fbeaston Loc: Vermont

This is another in a series of posts using photos from a recent 6+ week trip I took around the Western US & Canada, with a college buddy Chuck & my Australian Shepherd Gem, aka "the Mutt." I'd like to thank all who have looked at the prior posts & commented.

My last post ended in Mesa Verde after which, we headed to Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park, a destination I'd not visited previously ... in fact, I'd never seen two 2 beaches as large as the Great Sand Dunes or the White Sands ... yet neither had an ocean!!!! It was a beautiful place although the rules didn't allow the Mutt to run & get her exercise.

From there, it was up to Crested Butte ... a beautiful part of the country ... but like Sedona, I felt it was a little too civilized & developed. However, outside of town, there were some great scenic views & quite a bit of wildlife.

Then we headed up over the Mountains ... being treated to a splendid view from Monarch Pass in Salida, Co.

After visiting a friend in Longmont, CO, we took a quick side trip to the Pawnee Nat'l Grasslands before heading to SD for our next scheduled stop. This post roughly coincides with the end of week 4 of the trip, approximately ... with several "big stops" to come.

Hope you enjoy these.
Frank

PS: I've gotten so engrossed in the photos, that I've not shared what I took them with ... I used 3 different bodies throughout the trip & several lenses. The Great Sandunes, Fox, Coyote & Antelope shots in this post were shot with a Canon 7d Mk II, 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L lens. The old cabin, Crested Butte, Monarch Pass, Tree & Train were shot with a Canon 5d Mk IV, 24-105mm F/4L lens.

Great Sandunes Nat'l Park, Mosca, CO, a 2 shot panoramic

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Great Sandunes Nat'l Park, 2 shot panoramic looking toward mountains & "rain-blob" toward the right of center

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Crested Butte, CO, Red Fox. Liked the shot but for some reason, it wasn't as clean & sharp as I had hoped, so I did some PP with a touch of NIK Detail

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Crested Butte, CO, Coyote

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Gunnison, CO, old cabin in front of Whetstone Mtn. To loosely quote a recent UHH post ... "the ravages of time" ... I wonder what it would tell us about the people who lived there ... if it could speak?

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Crested Butte, CO, even though taken on the outskirts of town, the views were splendid

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Crossing the mountains - Salida, CO, 3 shot panoramic, Monarch Pass ... breathtaking views

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Briggsdale, CO Antelope seen on the way to Pawnee Nat'l Grasslands

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Grover, CO coming back from the Pawnee Nat'l Grasslands ... this photo almost begged to be taken! PP included a bit of NIK Detail to bring out the clouds a bit.

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Angora, NE. I'm a sucker for water & trains ... the 2 combined just have to be captured!!!

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RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Another super set. thanks for taking us there.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

And thank you again. As always, I appreciate your comments RichardTaylor. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

More good stuff, Frank! (although you know my crew's comments - LOL)

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Not to worry Mike ... tell your crew, that the next post will feature the Mutt ... I'm still trying to decide on the shots, but at the moment, there are 2 photos of her ... so she will be included ... just for your crew!!!! ;)

And thanks for taking the time to look & the continued nice comments. They are appreciated.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Another really nice series, Frank.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thank you Chief ... I do appreciate the repeated comments. And I hope you are well & get back on the road soon. Best to you.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Another great set; I especially like the first and last ones.

My wife and I went over Monarch Pass on our honeymoon 48 years ago, our 9 day, 3,500 mile road trip! Here's a photo. The '67 Barracuda on the left is parked in my garage awaiting restoration. BTW, at 6'1" I'm an inch taller than she is.

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fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks for the visit & comments ... hope you get the Cuda restored ... a friend had I think a '65 that was quite a car ... & nice shot at Monarch Pass. The day we went, I wondered if we were going to get whacked with weather, but we slipped right through without problems. Best to you. Frank

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Love all these shots as well!

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Thanks Cindy ... I was disappointed when that post wasn't published in the journal ... but stuff happens I guess. Appreciate you taking the time to go through all these.