Larry A. Smail's Blog

I was naïve when I had first of a Colorado national Monument. I wondered exactly what would the monument be. Did the monument consist of a man-made statue depicting something of importance to Colorado?  Was this monument representative to native Indians of the area or some early westward expansion movement of years past?

My first reaction upon seeing those rim-rock sites was one of awe. I could see these natural buttes and steep  verticals from way off while traveling. Was the monument up on the top of those sheer cliffs? I would soon find out exactly what was this Colorado National Monument. The monument was the jaw-dropping beauty and expanse of those rim-rock verticals!

The road wound along those steep cliffs and up and over onto the flat areas. Along the way the spectacular scenery was visible to admire.  Various unique standing rock formations jutted from the shadowed hollows. Balanced rocks appeared. These rock formations have endured wind and rain erosion for years.

We were fortunate of the timing of our visit. The visit would include the last several hours of the day which meant we would, also, be witnessing deepening shadows caused by a setting sun. This would allow strong contrasts for photo-taking.

  The evening found me channel-surfing. I stopped on a western featuring the late, Jimmy Stewart. he was talking  with another gentleman when I stopped. Within a few minutes the camera position changed and I saw some of the rock  formations I had seen at the Colorado National Monument. How cool was that?

The Colorado national Monument area was in itself the monument and what a monument to the west it is.

Sunset!