| . |
| COLORADO & NEW MEXICO SEPT-OCT 2011 |
This is my 2011 vacation. I was on the road for about 3 weeks,
spending most of my time in the Denver, Colorado area where I
attended the National Carousel Association's (NCA) annual
convention. We packed convention-goers into 3 tour buses and
visited a total of 7 carousels throughout Colorado. The rest of the
trip was spent visiting some of the local attractions. I was hoping
to get a lot of pictures of the Aspens changing colors, but they
weren't cooperating. On the way back, I spent a few days in
Santa Fe and Albuquerque. It was a great trip and much needed
after all I've been through this year. Although I didn't get to visit
any new National Parks (my goal is to visit them all before I die), I
did get to visit one that I don't remember visiting previously, so I
visited again, for the first time. I visited a couple of the Colorado
State Parks, camping at Cherry Creek State Park for the entire 2
weeks I spent in the Denver area. Cherry Creek State Park is
located just outside of Denver and was only a few minutes drive
to the convention on the freeway. It was nice to be so close, but
yet in a park that seemed to be so remote at the same time. If you
look at the pictures, you'll see the city (Denver) in the
background, and behind the city skyline is the Rocky Mountains.
What an amazing and beautiful place to visit, and so close to
home. I guess I'll have to go again sometime. Maybe the aspens
will cooperate with me the next time.
Here are a few of the pictures of the places I visited. The
carousels have their own separate pages, just follow the links.
You can click on any picture to see it in a larger format.
I had such a great time this year that I'm already planning to
attend next year's NCA convention in Michigan.
spending most of my time in the Denver, Colorado area where I
attended the National Carousel Association's (NCA) annual
convention. We packed convention-goers into 3 tour buses and
visited a total of 7 carousels throughout Colorado. The rest of the
trip was spent visiting some of the local attractions. I was hoping
to get a lot of pictures of the Aspens changing colors, but they
weren't cooperating. On the way back, I spent a few days in
Santa Fe and Albuquerque. It was a great trip and much needed
after all I've been through this year. Although I didn't get to visit
any new National Parks (my goal is to visit them all before I die), I
did get to visit one that I don't remember visiting previously, so I
visited again, for the first time. I visited a couple of the Colorado
State Parks, camping at Cherry Creek State Park for the entire 2
weeks I spent in the Denver area. Cherry Creek State Park is
located just outside of Denver and was only a few minutes drive
to the convention on the freeway. It was nice to be so close, but
yet in a park that seemed to be so remote at the same time. If you
look at the pictures, you'll see the city (Denver) in the
background, and behind the city skyline is the Rocky Mountains.
What an amazing and beautiful place to visit, and so close to
home. I guess I'll have to go again sometime. Maybe the aspens
will cooperate with me the next time.
Here are a few of the pictures of the places I visited. The
carousels have their own separate pages, just follow the links.
You can click on any picture to see it in a larger format.
I had such a great time this year that I'm already planning to
attend next year's NCA convention in Michigan.
| Budweiser Brewery Tour Fort Collins, Colorado For more info, visit: http://ww.budweisertours.com/toursFTC.htm |
| CHERRY CREEK STATE PARK Aurora, Colorado For more information, please visit: http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/cherrycreek/ |
| Cathedral Basilica Of St. Francis Of Assisi Santa Fe, New Mexico For more information, visit: http://www.cbsfa.org/ |
| Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge Arvada, Colorado One of life's simple pleasures. For more information, visit: http://www.fws.gov/twoponds/ |
| Seven Falls Colorado Springs, Colorado I've never seen my truck from that vantage point before. Although the falls are actually kinda neat, the price tag isn't. If you want to see them, hide everyone in the trunk before entering because they charge by the head. If you can't fit everyone in the trunk, go ahead and pay for them, it's still worth the visit. More info on Seven Falls can be found at: http://www.sevenfalls.com/ |
| Miramont Castle Manitou Springs, Colorado This is a beautiful "castle" nestled in the hills of Manitou Springs. The castle now contains a Fire Department Museum on the first floor. Because of the cramped quarters, I didn't get any good pictures of the F.D. Museum. SORRY! You can find more info about the castle at http://www.miramontcastle.org/ |
| Denver Fire Department Museum Denver, Colorado This was the second or third time I've visited the Denver Fire Department museum. This time they moved things around a bit, but it's still a great place to visit if you're interested in this kinda stuff. Considering they're in a relatively small building, they've managed to get a little bit of everything in there. For additional information on the museum, be sure to visit: www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org/ |
The name is very appropriate. It truly is a Heavenly experience. After visiting twice on this trip, I still didn't have enough time there. It's especially awe-inspiring at sunset. I wonder what it's like at sunrise. Since I pitched my alarm clock when I retired, I'll probably never know. |
| GARDEN OF THE GODS Colorado Springs, Colorado More information can be found at: http://gardenofgods.com/ |
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK More info can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/romo/ |
This is the National Park I don't remember visiting the first time. This is one of the most beautiful National Parks I've ever been to,
and I've been to quite a few. It's quite a fascinating place. As soon as you hit the tree-line, the trees are completely gone. There's
some other vegetation growing, but not treet.
and I've been to quite a few. It's quite a fascinating place. As soon as you hit the tree-line, the trees are completely gone. There's
some other vegetation growing, but not treet.
The photos below are what we found when we arrived at the park. This gaggle of elk, or deer, or antelope, were only about 5
minutes into the park. We spent quite a bit of time there. I shot nearly 900 pictures of this flock of big animals, and what's more
amazing is that they were still there when we left, so we stopped and I shot some more pictures.
minutes into the park. We spent quite a bit of time there. I shot nearly 900 pictures of this flock of big animals, and what's more
amazing is that they were still there when we left, so we stopped and I shot some more pictures.
| GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK This state park is a bit more remote than the one where I camped, which is right in the city. There wasn't a lot to see, but what I did see was worth the drive. Still no aspens to take pictures of. I'll have to plan another fall trip to Colorado. More info about this park is found at: http://www.parks.state.co.us/par ks/goldengatecanyon/ |
PHOTOS FROM MY 2011 VACATION TO COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO
HYDE MEMORIAL STATE PARK
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
After two weeks in Colorado, which is known for
their aspens, I finally found some changing colors
in Santa Fe. Go figure....
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
After two weeks in Colorado, which is known for
their aspens, I finally found some changing colors
in Santa Fe. Go figure....
| LORETTO CHAPPEL SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO |
| This chapel is only a few blocks from the Cathedral Basilica Of St. Francis Of Assisi. I couldn't get a good angle on it to take any really good pictures, but it was a really neat old chapel. For more info, visit: http://www. lorettochapel.com/ |
For more info,
visit:
http://www.
emnrd.state.nm.
us/prd/hyde.htm
visit:
http://www.
emnrd.state.nm.
us/prd/hyde.htm
| HERE ARE THE CAROUSELS Convention goers were treated to seven different carousels over three days. On the first day, we visited the Pueblo City Park Carousel, followed by a trip to the carousel at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. Day 2 took us to the Denver Zoo's Conservation Carousel, and then on to the Elitch Gardens Amusement Park, both in Denver, and then a long drive out to Burlington, Colorado and the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds, where they have a beautifully restored carousel. On day 3, it was up the hill to Nederland and the Carousel of Happiness, followed by the final carousel at Lakeside Amusement Park. Additional information about the carousels and the National Carousel Association can be found at www.nationalcarousel.org |
| NCA CONVENTION DAY 1 (September 22, 2011) |
| NCA CONVENTION DAY 2 (September 23, 2011) |
| NCA CONVENTION DAY 3 (September 24, 2011) |
| CAROUSEL OF HAPPINESS Nederland, Colorado |
Click on the photo to
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Cheyenne
Mountain Zoo
Carousel.
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Cheyenne
Mountain Zoo
Carousel.
| LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK CAROUSEL Denver, Colorado |
Click on the photo to
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Carousel of
Happiness.
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Carousel of
Happiness.
PUEBLO CITY PARK CAROUSEL Pueblo, Colorado
| DENVER ZOO CAROUSEL Denver, Colorado |
Click on the photo to
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the carousel at
the Denver Zoo.
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the carousel at
the Denver Zoo.
| ELITCH GARDENS CAROUSEL Denver, Colorado |
Click on the photo to
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Elitch
Gardens Carousel.
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Elitch
Gardens Carousel.
| KIT CARSON COUNTY CAROUSEL Burlington, Colorado |
Click on the photo to
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Elitch
Gardens Carousel.
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Elitch
Gardens Carousel.
| CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO CAROUSEL Colorado Springs, Colorado |
Click on the photo to
the left to go to my
collection of photos
of the carousel at
Lakeside Amusement
Park.
the left to go to my
collection of photos
of the carousel at
Lakeside Amusement
Park.
Click on the photo to
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Pueblo City
Park Carousel.
the left to go to my
collection of photos
from the Pueblo City
Park Carousel.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |