"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity..." --John Muir, 1898

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Hike: Great Gallery at Horseshoe Canyon

I took this hike last month, but was too preoccupied with posting the vacation photos that I haven't got around to posting this one until now.

Horseshoe Canyon is remote; in fact, Blue John Canyon is nearby. From the paved road, the dirt road leading to the trailhead takes at least an hour to drive. I camped at the trailhead that night. I saw a kit fox for the first time on a rock ledge. He let me get within a couple yards. His eyes were heavy and seemed more interested in sleep than me. We sat together for a while as I watched the sun set, and only when I pushed my luck did he run under a rock and "bark" at me until I left.

The next morning I hiked into Horseshoe Canyon to see the Great Gallery and accompanying rock art panels, perhaps the finest example of archaic rock art in the world. I had been wanting to see these for years. I hope you enjoy the photos of this incredible, mesmerizing landmark.



Driving up the dirt road to the trailhead, I had to stop for a photo or two. No roads, no people, just fantastic desolation.






Descending into Horseshoe Canyon.






This is the weirdest thing. It is a photograph of the fossil footprint of a three-toed dinosaur (there are several in the area). However, the photo is an unintended optical illusion (at least to me). It appears as thought the imprint is actually poking out as opposed to sinking in. If you rotate the photo 180 degrees, you will see that it is indeed an imprint. Very strange.






Farther down the Canyon.






Moon and bluff.






Detail of the first panel at High Gallery.






A wider shot of High Gallery.






Rock art at Alcove Gallery.






Detail of Alcove Gallery.






Some art I found interesting. Also, notice the lovely contribution of modern homo sapiens, known academically as "vandals".






Distant shot of Alcove Gallery, to put it into perspective.






Another alcove where rock art and ruins are found.






Peeking out from inside the alcove.






The pièce de résistance, the Great Gallery. For perspective, the largest rightmost figure is about 4 feet high.






Detail. Armless, ghost-like figures are indicative of this rock art style.






Detail. Note the intricacy and the two animal-like figures on his shoulders and the "lightning bolts" above each.






The Holy Ghost panel. This is the most popular panel. Look how beautifully composed it is. Several types of painting techniques are employed here.






Detail of central Holy Ghost figure. Notice that, in addition to paint, the artist scratched designs into the body.






Detail.






This piece fascinates me. It appears as if the figure on the left is being hanged. ?? There is another slender, ghost-like figure to the right of the main figure.






The animal figures appear to be mountain goats. Notice the two sparring figures at the right, swords/clubs in hand.






An oasis up a side canyon in which I stopped for a snack and rest.






Prickly Pear blossoms.






Bearded lizzard.



Monday, June 23, 2008

Final Day: Amsterdam

Saturday

We got up around 3:30 on saturday morning and headed for the airport in a taxi. There's not much else to say except we had two giant layovers, and one of them was in Amsterdam again. This time, I was bound and determined to make it inside the Anne Frank House. We figured out the bus system this time and arrived just in time to stand in an enormous line that crept along. We weren't sure we would make it, but we did. We had to tour the museum with our backpacks on backwards and it was a challenge for me, especially since 1) I had no checked baggage; everything I took on the trip was in that backpack, and it was a bit heavy, and 2) I was so tired and there were many steep, narrow stairs to navigate. Anyway, it was great to see the house; I felt blessed.



Our last major layover was in Minneapolis, where we gave in and went to that imposing obscenity, the Mall of America. After being up for 30 hours or so, it was a bit of sensory overload (although, I think the place would have been so regardless).

We arrived in Colorado Springs late that night and back at my apartment sometime after midnight.

Here are some photos that were either a little arty or not really good enough to show earlier, but that have some significance. Enjoy!



An archway in Chateau de Chillon near Montreaux, Switzerland.






Murren, Switzerland, under snow.






An Alphaus we discovered on our hike to Kilchbalm.






Another street in Murren.






A paraglider (bottom right corner) gliding over the cliffs near Murren, Swizterland.






Alpenglow in Gimmewald, Switzerland.






Detail of a monument in Cathedralplatz, Salzburg, Austria.






Tower at Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg, Austria.






View from a doorway in the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg, Austria.






Door at the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg, Austria.






Cathedral spires, Salzburg, Austria.






Detail of cobblestones, Salzburg, Austria.






Tulips at Mirabel Gardens, Salzburg, Austria.






Horse Fountain near Kapitelplatz, Salzburg, Austria.






The sign in front of Frau Balwein's on Moostrasse, Salzburg, Austria.






Elderly couple in the gardens of Schoenbrunn Palace, Austria.






Detail of the ceiling at the Gloriette monument, Schoenbrunn Palace, Austria.






Obelisk in Schoenbrunn Gardens, Austria.






Coffins at the Kaisergruft, Vienna, Austria.






Detail of coffin at the Kaisergruft, Vienna, Austria.






Reflections of St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria.






A street leading to the Hofsburg Palace, Vienna, Austria.






Willow leaves against a church window, Vienna, Austria.






Hofsburg Palace, Vienna, Austria.






Stained Glass in St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria.






Stained Glass in St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria.






Reflections of Charles Church, Vienna, Austria.