Weather is always a fun thing in April. I checked weather and road conditions and decided to leave as early as possible cause snow was on the way. Allegedly the freeway through Vail was supposed to be fine, and the weather there was supposed to be fine. Of course, it wasn't what I would call fine.
On the other hand, the snow falling on those mountains, thick with pine and spruce trees was a gorgeous sight. And as long as it was drifting flakes it was fine. The water and muck on the road being thrown up by passing trucks was not fine. (Have I used the word fine enough?) I drove over mountain passes and through snow, rain, sleet, and eventually sunshine. I chose the route up through Price to Salt Lake City.
Before I got to SLC I started calling sisters. Eventually, Rebecca and Hannah met up with me for dinner at the Olive Garden there in SLC. I really needed the break. I then finished the last bit of trip for home, another circuit finished.
Road home: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605110793107/
Showing posts with label colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colorado. Show all posts
Friday, May 09, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Golden Colorado: fifth stop on the rocky mountain circuit
I had to leave early in the morning again. Funny thing, when you set up appointments at 9:00 in the morning, you have to get out really early in order to 1. find a parking place and 2. find the library. Colorado School of Mines has a beautiful campus with confusing parking. I ended up just parking on the street and hoping that with school out for spring break I'd not get a ticket. It wasn't a red or yellow zone so maybe.... I did notice that I was parked on the street not only near the library, but near the Geology Museum.
After visiting the library, which was interesting and informative, I crossed the street and spent a very pleasurable hour looking at all the minerals, rocks, gems, jewelry and other informative displays at the museum.
I headed back to my hotel where I remained ensconced working on work like a good girl and avoiding all stores. I decided to just do the really long drive and not stop at Fruita, so I canceled that hotel. after the shopping, I felt guilty spending any money unnecessarily.
Colorado School of Mines: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604987869998/
Geology Museum: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604992435715/
After visiting the library, which was interesting and informative, I crossed the street and spent a very pleasurable hour looking at all the minerals, rocks, gems, jewelry and other informative displays at the museum.
I headed back to my hotel where I remained ensconced working on work like a good girl and avoiding all stores. I decided to just do the really long drive and not stop at Fruita, so I canceled that hotel. after the shopping, I felt guilty spending any money unnecessarily.
Colorado School of Mines: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604987869998/
Geology Museum: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604992435715/
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Boulder and Denver Colorado: 3rd, & 4th stops on the rocky mountain
What can you say about Boulder that hasn't already been said? It's beautiful, environmentally conscious, with lots of great shops and restaurants. The University of Colorado Boulder has an enormous library with 1/2 floors. My meeting was on the 4.5 floor. The librarians recommended a fabulous Italian restaurant near Pearl St.
Next a short drive to Lakewood, it's close to Denver and close to Golden too. The hotel was great, I had a corner room with lots of windows, a nice desk, and a really solid internet connection. I spent the rest of the day uploading photos, catching up with email, and transcribing notes.
In the morning I went to the Auraria library. This library is the academic library for the University of Colorado-Denver, the Metropolitan University and the Denver community College. That's a lot of responsibility for one set of librarians.
After the visit I wanted to go do something fun/different. I had done so much driving and birding that now was the time for shopping. I called Nick and with his help (he had an internet connection) I went all over town to various specialty type stores. I got clothes and jewelery and accessories and souvenirs and spent waaaay too much money.
University of Colorado - Boulder: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604914584281/
University of Colorado - Denver: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604987220408/
Next a short drive to Lakewood, it's close to Denver and close to Golden too. The hotel was great, I had a corner room with lots of windows, a nice desk, and a really solid internet connection. I spent the rest of the day uploading photos, catching up with email, and transcribing notes.
In the morning I went to the Auraria library. This library is the academic library for the University of Colorado-Denver, the Metropolitan University and the Denver community College. That's a lot of responsibility for one set of librarians.
After the visit I wanted to go do something fun/different. I had done so much driving and birding that now was the time for shopping. I called Nick and with his help (he had an internet connection) I went all over town to various specialty type stores. I got clothes and jewelery and accessories and souvenirs and spent waaaay too much money.
University of Colorado - Boulder: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604914584281/
University of Colorado - Denver: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604987220408/
Monday, May 05, 2008
Fort Collins Colorado: second stop on the rocky mountain circuit
I LOVE Fort Collins. First the hotel was excellent and reasonably priced (Best Western Kiva Inn). Then the place is simply covered with ponds and walking trails for birding. And then it has restaurants and shops and a University. It was a great place to spend 4 nights. Of all the places I visited this was one where I'd be willing to move.
From this central location I visited both University of Northern Colorado - Greeley and Colorado State University - Fort Collins. I didn't get to the public libraries, not for lack of time, but because of birds. The weather was gorgeous spring and the birds were calling. I got to see wood ducks for the first time ever. They are soooo cute. And then there were tree swallows, great horned owl w/babies, grebes, teals and all kinds of birds. I also spotted a beaver and a muskrat during my walks.
On Saturday I drove over to Estes Park and through parts of the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. This was my first encounter with Big Horn Sheep. On Sunday I circumnavigated Rocky Mountain National Park. There was snow in the passes so I wasn't able to take a shortcut through it. I drove for about 10 hours through amazing country. I used a backroad to get to Boulder. While driving I was able to change my reservations for that evening to Boulder, instead of Estes. It was a perfect choice, I was able to stay at the Best Western, 10 minutes from the University.
Photos
To Fort Collins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604837446521/
University of Northern Colorado: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604832782212/
Colorado State University: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604886506205/
Around Fort Collins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604886506205/
To Boulder, the long way round: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604903601774/
From this central location I visited both University of Northern Colorado - Greeley and Colorado State University - Fort Collins. I didn't get to the public libraries, not for lack of time, but because of birds. The weather was gorgeous spring and the birds were calling. I got to see wood ducks for the first time ever. They are soooo cute. And then there were tree swallows, great horned owl w/babies, grebes, teals and all kinds of birds. I also spotted a beaver and a muskrat during my walks.
On Saturday I drove over to Estes Park and through parts of the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. This was my first encounter with Big Horn Sheep. On Sunday I circumnavigated Rocky Mountain National Park. There was snow in the passes so I wasn't able to take a shortcut through it. I drove for about 10 hours through amazing country. I used a backroad to get to Boulder. While driving I was able to change my reservations for that evening to Boulder, instead of Estes. It was a perfect choice, I was able to stay at the Best Western, 10 minutes from the University.
Photos
To Fort Collins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604837446521/
University of Northern Colorado: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604832782212/
Colorado State University: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604886506205/
Around Fort Collins: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604886506205/
To Boulder, the long way round: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604903601774/
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