Lens-Artists Challenge #406: Summer Daze
Anne sets up this week‘s Lens-Artists Challenge with a fact the whole country (and the world?) seems to be experiencing. She wrote, “My goodness it’s triple digits Fahrenheit… Heat waves come and go during the summertime.” That is true for Texas, although our summer has been milder than in past years. So far, we have had only three days at or above 100ºF (38ºC). In the summer of 2023, by contrast, we endured a record consecutive 45-day streak at or above the century mark. Anne then asks, “Depending on where you live, summer may be super hot, hot, mild or even cool. What do you do during your summer daze?” Since we returned from Brazil only a month ago — and it was winter there — we will need to think of a closer location for our summer daze.
This is my 1000th post.
One place easily comes to mind: Colorado. For the past three or four years, we have escaped part of the Texas heat by driving there. Here is some of what we did just last year, when we spent time in Pagosa Springs and Ouray. For this post, I’ll focus on Pagosa Springs. Just looking at the photos again lowered the outside temperature substantially — well, at least in my mind.
There was plenty to do simply by sitting on the porch of our lodge, the Elk Trace Bed & Breakfast (first two images). While waiting for breakfast, I enjoyed cool mornings and beautiful views right from my rocking chair or swing. There were birds all around, too, but it was the landscape that kept capturing my imagination. I loved watching the sunlight filter through the trees in the cool early hours.
We also took one of the popular Jeep tours in the area. It was a great drive, especially because we were the only two passengers. Our driver was knowledgeable and stopped whenever we wanted. We saw many views of the San Juan Mountains and a few waterfalls.
On another day, we joined two friends who were camping in the area and drove to Piedra Falls. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, and we made many stops to take it in. The drive culminated with a short walk to the very refreshing Piedra Falls itself. What a beautiful area! After enjoying the falls, we took a break by this creek before heading back.
The adventures you shared last week for Ann-Christine’s challenge were incredible. I knew it was going to be a great week filled with beautiful images. I hope you will join this week’s challenge, too. Please don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries. Please look at Anne’s post for inspiration and great photos.
Next week, Patti will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in then to find out more. That is the story behind the shots. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:
- Tina of Travels and Trifles.
- Patti of P.A. Moed.
- Ann-Christine of Leya.
- John of Journeys with Johnbo.
- Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
- Sofia of Photographias.
- Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
- Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
- Beth of Wandering Dawgs.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Colorado, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Pagosa Springs, Piedra Falls, San Juan Mountains, and Waterfall. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Sources:
- Elk Trace Bed & Breakfast, Pagosa Springs — https://www.elktracebedandbreakfast.com
- San Juan National Forest, Piedra Falls Trail — https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/recreation/trails/piedra-falls-trail
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Tina Schell
Beautiful post Egidio – I can almost feel the cool air (which we could surely use down here at the moment!). The stream and the waterfalls are my favorite this week
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Tina. I could surely enjoy dipping my feet in that stream right now, too. It’ll only be 97F today, but it’s awfully hot.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful images Egídio and what a wonderful lush, green and refreshing place to spend the Summer! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Xenia. It is a great place to escape to in the summer.
Steve Schwartzman
As scenic as Colorado is—which you’ve shown—on our one visit to the Canadian Rockies I found them more spectacular than the American Rockies.
Egidio Leitao
I can’t attest to that, unfortunately. I’ve wanted to go see the Canadian Rockies. We love hiking in Colorado.
Steve Schwartzman
If you can go, I highly recommend it. We flew to Calgary and used it several times as a base. Two hours east of there you have the Canadian badlands and the great paleontology museum in Drumheller. Two hours north of Calgary is Banff and the beginning of the Canadian Rockies. Two hours south of Calgary is Waterton Lakes National Park and back across the border Glacier National Park.
Egidio Leitao
We thought about doing that last year, but changed our minds. We’ve been to Waterton Lakes NP every time we go to Glacier, but we have not explored that park.
Steve Hyde
Fabulous post Egidio. All great landscapes but the light across those first two is to dream for 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Steve. I agree with you about the light.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Summer daze in a cool place is the way to go, Egidio! I had to look up Pagosa springs, CO. Goegeous! A state I have not visited yet!
Egidio Leitao
That southwest corner of Colorado is just as beautiful as the rest of the state. We love going to Colorado. Thanks for your feedback.
Toonsarah
That looks a wonderful spot for a holiday! I love the views from your B&B and the jeep ride sounds great 🙂
Egidio Leitao
It is a wonderful place indeed, Sarah. I may simply have to go back to Colorado again this year. We did a couple of Jeep rides. Both were wonderful, especially because there were no other passengers. The driver took us to special locations for photography. Thanks for your note.
Sofia Alves
Wow, such a wonderful place, Egídio! So hard to pick a favourite but the warm light of your first one steals the show.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Sofia. While preparing the post, I began to think about going back to Colorado again this year.
restlessjo
Love those mountain and sky combinations. I love cloud gazing. Happy daze, Egidio xx
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks, Jo. xx
Anita
Your photographs are absolutely breathtaking, Egídio. They have such a magical, almost fairytale-like atmosphere. Your opening image is my favourite, it’s simply stunning. Congratulations on your 1000th post! 🎉
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita. I am happy you could connect to the place via the images. Thanks for the milestone acknowledgement, too.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Che atmosfera!
Egidio Leitao
Una meraviglia davvero. Grazie.
Leanne Cole
Beautiful Egidio. You can geel the heat there.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment very much, Leanne.
pamperrault21
Thank you for another post of beautiful images and interesting narrative. My favourite shot is of the creek, wandering around a bend. It’s absolutely begging me to go exploring there! Thank you. pp
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Pam. We sat right by the creek as we ate a snack. It was very refreshing and peaceful.
Anne Sandler
Thanks for bringing me back to Colorado Egidio! It’s a beautiful state as your images so beautifully show. After a few cool days, the heat is back. I hope you’re doing better in Texas.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for giving me a chance to revisit that Colorado trip. This year, the heat has been very mild. I think we’ve only had a handful of days above the 100-mark so far. Thanks for the feedback.
margaret21
The clouds and water brought a cooling vibe to this post (sorely needed in your part of the world it seems). It looks as though for many reasons, not least the scenery, it was just the right place to escape to.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comment, Margaret. I saved the water shots to the end in hopes of cooling the hot temperatures we are all experiencing.