Glenwood Canyon Colorado and I-70

Hubby left for Glenwood Springs, Colorado today for another biz trip. It's hard to believe we were there just 2 weeks ago... and I was reminded that I have more pics to post.

I loved the colors and stratification of the different stones and soils we saw on our trip. Even though most of the vegetation was dormant, I appreciated its forms and colors. They are different from what I see daily in the midwest.

I decided to show you one of the shots I took along I-70 while we were still in eastern Utah. The sun reflecting off the distant peaks was stunning. There were red rock formations that literally glowed. I doubt I could have captured that even if I wasn't taking the shot thru the truck window going 80 mph!

We stayed at the Rodeway Inn in Glenwood Springs. On the right side of that shot, you can see a small shelter. That's where we enjoyed the outdoor hottub the night we stayed. It was so steamy that we almost couldn't see across the canyon where a lighted cross was on the top of the mountain. Christmas lights decorated the aspen tree by the shelter. It was beautiful and very refreshing.

Glenwood Springs is a very interesting town that I would love to return to. Amtrak has a stop there, but I think my next trip there will be by car.

Fairy Dust

Oh! How beautiful to look out the window and see the sky literally sparkling! It looked like fairy dust was falling, and suddenly, it was gone. Good thing I grabbed my camera before it was too late. This was taken last January from a condo at Sol Vista Resort near Granby, Colorado.
FYI - only editting to this photo was adding the text.

Scenic Travel through Utah on US 6

We arrived in Salt Lake City and got off Amtrak near 2 a.m. After a short taxi ride to an unfriendly motel, we got a few hours of much needed sleep having spent nearly 27 hours on the train. Hubby took possession of a 1 ton Dodge truck that he would drive home to Iowa via Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The drive was beautiful with the vistas changing at every turn.

I'll let these pictures of part of our Utah route do the talking. Be sure to click on the pictures if you want a closer view.

Colorado from Amtrak's California Zephyr

We traveled from Osceola, Iowa to Salt Lake City via Amtrak's California Zephyr early last week. Here are a few shots I took from the lounge car. There are some reflections on 2 of the pictures, but I really like the scenery. I hope to use some of my images for future paintings.

It's beautiful country and I would recommend the trip - even with the bumpy stretches that left my body aching.

Coming next - driving thru Utah.

Travel - A time to refresh, renew & be inspired.

Hubby & I will travel by Amtrack from Iowa to Salt Lake City to pick up a vehicle for his job, so technically it's a business trip. But I know this will be a great time for us. We love traveling together, being on the road away from everything in our everyday lives, time to talk, time to spend in companionable silence as we take in our surroundings.

What's difficult for me is I MUST have something to keep my hands busy, and I have a hard time limiting myself when I pack. But the reality of having arthritis is I can't overload myself. I'll be loading a backpack with a sketchbook, drawing supplies & watercolor pencils. I'm also taking some knitting along. Last, I need to select a book in addition to my Bible.

Last year we flew to Phoenix and drove a vehicle back to Iowa. The first picture is from that road trip somewhere north of Phoenix.

The second shot is from a trip I was on to Colorado with family last January. We stayed north of Winter Park. I took this shot from the condo. Our travels will take us very near this spot on Monday. I'll post from the road if I can. TTFN

The Business of Art

I came home exhausted tonight close to 9 pm. After a cat nap I've been back at the business of art which is how I spent much of my day.

After labeling and writing an inventory list, I delivered painted totes, fantasy beaded icicles, and more jewelry (one item pictured above) to Swinging Bridge Studio in Story City. They worked on making a really nice display while I was still there. Sorry, no photo! If the weatherman is REALLY wrong, I will go back tomorrow and take pictures. We are supposed to get really nasty winter weather tomorrow.

After my regular pool exercise session, it was time to teach beginning knitting at Prairie Fibers Company. I was really excited about this opportunity. Many years ago I managed a needlework shop where I taught many skills. Knitting was among my favorites. To oversimplify - you are taking 2 sticks and string to make fabric. Wow! 3 years ago I introduced some of my nieces to knitting. I loved seeing them "get" it. So I was looking forward to helping my students get the same satisfaction. My students are a mother and her young daughter, both determined and both left being able to knit. I'm proud of both of them and looking forward to getting together for our next lesson.

I have 2 new listings on Etsy tonight. I hope you will check them out.

New Etsy Listings (At Long Last!)

Tonight I FINALLY pushed everything else aside to get some Etsy listings finished. It's not hard to post a listing, but it takes some focus to go through the steps to write a concise, yet detailed description. There's the photo editing to go through, too. I'm getting faster, but still, it takes time.

You can see thumbnails of the new additions to my Etsy store on the right side of the screen. Clicking on them will take you to the store.

Today's photo shows a bracelet that hasn't make it to the store yet. It can be yours for $120. The scrumptious lampwork beads were made by my bead pal, Tera of Beady Girl Beads.