Colorado October Autumn Adventures!

Time goes by so fast these days! The seasons are changing and now we are deep into Autumn, and with a hint of winter showing up last week when we had our first measurable snow. Thankfully it was short lived and melted away quickly! Autumn will still be around for awhile according to the forecast. I am not ready for winter yet! I have selected some highlights of my month in photos and videos to share.

October started with a visit to Golden Gate Canyon State Park hiking the Burro Trail, a moderate hike, but for me it was a breathless trek and I could only go so far. My friend continued on to the end, and I stayed behind relaxing on a comfy rock creating en plein air drawings of the autumn beauty. The aspens were beginning to show off their golden beauty mixed in with the evergreens. It became cloudy with a threat of rain so I headed down the trail and met my friend closer to the entrance where we began. I had fun collecting leaves creating photo collages while I waited for my adventurous and fearless friend to meet me. She has hiked a 14 er on Longs Peak, so we were not matched for a day of hiking! It was glorious to be out in nature and continuing to feel as if I really do live in Colorado.

Spent the afternoon with a friend enjoying the beauty of Evergreen, Colorado. We went to a wonderful exhibit at the Evergreen Art Center featuring Water Media paintings. I found a serene Labyrinth near the Church of Transfiguration near a pond surrounded by an evergreen forest. I have wanted to finally make my way to that Labyrinth since I heard it was in a beautiful natural setting. It did not disappoint. I would like to return on a warmer and sunnier day, since it was a bit chilly in the shade. It would be a lovely place for a picnic spending time in the serene location with a beautiful Labyrinth to enjoy, I will return soon. There are so many historic old structures in downtown Evergreen, it was fun to drive though and we stopped at the famous Beau Jo’s Mountain Pizza Pies for lunch.

I took another fun adventure with a few friends going to Boulder for an event that occurs nationally and annually on the third Saturday in October: World Singing Day! It was so wonderful, young and old singing their hearts on the Pearl Street Mall! It was a gorgeous Autumn day, sunny with perfect cool breezes. There were handouts with the lyrics and music blasting as we all sang along, and danced to the beat. I will definitely mark my calendar to repeat this fun event next year.

I continued to explore my neighborhood going to Standley Lake Trail and Two Ponds Wildlife Refuge. See some photos below of my walks in those glorious nature areas. I feel so lucky to have such amazing access to these places so close to home. I had quite the experience at one of my walks in Two Ponds when I came upon a Deer Couple, a doe and a buck. I think we startled each other, and for a moment I got a bit anxious being out there all alone at dusk. I hustled my way back down the trail getting home safe and sound…and not chased by deer! I do love them, they are my spirit animal! I used to see them all the time when I lived in Sedona. I know they are gently creatures, but maybe not when they are startled and possibly in mating season!

Last but not least I continue to visit my favorite Labyrinth and Park in Arvada. The Labyrinth is now covered in crunchy maple leaves, since we had a few windy days and then a mini snow event. I enjoyed walking in the crunchy leaves, love the sound effects, it is one of my favorite things to do in Autumn. I have included a short video below so you can enjoy the fun! I also went to Majestic View Park for my weekly meditation class, and took a few photos this week on a very cold windy day with spectacular majestic views as always!


I hope you enjoyed my October Adventures in Colorado! I will soon be uploading some full size photos of these glorious nature spots that can be purchased as prints, etc. at Fine Art America.

Thanks for coming along on my adventures, hope you enjoyed!

Rocky Mountain High~6 Months in Colorado!

Rocky Mountain National Park

Hello Colorado! Yes, I finally feel like I LIVE in Colorado after my visit to Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. Here in Arvada I have been admiring the view of the Rocky Mountain Front Range everyday and salivating at the chance to get closer into the mountains. Last week on a beautiful autumn day I realized that dream. It was 48 years ago that I fell in love with Colorado, and that long since I was up close and personal with the glorious terrain. I probably took hundreds of photos and it is overwhelming to begin editing my favorites. I found heart rocks covered in multi-colored layers of lichen that thrilled me. We saw a herd of Elk in the throes of their mating season and listened to the bull bugling for his herd to follow him! We went to the timberline, about 13,000 ft. altitude, and I was slightly out of breath, albeit it was about 25 mph wind and freezing cold! Along the road up to the mountains the Aspens were showing off their beautiful autumn colors, mostly yellow, but some orange bits and still some green. We took a short hike in a meadow with the mountains surrounding us and it reminded me of why I fell in love with Colorado! A few wildflowers were left in the meadow and of course I found a few heart shaped stones as souvenirs. As a bonus in Estes Park we found a lovely Labyrinth to walk with amazing views. I am so grateful to live here amongst the magnificent Colorado nature, and for new friends to share these wonderful adventures with. Here are a few photos to enjoy.

Longs Peak 14,259′
Rocky Mountain HIGH
Estes Park Labyrinth ~ MARS PhotoArt
Autumn in the Rockies with friends!

I celebrated living in Colorado for six months on September 4th with a month of fun filled adventures with new friends, enjoying cultural outings, taking art classes, continuing my weekly “meditation in nature” class that I love, listening to live music at a few venues, going to the theater, visiting some galleries, taking in the First Friday Art Walk in Denver along the Sante Fe Arts District, holiday barbecues, nature walks in the neighborhood along the trails near my house, walking the Labyrinth, and the path in Majestic View Park, savoring the breathtaking sunsets over the mountains. I will include more pictures for you to enjoy.

Majestic View Park Sunset
Sunset Labyrinth Walk
Trees framing Longs Peak over Standley Lake
Standley Lake Gem
Standley Lake Sunset

Last but not least, I celebrated my Honda’s 32 year anniversary! I bought it brand new in 1990 in Los Angeles, and it has been with me on all my life journeys ever since! It only has 61,000 miles on it and will outlive me for sure! I went to Standley Lake for a photo op and Mother Nature gifted us with a rainbow in the distance! I also celebrated a 6 month anniversary with my friend Alan who has a similar Honda. We met on March 12th at Majestic View Park, and for a moment as he drove up, I thought my Honda was being stolen until I realized his car was too dirty! He has almost 333,000 miles on his! We have been “car” friends ever since, and he came for visit to take a photo of what I call, “The Meeting of the Honda’s”. Here are a few more pictures for you to enjoy!

Happy 32nd Birthday to my Honda!
The Meeting of the Honda’s!

I am looking forward to October with many more Autumn Colorado Adventures! So until then I hope you enjoyed reading about my September fun filled adventures! 

Happy Autumn & Enjoy!

Remembering Zen Master~Thich Nhat Hanh…

This week I took time to remember Thich Nhat Hanh after his passing at 95 years old, by watching many of the beautiful ceremonies around the world, honoring his lifetime of powerful teachings on mindfulness, peace, and revered Buddhist principles.

My life has been enriched beyond measure after learning about and listening to a wonderful interview with Thich Nhat Hanh and Oprah Winfrey on Super Soul Sunday in May 2013. I have since read many of his books and wonderful quotes about peace, joy, loving-kindness and compassion. His teachings will live on in my heart eternally, and his legacy will continue to inspire many more hearts and minds worldwide. When you listen to him speak you can’t help but notice that his heart was overflowing with love, joy, compassion and kindness. His heart smile will live on eternally to remind us all that to love one another is of utmost importance in living a beautiful life.

I will include links to the interview that touched my soul, to his Buddhist centers at Plum Village and Dear Park Monastery, and a podcast that I enjoy listening to called: “The Way Out Is In” curated by his Monks at Plum Village in France, it is very enlightening and meditative.

I have shared some of my favorite Thich Nhat Hanh quotes designed with my original HEARTwork and a link to my book: Mars Mindful Moments that include some of his quotes and others.

Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful. – Thich Nhat Hanh
The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions. – Thich Nhat Hanh
We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize. – Thich Nhat Hanh

Here are some links to the interview, podcast, and writings by Thich Nhat Hanh:

A list of all books and calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh can be found on the Plum Village website at: plumvillage.org

My current favorite book is a thought provoking gem of a book entitled: TRUE LOVE ~ Here is a link to check it out on amazon: https://amzn.to/3HhxXp9

The Podcast: “The Way Out Is In”: https://plumvillage.org/podcasts/the-way-out-is-in/

The Oprah Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9UtuWfs3U&ab_channel=PlumVillageApp

Dear Park Monastery in Escondido, California and Plum Village in France are mindfulness practice centers that are high on my bucket list to visit one day!

https://plumvillage.org/

https://deerparkmonastery.org/

Namaste

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