Moving On...

Lovely Ouray was blessed with a good rain last night, ushered in by a cool front that dropped temperatures. I see fresh snow on Mount Abrams and the ridge line above the Amphitheater this morning, and a blanket of clouds spilling over the south end of town, wrapping it in mist and fog. Bobbie's recently planted deck flowers are speckled with raindrops, miniature crystal balls that shimmer and glisten and satiate thirst in a normally dry land. It is a lovely beginning to the day here in Lovely Ouray.

Son Caleb drove up to spend Memorial Day weekend in the mountains with us. We got up early Sunday and hiked up Oak Creek Trail to the junction of Twin Peaks Trail. Caleb wanted to press on and summit Twin Peaks; Bobbie and I, on the other hand, needed to get back and ready ourselves for work. We handed off water and gatorade and energy bars, a hiking pole—as he would certainly be navigating treacherous slopes of snow higher up—and bid him good day. A little over an hour later, several photos from Twin Peak's summit showed up on Facebook, letting us and the world know he found a way through snow, mud, and dark timber. 

On our way back to town, a hundred yards off-trail, Bobbie spied a prolific bloom of Claret Cup Cactus...dozens of brilliant flames bursting forth-of-July like against a background of shade. What's a photographer to do? I was pretty sure my boss would understand me being a few minutes late, sidetracked by such Photo opportunity. 

Refreshed and renewed from our hike, I inserted the newest key on my chain and turned it clockwise while pulling the door and jiggling, as told, and let myself in to the first day on the job as Mr Upscale Gallery Guy at the Skol Gallery on Main Street Ouray, the "Switzerland of America." My former life as Pool Boy began to fade into the archives of both good and bad memories. Change is good, and not only good, it is necessary, for growth, for learning "new tricks." My daddy, a man of few words, taught by example. And his "example" said, "Son, you will be faced with many doors in life. Never be afraid to open them up, step in, and have a look around." 

It doesn't always work out, "change," after all, we are stuck/blessed (depending on my mood) with two unsold houses in a down, but finally recovering, real estate market. And there was that regrettable blind date right after my divorce eons ago (sigh). Nevertheless, I try to honor my daddy's example, that there is no "gain" to be had from "venturing" without a little "risk." Even though the "door" to this job had to be jiggled, it was time for a change...for the sake of it, for better, or for worse, just take a new "path," for God's sake and your own.  I will miss the pool atmosphere, my crew of young Lifeguards (all but one, anyway), but not the responsibility...always lurking in shadows at the back of my mind...the "what if's" of "something" happening on my watch. 

To New, may it never get Old. 
Cheers,
Movin' on mark   

Gallery Shots

My View from the Skol Gallery

At some point, don't you think you should just get a convertible? I mean, gee, buddy... it's not a motorcycle any more!!!

Father and Son...

Marathon Man Leonard stopped by to show off his "Masters Champion" trophy that he won in a 5K race in Lovely Ouray.  The guy is going to live to be a hundred!!! Nice, Leon, and thanks for the huge cup of Strawberry Ice Cream!!!