This week’s challenge from Patti asks us to find images of objects that begins with the letter S. I chose a few objects found in or around sand or things that are made of sand.
Seashells and seals on the sandy seashore
Seashells on a Georgia seashoreClam shell on sandy beach in Haines, AlaskaHarbor Seals on a sandy beach in OregonHawaiian Monk Seal on Kauai’s North Shore in Hawaii
Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes National Park, ColoradoSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Welcome to the next post in my series highlighting states we have visited throughout the years. I hope you will enjoy coming along for the ride!
I will be featuring the states alphabetically and the next state is
Colorado
Colorado became the 38th state on August 1, 1876. Denver is the capital.
It’s easy to see why Colorado is such a popular destination. With it’s spectacular mountain scenery, ancient ruins to explore, breathtaking scenic drives, picturesque small towns, Pikes Peak, and wildlife there was beauty every where we went.
As we visited the ancient cliff dwellings inĀ Mesa Verde National Park I couldn’t help but wonder about the people that lived there so long ago.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
The San Juan Skyway through the San Juan mountains was one of the most beautifulĀ scenic drives we’ve ever taken. Starting from Cortez, we took our time to enjoy the views from overlooks, stopped to stroll along the dog-friendly streets of Teluride and enjoyed lunch in Ouray before going by old mining camps around Silverton.
Waterfall beside the San Juan Skyway
Ouray
Old Gold Mine along the San Juan Skyway
Spectacular views along the San Juan Skyway
Our campsite at San Luis Lakes State Park had spectacular views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and was a good home base to explore Great Sand Dunes National Park.
View of the Sangre de Cristo mountains from our camp site at San Luis Lakes State Park.
The people look tiny on the Great Sand Dunes
On the trail to Zapata Falls near the Great Sand Dunes
In the Colorado Springs area we visited Garden of the Gods and drove as far as we could go on the Pikes Peak Highway.
Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak in the background
Garden of the Gods
At elevation 11,424 feet, we were as far as we could go on the Pikes Peak Highway
The closest we could get to Pike’s Peak was six miles away but the view was still amazing
One of our favorite national parks is Rocky Mountain National Park. We love it so much we have been there twice. Our first visit was in the spring and even though there was a lot of snow we saw plenty of wildlife.
Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
Young Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
That’s a lot of snow!
At Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, about 11,000 feet
A hike to Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
Our second visit was in August when the weather was perfect and again there was plenty of wildlife. We were finally able to drive to the Alpine Visitor’s Center on Trail Ridge Road.
Big Horn Sheep on Trail Ridge Road
The Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
Alpine Visitor’s Center View in Rocky Mountain National Park