African Pygmy Hedgehog

 

On a tour of Sea Quest, in Littleton, CO, we got close up with this little guy. I think he is a member of the Somali hedgehog family, Atelerix sclateri, but my niece and guide for the tour says he's an African Pygmy.

Place Information Sign

  

At the historic Beckwith Ranch near Westcliffe, CO, this sign tells of early settlers in the Wet Mountain Valley from Germany and England who ranched and mined the bountiful resources nearby. When the DRGW Railroad arrived in 1882, the town was chartered and named after Westcliff-on-Sea in England.

Mid-day at the Pueblo Union Depot

 

The beautifully restored rail depot in downtown Pueblo is the home of the Pueblo Railway Museum. The depot serves both the UP and BNSF rail networks.

Shady Porch on a Hot Day in Cody

Arrived in Cody, WY, on a hot Sunday afternoon. The porch at the Visitors' Center provided a quiet, shady respite.

Just a Duck on the Pond

Local duck and friends enjoying a quiet summer morning on Four Acre Lake in Arvada, CO

Near the Tarryall Reservoir

A few miles south of the Tarryall Reservoir in eastern Park County, the creek runs through this scenic valley. We visited on a day trip over the Memorial Day weekend.

Welcome to the Family Goose

On our Sunday walk around Four Acre Lake, in Arvada, we encountered this Canada goose announcing the additions to his family.

Bass Lake along Clear Creek

We took Gordy for a walk during Week 5 of the virus-related shutdown. It was a warm spring afternoon in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Routt County Courthouse

Named for Colorado's first governor, John Long Routt, the Routt County seat is Steamboat Springs, CO. The county courthouse was built in 1923,.

Rabbit Ears Pass Vista

Later afternoon view of Rocky Mountain National Park from the east summit of Rabbit Ears Pass, south of Steamboat Springs, CO.

Empty Lifts at Loveland

Single digit temps and gusty winds turned the lift at Loveland Ski Area into a chilling ride.

Snowy Lane

County road near the Caribou Ranch Open Space Park near Nederland, CO. on a sunny late-December afternoon.

Near Gross Reservoir

Sharp turn to the south along Union Pacific railway near Gross Reservoir in Boulder County, Colo.

Morning Hike at Kenosha Pass

In mid-September, a few days before high-country aspens turned yellow, we hiked a portion of the Colorado Trail near Kenosha Pass.

Wooden Clock Tower in Estes Park

At the upper end of Elkhorn Ave, in Estes Park, Colo., this clock towers over forty-year-old building housing a restaurant and souvenir shop.

Flatirons in September

The Flatirons as seen from somewhere in Broomfield, CO, on a weekday afternoon.

Hot Dog in the Summertime

Walking along the Ralston Creek Trail in Arvada on a hot, late-summer afternoon, Gordy contemplates a drink.

10th Mountain Division mural in Leadville

New murals are appearing all the time on buildings up and down Harrison St., the town's main drag. This one depicts the legendary 10th Mountain Div., a light infantry division reactivated during WW II and trained at nearby Camp Hale.

At 10,152 ft. above sea level, Leadville, Colo., claims the title of highest elevation of any incorporated town in the U.S.

Clouds Build Over Golden Gate Canyon

By mid-afternoon, clouds are building over this popular
Colorado state park. Will it rain where we are today?

Mountain View from Leadville

View of Mt. Massive looking southwest at 4th and Pine St. in Leadville, CO.

Photo taken on July 11, 2019.

LoDo After Dark

The LoDo neighborhood in Denver comes to life after most Rockies games at Coors Field.

End of the Trail

After many years of reliable coffee service, this souvenir mug from a 1993 vacation in South Dakota heads off to the Boot Hill for mugs.

Top of Sunshine Peak

Three chair lift rides are needed to reach the summit of this peak at Steamboat Springs Ski & Resort but the 50-mile vista was spectacular on this afternoon in March.

Frozen Patio Lights

A frozen souvenir of the Bomb Cyclone that rolled out of the mountains March 13 and blanketed everything in its path.

Flagler College

Historic college in historic St. Augustine, FL on an overcast February afternoon.

Riding the Chair Lift

Excellent conditions at Loveland Ski Area mean you're never alone riding the chair lift.

Batcolumn on Madison

Dedicated in 1977, the Batcolumn stands outside the Harold Washington Social Security Building between Desplaines and Jefferson Streets.

Cabin Cruiser on Chicago River

Classic Chris Craft cabin cruiser from the mid-1930s motors stately up the Chicago River in front of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange building.

Gray Alcove

Finally finished painting the wall recess alcove in the entrance and posted the two unrelated pieces we picked up this summer.

Window view of Mt. Princeton

Looking west out a hallway window at the Surf Hotel, in Buena Vista, CO. Fall colors are near full.

Late Summer Colors

Summer greens replaced by fall browns at Van Bibber Open Space in Arvada.

Scenic Mt. Rushmore

In the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore provides a scenic anchor to nearly every vista.

Perfect Night for a Ballgame

Only the fifth game attended at Coors Field this year. This weeknight game was one of 19 this season versus the Diamondbacks, a West Division rival; Rockies came out on top.

Morning at Standley Lake Tipi Camp

The accommodations at Standley Lake are basic but camping at this nearby park gives a chance to wake up to such a beautiful morning.

Up Loveland Pass Road

Longer days and better sunsets looking north on US 6 toward Pettingell Peak and the Front Range mountains.

Vintage WWII Trainer Aircraft

At a quarterly vintage aircraft fly-in at Front Range Airport east of Denver International, this pair of Douglas A-33s dropped in and represented the World War II trainer segment very well.

Ghost Ford

Late 1930s Ford V8 pick-up parked in the shade and on display at the Jerome, AZ, ghost town attraction.

Loveland Pass Sunset

On the western side of the Loveland Pass near Dillon, CO, in March.

Majestic View of Mt. Evans

Out for a walk with Gordy on a warm, sunny day.

Washington Profile

On the western approach to Mt. Rushmore, George Washington's profile is easily recognized.

LoDo Mural

One of dozens of murals painted on old buildings in the LoDo neighborhood in Denver.

This one is at the corner of Broadway and Park Ave.

Autumn clouds

Late afternoon cloud formation over Lakewood.

Castle near Evergreen

At Lair o' the Bear park on Bear Creek near Evergreen, CO, Dunafon Castle was originally completed in 1942, fell into disrepair and was restored in the 1970s and again in 2004, most recently as a residence and event venue.

Weston County Courthouse

Fine example of early 20th Century Beaux-Arts style architecture, this courthouse in Newcastle, Wyo., was designated a National Historic Place in 2001.

Kress Building in Pueblo

The S.H. Kress Building, a familiar department store on Main Streets across America, restored and updated in Pueblo, CO

Baltimore Firehouse

Baltimore Firehouse remodeled into residence on the city's east side. Seen during too short weekend over Memorial Day holiday.

Ponds Along Clear Creek

On a warm afternoon last summer, Gordy and I hiked the ponds along Clear Creek in Applewood.

Front Range Foothills

Gordy and I went for a hike up North Table Mountain in Golden the first day of the New Year. This is the view of the Front Range foothills from the north side of the mesa.

The Edgewater in Madison

On a recent spin through Wisconsin, we stopped to take in the sights in Madison on a perfect Sunday afternoon in the fall. The Edgewater Hotel and Spa sits on Lake Mendota, about five blocks from the Capitol.

Quiet Summer Lodging at Vail

View south from the Marriott Vail; kids playing in the pool is only sound on a quiet summer day.