Trip 5280

My annual westward journey this year was later in the summer than is typical for me, but that led to experiencing some areas at a completely different time of year than normal which was quite fun. The trips name this time comes from two different avenues. Firstly, 5280 is the number of feet in a mile and my voyage both started and ended in Denver, so I found it quite fitting to give a little credit to the mile high city. I also crossed the 5280 threshold of the total number of trees that have been planted thanks to purchases of my work during the first show of the trip!

I was apart of three art shows on this particular trip, all in Colorado. I was in Denver, Breckenridge, and Frisco on consecutive weekends, but was still able to sneak up to Yellowstone National Park, one of my favorite places, to capture some new photographs as well. I met some wonderful people, sold some work, and got to experience the park in a month of the year that I never have before! Quite the successful trip all the way around. Additionally, as opposed to some other trips to Colorado in the summer, the weather largely cooperated with me this time which is always a huge plus when setting up at outdoor events.

In between shows I was able to visit and camp on Shrine Pass Road, in between Frisco and Vail, a favorite camping location of mine for this area. I was also able to get up to Piney Lake, which is a very cool and secluded area just North of Vail. It is well worth the visit if you get a chance, BUT it is not for the faint of heart. The road has always been notoriously bad, but it has gotten far worse from the first time I ventured to Piney some 8 years ago. So fair warning, only traverse it if your vehicle can take the beating as it is impossible to avoid all of the pot holes and wash outs.