Lost Lake and beyond, CO

Friday, August 19th, 2011

“Beyond an appreciation for the things that are simply pleasing to our eyes, beauty is described by wisdom traditions as an “experience” that also touches our hearts, minds and soul.” ~ Gregg Braden

Grand Mesa #62-6

I am not up early this morning even though I remember crawling in the sleeping bag before dark. It is humid here, the inner of the outer walls of the tent are dripping wet and only now at this very moment the glorious Sun is making it’s appearance. All will dry quickly. Today my good Friend Brent is joining us. He is coming down all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio. Brent has been my good Friend these past years. An accomplished Photographer he also has been my mentor having always the answers of my questions.

Grand Mesa #62-5

Dirt road #12-2

We shall stay at camp today. Our tent is still amazing me, I am still walking my knees bent thinking of a ceiling not present here. The weather has been more than perfect. It always brings a mental calmness, one that allows the body and the mind to go on without hardship and presenting a balanced stage throughout it all. I am sinking deep into the bowls of Nature even if I am still today thinking of my past pages. All is serene right now and even though the scenery has not changed from yesterday, neither the circumstances, I think about the situations that have shaken the foundations of my beliefs. The ones unlike today that have tested the limits of my sensibilities,  the ones that have challenged me to rise above the things that hurt me.
 
The beauty that you live with,
The beauty that you live by,
The beauty upon which you base your life.

Dirt road #12

An old Navajo saying with much wisdom I had read one time not long ago. The simplicity of these words always have offered renewed hope when all else seems to have failed. Wisdom and Hurt seem to be the two extremes of the same experience felt. I am finding them to be the beginning and completion of one same cycle. So much hurt felt through a loss has led to a wisdom surfacing a healing expression of such hurt. Trying so hard to change such pain into new meanings such as beauty so everywhere when the veil is lifted.

Grand Mesa #62

Lost Lake

We have left Beaver Creek Lake, spend another night at my Friends house filled with an unequaled hospitality. I was Home. Life’s conversations ensuing filled me with the knowledge that I am not alone in this climb to a mountain top we seek for. Bobbie, Mark, hey you two, we miss you but as we all five of us know we need to leave our imprints on these paths taken which remain ahead of us.

Lost Lake-7

Lost Lake-6

And what a great path today it has been. So great that Spirit is already snoring, my nightly going to sleep Music and myself right behind him. We stopped in Grand Junction for more Canidae and finally purchased a little lantern, then on through the beautiful Grand Mesa National Forest with it’s incredible vistas being Highway 62, on forward 92 East and then on brushing against Paonia, finally a right hand turn on unpaved 12 which will eventually take us to Crested Butte. A gem I found, Lost Lake, this dirt road leading to it making a right hand turn instead of staying on the main road.

Lost Lake-11

Colorado has become my savior. The mountains sprouting from the green layers of the pine trees, rugged and indecisive to their own directions, topped with the most intriguing cloud formations, all this at about 9000 feet. My stamina has become stronger, this space will definitely be our summer getaways as again like so many other spaces one’s Lifetime will never be enough to experience.

Lost Lake-5

I missed the Sunset, photos that is, missed the Sunrise, same. Sometimes the camera appears as a wall between the vision and the senses, hinders a memory which becomes and remains in future times truer without a lens. Maybe tonight. Will ride on Crested Butte and come back to this brand new campground on Lost Lake, Dollar Lake, it is too good to move on and my half price discount makes it affordable. This morning is as there is no World as most know it left behind. It can not be. This is the real stage, a slice of it still untouched by the human hands, only footprints from the few who have discover such Treasure. I am overwhelmed, the balance has regained it’s composure. Do I ever need to go back?

Lost Lake-13

"I have had a great deal of interest in my photography over the years, for which I am grateful. Their sales are of much importance funding this Journal. Yes, please feel free to purchase one or two… or a few. I have been adding some photos lately, there will be more as I sift through about 100,000 of them.

Take a look. “Smugmug” stands for quality. Thank you”

Lost Lake-16

Be well, always.

Ara & Spirit

Lost Lake-18

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4 Responses to “Lost Lake and beyond, CO”

  1. Dick (dharmabum) Says:

    Ara,

    One of the greatest spritual awakenings in my life was the climb to the top of Gothic Mountain, to sit and breathe the wisps of the gathering foehn, and the total feeling of freedom. I love Crested Butte, although it has changed sustantially since the 80’s, it is still magical. Ah, the dragons, what magic.
    Will you be there for Vinotok? The burning of the grudges is a spectacular way to rid yourself of baggage held onto too long.

    Dick

  2. scruffy Says:

    I can only hope there is no ‘need’ to go back. Love it that you are out there~ hope to join in soon. Travel well, and thanks.

  3. texascindy Says:

    Beautiful!!! I am so jealous! These are some of your best photos thus far. And I’m sure I’ll change my mind on that the next time you post more! Safe travels!

  4. The Box Canyon Blogger Says:

    Wow… Colorado really agrees with you and your camera. Exquisite photos today, Ara. Superb.
    Mark and Bobbie

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