Wildflowers in Buena Vista

Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunflower)

Alpine Yarrow

Spring Beauty

Red Columbine

Parry's Primrose

Elephant Head

Indian Paintbrush

Jacob's Ladder

Bluebells

Heartleaf Bittercress

Alpine Aster (growing out of a boulder)

Prairie Smoke

Weekend in Buena Vista

This past weekend, my cousin Jessie and her husband Brad came into town for what has become their biannual trip to Colorado. This third trip, for them, was particularly special as they celebrated their first wedding anniversary! I have a hard time believing a year has passed since I was helping Jess pick out flowers, decorating the wedding hall, and bawling at the head table listening to my Uncle Lee read a letter from Uncle Jim to the two of them. What sweet memories, and what a sweet and happy married couple they have become in that time. 

We found a little cabin tucked between ponderosa pines at the base of Mt. Princeton that suited the four of us just perfectly. Our weekend was filled with whitewater rafting, hiking and soaking in the nearby hot springs--leaving us too sleepy to even rouse our usual competitive spirits to play a game or two. I can say with confidence that we made the most of the long weekend. 

Here are a few photos of the trip. You can see a few more in Jessie's space.   

The road to leading to our cabin. 

Hummingbirds feeding at the rafting company!

What a fun trip to the mountains. I'm not sure where life will take me over the next few years, but I say with hope that I'll still be in Colorado so we can make this a tradition of sorts. And, in about a week, we'll be heading to Wisconsin and staying with Jess and Brad at their new place near Milwaukee!

Homemade Goodness

Homemade whole wheat blueberry pancakes. Pannies, as Uncle Jim used to call them. What a wonderful treat during the work week! Thanks to B. for waking early to make them.

Summer Solstice

"The quality of life, which in the ardor of spring was personal and sexual, becomes social in midsummer." 

Henry Beston

Happy Summer.

See more photos like these here.

Happy Father's Day!

These photos were all taken exactly one year ago when I spent a week in Wisconsin for Jessie's wedding. There were so many beautiful things to celebrate that week: love, family, new life, happiness. After looking through the photos again this year, I realized I had captured my dad in so many of the places that make him who he is today--a loving father, a sportsman at heart, a wonderful brother, son and uncle, a new grandfather, and simply someone people enjoy being around. 

My dad. Couldn't have it better. 

These places I hold so close, in part, because of my father:

At home, in the garden.

Up North, at the cabin.

(If you've ever been up north with me, you know that fishing off the dock in the dark is just something my dad does. Every night.)

Together, with family:

Meeting his new granddaughter:

These photos bring so much joy to my heart. 

Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you!