Windy Day

I rode out of the neighborhood on Scarlett this morning, hoping to get a shot of Mount Evans covered with the new snow that fell recently.

Alas, I wasn't early enough and the clouds had moved in due to the seemingly strong winds at altitude:

Early Summer Sunset

Yesterday evening, after a day of warm temperatures and cloudy skies, it was time to capture my first sunset of the summer.

Scarlett and I motored out an hour before sunset and here's what we got as the best picture via the Sony A5000:

Sunset via Sony A5000, in Sunset Mode

Here's the best picture I got using the iphone while my Sony camera was tied up shooting the time-lapse video below:

Sunset via iPhone6

A few more pics taken during different points in the sunset:

Sony A5000 (sunset mode)

Iphone6

Sony A5000 (sunset mode)

Memorial Day 2015

Today was the day this nation pauses to remember and honor those that have fallen in the service of the country.

I was, rather late to arrive at Fort Logan National Cemetery, it was very crowded and Denver Police officers had to manage traffic at all the gates in order to keep things moving.

Still, the large number of folks gladdened my heart, for it is good to see my fellow Americans coming out to honor their military dead.  Sure, it's only a few days a year that our nation's cemeteries see crowds like these but at least, the people do show up.

The Nation that forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.  Calvin Coolidge.

I visited briefly with the one resident of this hallowed ground with which I have a connection: SSGT Brian Joiner.  The son of a co-worker of mine from days past, he died while wearing our country's uniform.  His family grieves and remembers him every day, I visit him a couple of times a year.

The skies were filled with puffy clouds today, and it provided a nice background for the below view of the neat rows of grave stones which dot the cemetery.  Families visited with their loved ones interred at Fort Logan, and it was a beautiful day to enjoy it together.

I left Fort Logan National Cemetery, slowly making my way back to the exit amidst the large number of cars and visitors.  There was still a long line of cars queued up waiting for their chance to enter the cemetery; good to see such a turnout.

Making my way south, I stopped by the south side of the Cherry Creek Park to capture the below time-lapse of Mount Evans.  In the foreground are folks out walking their dog(s) in the nearby trails and you can get an idea of how busy a place it is by the number of cars which got pictured in the time-lapse.

Motoring further south, Scarlett and I got on the I-25 Super Slab, exiting at the Happy Canyon Road exit in order to capture this view of Pikes Peak with thick clouds moving past.

Just to give you an idea of far away Pikes Peak was from
where the video was shot.

The clouds of life, seemingly still in the sky and yet swiftly floating on by; remind me of the memories we make, the memories we honor, the friends and loved ones we were fortunate to have met along the way.

I hope you had the privilege to stop, reflect on someone you might have known, who along with thousands of others over the years, gave their all for this country of ours.

Cloudy Colorado

We've been having a rather wet and overcast end of Spring here in Colorado.  Rain every day, solid cloud cover and gray skies darkening everyone's mood and dampening one's riding.

There was a break in the clouds, according to the weather radar reports, so I headed out with Scarlett to capture some cloud time-lapses.  I hope you like them.

The brief view of blue skies did not last long though, as I type this, it's raining once again.  I am hoping for clearer skies come Memorial Day Monday.

Update: One more time-lapse video and some photos, showing a rather cool looking storm cloud brewing....

As I rode home, one could catch glimpses of the mountains to the west, finally!  It had been several days since I'd last seen them.

Above and below pics shot mistakenly with White Balance
set to "Incandescent".....had to do some correcting afterwards

Uraling in the Shenadoah National Park's Skyline Drive

Sunday morning and first half of the afternoon was spent in the company of Otto B., my friend of over three decades and fellow Army ROTC graduate.

Otto has recently retired as a full Colonel, and he was in town and staying at Lee S's place near Orlean, VA. The previous blog posting talks about this gathering and the main objective it held, a flyover by over 50 World War Two aircraft to conmemorate VE Day.

Otto, Scarlett and I rode out pretty early and some 40 miles later were motoring onto Skyline Drive.  The first stop showed promising views though we'd seen fog up higher.

 At the first stop as one enters the park from US211.  Skyline Drive itself

stretches for many miles to the south.  We would just ride a short portion 

north towards Front Royal, VA.

 Shortly after that first stop, the fog and clouds pretty much shut us down in

terms of being able to shoot the views of the valley below.  No real safe spots 

along the side of the road for "in the fog" pictures either.

So, since we were socked in with fog, we just rode past the remaining overlook sites hoping to see them later after lunch at Front Royal.  It was quite "brisk" while riding in the clouds/fog for both Otto and myself! We were both glad we'd both the liners for our respective jackets.

At one point in the drive north though, there finally came a spot where we'd outrun the clouds/fog and could get a nice view of the valley below.  

Otto and I decided to relax here a bit, warm up and have a cigar as I positioned my camera to do a time-lapse of the clouds as they rolled over the valley below.

 Otto and Scarlett

Front Royal proved to be a neat little town.  We had lunch at The Mill Restaurant and I am happy to report the food and service were great.

Riding back on Skyline Drive back towards US211, we took some shots from the overlook sites we'd bypassed before but the bugs were out now and the scenery, though quite nice, wasn't exactly conducive anymore to more picture taking shall we say.

We could see rain clouds inbound as we rode south.

We made it back to the town of Orlean with no rain hitting us, that evening was spent enjoying Lee's marvelous production of Lobster Fra Diavolo.  He had cooked as it was Mother's Day while Lynn took it easy, in the company of her son and daughter who came to visit.

The Chicago Gathering

My present company, Emerald Data Solutions, hosts all of us (since we all work remotely) once a year for training, briefings, team building and fun.

Last year, it was at the Grand Tetons National Park (I missed it by "that much") and this year we gathered in Chicago.

I was allowed to trailer Scarlett, my 2014 Rig, to the Windy City (turns out another nickname is Second City), and that's what Milli the URV and I did.

Amongst the training that we did, we enjoyed such events as a Improv Show at the Second City Comedy Club and a great evening's entertainment at the House of Blues where some amazing music was performed.

Lord help me, I think I am starting to get used to the hugging my colleagues like to greet each other and me with at the start and end of these events.

Here's some photos I took of Chicago's "Miracle Mile" area of their downtown.  At the end is a time-lapse, only 5 seconds worth, of the Willis Tower during the sunrise.

 The view of the Willis Tower from my hotel room

on the 11th floor

 Willis Tower

 Sunrise pic of the buildings near the Willis tower before

I started the time-lapse sequence

 above and below sunrise shots done with the iphone while

the Sony did the time-lapse

 After finishing the time-lapse video, I meandered around on 

Michigan Avenue and Wacker Street to get the above and below

shots of buildings I found interesting.

 Carved onto the end of the bridge, I found the bas-relief

interesting in that it marked the spot where Fort Dearborn

used to be located.

 The place where we enjoyed fantastic blues music and dinner

the night before.

 Andrea F., one of my co-workers had requested a ride in Scarlett

MOAB 2015 - Day 2 & 3

Day Two, Thursday, not much to post on, it was a mostly full day of work and some maintenance on Scarlett.  The highlight of the day, it turns out, was also the first event of the day.

Rising early and riding out with Tim L. and Ed aka Mundo Bravo riding as monkey in my rig to go catch the sunrise.

We ended up at the La Sal View Point where one can see the Monitor and Merrimac Monument rock formations.  Tim L. concentrated on the monuments:

 above and below pics courtesy of Tim L.

Note the Monitor and Merrimac Stone formations in the distance

I went for a time-lapse.  We went for a little fun stuff near the end of the video.,

Tree reflected in pool of water near where we parked

In the late afternoon, I did manage to join a small group of Uralisti as they rode through Arches National Park.  Not many pictures as there were too many people and cars spoiling the views of the magnificent rock formations.

 Getting photobombed by Dan K. at an arch we reached after
hiking a whole .3 kilometers!

 Shot while riding back out of the park.

Friday, Day 3, saw us riding to Onion Creek where one can do multiple "water crossings" of the creek.  The water levels were quite low however, so not too much splashing.  Still it was a fun time.

Views in the Onion Creek area

Here are several shots done by Tim L of the riding in Onion Creek:

 Lizzie and Dave S.
courtesy of Tim L.

courtesy of Tim L.

Ed, aka Mundo Bravo, in his element....
courtesy of Tim L.

Mundo Bravo and Tim L. at one of the last crossings of the day



Above video was shot using my GoPro Hero camera.  As you can see, the focus is bit "off" again.
I guess the "fix" I did soon after it's crash has worn off.  Maybe it's time to upgrade.

US191, east of Moab, is a very scenic roadway that follows

the Colorado River for miles.

Friday evening was a quiet evening for the most part as folks readied to depart for home the next day.  The great weather we had all week ended early saturday morning with a light rain which made me remember I'd forgotten to put the rain cover on the tent.  Yep, woke up at 4:51 AM with a bit of mist inside the tent!

No fun like standing around in a light rain, in the dark, trying to secure the rain cover onto the tent!

Finally got it somewhat in place and this kept more rain from entering into the tent.  I was awake now though so I packed everything up while inside the tent and waited for the dawn.

I departed around 7:20AM and would get home around 1:30PM Saturday.  Milli the PT Cruiser/URV did great again as a tow vehicle and no mechanical issues to report with Scarlett.

A great week of camaraderie with fellow Uralisti, met some new ones, re-kindled friendships with others and had some fun riding.  What more could I ask for right?

Update: here's a link to the sovietsteeds posting by Tim L. aka Canoewest on sovietsteeds:  LINK  He shot some magnificent photos and a good writeup as he saw the event unfold.  Go read it and enjoy.

Here's several of Tim L's outstanding pictures from the riding that was done before I managed to get out there to Moab to join the group:

 Scarlett's Twin!  Riders are Kim and Cheryl

courtesy of Tim L.

 Tammy's, of Unique Rides, rig

courtesy of Tim L.

 John, aka Spat, around Chickens Corner

courtesy of Tim L.

 Randy, of Unique Rides, at Chickens Corner

courtesy of Tim L.

Walt and his GearUP
courtesy of Tim L.

 Tammy and her dog, enjoying the riding

courtesy of Tim L.

 Dana and his rig, creating a rooster tail of sand

courtesy of Tim L.

Quite the photogenic dog and rig eh?

courtesy of Tim L.

Tim L.  Rider/Photographer
courtesy of Tim L.

Bonnie and her Patrol
courtesy of Tim L.

John, aka Spat, and his Patrol
courtesy of Tim L.

Dan K. and his GearUP
courtesy of Tim L.

Milo
an actual cowboy, actually smiling....
courtesy of Tim L.

Jenny and Craig P. and their Retro
courtesy of Tim L.

Dana and his Patrol....
courtesy of Tim L.

Update: 18MAY: video from Mundo Bravo.....