Monday, September 28, 2020

An Autumn Drive in Colorado

My husband and I decided to take a drive over one of our favorite mountain passes this week in eager anticipation of seeing if the mountains were beginning to display their autumnal beauty. 

"The heart of Autumn must have broken here and poured its treasure out upon the leaves." - Charlotte Fiske Bates


We were not disappointed!

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree." - Emily Brontë



The creeks were running with icy water in which the aspen leaves danced in the ripples and swirled around the stones like golden coins.





Autumn is my favorite time of the year for many reasons. 
Although this season is fleeting in Colorado, it is truly breathtakingly beautiful and a treasure to behold.

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves.”– Humbert Wolfe



"Autumn that year painted the countryside in vivid shades of scarlet, saffron, and russet, and the days were clear and crisp under the harvest skies." - Sharon Kay Penman


As we drove we were surrounded on all sides by incredible autumn color.

“Is this not a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love – that makes life and nature harmonize.”– George Eliot


When we reached the summit we were at 11,669 feet 
(3556.7 m) and could see the summit of Mount Bierstadt (elevation 14,060 feet (4,290 m).  
At this high elevation, we are above the tree line and the ground surface is tundra. 
We feel as if we are on top of the world!



 We continue on the pass and park by the historic Silverdale Heritage Trailhead to walk in the woods. 
 It is one of our favorite spots.

"October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter." - Nova S. Blair




The terminus of the pass is ahead-- the historic silver mining town of  Georgetown, Colorado.

“Go, sit upon the lofty hill, And turn your eyes around, Where waving woods and waters wild Do hymn an autumn sound. The summer sun is faint on them— The summer flowers depart— Sit still— as all transform’d to stone, Except your musing heart.”– Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Click on to enlarge

This was our drive--from Grant to Georgetown and through nature's magnificent heart of autumn. Enjoy the season where you are in all its glory!

"There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of autumn leaves." - Joe L. Wheeler

Stay happy, safe, and healthy!
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44 comments:

Gluten Free Alchemist said...

My brother lived in Colorado for many many years. Autumn was his favourite time. It is so beautiful x

Ela said...

I like autumn colors very much!
Your autumn pics are fantastic!
Greetings

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat,

What a beautiful post. The Autumn colors and trees are gorgeous. Beautiful collection of quotes and photos. Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a great new week!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

This autumnal sight in the mountains and valleys is wonderful. Such beautiful photos!
Greeting Elke

Maggie said...

Oh my! No contest, your fall colours are the best. I can well understand why Fall is your favourite time of year. The beautiful quotes added to the photos made my heart soar.
Stay well, stay safe.

Linda W. said...

Absolutely gorgeous! One of these years I'm going to make it out to Colorado to see the fall splendor for myself.

Janice Smith said...

What a stunning, beautiful post. . . thank you for sharing these images of autumn in Colorado. Here in New England the colors are just beginning to change. I cannot wait. With all that we are facing during this pandemic, i hope that Mother Nature puts on an equally beautiful show in our neck of the woods. :-()

Elena Alice said...

Oh my goodness, these photos are absolutely gorgeous. I used to live in the Pacific NW and now live in Texas where there aren't many trees that change colors in the fall whereas it was something I took for granted growing up in Oregon. So delightful to see that nature still shows its splendor even when there is so much craziness around us right now.

Elena
https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2020/09/classics-club-black-beauty.html

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That really is spectacular! Beauty in every direction and so much color! I love the quotes you've added to enhance our trip with you. I'll look at this post again to drink in the beauty! Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs, Diane

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

When I went back to look some more...I saw the shadow shot of the two of you! I love it!

Ruth Hiebert said...

You found wonderful beauty. I love seeing all that color, even while knowing that it won't last very long.

ellen b. said...

You found a lot of wonderful Fall color on your drive. Such a great time of year for little road trips! Hope the last few days of September are good ones for you!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

I enjoyed seeing your lovely Autumn drive, Pat! Such beautiful photos of color among your majestic mountains. We are seeing a few trees beginning to change, but we are way behind you. I also enjoyed the lovely quotes. Autumn, my favorite season.

stevebethere said...

I liked your post and the autumnal tour, beautiful photos I love this time of year :-)

Have an autumnaltastic safe week 😷😷😷

Jutta.K. said...

Beautiful photos, very atmospheric!
you captured autumn very well
My contribution

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Colorado's autumn color is heaven. Love your quotes too!

Lady Fi said...

Such beautiful autumn colours!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

You are so blessed to have that extravagant fall color so close to your home!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Breathtaking views and the amazing Fall colors of Colorado, so aptly named. You chose perfect quotes to supplement your own words. It’s a wonderful season and you show the best of it!

Fun60 said...

The colours are gorgeous.

Dawn said...

Seeing a vivid golden tree during Autumn is one of my favorite things. I just love the gold, orange and red colors.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

Powell River Books said...

Your fall foliage pictures are amazing. Colorado has much more expansive areas of deciduous trees than we do. Which ones are bright yellow? - Margy

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great photos! I love the aspen trees when they turn color. What a journey you had. I love Fall, it is my favorite time of the year. Here in Oklahoma it generally lasts a long time. We have had Thanksgiving meals on my in-laws deck before.

NanaHood said...

So pretty! I love fall colors! Thanks for sharing!

Angie said...

Pat - what a wonderful set of mosaics! Colorado autumn in all its splendor! Isn't it fascinating how the aspens look homogeneous from a distance, but have tremendous variety of color up close? Thank you for sharing your road trip with everyone at Mosaic Monday! Hubby and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons in mid-October, and we are hoping that the fall color is still present!

Donna @ Modern on Monticello said...

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing with us this week. #HomeMattersParty

Mandy said...

Oh my goodness! It's so gorgeous there! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures!

With Love,
Mandy

the 4 M's said...

The trees are beautiful! The leaves haven't turned here yet but the cooler weather has arrived, at least in the morning!
www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

Jeanie said...

This post simply takes my breath away. The yellows! They are stunning. And the mountain vista. What a glorious ride. I wouldn't want to come home!

Barb said...

You saw some beautiful displays, Pat. Our fall seemed short but sweet here in Breckenridge. Most leaves are down now or muted in color. Our nights are getting colder. We're preparing for winter! Hope you and your family are well.

Yvonne said...

Autumn can be so beautiful. Glad you are enjoying it.

Dina said...

So beautiful! Makes me want to get back out there.

Joanne said...

What beautiful scenery and colors!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Absolutely stunning shots. Really pretty fall colors. Makes me want to drive to Colorado!

betty-NZ said...

I enjoy autumn colors and your post full of them made me smile!

It's great to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!! Thanks for linking up.

Pisi Prkl said...

Fantastic Autumn Colors! Can´t but Love them.

Nanda kumar said...

magnificent pics

Jutta.K. said...

What a wonderful landscape!
Your contribution is impressive, great shots of the autumn mood.
That would also be worth linking to my call "Der-Natur-Thursday".
I would be very happy.

https://kreativ-im-rentnerdasein.blogspot.com/2020/09/der-natur-donnerstag_30.html#comment-form

https://tag-nacht-gedanken.blogspot.com/2020/10/wolkengebirge-cloudscape.html>My sky

Jim said...

Beautiful Autumn shot.

Joyful said...

Stunning. From what I've seen in photos of Colorado I think I would love it there though maybe not the long winters.

Tanza Erlambang said...

such beautiful images ..... love leaves with colorful... great.

Have a wonderful day

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Beautiful photos! I think Colorado is a beautiful state.

Rostrose said...

What a wonderfully beautiful landscape, what a wonderful play of colors in nature! You took breathtaking photos - SIGH! I hope to get to Colorado in my life. We've already been "next door" - to Utah - and also to a few other beautiful states in the USA, but traveling is not a good idea at the moment ... Let's see what's next ...
Greetings from a place near Vienna / Austria
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2020/09/blogparade-violett-und-orange-in-den.html

Lowcarb team member said...

So many beautiful photographs and your mosaics are gorgeous.
A lovely post.
Enjoy the Autumn season.

All the best Jan