Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Rodeos and Gunfights


For those who have always known the hustle and bustle of the east coast or any metropolitan area for that matter, you may think that the Wild Wild West doesn’t exist any longer. I am here to tell you that it does in fact exist. Where, you ask? In the small towns nestled between mountain peaks and high altitude passes.

The local rodeo and the town gunfight are proof that the Wild West still lives. I experienced both on my recent visit to Colorado.


Silverton, Colorado is a two-horse town. The names of those horses are Sony and Cher. They pull the stagecoach up Main Street and down “Notorious” Blair Street, which also happens to be where the gunfight took place. The sheriff drew his six-shooter on a band of outlaws with names like Phoenix, Okie Joe and The Kid right there in the middle of the street. Passersby and those in the Shady Lady Saloon poured into the street to witness the shootout. Not something you see everyday in the rest of the country but there, in that quaint old mining town, history lives on even in the 21st century.

 Sony and Cher



Durango, Colorado on the other hand, is a full-fledged town.  The way I know that Durango is full on is because they have a Walmart. I mean, when Walmart comes to town, it’s a big deal.  Even so, Durango hasn’t lost its Wild West status because they still have a rodeo. These cowboys and cowgirls aren’t going to be in Vegas for the championships anytime soon but they still lace up their ropers and strap on their spurs each week and give it a go. Once again, not something that I have seen many other places in my travels across this land but out in the west, it’s still for real.  

The littlest cowboys ride sheep.

The mid-sized cowboys ride steers.

The big boys do a little roping.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Chasing Waterfalls


Unexpectedly, the waterfall theme emerged while on vacay in Colorado.
 I heart waterfalls and the unique beauty that each one has. 
Let me introduce you to some of them.  

Cascade Falls - Ouray, CO


Although difficult to photograph because it is nestled in a canyon, the roar of this waterfall is deafening.

Box Canyon Falls - Ouray, CO


This one was at 11,160 feet above sea level
Animas Forks, CO


It was raining the day we searched for this one. 
The vertical drop fell in symmetrical tiers.
Silverton, CO


This one we came across while hiking but we had no idea what else we would find on this hike.
Cascade Creek - Between Durango and Silverton, CO


This is what we found.  
We had to literally walk up the creek to get to it because although we could hear it, there was no trail that let us get close to it. 
It's worth seeing from a few different angles
It took the most struggle to get to, but was by far, the best waterfall.
Cascade Creek - Between Durango and Silverton, CO



Imogene Pass - Between Telluride and Ouray, CO


Monday, August 2, 2010

Grace

Today I need to be reminded what grace is.
Because today I need grace...


"You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff."



Grace, she takes the blame 
She covers the shame 
Removes the stain 
It could be her name 

Grace, it's a name for a girl 
It's also a thought that changed the world 

And when she walks on the street 
You can hear the strings 
Grace finds goodness in everything 

Grace, she's got the walk 
Not on a ramp or on chalk 
She's got the time to talk 
She travels outside of karma, karma 
She travels outside of karma 

When she goes to work
You can hear the strings 
Grace finds beauty in everything 

Grace, she carries a world on her hips 
No champagne flute for her lips 
No twirls or skips between her fingertips 
She carries a pearl in perfect condition 
What once was hurt, what once was friction 
What left a mark no longer stains 
Because Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

Grace finds beauty in everything 
Grace finds goodness in everything


~Lyrics to "Grace" by U2