Trips Arizona Colorado Maroon Bells Great Sand Dunes Indian Peaks Mount Evans Louisiana New Mexico Utah Bermuda

I found it interesting that a few years ago there was a big "to do" about the process the state of Colorado used to select a new marketing slogan. They paid some amount of money (since it was the government, of course it was viewed as being too much) to a marketing firm. The idea was to come up with a slogan that would be used to promote the state for tourism. So, after weeks or months of deliberation, focus groups, and experimentation, what did the marketing firm come up with?

That was it. Just the state's name. You can imagine the hue and outcry...

The problem is that the slogan works... but only for people that know the state. For people that don't already know the state, the slogan doesn't do a thing to make them want to visit. But that's where I come it. Free of charge! No Colorado tax dollars were used to create this page on my web site, although I would be happy to accept them if offered.

I have had numerous opportunities to visit the state of Colorado over the years. For one thing, my folks live there. For another, I often work there. This page is intended to show of some of the wonder and beauty that exists in one of my favorites states... Colorado.

Current photo tours of Colorado

"Morning Sun on the Dunes" Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Colorado Big Picture

Great Sand Dunes National Monument
Colorado is more than mountains and goats. It is also home to the largest sand dunes in North America. These dunes are located in the southwest corner of the state in an area reserved as a national park.

Nearby is a bird sanctuary that is a stopping point on the migration path for whooping cranes and other migratory birds. The cranes head north for the summer, so go in the fall or spring if you want to see them.

"Indian Peaks Flowers" Arapaho National Forest, Colorado Big Picture

Indian Peaks Wilderness Area
The Arapaho National Forest was established in 1908 by then president Teddy Roosevelt. It includes land on both sides of the continental divide! That means that some of the rivers that start in the mountains flow East, mostly into the Gulf of Mexico. Other rivers that are born in this area flow West and end up in the Pacific Ocean instead. For a good description of the area, check out the web pages maintained by GORP, which stands for Great Outdoor Recreational Pages. Cool site.

"Mountain Goats on Mount Evans" Mount Evans, Colorado Big Picture

Mount Evans
Mount Evans is home to Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, and the highest paved road in the country. Not too far away in Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest continuous paved road in the country, but this one goes nearly to the summit of a 14,000 foot mountain. That's high enough to take pictures above the clouds.

"Snow on the Maroon Bells" Maroon Bells Wilderness Area, Colorado Big Picture

Maroon Bells
One of the most picturesque areas of Colorado (if you can imagine any one part of the state being more beautiful than the rest) is the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. The Maroon Bells mountains sit at the end of a glacier-carved valley. The area is generally closed during winter months due to avalanche danger, but in the spring through the fall it is absolutely beautiful.

Coming Attractions

• Hanging Lake
  A geological anomaly, this lake literally hangs on the side of a mountain. It is located near Glenwood Springs, just off of I-70. A "must see" in many guidebooks. I've been there several times and will share pictures soon.
• Garden of the Gods
  Even though this park is an easy drive from downtown Colorado Springs that doesn't mean that you shouldn't go. I'll show you why.
• Royal Gorge
  The highest suspension bridge in the country, and it's all a tourist attraction. Really.