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8/02/2011

The Majestic Rocky Mountains

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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Ohhh my...can you believe that we are already in the month of August?  It seems like summer always goes by so quickly.  We have had a very busy, busy summer.  Between guests, car shows, and summer vacations...it really does seem like the season is just flying by!
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A couple of weeks ago, honey and I took a little camping trip up to the Rocky Mountains!  When we tell folks that we live in Colorado, they often times think that we live in or near the mountains.  Ohhh...I sooo wished that we did...the Rocky Mtns. are my favorite place to be; however, we live in the northeastern corner of Colorado...in what is known as the prairie grasslands.  Yep...we're "flatlanders"!  Hehe!  We live about 2 1/2 hours from the mountains...so they are fairly close and we try to get up there just as often as we can!  One of our most favorite places to visit is Poudre Canyon.  Poudre Canyon is just above Ft. Collins, Co.  I shot a few photos while we were camping and thought that I would share them with you today.  I hope that you enjoy!!!
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The Majestic Rocky Mountains
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Poudre Canyon, Colorado
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Honey and I took a day trip from our camp site at Home Morraine over to Red Feathers Lake.  The mountain road was quite a climb...at one point, I had Honey pull over so I could take a photo.
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What a beautiful view...so picturesque...so awe inspiring...so MAJESTIC!!!
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As I stood in this place, the words to "America the Beautiful" flooded my heart and spirit...
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O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountains majesty
Above the fruited plain!
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America!  America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
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The words of "America the Beautiful"...written by the hand of Katharine Lee Bates were surely penned with this view in mind..."for purple mountains majesty"!!!
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Poudre Canyon Falls...*
Poudre Canyon Falls
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Poudre Canyon Falls is just a short drive up the road from where we camp.  The falls are so beautiful!  Another gorgeous sight that God created for us to enjoy!
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It was a fairly warm day (about 78 degrees) but the air at the Falls was "cooled" by the river.  As the cold-water stream made its way down the mountain side...the temperature of the air was much cooler...maybe as much as 5-8 degrees cooler!  It was awesome!!!  Ohhh..and the sound...of the rushing water...was heavenly!!!  I could have stayed right here at this spot...all day!
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Mountain Wildflowers...
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Soooo many beautiful mountain wildflowers! 
 I don't have a clue as to what kind of flowers these are...or their names?
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A close-up. 
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Such a bright and beautiful shade of yellow...the flowers have very lacy looking, tubular petals!
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Pretty purple flowers beside the stream.
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A few close-up photos.
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The "white" water of the rushing stream offered the perfect backdrop for these purple beauties!
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Colorado Rocky Mtn. Aspens
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Besides the tall, picturesque mountain pines...aspen trees are plentious in the Colorado Rocky Mtns.!
 I love the smooth, white bark of the aspens!
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And...of course I had to add a photo of my handsome Honey!  Hehe! 
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Honey took a photo of me as well but I decided to spare you!  Ohhh my gosh, I had a "wind blown" hairdo that would have even scared the bears away!  SERIOUSLY!!!
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The majestic Rocky Mountains...Poudre Canyon, Colorado.
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I hope you enjoyed the trip, my friends!!!
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I am joining this fabulous party today...
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Thank you, Susan...for hosting this sweet party for us!!!
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Well dear friends...I'm so glad that you stopped by today!  Please leave me a note and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!
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Warmest Summery Wishes!

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38 comments:

  1. Honey at 2805August 2, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    The mountains, the water, the wildflowers are all so beautiful. Oh, and the sights, smells and sounds make this magnificant part of our country so very special!

    Your delightful photography makes me so happy that you took us along on this trip today!

    God Bless America!

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  2. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsAugust 2, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    Beautiful pictures, Chari! It looks like you had perfect weather!

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  3. poppilinnstudiosAugust 2, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    What a beautiful trip! I just love the mountains, although I've never been to Colorado-except the airport! Each photo is so lovely. Thanks for the tour.
    -Lynn

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  4. On Crooked CreekAugust 2, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Chari,
    Looks similar to the views we saw when we lived near Colorado Springs in 1985!!! Those views are breathtaking! Thank you for sharing your love of the Rocky Mountains. I have a similar passion for the Prairie and Sunflowers!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  5. Bunny JeanAugust 2, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Chari, those picture are just beautiful.
    I love the mountain meadows, wild flowers, and streams.

    I have never been to those mountains, but I was raised in Washington State and the family backpacked up at Mt. Rainier every summer.

    xoxo Bunny Jean

    btw, I am SO afraid of the black bears that run around the mountains. Good to know what scares them away ;)

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  6. SalmagundiAugust 2, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Hi Chari-- We could use you to scare away the bears around here -- just kidding! But, we really do have bear problems as we live on the bluff above the Ark. River; and someone sees evidence of a bear in our neighborhood just about every day. Your photos are beautiful -- it's so pretty up Poudre Canyon - we spent a lot of time there in college when we should have been studying! We went to Mike's last Sat. and thought of you as we traveled down 76. Take care, Sally

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  7. Richard CottrellAugust 2, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    What a beautiful post and place to visit. I have never been and after seeing this I must put it on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing. Richard at My Old Historic House.

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  8. TheresaAugust 2, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Oh dear Chari, those pictures took my breath! The beautiful blue skies with the mountains all around, the gorgeous water flowing amoung the wildflowers! A site to see with your own eyes to make it as beautiful as it really is!

    Thanks for sharing all of that beauty and of course your handsome honey:) Have a blessed day my friend, HUGS!

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  9. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)August 2, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    Just stunning pics Chari! Really and truly you are a great photographer!
    I am on pins and needles waiting the birth of my grand-daughter! My dil was induced and now I am just waiting to hear! Nervous as heck!
    Hugs to you,
    Cindy

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  10. podsoAugust 2, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Wonderful photos! Like having a little trip there myself. Love those aspens!

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  11. MarilynAugust 2, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    On my way to my mom's this past Sunday I was thinking about the mountain drives Wally and I used to take. He loved going up the Poudre! Now I'll have to teach my new SIL how to enjoy drives that like. He'll most likely sleep all the way! All the pictures were absolutely magnificent!!♥♫

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  12. black eyed susans kitchenAugust 2, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    What stunning and amazing pictures ...as I was looking at them, the first thing I thought was ...we are not in NJ anymore (lol) and then I thought it must be time for me to see more of our beautiful country.

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  13. BonnieAugust 2, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Awesome, gorgeous and soo MAJESTIC! Are there other words to describe these gorgeous shots? Great pics.

    Makes me want to visit there again.

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  14. Light and VoicesAugust 2, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Paradise view.
    Joyce M

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  15. CindyAugust 2, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Hi Chari,
    What a beautiful place to visit! How nice for you to be able to spend time there. I haven't been through Colorado for many years, but we go to Yellow Stone Park every few years, that isn't too far away is it?
    Your photos are just marvelous, the mountains are so majestic and the streams truly magical!!!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  16. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereAugust 2, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Hi Chari, Even though I grew up in Florida I have always loved the mountains. Your photos are beautiful and what a wonderful place to explore.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  17. ℳartina @ Northern NestingAugust 2, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Hi my friend, these pictures are absolutely beautiful!! What a fantastic trip! Thanks for sharing these with us:) Martina

    PS-- I know what you mean about the summer flying by!!

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  18. SueAugust 3, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Gorgeous! Your pictures remind me of Lake City- I worked at a "dude ranch" in Creede one summer when I was in college. We took a day trip up there and saw lovely wildflowers just like what you photographed. I won't ever forget that- I miss the west, that is for sure!

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  19. FriedaAugust 3, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    Bonjour Chari,
    I smile all along the balade with you
    The environment is so beautiful and I love what you saids about this special place that my sister visit some years before.
    I'm "sous le charme"
    Have a wonderful time

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  20. DebbieAugust 3, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    How utterly beautiful! My sister moved to Colorado, and I have yet to visit her because I'm phobic about flying. I need to either buck up or head out in the car, no matter how long it takes.

    This really is stunning.

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  21. LVAugust 3, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Everything and everywhere in Colorado is beautiful.

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  22. BethAugust 3, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    What beauty! Your photos are great, Chari, and I enjoyed this post greatly. One of our favorite vacation spots is Estes Park. We've been there 5 times. We plan to go again next year. I keep telling Ron we need to go more often, before we get too old to hike!!! lol
    Have a wonderful week, my friend, and thanks for sharing the glory of Colorado!
    Blessings, Beth

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  23. xinexAugust 3, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    You are so funny, Chari! LOL! Your photos and views are simply breathtaking! I can even smell the fresh air. Hmmmm!...Christine

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  24. Gypsy HeartAugust 3, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    Oh, Chari, I could just weep at the beauty in these photos...and the mention of cooler temps. I adore the mountains of CO! In fact, I told someone this evening that I'd love to be there, just sitting on a rock and watching the world go by. :-) It's so brutally hot here we can barely get outside.

    Thank you so very much for sharing! Oh, and you could never scare us beautiful one. Stop by when you can...have a giveaway going on. You, the Master of Tablescapes, will like it! :-)

    xo
    Pat

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  25. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonAugust 3, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    Chari,
    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! My hubby and I just got home this evening from a 6 day road trip. We saw so much beauty also. Just gotta ask? What program do you use to blog with? I just use Windows live writer. I cannot make my photos any bigger than what I have on my post. Love your big pics! Mine don't hold a candle to yours. Would've loved to have seen than wind blown do!

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  26. LindaAugust 4, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Those pictures are amazing...the sky is so dark blue!Ours is so much lighter here...I felt like I was right there with you...I wish I was anyway!!

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  27. AnonymousAugust 4, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Absolutely awesome.
    Jeanni

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  28. Wsprsweetly Of CottagesAugust 4, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    What?? No photo of you? And yes, he is indeed a handsome dude! :)
    The photo's are fantastic as well!

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  29. Shannon@Cozy Home ScenesAugust 4, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Your pictures are breathtaking and makes me want to take that trip sometime. The comment about your hair frightening the bears was so funny. We have a beautiful country,don't we? Glad you showed some of it to us.

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  30. Yellow Rose ArborAugust 5, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Enjoyed seeing the wonderful photography of such beautiful country! I haven't been to CO in a long time, need to go again! My dh goes skiing there every Feb, but I stay home here in FL (don't like the cold weather!)

    Katherine

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  31. KarenAugust 5, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Chari, it's been too long since I've dropped by. But, what a fun camping trip. Loved looking at your beautiful pictures. Just made me feel like I was there. I've never visited this part of the U.S. Hope to one day. Have a great weekend.

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  32. HollyAugust 5, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    I love Poudre Canyon - it is just beautiful! I went to school in Fort Collins and it is still one of my favorite places.
    Glad I found your place!

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  33. HollyAugust 5, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    I just saw that you live in the Northeastern corner - I live in the Southeastern corner - prairies and serious flatlands! Nice to meet you, neighbor!

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  34. Becca BertottiAugust 6, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    What gorgeous photos, Chari! I love the wildflowers, falls and mountains ... Colorado is truly amazing! Thanks for sharing. xo

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  35. The French HutchAugust 6, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    OH MY, Such glorious photographs, You really have an eye for capturing nature at its best. Yes, I thought you lived closer to the mountains, but hey a couple hours away for a day trip is great. Great post......

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  36. FABBY'S LIVINGAugust 6, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    What a photographer dear Chari, how I enjoyed looking at the RM, stunning! I love mountains and rivers, actually, I love the country anywhere and this is a feast to my eyes and soul. I have a view from our 14th. floor pt. house apartment everyday of the Andes and gorgeous rivers running through. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice Sat. Love, FABBY

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  37. Savannah GrannyAugust 6, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Chari, I am still trying to catch my breath. From the photo, I was lying on the floor. I have a friend from Denver and I have seen some of her pics. I can tell you they are nothing like this. These are awesome and could well be used for postcards.
    Every pic is filled with crisp detail that almost makes you think you are there.
    The scenery is the most. I agree with you this is our America and we need to protect her. Such a gift.
    My pictures, no matter that my subject matter is inferior, are so fuzzy. I need a new camera and will be shopping for it soon. What kind of camera do you use? Does it have an automatic function or do you do all the adjustments. I don't think I am smart enough for all the adjs.
    Thanks for sharing the grandeur. Ginger

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  38. lvroftiquesAugust 6, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous!! No wonder you were ispired to sing "America The Beautiful"! Makes me feel so blessed to live here! Vanna

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