a winding drive to Glade Park
Earlier this summer, I took a trip to Colorado for business and was fortunate enough to have to drive through the Colorado National Monument to get to where I needed to be.
From Wikipedia: Colorado National Monument (locally referred to as The Monument) is a part of the National Park Service near the city of Grand Junction, Colorado. Spectacular canyons cut deep into sandstone and even granite–gneiss–schist rock formations, in some areas. This is an area of desert land high on the Colorado Plateau, with pinion and juniper forests on the plateau.
Driving the winding Rim Rock Drive at sunrise was magical.
This was the Serpent Trail. Because I had a limited amount of time, I couldn’t put my backpack on and hike it. But I do look forward to making the trip back to spend more time exploring.
Canyon Monument runs the width of the park with many different rock formations.
When the road leveled out, I knew I had reached Glade Park, my final destination. The elevation of Glade Park is approx. 7,000 feet. I went to visit the folks I drove up to see and had a great morning. However, this trip ended up being not about the destination, but all about the journey.
Have a great weekend my friends!
Oh wow! Those are stunning images.
Thank you!
Are some of these HDR? WOW! Had this been just after a little rain? In the North Dakota Badlands a little rain will make all of the colors pop.
Actually Annette, the first 3 are processed in an HDR program. I bracketed and most of the time am able to bring them out just in photoshop but I had a heck of a time lining everything up. This was the first time I resorted to HDR. I know that there are a lot of haters out there because it’s so overdone but, I haven’t done it yet so I feel I should get the O.K.
And unfortunately, this place does not see much rain but I know what you mean. Here in Wyo, when we get a rain or a storm is rolling in, the light looks HDR. For example, check out this entry I did a while back when a storm was rolling in. http://leahyetter.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/rains-a-gonna-fall/
Believe it or not, this is not HDR.
Gorgeous images!
Thank you! It was ONE of the most beautiful places I’ve ever driven through.
You did a wonderful job capturing those sun rays. I mean, 3rd picture down, Wow.
Cheers!
Sonya | sonyaleonphotography.com
Thank you! I love it when the rays shoot through like that. Thanks for commenting!
Fantastic. Wow. Just beautiful.
Thanks so much Barbara!
Beautiful photos. You capture the clouds and light well. Love the 1st and 3rd photos. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
Oh, wow! Stunning!
Awesome Snaps! Liked the first three more!
Incredible photos!
Lovely photos and place. I enjoyed going with you on your journey. Thanks for sharing this.
Those photos are magic.
spectacular place!!!!! and great pictures!!
have a very nice weekend you too!!!
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! Lovely!
Leah, once again I want to ask your permission to use your photos….I’d like to post the ones of the Park either on Pinterst and/or on my own blog for photography. With appropriate credits, of course.
Sorry Suzy, I missed this comment earlier. Sure thing, I hope I’m not too late getting back to you. Thanks you for asking and sharing! You’re the best!
Great pictures! I was born in Grand Junction and raised in Gunnison. Our 8th grade field trip was a hike through the valley of National Monument. Quite an experience!
Fabulous photographs ! Wonderful landscape. I want more !!!!
Ciao Leah, great shots, wonderful exhilarating scenery thanks for sharing
… Absolutely Breathtaking!!!
Wow, love every picture! So, so beautiful.
I look forward to your posts and photos. Great stuff.
Wow, absolutely fantastic post.
wow, it almost doesn’t look real. great images!!
GREAT PIC-SURE ENJOY THEM
Great photos. Although I’m not an expert photographer, I know what I like! I definitely agree with the comment about way the sun comes across in that third photo. I’d love to spend some time in that area hiking or climbing.
Your photographs are amazing! The sun and the clouds, and the striations on the rocks… wow. I need to go there.
Absolutely beautiful photos. They make me want to go there and see it for myself. Wow…thanks for sharing you wonderful work!
I get a weekly update from my Reader and look at your blog every week – I am always in awe of your beautiful photography – keep it up. Best, David
Wow, thanks for the compliments everyone! You must go see this for yourself. It’s absolutely incredible. And this is just from the east side. Apparently there are sand dunes and other beautiful wonders of nature be explored here. I hope to go back next year or in the fall sometime.
Thanks Again!
Reblogged this on Abdohodali's Blog.