29~ May, 2016 - Last Week Camping Trip to Western Colorado

journal . stories . life )


Glowing tent illuminated under a bright full moon in a dark forest clearing at night Person standing on grassy hill overlooking a wide landscape of red rock formations and distant mountains under a cloudy sky Two yellow wildflowers with red centers growing among dry grass Yellow wildflowers growing among rocks in a natural outdoor setting Rocky landscape with red cliffs and a cloudy sky in Western Colorado person standing on rocky terrain near shrubs with hills in the background Delicate grass stems with small seeds gently hanging, softly lit against a dark blurred background Red rock cliff under a partly cloudy sky with a small tree at the base of the cliff bright pink wildflowers with yellow centers growing among dry grass Rocky outcrop under a wide sky filled with scattered clouds Snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky with trees and grassy land in the foreground Snow-capped mountains behind a dark forest of tall, leafless trees at dusk


My first job after graduating college was a Botanist out in SouthWest Colorado, in 1976. I worked hard identifying and learning the scientific names of the wildflowers and grasses as part of my job, and forty years later I remember most of them. (or at least enough to quickly look them up). I have returned there many times over the years, and again this week. Love that part of Colorado.

Maggie rested near the truck or stayed in the tent most times when me and the 3 young borders went hiking and exploring. A few times she followed, and waited for us when the going got tough, but now at home she is very sore. This might have been her last trip. It breaks my heart to some my girl get so old that she can barely make it a quarter mile. I love my sweet Maggie.

by james ratzloff

journal . stories . life )

Illuminated camping tent glowing softly in a dark forest clearing under a starry night sky with a mountain silhouette in the background
LOADING...
Click for next image