DC - FDR Memorial

I've still got some pictures left from the DC trip earlier this year and I'll try to get them posted in the next few weeks. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is a large, walk-around memorial with numerous fountains and themed areas representing different areas of his life. It's a little off the central area of the Mall but it's worth the small detour as it's a unique and memorable monument to a remarkable man.

A Little More Snow

Photographed this morning.

Late Summer Snow

We had a little snow at my house today, before summer's even officially over.  Most had melted by the time I got home but here's some, just to get you in the spirit for winter.

There may be more overnight.

Morning Dew

Taken in a patch of reeds on a hike this morning.

Mount Herman

West of the town of Monument rises Mount Herman, and I recently climbed it. It's about a 2-mile round trip. After parking next to a dirt road, the trail starts climbing up a valley.

The flowers were out in force.

The trail quickly leaves the valley and starts climbing up the ridge.

It passes through a picturesque meadow.

The trail becomes steeper, climbing up a very rocky section.

And it finally deposits you on the mountaintop, where you have views to the east that go on forever, and nice views of the unspoiled wilderness to the west. The red flag is a wind sock for the hangliders that take off from the mountaintop, although there weren't any this time.

Here's the Air Force Academy.

Here's one of the local lakes and the outskirts of Monument.

There were thousands of ladybugs out on the top.

I thought the shape of this dead tree was unusual.

The clouds were starting to build so it was time to head down. Literally as soon as I got back to the car I heard the first thunder, so I left at just the right time.

And finally, here's a view of the road that takes you to the trail head. It's a dirt road with no guardrails.

Snake

I took Socks out into the front yard yesterday, and he found this. He wasn't interested in it but I was. It was about 2 feet long.

Here's a similar picture, not quite as close but with the tongue out.

Colorado Balloon Classic (Balloon Glow)

Each Labor Day weekend, there's a major balloon festival in Colorado Springs called the Colorado Balloon Classic. Each morning there are over 100 balloons that ascend from the field, and in the evenings is a balloon glow. It's really fun because you can get right into the field with the balloons for an up-close look, and it's free!

Here's a balloon as it starts to inflate. I was close enough to almost touch it, and the picture was taken with a very wide angle lens and flash (the rest are by the light of the balloons and burners).

This is looking right up into a balloon from underneath while the burner is firing.

A balloon behind a tree.

An up-close of a balloon lit from within.

And finally, several balloons.

I don't know if I'll get up early enough to see an ascension this year, but if I do I'll be sure to take some pictures.