Monday, October 21, 2024

Autumn Beauty Along Cottonwood Pass


On the second day of our stay at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort—click here to read about the resort—we decided to drive to the nearby Cottonwood Pass. 
Cottonwood Pass is a 56.8-mile stretch of paved, winding mountain road connecting Buena Vista and Almont, Colorado. It summits at the continental divide (at 12,126 ft elevation) and features some of Colorado’s best hiking trails, campsites, and mountain vistas
It's a stunning mountain pass known for its colorful fall aspen groves, and we hoped to still be able to catch some autumn color during our drive.



Cottonwood Pass is in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. The road over Cottonwood Pass is the highest paved crossing of the Continental Divide in the U.S. The area surrounding the pass is mostly forest, with the San Isabel National Forest to the east and the Gunnison National Forest to the west.

It was the second time we drove over Cottonwood Pass--click here-- to see that late summer drive where we followed the pass all the way to its end in Almont


We were thrilled to see that the autumn colors were still vibrant! Bright patches of orange and rust foliage mingled beautifully with the golden aspens.


 Clouds were building up and a few raindrops fell at times and we drove along the winding road.

More bright colors!

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We passed some very tall aspens and many cottonwood trees.



As we drove higher there were more pine trees and scrub brush.



Eventually, we were above the tree line


We parked for a while at the summit and seeing heavy clouds and sleety snow that began to fall, we decided not to drive further but to return to Nathrop.



We did take the obligatory photo of the summit sign!

Driving back down...


...passing the autumn scenery from the other direction

Passing a lake area as we approached Buena Visita.

A last look back at the mountain peak we just drove down from.


Looking at the mountain range in the distance we knew we made the right decision to turn back, as heavy clouds were in that area and it was probably raining or snowing at the higher elevation. Because of high snowfall, Cottonwood Pass closes for the winter, usually in November, and reopens in May

Later that evening we drove to the charming town of Salida for dinner--on my next post

Please join me again on my blog next week!


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Sunday, October 13, 2024

Mt. Princton Hot Springs Resort Fun For Our 50th Anniversary !



My husband and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary in early October--click here--to see that post. To continue our happy celebration, we decided to spend a few days enjoying the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort in Nathrop, Colorado.  We enjoyed this resort four years ago for a day--click here--to read that post, but we did not stay there on that visit, as we also traveled to see other Colorado sights.

Mount Princeton is a part of Colorado's Collegiate Peaks and the Sawatch Range in central Colorado. The mountain stands at 14,197 feet, and one can hike a challenging 13.25-mile out-and-back hike that ascends to a grueling 5,400 vertical feet. Nearby is the 14,269-foot Mt. Antero, which has a 16-mile round-trip hike, with 5,200 vertical feet climb. 



The resort has views of both mountains, as well as the Chalk Cliffs.  The cliffs are actually made of kaolinite. This soft white clay is deposited by hot mineral waters that bubble up through cracks in the granite. Chalk Creek flows through Chalk Creek Canyon bringing their hot springs water to the Mt Princeton Resort.

 




The Princeton Hot Springs Resort includes on-site many different accommodation options, from a lodge to cabins and creekside suites, and there is a restaurant, and spa treatments available, as well as fitness and yoga classes for guests/



On our arrival at the resort, we spent the day soaking in the Creekside Hot Springs. The geothermal hot spring water bubbles out of the ground at 140 degrees Fahrenheit and mixes with the cold water in Chalk Creek. 

Open to all guests, each pool is approximately one foot in depth with a comfortable sandy bottom, if the water gets too hot one has to simply remove a few stones to allow cooler water to rush into the rock pools. Each pool offers different temperature ranges and a unique view of the surrounding mountains above.


On the second and third days that we stayed at the resort, we enjoyed the Spa Pool. The Relaxation Pool is maintained at a soothing temperature of 90 – 99°F.


We also enjoyed the Cascading Hot Springs which are three Japanese-style cascading pools located in a more private setting next to the rushing waters of Chalk Creek. Constructed entirely from rock and fed by the hot springs, these pools are nestled right into the ground. Each pool offers a different temperature varying from 107 degrees to 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

All of the hot springs are open from 9AM to 9PM.  If you'd like to view a short video explaining how the Hot Springs were formed at Mt Princeton click on this Youtube link.
 

The unusually warm fall temperatures we had this year in Colorado meant that the resort's flowers were still in beautiful bloom!


We had a delicious and filling breakfast each day at the resort, but in the evening we drove to the nearby towns. The first day we visited charming town of Buena Vista. Buena Vista is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Numerous rafting companies are based around Buena Vista, offering guests thrilling whitewater rafting trips on the Arkansas River. Anglers also share the river, which was awarded Gold Medal Trout Water by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.


We ate at a casual restaurant called Simple Eatery, where I enjoyed the freshly caught trout and mixed vegetables, while my husband had an Elk Burger that was on a handmade pretzel loaf bun. Both meals were delicious!



On our way back to the resort we saw a beautiful bright sunset! It was a wonderful ending to a perfect day. 

In my next posts, I'll show our drive to the summit of a mountain via Cottonwood Pass and our visit to another charming nearby town south of the resort--Salida. 


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Sunday, October 6, 2024

Our 50th Wedding Anniversary!

This past weekend we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary!




50 years of love and shared blessings with my best friend!


We had an early family celebration in September at a local Italian restaurant.



 
It was a perfect celebration!


The night of our anniversary, we treated ourselves to an exquisite dinner at Barolo Grill in Denver.


We can understand why this restaurant is considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Colorado!


50 years in love!

Cheers to five decades of love, laughter, and shared memories. May the next 50 be even more beautiful!

You can also find me on:

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Sunday, September 29, 2024

Fall Color on Guanella Pass in Colorado

The fall season comes early in Colorado's higher elevations.  My husband and I know that as September approaches its last days it is nice to enjoy a car drive in the mountains to witness all the beautiful autumn colors at their peak. One of our favorite drives is on Guanella Pass from Grant to Georgetown.  


Guanella Pass (highest elevation 11,669 ft or 3,557 m) is a high mountain pass and one of the many scenic byways in Colorado. It is an easy winding 24-mile drive with many aspen trees along the paved road and in the mountains surrounding it.



Our first stop along the way is at Geneva Creek, a tributary of the North Fork South Platte River, to the south.  You can see a short video of the flowing creek in the video above.




The sky was a deep cloudless blue and the fall foliage colors were illuminated by strong sunlight.


Our second stop is always by this waterfall located very near the road, where we take a walk around to see all the views.




"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty"  ~ John Ruskin


" Wild is the music of autumnal winds
Amongst the faded woods"
~ Willian Wordsworth



I always enjoy seeing this home that is along the way --- imagine living there for all four seasons?


Informational placards at a roadside pull-out--click on them to enlarge the photos and any other photo in this post


We reached the 11,669 ft or 3,557 m summit. We stopped here to take photos. As you can see the summit is above the tree line.  


At the summit, hiking trails lead east to Mount Bierstadt (elevation 14,060 ft (4,290 m)) and west to Square Top Mountain, with many other trails connecting to the lower parts of the pass.



Leaving the summit we are soon surrounded by aspen trees again!


"The Heart of Autumn must have broken here, and poured its treasure upon the trees."
~ Charlotte Bates


Another favorite spot where we stop is on the Silverdale Trailhead above Georgetown.




In this short video, you can listen to how the aspen trees "quake" in a breeze!


"Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the Autumn tree."
 ~ Emily Bronte


It is easy to see why Fall is my favorite season!

PS: My heart goes out to all those impacted by the devastating Hurricane Helene. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.


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Sunday, September 22, 2024

A Visit to the National Center For Atmospheric Research



 

This past year my husband and I, along with a group of friends, visited the National Center for Atmospheric Research also known as "NCAR," located in Boulder, Colorado. NCAR was established by the National Science Foundation in 1960 to provide the university community with world-class facilities and services beyond any individual institution's reach. It was the National Science Foundation's first federally funded research and development center, managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, "UCAR". a nonprofit consortium of more than 120 colleges and universities. This building was their headquarters, with additional facilities located in Wyoming and Hawaii.

*All photos on this blog spot will be enlarged for easier viewing by right-clicking on them.


We were a group of 9, so we had an NCAR member as a guide for our visit who explained their mission, showed us the exhibits in the visitor's center, and answered our questions.

She explained the NCAR Mission:

  • To understand the behavior of the atmosphere and related Earth and geospace systems
  • To support, enhance, and extend the capabilities of the university community and the broader scientific community, nationally and internationally
  • To foster the transfer of knowledge and technology for the betterment of life on Earth


One of the first exhibits we saw was a model of the NCAR building and its location. The Mesa Laboratory the headquarters of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, is considered by many to be an architectural masterpiece. The NCAR site was designed by world-renowned architect M.I, Pei  



Pei was greatly influenced by the Colorado landscape and other architectural marvels to create his design. He considered the NCAR Mesa building to be one of his favorite designs and a major turning point in his illustrious career.


There were many exhibits to observe and read in the visitor's center.



An explanation of Meteorological Optics. They consist of varied atmospheric optics such as the phenomena of rainbows, halos, atmospheric corona, mirages, and sundogs (Parhelia).



We saw actual webcam images of the sun...


...as well as many other fascinating sun exhibits.




We saw many informational placards about weather...


...as well as many hands-on weather exhibits




There was information about the growing concern about air quality and ozone and pollutants.

Did you know that in the US one can go to the website airnow.gov, enter your zip code and the reading of your local air quality will be revealed?



This exhibit of a car fender with a giant icy hailstone on it made us chuckle, as Colorado and other areas of the US can get significant and damaging hailstorms.




More interactive weather displays.




Our tour guide told us that the hundreds of scientists who work in NCAR research all things atmospheric — which includes everything from the microphysics of cloud formation and the chemistry of air pollution to large-scale planetary waves and the impact of increased greenhouse gases on our climate.


Upstairs we viewed a long corridor of exhibits mainly pertaining to the study of the effects of Climate Change



Click on to enlarge to read the topics being studied



We saw example models of weather balloons and satellites that are adding to the knowledge of the atmosphere, weather formations, and warning systems.



An example of a dropsondes and what it is used for.

A dropsonde is an expendable weather reconnaissance device created by NCAR, designed to be dropped from an aircraft at altitude over water to measure and therefore track storm conditions as the device falls to the surface. The sonde contains a GPS receiver, along with pressure, temperature, and humidity (PTH) sensors to capture atmospheric profiles and thermodynamic data. It typically relays this data to a computer in the aircraft by radio transmission.




Many areas of atmospheric science are being studied and explored ...


Much is being learned about the impacts of our modern environment on our atmosphere...


...and causes and effects of those changes.




Our atmosphere is a blanket around our earth and all of life depends on it! Let's all do our part in caring for and preserving it as best we can.  

"We believe this work is more important than ever. As society struggles to deal with rapidly changing environmental conditions, the need for relevant information and services continues to grow. The hazards of long-term atmospheric and climate changes, air pollution episodes, extreme weather, geomagnetic storms, and related impacts such as drought, storm surges, and wildfires take a significant toll in terms of human life and economic loss."


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