Copper Cascades, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

There is something soothing about the sound of water trickling over rock. It is a natural background for deep thought and meditation. It has the power to transport and instantly relax. This wild mountain creek is the beginning of the Fall River in Rocky Mountain National Park. I can imagine by now, with the snow steadily falling outside, that it is frozen in an icy cold beauty. Its voice has been silenced, but I know that just as nature awakens in the spring its music will return.

Copper Cascades
Sun glistening rivulets of water cascade over a russet colored rock in coppery streams of color in a dynamic wild mountain river. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
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Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Walk to Marymere Falls - Olympic National Park

I remember the day well. The air was heavy with the scent of trees and ocean. To this mountain girl used to "rare air" it almost seemed as if the air had enough substance that I could just lean back and float away. I was captivated by the fairyland of moss, ferns, and huge old trees. The light was special too. Not harsh, but soft and subtle to my eyes until I caught a glimpse of a golden pool. The color seemed so out of place among the soft shadowy greens that it stopped me in my tracks. I could not imagine what it was until I heard its soft murmur coming through the trees, the voice of a gentle brook flowing over stone and rock. I must be close to the waterfall. And then I heard a deeper rumble. Climbing up the last bit of trail I rounded the bend and the mist from the falls rose up in a cloud settling on my face. There it was, Marymere Falls plummeting 90 feet over hanging gardens and rock.

I hope you have enjoyed our little meandering walk through the forest of Olympic National Park.

Shimmering Gold
This photo of a bubbling brook in Olympic National Park was turned into a pool of shimmering gold by the setting sun.
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Forest Walk
A photo of a dappled in sunlight nature trail lined with towering moss covered trees meanders through Olympic National Park.
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Marymere Falls Trail
A photo of Marymere Falls seen between the trees on the last bit of the waterfall trail in Olympic National Park.
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Marymere Falls
This photo of Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park is surrounded by lush hanging gardens.
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The Element of Water

The siren of the sea calls to me a least once a year and I hear her all the way to Colorado. If I can not follow her call to the ocean then I find her in a wild river cascading and tumbling down a rocky mountainside. Her music fills my parched soul that our too fast, too complicated world in turn sucks dry. Nature is my friend and water, you might say, is in my inner circle. Feel the spray, scent the perfumed air, and let your imagination take you to the home of the siren of the sea.

Bow Bubbles
The ocean blue water rippled and foamed as the large ship steadily moved forward creating a path of bubbles.
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High Country Cascades
The cascade of water misted the small plant, moss, and lichen clinging to a boulder during summer run off in the middle of the St. Vrain River in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
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Rushing Water
Swirling and turbulent frigid mountain water careens by a large boulder in the St. Vrain River in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado during the summer run off.
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Water Shadows
The shadows of two people wave to unseen water sprites as their ship passes.

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The Light and Color of Zion National Park

I was looking through some of my archives of the American Southwest and found a few to share from a trip I took a couple years ago. We were on our way to adopt a dog at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. We ended up coming home with two. But that is another story.

Zion National Park is a photographers dream. There is something about the magical light that bounces off those red cliffs and mountains giving everything a fiery glow. Rose colored glasses are not needed. I am reminded of the old vintage travel magazine covers and took my inspiration from them. And remember, I appreciate your comments on my work. Your critiques help me to stretch and grow. Cheers!

Sunset Cliff
A lone red tailed hawk soars overhead as the sun sinks and lights up
the red cliffs of Zion National Park.
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Zion National Park on a rainy day is dappled with sunlight
filtering through the storm clouds.

The North Fork of the Virgin River in Zion National Park is a desert river
of green water and red rocks.

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Sunday Morning Gallery - A Day with Mom

Last summer during my Mom's semiannual visit we loaded up the 4Runner and headed up the Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins, Colorado. Our destination was Long Draw Reservoir. The road to Long Draw opens in late June and is usually closed by September so the window of opportunity to drive it is limited to the peak of summer. The road is used for cross country skiing in the winter.

After a few stops to take some family photos next to the raging Poudre River we made it to Long Draw Road. Here's Mom and Ric.

The South Fork of the Poudre River follows the winding dirt road and was bubbling and burbling music to our ears.



A wet meadow opened up as the road came around a tight bend and to our delight a bull moose was grazing on the tender new growth. Oops. He saw me.




Then we forded the little South Fork, climbed a rise, and there was the beautiful vista of the Long Draw Reservoir with the Never Summer Range in the distance.



It was a lovely day with Mom. Wishing all you Moms a wonderful Mother's Day.

Sunday Morning Gallery - Lake City to Marmot Crossing

Ric and I took this camping trip in June 1997 but it is one that really sticks with me. We packed up our camping gear, and our dogs Keota and Champ. Champ was just a young pup at the time. We loaded up our brand new Toyota 4Runner to test out its grit, and headed to Lake City, Colorado.

Lake City is an 1870’s mining town, located in a valley formed by the convergence of Henson Creek, and the headwaters of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The picturesque community is surrounded by majestic, 14,000 foot peaks, and tall, old growth Cottonwood trees line the highway through town. Lake City has an elevation of 8,671 feet.



On the way to our camp site we traveled through some beautiful country. I had to stop to take a picture of the "marmot crossing" sign. I had never seen such a sign and to this day I have never seen another one. You know you are remote when you have to stop for marmots!





We finally found our designated camp in a hard to find state forest campground and set up camp. When we stay in one spot for a week we like to set up the "circus tent" which is really just a huge LL Bean tarp that is plenty roomy for outside living when the unpredictable mountain weather gets rough. We learned long ago that it is not too fun to spend all day in a tiny tent with two dogs. It is our outside room with a view.

I will be continuing the story of our Lake City trip with more pictures in a future post. Stay tuned to hear about our 4wheeling adventure to Cinnamon Pass.

Sunday Morning Gallery - Splash!

I am an earth mama with a water spirit heart. I guess that makes me mud! Living in the Colorado Rocky Mountains gives me sustenance for my earth side. Their solid permanence gives me strength. But once in awhile my water spirit thirsts for salty oceans, serene lakes, and rivers wet and wild. I have not had my ocean fix recently but instead have found untamed waters and calm shores right here in Colorado.

The first two photos were taken in Rocky Mountain National Park on a summer hike next to the St. Vrain River. It has been my favorite river in the park since I first discovered it in 1975. And as the surrounding terrain changes from fires and natural selection, the river still rages down the steep mountainside careening over the same rocks. I find timeless energy there.

The last photo is of Horsetooth Reservoir just west of Fort Collins, Colorado. It is about four miles east of my mountain home and I can see it out my windows with the morning sun reflecting golden off its surface or a full moon making it a pool of pale light.