Around the Valley

San Luis valley, southern Colorado, USA.

During summer of 2012 I moved to Alamosa, Colorado. It is a small town and would be a speck in the distance in the photo above. Almost directly east of town is Mt. Blanca, comfortably resting at 14,351 ft (4,374m), which is the 4th tallest peak in Colorado. I hiked it twice during my short tenure in Alamosa. This photo is facing west into the vast San Luis valley.

This is a great view facing north. This trip up Mt. Blanca was with two wonderful people named Laurel and Jess. Mt. Blanca is a part of the massive Sangre de Cristo mountain range referenced by Paul Simon in "Hearts and Bones" and pictured here curving north by northwest.

Me: "You guys ready?"

Laurel and/or Jess: "Hold on just a sec."

While in Alamosa, I managed a small apartment complex for Adams State University. This is a section of it which encompassed the courtyard where I lived. In 2012, my team and I put together a summer project and part of it included installing this volleyball court. My office is background-right, with the door open.

My team from left to right: Chris, Justine, Melinda, Joe, Kayla, myself, Brittnie and Kendra. I later named one of my students in China after Kayla.

This is just outside my office. Usually the town deer are gnarly, but a young healthy buck made an appearance.

Alamosa is in the center of the massive San Luis valley. Because of this sunken location, the winters can be bitterly cold as all the cool air congregates to the lowest point (the center) of the valley at night.

Winter didn't prevent me from weekend trips to my favorite spot, Zapata Falls. Camping here would be cold, but appropriate preparation makes it very enjoyable. As referred to in the caption above, this was taken at sunrise which enables you to see the frosty air congregate in the bowl of the valley at night.

The weather and temperatures of Zapata made me learn the importance of how to build a proper fire. Don't underestimate the wind and don't light anything until all wood is gathered!