Top Ten Scenic Roads in America

Collegiate Peaks Wilderness area

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The other day I came across an article; Top Ten Scenic Roads in America
and one is Cottonwood Pass, right here in Colorado.  I'll be darn! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/08/most-scenic-roads-in-the-us_n_754878.html#s152525

Now, before anyone goes off the deep end, let's ask ourselves how much more subjective can you get with such a claim? Yes, we all have our favorites and when we see such lists we are either nodding in agreement or mumbling that they don't know what they are talking about. In this particular list I would agree with all the choices, but it is only Cottonwood Pass the I can validate from experience and with photographic proof'.

Last year, Vicky and I spent our  eleventh anniversary in Buena Vista, a town on the eastern base of the pass. We spent a couple days in the area enjoying the scenery, some amazing Hot Springs, and of course a couple drives up to the summit. You can check out our photos on this link. When it opens, click on the slide show icon in the upper right corner.  When it starts, click on the full screen icon on the lower right. Thus far, I think flickr has the best means of displaying and viewing photos  http://www.flickr.com/photos/tagalongphotography/sets/72157624451936742/

We have promised ourselves a spring time return trip which will include going on down the western side into Tin Cup, and beyond. Of course we will be taking pictures along the way.http://www.pitkincolorado.com/tincup

Other places and other thoughts

Above Bowman Lake, Glacier National Park
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Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park
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Middle Fork River in West Glacier
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Vicky and I are excited about our trip to Cozumel, but there has been something else on my mind for awhile and that something else is that next July I will turn 65. That seems to be a milestone I would like to mark in a way that replenishes my soul, fulfills a goal/dream that has been set aside, adds a new experience to my life, and finds me in a new place to photograph to my hearts content. With very little thought, my heart said we should be on top of some mountain in Glacier National Park, July 29th, 2011 and within short order my mind and heart were in agreement. Now, my heart is going to step back just a step or two, and let my mind get all three of us there, to an yet unnamed
mountain top somewhere in Glacier National Park, on July 29, 2011. Stop by, there will be a party going on.

A friend of mine, who lives in Montana, is familiar with Glacier and has offered a few suggestions of some places to check out. Also, I have been using Google earth to do some aerial reconnaissance of the park. It just blows me away. With a couple clicks I am checking the lay of the land in a way only dreamt of a few years ago.

There will be much information to gather before concrete plans are made, but for now the basic plan is in place to get there, be there, breathe deep, and count my blessings. Jerry Garcia's road might have been along strange trip; mine has been simply about getting to here. And what a grand place it is.

Just in case any of you are asking why would Dennis picked Glacier National Park to turn 65, here are a few pics I lifted from Google earth. I will gather many of my own, and one day tell my grand daughters about all that I saw. Raging glacial fed rivers; mountain meadows as far as the eye can see; mountains that look like they were just made yesterday; glaciers that will be gone within 20 years, and even a few mountain lakes. Then there will be all the wild things.

Just where is Cozumel, anyway??

Now that Vicky and I have our reservation and plane tickets, it occurred to me that I didn't know, “where is Cozumel, anyway?” So, I pulled up Google earth and with a few seconds there it was, a little south of the Gulf of Mexico in the Caribbean Sea, the Isla de Cozumel. Having only been to Mexico once before almost three years ago, the idea of learning a little more about our neighbor to the south only makes sense in our changing world.

Here is a short description of Cozumel taken from a travel guide: Teardrop-shaped Cozumel has seen some hard times - Spanish invasion, death by smallpox and a flailing economy - but these days it is a calm, charming island with a prime diving reputation. Known as Ah-Cuzamil-Peten (Island of Swallows) by its earliest inhabitants, it is Mexico's largest and most populated island.

Thanks to a Jacques Cousteau documentary on its world-class reefs it has been a favorite international diving destination since 1961. It is literally swimming with diving sites - about 100 have been identified around Cozumel, and at least a dozen of them are shallow enough for snorkeling.

Area: 301 sq. km.
Population: 67,000 inhabitants

We have already heard from a couple of friends about things to do and places to go while we are there, plus I have been doing some research on other recommendations of things to photograph while in Cozumel. It seems this island is best known for its water attractions, above and below, which might limit some photo opportunities. But best guess, we will find some great back drops and things of interest to photograph, too.

This is kind of cool. You can take a virtual tour of the resort that we will be staying at. An all inclusive Resort for less than we usually spend on hotel with a continental breakfast. This will be a real treat come January.
 http://iceportal.com/brochures/ice/Brochure.aspx?did=1668&brochureid=ICE3820&type=vr&index=&selectedvrplayer=J

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An example for photo viewing

I thought I'd post an example of how our photos will be accessed. Simply click on the link provided, which will a take you to my flickr account. Then click on the slide show tab in the upper right corner....Wah-La! These are a few photos taken at the Minnesota Arboretum in early October while visiting Steve and Kama.

Please feel free to leave comments, we'd love to hear from you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tagalongphotography/sets/72157625245979090/

Everyday, a First day

A few weeks ago Vicky and I joined, for the lack of a better word, a travel club, which is becoming much more than just a travel club as we learn more about World Ventures. It is my intention to use this blog to accomplish several things. First, why Vicky and I thought it was right for us; secondly to describe our first few steps, and beyond down the the road of what was only "someday" conversation a short time ago. Also, this blog will be the never ending story of our travels that will include photographs telling their own stories.

We had this idea presented to us by a local physical therapist who is sort of like one more of the "kids," who happens to own and operate a very successful business. After several conversations with Matt about World Ventures and crunching some easy to understand numbers, we felt comfortable enough to buy in and in time felt we could see ourselves presenting this to others. When we sat down with a couple of friends and told them about our game plan, they also thought it was a good idea and purchased memberships. But, since we had not yet rode the mare we have been bragging about, we decided the other night to make arrangements to ride her around the arena in January. All was accomplished seamlessly in short order, with conformation coming early the next day, we then booked our flight. Done!

Basically, we are going to be spending five nights at the Cozumel's four star, all inclusive Palace Resort for $565. Once we get there we will get $750 Vacation Dollars per room which can be used in a variety of ways. Those travel dollars come to about 2/3 the cost of airfare, so do the math.
One of those quick getaways becomes unbelievably affordable and "someday," becomes January 2011!

If you are interested, check out Palace Resorts in Cozumel at: http://www.palaceresorts.com/resorts/cozumelpalace

And here's what the vacation dollars can be used for: $750 Vacation Dollars per room to use towards the following activities:
$150 toward Spa treatment
Golf on the Moon Spa & Golf Club, Riviera Cancun Golf & Resorts, and Playacar Spa & Golf Club. Total of $750 can be used toward golf with transportation to course at members expense
Tours-activities: Chichen Itza, Tulum/Xpu-Ha, Isla Mujeres, Coba, Wet'n Wild, Extreme Kingdom Zip Line Tour, and Swim with the Dolphins (at Wet'n Wild. Transportation for this activity is not included) Tours and activities are provided by the Palace Vacation Planners.
Romantic dinner
Upgraded wine list
Toward the wedding of your Dreams

Vacation dollars are not transferable, non cumulative, and cannot be held over for future stays. They can not be exchanged for cash, products or merchandise.Tours and services are based on availability.