We went to Gaylord Texan last night for a Christmas party. They have lots of parties and attractions this time of year but it is always special. The entire atrium of the hotel is decorated like a child's wonderland. Believe me it is really an adult's wonderland.

The atrium in the hotel is huge covering several acres and has several levels, numerous water features, and a dozen restaurants and bars. It would probably be fun anytime of the year but Christmas is just so special here. I'm sure Gaylord Texas spends several million dollars each year decorating the hotel, convention center and grounds. It is worth a visit.

Here are a few of my images from last night. All of these were taken with a Nikon P340.

Joy and I just spent two lovely weeks chasing fall color all over Colorado. Colorado is always beautiful and fall is the best time to be there. We got to visit several places that have been on our to do list for some time. We saw an interesting church on a hill above San Luis, the oldest town in the state. And I have wanted to make the trek up to Zapata Falls to take pictures of the Great Sand Dunes. The road is very bad but worth the effort.


We stayed in a Swiss chalet in Estes Park with an excellent view of the mountains from our suite. The only down side was that there was a harem of elk in the field behind the hotel and the bull kept us awake all night with his bugling.

Colorado Springs was pleasant as always. We got Joy's Subaru serviced at Hueberger Motors where we bought it a few months ago. They continue to surprise us with their pleasant, honest, first class service. Another visit to The Garden of the Gods at sunrise rewarded us with beautiful sights (and images).

We made several thousand images on this trip and I have selected a few of them to share with y'all here.

I spent a pleasant week in the mountains of northern New Mexico near Red River last week. It's always good to get out of North Texas in August and kick back at 10,000 feet where the days are warm and the nights are cool. I made a special effort to go see the two low bridges above and below Taos. Prior to 1968 when the now famous "High Bridge" was built over the Rio Grande Gorge outside of Taos these two bridges were the only way to get across the river. The John Dunn Bridge near Arroyo Hondo north of Taos is still very much in use and is also a popular drop off for the 16 mile Class 4 whitewater run down river. South of Taos the Taos Junction bridge is also a popular camping and water sports spot.

To the east of Red River I visited the old Kit Carson ranch at Rayado Settlement which is now owned by the Boy Scouts. It is operated as a living museum teaching skills and practices that were common 150 years ago. The employees dress in period costume and teach Scouts and Venturers blacksmithing, tomahawk throwing, goat milking, carpentry and other useful skills. The museum at Philmont Scout Ranch is worth a visit as is the tour through Villa Philmonte. This 28,400 square foot villa was built as the summer home for oil baron Waite Phillips.

Finally I got to visit Plaza Blanca which was made famous by Georgia O'Keeffe when she produced some paintings of the place. It is truly a remarkable place. It is also very difficult to find. There are no signs or directions until you are actually standing in front of the area. It is a beautiful place to visit and photograph and has a mystical air about it.

Some of my photos from this trip are here.

We made a quick trip to Colorado Springs to pick up Joy's new Subaru Outback. You might wonder what we went all the way to Colorado to get it and there is a simple answer. We saved about $5,000. In fact after flying to Denver, buying all of the extra coverages and such, spending a week in Colorado breaking in her new car and paying Texas sales taxes it was still cheaper. Hueberger Motors is the largest Subaru dealer in the US. They sell more cars than all of the Subaru dealers in Texas put together and then some. Plus they are great to do business with.

We drove from the Springs over to Ouray for a week and had a blast with the new car. It is incredible. The iSight safety system alone is worth buying a Subaru for.

Check out a few photos from the trip here.

I just love Rockport in the winter. It's about thirty degrees cooler than the summer and the colder air makes for some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. In addition, the Whooping Cranes are in residence at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. They frequently spill out to nearby areas to forage so if you know where to look you can see whoopers virtually any day you like. I always like to go over to Aransas Pass for lunch and a walk on the Gulf or in the beautiful town park. And for a real treat you can go to Rockport Beach which is the only Blue Wave Beach in Texas. I put a few of my photos from the trip here.