Posts from the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Parkview Mountain Hike

Greetings all,

Twice during the past few weeks I’ve attempted to reach the top of Parkview Mountain (12,296’).  Located along Willow Creek Pass between Walden and Granby Colorado, Parkview is a majestic feature — a stark snow covered volcano-shaped peak during the winter and an enticing destination during the summer.  The Continental Divide crosses this range and its summit provides exceptional views of mountain ranges to the north, south, east and west (Medicine Bow, Rocky Mountain, Never Summer and Rabbit Ears).  Along the way you’re treated to an assortment of wildflowers, scat, and birds; atop Parkview is a small lookout shelter visible from the road and throughout the often-challenging four-mile trail to its summit.  Susan, Peggy, Ed and I first attempted the summit via the Southeast Ridge but turned back after loosing the trail across a scree-covered extremely steep cirque.  A few days later Ed I tried again and reached the summit via the Northeast Ridge along the Continental Divide Trail.  Wow!  Breathtaking views even when the sky is hazy.  I plan to return to Parkview again and again; this is a real gem of a hike.  Below are a few photos.   

More soon … Cheers!

Parkview Mountain (12,296′) in distance, Southeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Ed, Peggy and Susan hiking on the Southeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Eastern mountain ranges, Southeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Looking east from the Southeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Confronting the cirque on the Southeast Ridge trail (a lookout shelter is barely visible on the summit) – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Attempting to cross the scree, Southeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Crossing scree (loose rock), Southeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Back on the trail (view of the valley below), Southeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Eastern mountain ranges from the Southeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado- Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Ed, Peggy, Susan and Michael below the Southeast Ridge trail head – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Northeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Ed crossing the Northeast ridge – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Nearing the summit – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Lookout shelter – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Michael and Ed in front of the lookout shelter – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Moss Campion, Northeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Blue Grouse, Northeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Showy Daisies, Northeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Butterfly and Heartleaf Arnica, Northeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Enjoying the views, Northeast Ridge trail – Parkview Mountain, Colorado

Asian Tropics Exhibit Denver Zoo

Greetings all,

For our anniversary Susan and I visited the new exhibit at the Denver Zoo: Toyota Elephant Passage (originally called Asian Tropics).  It wasn’t as large as anticipated and there was no walking bridge to view the animals (also anticipated) but it was a real treat.  The space is much like Predator Ridge (opened at the zoo in 2004) in that animals from a similar area (the Asian tropics) rotate through different outdoor environments giving the visitor (and animals) a taste of a more natural setting.  They’ve included a 2-mile walking path the big animals can utilize and ropes that allow acrobatic gibbons to cross paths directly above visitors.  Cool!  Also there is a lot of color and natural beauty.  (Some cultural additions such as an Asian village coping with sharing homes with animals either wasn’t completed or opened – though perhaps we just didn’t find it.)  I highly recommend the exhibit but you need to make reservations in advance — it’s free but you still need to pay to get into the zoo unless you’re members.  (We’ve been Denver Zoo members for years). Below are a few photos.

(Reminder for those in Laramie, there will be an exhibit of some of my East Africa photos and a reception at Artisans’ Gallery Saturday, August 11^th from 3-4 pm.)

More soon … Cheers!

Entrance  with prayer flags – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Sarus Crane – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Cascade and pond – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Lotus and bamboo pond  – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Indian Rhinoceros – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Indian Rhinoceros – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

White Cheeked Gibbon (female) – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Asian Elephant walking path – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Asian Elephant – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Island Flying Foxes – Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo

Mount Zirkel Wilderness

Greetings all,

A few days ago Steven, Marty and I backpacked up to Bighorn Lake in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness (Colorado) and spent two nights camping.  The hike from the trailhead (located about 20 miles from Walden, Colorado) to the lake was about 3 miles BUT it was rather steep and a tad strenuous for one “up hill” mile — the hike up took about 2 ½ hours to complete, the hike down 1 1/2 hours. The weather was warm but not too hot, no rain, and the bugs weren’t all that bad.  The elevation at OUR camp was around 10,000’  — the entire lake was ours since no other travelers were there.  (Unfortunately we left our fishing gear at home because fishing at Bighorn Lake seems outstanding … bad luck … but we did enjoy all the wildflowers, especially the Monkshood, Scarlet Paintbrush and Parry Primrose.)  We spent our second day hiking UP to the Continental Divide, connecting with Lone Pine Trail, peaking at around 11,000’.  This was a spectacular hike: the views along the trail and the Divide were absolutely breathtaking!  This was my first experience exploring the Mount Zirkel Wilderness but it won’t be my last – this area is a real gem!  Below are a few photos.

More soon … Cheers!

Bighorn Lake – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Bighorn Lake – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Bighorn Lake – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Steven, Marty and Michael, Bighorn Lake – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Marty and Steven, Bighorn Lake – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Parry Primrose, Bighorn Lake – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Hiking Lone Pine Trail – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Continental Divide with view of Big Agnes Mountain (12,059′) – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Continental Divide with view of Mount Zirkel (12,180′) – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Atop a glacial cirque with Bighorn Lake and Lone Pine Creek valley below – Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado

Snowy Range Lakes Trail and New Exhibit of Photographs

Greetings all,

Nice rain in Laramie last night (actually some substantial rain the last week) and fairly blue skies this morning.  Head off for a backpacking trip with Steven and Marty tomorrow to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness in Colorado.  First time for me so I’m looking forward to it; July is a great month for wild flowers so the hike may provide interesting photo opportunities.  Mentioning hikes, recently Susan and I had a wonderful hike in the Snowy Range near Laramie (Lakes Trail from the Mirror Lake Trailhead).  The Columbine flowers are especially beautiful this time of year.  Below are a few photos.  Some good news is that for the next three months Artisans’ Gallery in Laramie is displaying a number of my photos.  They are part of a rotating collection: “Our Wondrous World: A Rotating Collection of Photographs by Michael Day.”  Each month a different group of photos will be featured: East Africa in August, Galapagos in September, and Egypt in October.   There will also be a few Saturday afternoon receptions (August 11^th, September 8^th, and October 6^th) soooooooo if you’re in town stop by. (Attached is a flier about the display.) Finally, an up date on the Kenya program for next June, we already have six registrants … that means only six spots remain, i.e., are left/available.  Hope a number of you are still considering this wonderful opportunity.  More soon … Cheers!

OurWonderousWorldFlier(7.16.12)

Lakes Trail – Snowy Range, Wyoming

Susan, Lakes Trail – Snowy Range, Wyoming

Lakes Trail – Snowy Range, Wyoming

Columbine, Lakes Trail – Snowy Range, Wyoming

Columbine, Lakes Trail – Snowy Range, Wyoming

Columbine, Lakes Trail – Snowy Range, Wyoming

Columbine and fireweed, Lakes Trail – Snowy Range, Wyoming

Columbine, Lakes Trail – Snowy Range, Wyoming

Andy

This post is intended primarily for those of you who have either run or played with Andy over the years.  Andy was our oldest Springer spaniel (he would have been 13 in August) but during the past few weeks both his kidneys and back legs weakened, limiting him to brief walks to the park but that has also become difficult.  Yesterday Susan and I took Andy to Chappelle Small Animal Hospital in Fort Collins and with the assistance of their wonderful staff he died quietly in our arms.  He was a wonderful companion and we already miss him a lot!  As do Rusty and Sorrel (our two six year old spaniels), they seem to have sensed for some time that their uncle was quite sick.  It is so very hard to lose such a sweet and loyal friend BUT he brought us so much joy that we actually feel quite blessed — many fond memories that continue to make us smile especially his propensity for and skill at stealing toilet paper from the bathroom, he truly was a toilet paper junkie.  These past few weeks we’ve tried to do all the things he loved: walks (when he could) on the prairie, wading in the water at Crow Reservoir (he was an excellent swimmer), tenting outside in the backyard, adding chicken to his supper bowl, having him join us at the sunroom table for Sunday brunch (he always sat on the window bench across the table from us) and getting fed some French toast, visiting my office, drives in the car without the twins, and we even barbecued hot dogs in his honor Thursday evening – we sense he truly liked them.  We sure loved Andy and he’ll always rest in a very special place in our hearts!  Below are a few photos.

Andy playing in a pile of leaves when he was a pup

Andy was a real mud-magnet (he could always find it and then play in it)

Andy loved to run on the prairie (especially in snow)

Andy at Crow Reservoir (one of his favorite places to swim)

What Andy loved most about Christmas was playing with boxes and ribbons

Andy and Susan had an especially strong friendship

Though Andy’s body grew weak his spirit and desire remained strong (this photo was taken two days before he died)

Kenya Wildlife Safari, June 2013

Greetings all,

Have FINALLY added some additional Egypt photos: Egypt with A&K, The Nile, and Egyptian Pyramids.  Now I begin training in earnest for my REI adventure to Base Camp Everest in October AND discussing and taking reservations for next summer’s Kenya Wildlife Safari  (a pdf file with itinerary is attached).  My hope is many of you consider participating in the Kenya program — John, the other coordinator, and Charles director of Maridadi Travels in Nairobi have put together a very reasonably priced and outstanding itinerary.  I’ll be along to assist with your wildlife viewing and to provide photographic assistance: have almost completed a wildlife safari photo journal to be shared via the blog in the next few months.  This will be my 6th trip to East Africa; each time I land at an airport in either Kenya or Tanzania it feels like I’ve returned home.  It’s a Wonderful feeling!

Greetings (7 June 2012)

Greetings all,

Have spent most of the past two months cataloging the massive number of photos taken in Egypt.  In the next few days three groups of images will be added to the blog — my attempt to capture the wonder of the pyramids, the scenic beauty of the Nile, and the grandeur of the numerous temples visited.  But Susan and I did find some time for play; our friends Karen and Gary from California visited recently and joined us for a trip to the Park (i.e. Yellowstone) and Jackson.  Though the weather was rather nasty (rain and even snow) we still had a grand time.  Attached are a few photos.

Susan and I with Karen and Gary at Artist Point, Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River – Yellowstone National Park

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, Artist Point – Yellowstone National Park

Black Pool, West Thumb Geyser Basin – Yellowstone National Park

Bison and traffic, Lamar Valley – Yellowstone National Park

Wolf, ravens and elk carcass, Lamar River – Yellowstone National Park

Coyote, Hayden Valley – Yellowstone National Park

Great Horned Owl, Mammoth Area – Yellowstone National Park

Barrow’s Goldeneye (male and female), Snake River – near Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Moose, Moose Overlook, Teton Village/Moose road – near Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Taggart & Bradley Lakes trail – Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Just Returned From Egypt (April 9, 2012)

Just returned from 13 days in Egypt.  Though I briefly visited Cairo in the summer of 1970 and spent a morning at the Giza pyramids I didn’t really appreciate it.  This visit was different.  Susan and I feel extremely fortunate to have recently traveled sections of the River Nile and experienced firsthand the rich culture it helped create and maintain.  Below are a few photos – more will be added to permanent sections of the blog.

The Great Pyramid and Pyramid of Khafre – Giza Plateau (with the city of Cairo in the background), Egypt

Leading a camel – Giza Plateau, Egypt

The Sphinx and Great Pyramid – Giza Plateau, Egypt

Bridges linking Cairo to Giza over the River Nile (sunrise) – Egypt

Feluccas on the River Nile- Aswan, Egypt

Hathor-headed columns – Temple of Denderah, Egypt

Village along the River Nile – Upper Egypt

Nubian girl — Elephantine Island, Egypt

Wall art from the Mastaba of Ti – Sakkara, EgyptStatue of Ramses ll, Temple of Luxor (evening lights) – Luxor, Egypt

Abercrombie & Kent tour companions exploring the Temple of Karnak – Luxor, Egypt

Sunrise on the River Nile – Upper Egypt

First Post (March 9, 2012)

This is my first post.  I spent the month of February creating this blog — a great project to occupy my time during an initial month of retirement.  I’m liking how it is coming together but still have lots to learn.  As I note on the Home Page:  the purpose of this blog is to share thoughts regarding the central place of “wonder” in adult education.  The blog especially promotes and celebrates the value of spending time out doors and traveling – both excellent vehicles for maintaining “wonder” throughout life.  In the blog this is done in a variety of ways but primarily via writings and photographs.  The blog has been organized around six main sections: Adult Education (writings related to some adult education themes); Photographs (included are some of my favorite photographs); Posts (periodic updates and ramblings); Travel (highlights from some recent adventures); Up and Coming (announcements related to up and coming events/travels); and Wonder (a collection of some very special critters and places).  I hope to add to the blog a few times each month — a retirement journal of sorts.  If questions occur while reading sections of the blog please feel free to provide a comment or contact me directly (Contact).