My camping set-up in the happy aspen trees
I love visiting a beautiful place repeatedly over time. One can learn a lot about a place by seeing it in different lights and seasons. There is a huge area of dispersed camping and trails about 20 miles from my house in the La Plata Mountains. I spotted a nice weather window over the weekend and loaded up the car for some nights sleeping on the ground. I also filled the car with various art and craft supplies and I even used some of them!
I particularly enjoy spending time in aspen trees. They are happy trees. Their leaves shake in the wind and that reflects the sunlight in beautiful ways. The area I was camping in has some old growth aspen trees. Some of them are absolutely huge.
Old growth aspen hugs
And my neighbors kept coming and going the whole time I was up there. This is always the case in this area which is open range. The cows are harmless, but you do have to get used to the sounds they make at night or they can be startling! I also wear mud boots when I camp there… because poop happens and cow poop is BIG.
I took a hike near Mt. Hesperus one day and brought my binoculars and spindle along. I saw plenty of birds including a flock of turkeys, a Pine Grosbeak, and a couple Wilson’s Warblers which have been particularly elusive in the past. I love this mountain which I can see from my studio window as well. Those of you in Summer of Tapestry 2025 remember my Earth prompt was about this mountain. I wove that about a year ago in a camp in this area.
Mt. Hesperus from the Sharkstooth Pass trail in Montezuma County, CO
I love to spend a little time spinning while hiking. In this case I was chatting with a young family on their way up the trail to camp on the other side of the pass. The mom was carrying a 2 year old who was sleeping in her pack, the dad was carrying all their gear (!!), and the 4 year old had a light pack probably with his sleeping bag. Way to start them young! They were going out for 2 nights and probably were hiking 3-4 miles each way total.
Spinning yarn near Mt. Hesperus in Colorado
Much of the next day was spent right here with a pile of books and some knitting.
Relaxing in my hammock in the sunshine
Rock Mini #4 in progress
I also spent some time finishing this tapestry which is the fourth in a series I call the Rock Mini’s. There is nothing better than weaving outside on a nice day.
For those of you who support me on Patreon at any level, look for a video about my trip and some more images of this rock mini piece which I did finish.
Where do you go when you need some hammock time?