The mountains are fountains, not only of rivers, but of men. Therefore, we are all, in some sense, mountaineers, and going to the mountains is going home.
~John Muir
Back in October, Melissa and I spent a glorious ten days traveling throughout the grand state of Colorado. We didn’t have much of a plan, other than to start in Rocky Mountain National Park, and then see what else we could discover as we wandered the state. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to post something on it, but these have been busy times. One excuse was I was trying to wrap up some things before I re-retired from the NC Botanical Garden (yes, it is now official, I have worked my last day, although, to be fair, I have had the best jobs in the state over my 36+ years). I will miss the people and the place, but, it is time to see more of the wild world and I look forward to more travels, more adventures, and many more posts. Thank you for your patience.
Below is a quick pictorial summary of some of the highlights of our Colorado trip.
We lucked out and nabbed the best site in the Moraine Park Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park (click photos to enlarge)
Buck mule deer next to our car one morning
Bear Lake
Nymph Lake
Dream Lake
A small lake along the trail
A great view for our lunch break
The trail above what is the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System, the Alpine Visitor Center, in Rocky Mountain National Park
Bull elk watching his harem
A coyote passing through got the elk’s attention
Spectacular views along the Tundra Communities Interpretive Trail
We saw a couple of pika at the end of the trail, dashing among the rock piles as they gathered grasses for winter
Our amazing campsite along East Inlet Trail (more on this spot in the next post)
Colorado National Monument was like another world, and just a half-day drive from Rocky Mountain National Park
We saw several Desert Bighorn Sheep along the road
Devil’s Kitchen Trail
A stunning Bush Katydid, Insara sp.
The trail just below the visitor center at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The Painted Wall at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Our beautiful campsite in Kebler Pass, near Crested Butte, CO
The view at sunrise from our campsite
The gold of an aspen forest in October
I have never seen aspen trees as big as these – it is humbling to walk through a grove of these beautiful trees this time of year
Artsy take on the aspens
Orange and yellow of aspens in peak color
The strange juxtaposition of dunes and mountains at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Melissa atop the highest dune on a very windy afternoon
Early morning at Garden of the Gods
A view of distant Pike’s Peak through a rock window at the Siamese Twin formation at Garden of the Gods
Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday. Melissa and I hope to see you out somewhere in the wilds soon.
Roads End Naturalist 
Beautiful pictures. Happy retirement. Keep your blog going! And thanks for all youāve taught us.
Joann Gaggerty
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Thanks, Joann.
It’s amazing how you can see and show us the beauty of Nature in the very largest and the tiniest strokes!! Thank you for this. Congratulations on your re-retirement. We look forward to letting you open our eyes even further, with sharper vision, in 2020! May you and Melissa have a joyous holiday and a long, healthy and happy life.
Thanks, Elise. Wishing the same for you and David!
Holy cow, the aspens!!
They were magical!
Wonderful! images.
Thanks!
Absolutely stunning photographs, spectacular vistas and color!! Happy you are back on the road with your camera, Mike, and best to you in your retirement. May you wander far and wide…ā¦..
Absolutely stunning photos Mike. I too am trying to figure out how to actually retire soon, and Colorado is one of our go to spots. I believe we camped in Kebler pass two years ago as well. I love Crested Butte. Have you been to Pungo yet this year?
Julie Dixon
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Thanks, Julie. No, wonāt be going to Pungo until after the holidays most likely.
These are beyond splendid. It is my dream to someday accompany you with a trip, honestly anyhwere, but probably picosin lake region in NC. Please send me a schedule so I can dream fore real!
Thanks! Keep checking the blog, that will be the best way to find out what is happening.
Dearest Mike. So glad you will have more to time to explore. You are right, you have worked wonderful jobs! Congratulations. Oh by the way, loves the aspen pics!! Ferne
Thanks, Ferne. Happy holidays!
Wonderful photos! I enjoyed the tour!
Thanks, Belinda.
Congratulations on your re-retirement! Great pics.
Beautiful framing on these shots!
oh my gosh…your photos make me miss those beautiful places! Morraine Park is THE BEST campground…looks like your site was close to where we were. Such a glorious park. You certainly caught the Aspens at the right time…magical colors!! Congrats on your (second and final) retirement!! XO
Thanks, Dani. Yes, lucky on the sites and the colors (site #10, I think, and it required a short hike over a knoll to your campsite).
Mike, thanks for this beautiful tour. You covered and amazing amount of Colorado for such a short visit! Perhaps our most beautiful state. I’ll bet that, like us, you want to return again. You might love the Durango/San Juan Mountains area in the southwestern corner.
Yes, Rich, that area is on our list, but we just ran out of time (and had a snow storm our last two days, so we headed closer to Denver, just in case).
Believe me, we get the weather issue. The trip we first went to TMNP, as we left by wy of Denver, the forecast called for heavy snow (September). We dodged the mountains and went South through Pueblo to Toss. Cold memories! :<)
Wow lots of beautiful places and a feeling of recognitian for some of them. Thanx
Thanks, Ko. Iām going to try to catch up to you guys now in terms of national parks visited!
Thanks Mike for the fabulous pictures. I hope to hook up with you and going to the Pungo.
Get in touch and we can talk.
Hey, Mike, beautiful pictures! Too bad you won’t be bugging us at the Botanical Gardern anymore! Join us on the river again (HRA team)! Joy
Thanks, Joy. Yeah, give the team my email and I will join you when I can.
Congratulations on re-retirement! I will miss your cool bug pictures. But, I see you are taking some of those skills along with you. Love the grasshopper! You also captured some great locations in CO. Safe travels and best wishes in the New Year.
Thanks, but no need to worry, there will still be plenty of bug pictures š