Where's Nifty?! #2

That's absolutely fine, Annie. Over here it's dark, foggy greyness all around, in short: typical November weather. Couldn't even see the super moon last night. Bleuh...

I really wouldn't know what to shoot right now, whereas your hills and mountains are wonderful in any kind of weather. Although maybe not so wonderful for the photographer!

Thank you Annie, Levina and Kevin.

Annie, you would find a lifetime of hiking adventures in this area.

When the 2 acre lots went up for a sale in 1958, a fellow from Pueblo (50 miles east of here) bought this one and built a small bunkhouse. Over the next 3 years he built a vacation cabin with the help of his buddies. When he passed away in 1996, his daughter inherited the place. She had an addition built, but eventually decided she did not like living alone in the very rural environment. We bought it from her in 2004.


Paul

Here is the lovely sketch Renata included with Nifty

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AM9h​Ff

kbColorado wrote in post #18185225
Here is the lovely sketch Renata included with Nifty

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AM9h​Ff Renata Sketch-9894 by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

I agree, Paul. That is a very lovely sketch! Very nice, Renata! Simple but effective and elegant! It evokes a nice, calming mood.

kbColorado wrote in post #18185225
Here is the lovely sketch Renata included with Nifty

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AM9h​Ff Renata Sketch-9894 by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

Very lovely. It appears to be a seaside scene so very appropriate for CO - you can't just look out at the ocean like I can!

kbColorado wrote in post #18185071
Thank you Annie, Levina and Kevin.

Annie, you would find a lifetime of hiking adventures in this area.

When the 2 acre lots went up for a sale in 1958, a fellow from Pueblo (50 miles east of here) bought this one and built a small bunkhouse. Over the next 3 years he built a vacation cabin with the help of his buddies. When he passed away in 1996, his daughter inherited the place. She had an addition built, but eventually decided she did not like living alone in the very rural environment. We bought it from her in 2004.


Paul

Thanks for the information, Paul, very interesting. Is Pueblo the nearest town or are you closer to civilization than that?

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #18184980
That's absolutely fine, Annie. Over here it's dark, foggy greyness all around, in short: typical November weather. Couldn't even see the super moon last night. Bleuh...

I really wouldn't know what to shoot right now, whereas your hills and mountains are wonderful in any kind of weather. Although maybe not so wonderful for the photographer!

Well, I might keep him for the month then, and see if we can get into some snow.

Paul, really enjoying the vistas from Colorado.

AnnieMacD wrote in post #18182560
ENifty here!

Mam's been far too busy at work for my liking so I haven't been able to keep up with the posts. However, Last weekend we went off on a walk we had done previously but we had to move faster as it gets dark so early now. Also, everything is really brown and dull compared to the summer colours. Here are a few photos.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/NXBp​So Sand Walk, Nifty by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AFcW​tQ Sand Walk, Nifty-2 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Great excitement when Mam spotted a wren as she has been trying to photograph one (on and off I'd say) for years. It's a tiny bird (second smallest of all the British birds) and I was on the camera - whoo hoo! Well, this is a huge crop and she had the 70-200mm in the bag but by the time she switched lenses the wren was long gone.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/P16Y​rn Sand Walk, Nifty-3 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/NXBa​WY Sand Walk, Nifty-4 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Looking over to Skye - it seems unbelievable that I've been to the top of one of those hills (one of the higher ones in the clouds). Mam thought we might go do another one this weekend but the weather is awful and there's snow on the tops.
https://flic.kr/p/P16R​4XSand Walk, Nifty-5 by Annie MacDonald, on Flickr

Wonderful scenery, Annie!

kbColorado wrote in post #18184652
In 1869, a group of 250 German Lutherans in Chicago agreed on a plan. They would each contribute $250 and venture west to the mostly unsettled area of the Wet Mountain Valley in the Rocky Mountains. They took the railroad as far west as possible, to Kansas City. From there it was a wagon train to an area that is now south central Colorado. They would homestead the area, live off the land, and make a new start. A combination of lack of agricultural experience, horrible weather and worse luck doomed the expedition within the first year.

When they arrived, a lottery determined the order the homesteaders would choose their acreage. William Schulze won the lottery, and chose an area that had everything ... a precious water supply of three creeks flowing from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just to the west, trees to offer protection from the winds that would often howl from the northwest and, as a bonus, a beautiful up close view of the Rockies.

IMAGE LINK: http://s78.photobucket​.com …31-2_zpsrnlebu8j.jpg.html

William's luck did finally run out. The original church for the colonists was 2 miles north of Schulze's ranch. The graveyard remains though the church was relocated to the town of Westcliffe, about 8 miles north.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/NKZj​Qf Nifty Schulze Gravestone final 2-9794 by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

In 1958, 4 plots of 2 acres each were parceled off the ranch. One of these is where we live now.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/P3n7​jW Nifty North Colony Creek 2-9822 by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

kbColorado wrote in post #18184677
A couple more from the graveyard

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/NL1m​EW Nifty Hope Lutheran Graveyard-9791 by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

https://flic.kr/p/PayL​GYNifty Hope Lutheran Graveyard-9786 by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

kbColorado wrote in post #18184695
Nifty and I both got a high altitude workout today. Nifty took it like a champ. I'll feel better tomorrow

My dog Sophie sitting still for a rare moment with our friend Bob. We are hiking up an old road that has been closed to traffic for a few years now.

https://flic.kr/p/P3p4​RWbob and sophie-9843 by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

The exception to the no traffic rule is for search and rescue vehicles. These mountains attract climbers from all over and there are many calls for rescue every summer. This is Broken Hand Peak.

https://flic.kr/p/AL1z​2Jbroken hand peak 2- by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

Broken Hand Peak on the left, Crestone Needle on the right. When climbers get into trouble, it is usually on the descent from Crestone Needle.

https://flic.kr/p/P3qF​Cocrestone nifty pan 3- by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

Paul, I love the story behind the settlers!

Your friend and the dog are extra bonus!

AnnieMacD wrote in post #18185275
Thanks for the information, Paul, very interesting. Is Pueblo the nearest town or are you closer to civilization than that?

Annie, we are 15 minutes south of Westcliffe/Silver Cliff. Grocery store, library, schools, a handful of restaurants and a combined population of about 1300. The history of the two towns is an interesting one that I'll talk a bit more about as Nifty gets out and about in the days to come.


Paul

kbColorado wrote in post #18185225
Here is the lovely sketch Renata included with Nifty

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AM9h​Ff Renata Sketch-9894 by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

Thank you, Paul. The idea was to bring the ocean to you

lavanut wrote in post #18185255
I agree, Paul. That is a very lovely sketch! Very nice, Renata! Simple but effective and elegant! It evokes a nice, calming mood.

Thank you!

AnnieMacD wrote in post #18185270
Very lovely. It appears to be a seaside scene so very appropriate for CO - you can't just look out at the ocean like I can!

Thank you, Annie. That was the idea.

Nifty Burro ... this gal is full of personality. She's lived across the road for 8 years and we've gotten to know her pretty well.

Also, this is where Nifty passes the sharpness test, showing a fondness for f10.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Pcy8​5G

kbColorado wrote in post #18186612

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/N8Zk​Qm Nifty Sunrise- by Westcliffe Slim, on Flickr

That is spectacular, Paul!