. I did enjoy the photo of the kids playing in the park. What fun you all were having. Wishing you a grand week!
ReplyDeleteI thought about you over the weekend and told my husband the elevation of your home and how it compared to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The highest peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway is about the same elevation as your home in Colorado, which is fascinating to me. We lived about 2 hours from Mount Mitchell and visited friends that a home there several times. We've also been watching your weather with amazement. The deer that came to visit us in the NC mountains were much more "skidish" that the ones that visit you. Thanks for showing us around. I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteSam
Looks like it really is a great place to live!
ReplyDeleteHello Pat, you live in a beautiful area and a gorgeous state. The mountains views are just stunning. Cute shot of your grandkids playing soccer. The deer are so pretty! I heard on the news about your recent snow. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteIn my next life, THAT is where I want to live. I'm too old to move now---but your area is one place I'd love as much or more than I do on my plateau near the Smoky Mtns in TN.... SO gorgeous --and you have the best of all worlds for sure...
ReplyDeleteI published a post today --so check it out when you get a minute. It's from our area!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
You make us all want to move there too! Love the pretty deer and that scene with the horses and barn is breathtaking! Beautiful photos my friend. Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteBeautiful snowy scenes in the mountains. I heard yesterday that there was 32 inches of snow in Evergreen.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful, stunningly so, but I could not live there with my temperament. You take it all in stride as one must do to live there. Deer eating my shrubbery would not float my boat either, but very nice of them to clean up the fallen blossoms. Do let us know when it is gone again. Probably a matter of mere days. Those grands are so tall! I believe that they are the number one draw for Colorado living. =D
ReplyDeleteStunning views!
ReplyDeleteThese are absolutely beautiful photos! But I don't think I could handle the wildly fluctuating temperatures, starting the morning in short sleeves and ending it in a parka. Yikes! But stunning views!! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm always so delighted to come and visit you, darling, wonderful Pat, your stunning posts always brighten my days and fill my heart with such a deep gladness, my lovely friend, I'm so grateful to you for this !
ReplyDeleteHope your week is off to a great start, I wish you joyous days to come,
sending blessings and love to you
Dany
Hi Pat, I love seeing your snowy Front Range photos. The weather in CO is traditionally changeable in spring. I remind myself of that every year. As you know I live in Breckenridge, and my house is at 10, 050'. We've had several days and several feet of snow here, but our temps will start in a warming trend (into the 50's) by the end of the week. Though we can expect snow at this altitude through May, I tell myself that the wildflowers will be gorgeous in June and July!
ReplyDeleteYou live in a gorgeous area Pat. I have enjoyed your blog and learned so much about Colorado and the surrounding states since you moved there and have shared about them. I love our area because we are close to our province's capital but still rural and we have so much beauty around us to enjoy as well. Although we have 4 distinct seasons here late spring, summer and early fall are my favourites. I guess you can tell I don't like snow and cold. :) Thanks for sharing your beautiful state with us. I hope your snow is soon gone again.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the beautiful deer shot you shared with SEASONS! Such beautiful captures. Love to see you back very soon!
ReplyDeleteLooking at all the pics and what you wrote we live a similar life in the mountains. One day it's 70 and the next day we might have snow. Am still getting used to it! With deer as regular visitors. But because I also live in the forest, it's harder for me to take get nice pics. Having grand kids that age is precious - one doesn't want to miss anything! Have a great week:)
Pat I enjoyed learning about where you live....it is quite the Gateway to the Rockies. Such a beautiful spot and it makes sense you get such late snow being at that elevation. And so much nature to see. Thanks for sharing the beauty of your home county!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly live in a beautiful place. Thanks for the film....most interesting!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your evening.
Such a breataking beautiful landscape
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
So beautiful...snow in April and all! My friend Marg is spending this month in Lake Tahoe and getting her fix of snow as well. As for us...we are basking in summer-like weather over here right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are embracing your new home like you are!
What a magnificent post of divine photos ~ beautiful country ~ my favorite are deer photos!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy and healthy week ~ ^-^
You like in a beautiful part of the world.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Pat, your new state is stunningly beautiful. You live at such a high altitude with gorgeous views. It's so different from your home in New York and I can see why you love it ! The dome of the county government is a reminder of Jefferson's Monticello. Very fitting for Jefferson County. Enjoy your week! ♥
ReplyDeleteHello Pat, I loved reading your story about where you live in Colorado. Compared to our 2500 elevation you are really high. I too have been to Mt. Mitchell and comparing this mountain to the Rockies in relation to where you live, was so interesting. No wonder you get lots of snow. The photos told the story and I loved the deer. The U-tube about Jefferson County was great. You live in a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing where you live and for joining Blue Monday.
Hugs,
Jeanne
You certainly do live in a very beautiful part of the world. I love the image of the deer. So nice to have nature close. Hope you are recovering from the snow.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Pat! My older brother lived at Ken Caryl when he first moved into Jefferson County years ago. They now live in Littleton so close to Columbine HS they can hear the school bell ring. Their youngest child attended Columbine HS but the other kids attended Chatfield HS. I worked for the county as a young gal. Growing up in Pueblo, which lately gets national attention for crime when the real criminals are in the government and the police department! I was use to Pueblo County proper! I use to know every single Colorado county and where it was located! Coming to Denver, oh my goodness, the changes with the counties. My girlfriend lives in Thornton, Colorado but if you cross to the other side of her street you are in Brighton! LOL! Another friend is in Broomfield and before it became its own city you could walk South on an area of 120th Avenue and be in Jefferson County. Go North and be in Adams county. West was Boulder County and a tiny section East was Arapahoe County! Boulder's foothills are around 5500 feet above sea level. We go up and down with the altitude here. But there is no place on earth I would rather be even when the snow bugs me this late into the Spring! Have a great week! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the beautiful scenery!
ReplyDeleteThe deer are awesome.
Have a Happy Week!
Peace :)
PS. Just curious - Is Biscuit an Old English Sheepdog?
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! It's amazing that Colorado got a huge snowstorm in mid April! We'd love some of that snow in our mountains (at least I would!)
ReplyDeleteA snowy paradise...I cannot wait to visit The Rockies someday :) it has been on my bucket list for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, but today it's to be in the 80's here, and spring is in full bloom - I much prefer it!!! Yet through your photos, I'm able to enjoy winter while remaining warm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/04/stop-looking-at-me.html
Oh Pat -- this made me lonesome for our "third State". (Where, because of our kids, we now feel as at home as we do in Oregon and Florida.) Your pictures are so beautiful; it's highly possible you may eventually be responsible for that area growing even more when all your readers decide to pull up stakes and move to your Paradise on Earth!
ReplyDeleteWe know about the changeable climate -- I'll never forget the first time we visited -- shorts one day, deep snow the next morning. (It was early SEptember; I thought for sure we'd be spending the whole winter snowed in in Loveland --- our first RV was new at that time and I didn't relish the idea of us pulling it through snow.) Geoff reassured us that it would be gone by the next day and although my son had never lied to me (;>)), I wasn't sure I believed him ... until the next day when it was 70 degrees again! We are used to it by now after many visits -- but that first one will always stick in my mind.
Pat, Thanks for that wonderful information about where you live. It's a bit of a shock to go from shirt sleeves to shoveling snow. I love the red barn photo the best. Thanks for sharing. Sylvia D.
ReplyDeleteSo very beautiful!! I loved all of your pictures. My son lives in Centennial, CO outside of Denver. So breathtaking when we visit and his family loves it there.
ReplyDeleteYou live in a wonderfully scenic place! Awesome mountains that surround you. I feel the same way about New Zealand--wonderful sights that you can't find in any city!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful snowy scenes. I am glad to look at them but glad I do not have to shovel snow.
ReplyDeleteSimply gorgeous!
ReplyDeletehttp://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2016/04/newest-citizen.html
It's clear that you two made the right decision when you decided to move west, Pat. You have never looked back, and have embraced your new community with a passion that is lovely to see.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous scenery, and I'm glad the move has worked out so well for you. We have always enjoyed our visits to Colorado.
ReplyDelete=)
I really enjoyed learning more about where you live! Colorado is one of my favorite places in the US as you know, and I remember our visits fondly. I always loved the dry snow, which made it seem not so cold...wetter snow in the spring would make it tougher. :-) Beautiful scenery!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you this is such a beautiful part of our world. So glad you allowed us to enjoy it one more time. I do not like snow, but it is very pretty there.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a just amazing part of the country and so scenic...You got some wonderful nature photos..Thank You...Michelle
ReplyDeleteI love snow. I love the hush that falls over the area after it has snowed. Your area is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou do have some wacky weather there, but it does create some gorgeous landscapes and your photos are stellar in showing it all off.
ReplyDeleteWonderful scenery, Pat! It was very interesting to learn more about where you live and it's easy to understand why you enjoy living there.
ReplyDeleteThe deer photos are amazing. Such beautiful animals... even though they can be a nuisance. :)
Thank you for sharing!
PS The plant with white flowers in my post is a Wisteria floribunda 'Longissima Alba'.
Such beautiful pictures of an amazing area to live in! I can definitely see why it is called the Gateway to the Rockies, and I understand the joy you have in living in such a beautiful place... thank you for sharing this information with us, if I ever get a chance to visit this town in Colorado, I most certainly will! How wonderful too that they have so many parks to enjoy! Thank you for visiting my blog today, I'm so happy to meet you! :)
ReplyDeleteThe front range is a great place to live, and so beautiful, as your photos show. We're at 7,100 feet elevation, higher than anything east of the Mississippi.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post Pat, your photos are great. What a beautiful area!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you love it there. New York might be coming a memory now? It has been fun following you through the years and being washed with your enthusiasm about NYC and Colorado. As much as I love those beautiful snowy scenes and the deer, I am happy to live in the sub-tropics with the wallabies and where it is warm most of the year. I love the beaches, bays, eucalyptus forests and the hinterland mountains (hills compared to yours)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteSydney – City and Suburbs
Pat- it is all so beautiful and you do such a good job of sharing that with your photography.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
We are so glad you are here.
Laura
White Spray Paint
Thanks for the beautiful tour and info. Beautiful country----I guess we all say we live in "God's Country" as we do too.
ReplyDeleteMB
Really beautiful winter photography!!
ReplyDeleteWow - truly gorgeous shots!
ReplyDeleteDEER AND HORSES THRIVE IT SEEMS
ReplyDeleteHello Pat, I want to stop back and say thank you for linking up and sharing your post. I love the horses and the cute deer. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous images Pat. I adore the deer. Thank you for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday. This post truly delighted me.
ReplyDeleteWe visited Golden back in February and really enjoyed it. We were only there a day and woudl like to come back to explore it more. You live in a lovely part of the world.
ReplyDeleteLisa @ LTTL
Such beautiful landscapes....
ReplyDelete