Monday, July 13, 2009

Tundra



Rocky Mountain National Park is breathtaking, for lack of a less generic word.

First, there are the terror-inspiring, sheer cliff drops that I tried not to see outside of the passenger side window. Seriously, I still can't believe they just let anybody and everybody drive up there.

Second, there's also the unbelievable views. Oh the views. Every time I looked through the camera lens, I thought for sure I'd seen that exact shot on a postcard somewhere. I kept taking photo after photo, despite knowing it would in no way capture the sense of being there.

Driving up over Trail Ridge Road to the top of the mountains you arrive at the tundra. The tundra is incredible, particularly in contrast to the lush green forested peaks on the way up. It's starkness was almost surreal. As was standing in snow a mere one hour after picnicking outside on a sunny 80 degree day. That right there is the magic of the rockies.





Friday, July 10, 2009

Pravina Giveaway


Head on over to Marta's lovely little blog and enter to win a free PARA zippered pouch! Deadline is Saturday, July 11th, so don't miss out.

My roadtrip recap continues on Monday...

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Boulder Colorado




The roadtrip continues on into Boulder Colorado. My tour de ice cream also continued, this time with glorious mango gelato from Two Spoons.


A stop at the Boulder Bookstore.


A hike up on Bald Mountain.



And a nest of baby Robins! Look closely, you can see two little beaks sticking up to the left of the little bird.


Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Great Plains


The Great Plains of central/western Kansas and eastern Colorado.

I find the landscape of the plains to be breathtaking at times. There were a few spots on along the road where it really seemed like I could see to the edges of the Earth. It was almost surreal.



Monday, July 6, 2009

Welcome back



A vacation is exactly what I needed, I hope I didn't miss out on too much! This week on Heartland, I thought I'd take you along for a little ride with photos captured on my recent roadtrip.

First stop...Lawrence, Kansas. The photo above captures one of my favorite things in Lawrence, sunset on a hot summer night. The building in front of the sunset is the Round Corner Pharmacy, the first drugstore in Kansas.



The powerstation on the Kansas River.



One of a few old-timey barber shops on Massachusetts Street.



Free State Brewery, hands down my favorite restaurant in Lawrence.



La Prima Tazza. Though it wasn't the same without Yancy Dominick ordering an after dinner espresso.



The Granada Theatre, with one of the best marquees around.



A rain coming in behind the historic Eldridge Hotel.



Beautiful old windows inside of the Signs of Life shop and gallery.

I will definitely be doing some Heartland features on a few of my favorite spots in Lawrence soon, stay tuned!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Break


Life's a Beach

I've decided to take a little summer vacation from Heartland for the next couple of weeks. I hope to return refreshed and inspired!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Berries


I got my first batch of farmers market strawberries this past weekend. I wish I'd been able to use them for something delicious like this or this. Alas, these were eaten straight out of the berry bowl with no adornment whatsoever. But they still were delicious all on their own!