July 2, 2009
For those of you non-natives, know that Independence Day, which we Americans celebrate on July 4, was the second official proclamation to come out of the colonies when it came to declaring independence from England.
The first official proclamation came from my home state of Rhode Island on May 4, 1776. Such an act fits in nicely with the Rhode Island temperament.
Read and see.
July 1, 2009
Aspen leaves make that cool fluttering sound when they get bitch-slapped by local breezes. Here’s a visual to go along with that audio, taken on a hike in Reynolds Park.
Aspen dance
June 28, 2009
Last week I hiked in one of my favorite parks in the Jefferson County Open Space park system – Reynolds Park. Reynolds Park is some distance from Denver, about an hour, depending on traffic. There’s closer hikes and bigger parks closer to Denver, but let’s face it: Bigger isn’t always better.
When I lived in Evergreen, the town where Reynolds Park is located, I used to ride my mountain bike there on my birthday every year. Since the late 90s Reynolds Park has outlawed mountain bikes, making it more user-friendly for hikers and equestrians. Although I miss riding in Reynolds Park, not for its technical difficulties or its unparalleled views, I understand that bikers, hikers, and horses do not always mix. And until I started trail running, I never understood why we wheelers should have to share our space with those merely walking.
Hiking affords me the opportunity to play tourist while enjoying the great outdoors and getting exercise. Mountain biking demands so much focus that if I were on my mountain bike this past week, I would have never been able to enjoy the beautiful flowers and the ambient butterflies that populate Reynolds Park.
I took pictures until my battery died.
Near the trailhead
A macro look at the delicate life
Dueling columbines - the Colorado state flower
More hearty alpine flora
Dandelion habitat
The dead dandelion - a symbol of so many things
Cluster of beauty
Succulents exert their beauty
A regal field - gold and purple
Rugged beauty
From front to back - pine, Buffalo Creek area, Pike's Peak
The trail offered some shade
You can tell which way the wind usually blows
Walk until the end of the world
Indian Paintbrush - my personal favorite
A colony of yellow things
Some say shadows ruin a picture - I naysay to that
I naysay again
Tall and Proud
Find the grey butterfly
Underneath a pine tree
There’s more from that hike, including a “Quaking Aspen” series. Check back later in the week.
June 24, 2009
Looking back at the Golden Gate Bridge
Succulents cling to the windy headland
Path to the Point Bonita Lighthouse
A familiar scene along California's Route 1
Vegetation thrives among them thar hills
Flecks of color among the hearty green
Lavendar brilliance!
Stay tuned, folks. I’ll be here all week. Colorado flowers next!
June 22, 2009
The Ansel Adams/Georgia O’Keefe Natural Affinities exhibit was one of the most moving I’ve ever seen. As a lover of the West, nature, and chicks who kick ass, I loved seeing the juxtaposition of painting and photography representing different views of the same objects and atmospheres.
And except for unbelievably pompous jerks presumably giving the rest of us an art lesson at the top of his voice, the visit was the best yet. Bonus points for the newly opened sculpture garden on the rooftop, replete with expensive coffee. I took some shots of the sculpture up there.
See below.
Plexiglass Jungle Gym put together with Tinker Toys? Tough to know.
Red metal thingy
Another clever justaposition
I'm not afraid of metal arachnids
The Green Giant dropped his baskets
File this under "weird"
"Weird" up close and personal
Head on the ground
Is it just me or does he look uncomfortable?
Top floor of museum. Your guess is as good as mine.
More San Fran and Colorado pix to follow this week. I’m one motivated blogger!
June 21, 2009
Thus begins Mural Wall Way
Readers-
Another great trip to San Francisco. When there, I’m either at the beach, museum, or in the Mission District. Below is a photo essay from the Mission: an entire alley full of Murals. Brilliant!
Graffiti or Art? I say both
Just like the sign says: Mission Alley
Graffiti over art?
I love political graffiti--bar code and pie chart
Serene cityscape or is Rome burning?
A closer look
Using the corner
Surrealism
Surrealism, up close
Surrealism, up closer--a mural within a mural
Reality line blurred
Thanks, Picasso, for the inspiration
My favorite, like duh!
Fists of Fury
Thus endeth the Mural Photoessay
June 11, 2009
Readers-
I’m in the beautiful historical city of San Francisco. I’ heading out today for some museum time in the Financial District then over to the Haight to do some shopping.
Don’t forget that Sunday is Flag Day. For a little history on that oft-overlooked day, go here.
June 5, 2009
It’s the 65th anniversary of the storming of Normandy. I peeked around and found that yes, women, did play a role. One woman in particular spent three months typing up the orders for D-Day. Check out her story here.
June 1, 2009
It’s got a history, kids. Go check it out.
May 27, 2009
Twas dangerous to be speaking against the orthodoxies and practices of the Catholic Church in the 1380s. Still, a few brave souls, inspired by the Oxford theologian master Jon Wyclif, set about railing against the Church even if it meant being burned at the stake.
SheSpoke. Find out what she said