THE BEAUTIFUL WAVES

Late this summer with hurricanes stirring up the Atlantic, I found many opportunities for fun with my camera. I often watch the surfers trying to capture an unusual or interesting shot.

This young man appeared to be climbing the wave as he bailed out on one wave and headed back out to catch another.

At times waves meet and send water high into the air in beautiful spray.

The passing of Hurricane Earl far out to sea brought rough water and beach erosion.

But it also brought beautiful waves.


To capture this wave action is often a matter of patience and luck

MORE WAVES DUE TO HURRICANE IGOR

When the backwash from the wave at low tide hits another wave coming ashore, beautiful formations are created.

And when a breaking wave encounters a strong offshore breeze things get ever more interesting.

The beauty of the ocean never ceases to amaze me.

How lucky I am to still live part of the year in this beautiful place of my childhood.

In the morning the tracks left by the beach cleaning crews made interesting patterns on the sand.

And the pelicans heading south for their winter home in Florida pass by the sun burning through the foggy sky.

BACK AT THE NJ SHORE

Returning to sea level after our time in the mountains of Colorado is always a bit of adjustment.

But who can resist the beauty of a rainbow at sunset over the ocean,

Especially when it precedes the rising of a full moon.

However the birds on the beach, such as this adult Herring Gull, are always fun to watch.

This one snagged a large eel from the ocean, watched by a envious competitor.

The sandpipers, as always manage to stay just above the ocean edge and keep their feet dry.

MUSHROOM HUNTING IN CRESTED BUTTE

Just before we left my friend, Jan took me on a new experience, mushroom hunting in Colorado. I had searched for Morels when we lived in Michigan, but had never had the opportunity to look for the wide variety on good mushrooms that grow in our mountains.

We were accompanied by Jan's daughter, Aspen and family so I was in good company. Katherine Rose got to ride,

While big brother showed his prowess in mushroom hunting.

The Hawk's Wing mushroom I would have passed by thinking they were clumps of mud.

This interesting orange one took my eye,

And these looked entirely like something else.

Mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes and colors - some orange -

And some a beautiful Yellow. But be sure you know what you are eating before you do, because some are delicious and some poisonous.

At the end of the day I cooked these 3 varieties that they knew were delicious, and safe: the Hawks wing, the Chantrelles, and the Boletes - and they were.

A DRIVE TO TAYLOR RESERVOIR

Near the end of our time in Crested Butte this summer, finally finishing the necessary yard work, we took a drive up to the Taylor Reservoir to see what changes might have occured.

Along the way we stopped briefly to watch rock climbers on the cliffs of Taylor Canyon.

And a fisherman in the Taylor River.

Though the cloud cover was heavy, light still lit the mountain tops in the background.

The Reservoir waters were blue and the flowers in bloom.

The town of Taylor sports many relics of the past, including this old wagon on a rise beh1nd the general store.

VIEWS FROM OUR COLORADO HOME

Sitting here in our home on the NJ Shore on a rainy day, watching the weather which has become more than just a pastime, I am remembering doing so in Colorado this summer. Here in the fall we watch the progress of the Atlantic Hurricane, giving thanks that we escaped Earl as we keep track of Igor and the one following it. There we were aware of sunrises and sunsets and the progress of rain clouds, which might interfer with the days outdoor activities.

The sunrise can color the clouds a soft pink above the ground fog.

And the sunset can light up the sky in beautiful vivid colors of orange and purples.

But one of my favorites is when the puffy clouds hang low beneath a clear blue sky.

Rainstorms, when they arrive are often preceded by interesting, bulbous clouds.

But when the air balloons are aloft there is still no better sight.

TRIP TO CREEDE, CO

There is a 50+ woman's organization in Crested Butte called "Butte Beauties" - that I am happy to be a part of. They are beautiful, interesting and active, beyond my ability at this point of life, but I treasure them as friends. There was an overnight trip to the old mining town of Creede just after we returned to Crested Butte and I was delight to be included. I rode with 3 friends through a beautiful part of the state alone the Silver Thread Highway, that was mostly new to me.

On the way we stopped to see this beautiful North Clear Creek Falls, considered the most photographed falls in Colorado, for good reason.

Arriving in Creede before our cabins were ready we spent a bit of time walking around town being welcomed by this sign.

Being an old mining town, the firehouse was located inside a cave.

Next to the fire department was a mining museum built within a cave excavated for just this purpose. The displays were well done and informative.

I always wondered about the bathroom facilities underground.

After getting settled in out cabins we all went for a short hike in in the drizzling rain.

I saw my first large mushroom, a King Bolete - a hint of what was to come in my future. Never having been in CO during the mushroom hunting season it was a thrill.

We also saw a red Penstamin among a lot of familiar other wildflowers from our mountains.

In the evening we all attended a play in the famous Creede theater - known all over this part of Colorado as the best repertoire theater.

After another nice hike the next day the sun came out enough on our trip home to get a good view of the headwaters of the Rio Grand from the top of the pass.

We stopped for lunch in Lake City just pass this beautiful strand of aspens.

And got back home in Crested Butte accompanied by a good afternoob thundershower, hard driving for Malla.

GUNNISON RIVER WATER PARK

On our way back from Montrose one day, we stopped in Gunnison to see the water park we had heard about on the Gunnison River.

We watched 3 young men in their mini kayaks battling the rapids.

The rapids were created when new boulders were placed in the fast moving water of the river, and the "water park" has become a great attraction for the young at heart, and body. Having watched kayaks battling the rapid in Hungary on an offshoot of the Danube, and the ocean in New Jersey, it was fun to see it in Colorado.