Road to Yankee Boy

Carol Freshley October 12, 2016

We woke up to a surprise. SNOW!! It had snowed more than a dusting after midnight. Unlike rain, we could not hear the snow on our motor home (Mellie). Dave and Karen were still in Ouray and we decided to 'breakfast up' and find a good photo opportunity. I think it was Dave who suggested a road that started up right from Ouray. The road could be impassable for us at the end and we might not be able to actually get to the Yankee Boy Mine. That was OK with us. We would go as far as we were able while photographing along the way.

As most dirt roads we have traveled, this one started off very smooth wide.  It was not to be that way later on! — As most dirt roads we have traveled, this one started off very smooth wide. It was not to be that way later on!

Nothing like a bit o' snow to go with yellow aspen leaves.

The road is getting a bit more challenging but the color still beckons us on.

This is one of those situations which I am sure most photographers with a group face.  Someone, not sure which one of us, realizes that shadows and fallen leaves are pretty 'cool'.  Then everyone gives it a try.  How many ways can you… — This is one of those situations which I am sure most photographers with a group face. Someone, not sure which one of us, realizes that shadows and fallen leaves are pretty 'cool'. Then everyone gives it a try. How many ways can you photograph this scene?

I am in.  Right?  But I wanted a different angle. Now the subject is more the road but that really only works if you want to hum, "Follow the yellow-leafed road'! — I am in. Right? But I wanted a different angle. Now the subject is more the road but that really only works if you want to hum, "Follow the yellow-leafed road'!

So, Tom has the same idea but he went for mood and tackled it straight on.  We have entirely too much fun going out together! — So, Tom has the same idea but he went for mood and tackled it straight on. We have entirely too much fun going out together!

On our way up the mountain there was a lot of snow.  On the way down there was much less. — On our way up the mountain there was a lot of snow. On the way down there was much less.

I wanted very much to see how the overnight snow had impacted the Snefels as viewed from Dallas Divide.  Here it is!  Taken October 5th. — I wanted very much to see how the overnight snow had impacted the Snefels as viewed from Dallas Divide. Here it is! Taken October 5th.

Taken September 28th at the Dallas Divide.

Thanks for traveling with us. This was our last photo-trip with Dave and Karen. We have missed them.

Karen's Loop

Carol Freshley October 9, 2016

When Karen arrived we were excited to share our 'finds'. We planned Karen's loop, a full day of photography in places we hoped still had some peak fall color. We knew it was a bit past prime in many areas but hoped that she could at least get a flavor of what it was like. We left Ridgway and headed to Marble where we had lunch. Then we drove back on 133 to CR 12 or Kebler Pass. We drove through Crested Butte's picturesque Main Street and then through Gunnison. From there we drove to Montrose and back home to Ridgway. If you looked at earlier blogs you will notice that fall color has changed. Nevertheless, I think Karen will come back in the future and be here for peak fall foliage.

While different, there is still plenty of Colorado Gold.

Karen may have been shooting from the front passenger seat to get this image.  She got pretty good at clicking from the front seat while she was here. — Karen may have been shooting from the front passenger seat to get this image. She got pretty good at clicking from the front seat while she was here.

The aspen leaves have fallen leaving tall slender trunks to stand witness again to the passing of a season.

Hard to believe that Karen would not be tired of this color by now.

I was driving and looked up at this scene.  Quick, Tom, get that!!  He leaned in front of me and captured this image.  I just kept my eyes on the road. — I was driving and looked up at this scene. Quick, Tom, get that!! He leaned in front of me and captured this image. I just kept my eyes on the road.

It was dark when we got home. It had been a long drive but photographically rewarding. Thanks for joining us.

550

Carol Freshley October 8, 2016

We drove over I-550 numerous times as we photographed the San Juan Mountains. On several of those trips we were joined by Karen. Here is a collection of our favorite images taken along the road. If you know this region well you will recognize some favorites.

Taken before sunrise on our way to meet up with Karen for breakfast in Silverton.

Another 'find'.  As we drove by we noticed a line of cars and then a long line of photographers on a ridge.  You cannot easily see Crystal Lake from the road in the dark.  We parked, grabbed tripods and waited for the sun to rise.&nbs… — Another 'find'. As we drove by we noticed a line of cars and then a long line of photographers on a ridge. You cannot easily see Crystal Lake from the road in the dark. We parked, grabbed tripods and waited for the sun to rise. We did not stay as long as we needed to see a full sunrise. We had an important date with Karen and we did not want to be late! We would go again and have her with us. Notice how much snow there is on Red Mountain. There would not be so much on our return.

Tom's take on the lake.  He likes adding the shoreline.  I want you to believe that I am out in the middle of the lake in a kayak! — Tom's take on the lake. He likes adding the shoreline. I want you to believe that I am out in the middle of the lake in a kayak!

Karen, is that our Toad in front of you?  Nah!  You would not be clicking and driving at the same time.  Right? — Karen, is that our Toad in front of you? Nah! You would not be clicking and driving at the same time. Right?

Durango Silverton train arriving in Silverton.

This was taken on our return trip to Crystal Lake.  There was mist on the lake and just a hint of snow on Red Mountain. — This was taken on our return trip to Crystal Lake. There was mist on the lake and just a hint of snow on Red Mountain.

The sun rose and slowly Red Mountain lit up.  I had hopes of the whole thing becoming red!  Well, no such luck as the cloud cover increased and played tricks by hiding the sun, teasing me into thinking that 'just any second . . . .'  … — The sun rose and slowly Red Mountain lit up. I had hopes of the whole thing becoming red! Well, no such luck as the cloud cover increased and played tricks by hiding the sun, teasing me into thinking that 'just any second . . . .' I know that you are familiar with that routine. Right?

For me, this is as good as it was going to get.  By the way, a graduated neutral density filter came in very handy in keeping the brightest parts of the scene from blowing out.  Interestingly, the mist only shows up as reflections on the l… — For me, this is as good as it was going to get. By the way, a graduated neutral density filter came in very handy in keeping the brightest parts of the scene from blowing out. Interestingly, the mist only shows up as reflections on the lake. We noticed the same thing while in Ireland. Why does the camera not see the mist over the lake?

Karen and Tom stayed a while taking 'geometric compositions'.  I went back to the car to get warm.  They got some great compositions. — Karen and Tom stayed a while taking 'geometric compositions'. I went back to the car to get warm. They got some great compositions.

Karen and Dave stopped at Crystal Lake on there way home last Friday.  I put this here to show how much the fall foliage had changed from the first time we stopped to take our photographs of the fall color reflected on the lake.  WOW! — Karen and Dave stopped at Crystal Lake on there way home last Friday. I put this here to show how much the fall foliage had changed from the first time we stopped to take our photographs of the fall color reflected on the lake. WOW!

Karen and Dave went back to Crystal Lake to get some night photography, hopefully some good shots of the Milky Way.  Unfortunately, they had to contend with clouds, cold wind churning up the water and a pesky moon.  Some nights are just no… — Karen and Dave went back to Crystal Lake to get some night photography, hopefully some good shots of the Milky Way. Unfortunately, they had to contend with clouds, cold wind churning up the water and a pesky moon. Some nights are just not suited for night photography.

A few stars and a nice reflection of the moon on the water.

Long shutter speeds create interesting clouds.  But, there are a few stars.  Good effort. — Long shutter speeds create interesting clouds. But, there are a few stars. Good effort.

We hope you enjoyed the ride.