Ashley Fetner Fine Art Photography

Located in north central Colorado at the headwaters of the North Platte River is the small town of Walden Colorado.  Walden is located in a large open valley called North Park and in the past this area was a favorite hunting ground for the Ute. Walden is also the home of the nation’s 1990 Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.  We spotted this Union Pacific Caboose as we were heading south out of Walden. The origin of the word caboose is said to be a derivation of the Dutch word “Kombuis” which referred to a ships galley. The first use of a caboose was in the 1830’s when the trainmen lived in shanties that were built on flatcars.  The cupola was added in1863 in order for the trainman and conductor to have a better view of the train as they watched for signs of trouble that could occur.

 

Kay

 

 

Garden of the Gods, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was named by two surveyors in 1859.  M.S. Beach and his friend Rufus Cable were exploring locations for a town site when they found this beautiful area of giant red-sandstone formations. Beach suggested that as the surrounding area grew it would make a great place for a beer garden. To this Rufus said “Beer Garden”, why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble – we will call it Garden of the Gods”.  In 1879, Charles Elliott Perkins, head of the Burlington Railroad, purchased 480 acres in the Garden of the Gods for a summer home, but in 1907 instead of building on the land, he decided to make it a public park so everyone could enjoy this natural wonder of nature.   After his death in 1909, his children gave the property to the City of Colorado Springs “Where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structures shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.”  Colorado Springs continues to honor Mr. Perkins request.

 

Kay

 

Garden of the Gods, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was named by two surveyors in 1859.  M.S. Beach and his friend Rufus Cable were exploring locations for a town site when they found this beautiful area of giant red-sandstone formations. Beach suggested that as the surrounding area grew it would make a great place for a beer garden. To this Rufus said “Beer Garden”, why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble – we will call it Garden of the Gods”.  In 1879, Charles Elliott Perkins, head of the Burlington Railroad, purchased 480 acres in the Garden of the Gods for a summer home, but in 1907 instead of building on the land, he decided to make it a public park so everyone could enjoy this natural wonder of nature.   After his death in 1909, his children gave the property to the City of Colorado Springs “Where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structures shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.”  Colorado Springs continues to honor Mr. Perkins request.

 

Kay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garden of the Gods, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was named by two surveyors in 1859.  M.S. Beach and his friend Rufus Cable were exploring locations for a town site when they found this beautiful area of giant red-sandstone formations. Beach suggested that as the surrounding area grew it would make a great place for a beer garden. To this Rufus said “Beer Garden”, why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble – we will call it Garden of the Gods”.  In 1879, Charles Elliott Perkins, head of the Burlington Railroad, purchased 480 acres in the Garden of the Gods for a summer home, but in 1907 instead of building on the land, he decided to make it a public park so everyone could enjoy this natural wonder of nature.   After his death in 1909, his children gave the property to the City of Colorado Springs “Where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structures shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.”  Colorado Springs continues to honor Mr. Perkins request.

 

Kay

 

The Kissing Camels are just one of the many sandstone rock formations found in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The garden was named by two surveyors in 1859.  M.S. Beach and his friend Rufus Cable were exploring locations for a town site when they found this beautiful area of giant red-sandstone formations. Beach suggested that as the surrounding area grew it would make a great place for a beer garden. To this Rufus said “Beer Garden”, why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble – we will call it Garden of the Gods”.  In 1879, Charles Elliott Perkins, head of the Burlington Railroad, purchased 480 acres in the Garden of the Gods for a summer home, but in 1907 instead of building on the land, he decided to make it a public park so everyone could enjoy this natural wonder of nature.   After his death in 1909, his children gave the property to the City of Colorado Springs “Where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structures shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.”  Colorado Springs continues to honor Mr. Perkins request.

 

Kay

 

This view of Pikes Peak is through a red-rock sandstone formation along one of the hiking trails in Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was named by two surveyors in 1859.  M.S. Beach and his friend Rufus Cable were exploring locations for a town site when they found this beautiful area of giant red-sandstone formations. Beach suggested that as the surrounding area grew it would make a great place for a beer garden. To this Rufus said “Beer Garden”, why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble – we will call it Garden of the Gods”.  In 1879, Charles Elliott Perkins, head of the Burlington Railroad, purchased 480 acres in the Garden of the Gods for a summer home, but in 1907 instead of building on the land, he decided to make it a public park so everyone could enjoy this natural wonder of nature.   After his death in 1909, his children gave the property to the City of Colorado Springs “Where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structures shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.”  Colorado Springs continues to honor Mr. Perkins request.

 

Kay

 

 

Garden of the Gods, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was named by two surveyors in 1859.  M.S. Beach and his friend Rufus Cable were exploring locations for a town site when they found this beautiful area of giant red-sandstone formations. Beach suggested that as the surrounding area grew it would make a great place for a beer garden. To this Rufus said “Beer Garden”, why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble – we will call it Garden of the Gods”.  In 1879, Charles Elliott Perkins, head of the Burlington Railroad, purchased 480 acres in the Garden of the Gods for a summer home, but in 1907 instead of building on the land, he decided to make it a public park so everyone could enjoy this natural wonder of nature.   After his death in 1909, his children gave the property to the City of Colorado Springs “Where it shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structures shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.”  Colorado Springs continues to honor Mr. Perkins request.

 

Kay

 

Pikes Peak, rising 14,110 feet in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, is the most visited mountain in North America and the second most visited in the world behind Japans Mount Fuji.

Pikes Peak was originally named “El Capitan” by Spanish settlers but re-named for Zebulon Pike Jr.

Pike, a captain in the United States Army, was commanded by President Jefferson to lead an expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory in order to find the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red Rivers.  Pike and his men left on July 1806 and in November they attempted to climb to the summit but they were not prepared for the harsh weather and a blizzard forced them to turn back.  During the Gold Rush of the 1850’s, Pikes Peak became the symbol to the prospectors—their motto was “Pikes Peak or Bust.”  In 1885 Mrs. Julia Archibald Holms was the first women to climb to the summit with the Lawrence Party who camped on the peak for two days before descending.  In 1893 Katherine Lee Bates, a professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, was teaching summer classes at Colorado College.  While there she joined a group on a rough wagon ride and hike to the top of Pikes Peak.  Katherine was so taken with the awe inspiring beauty at the summit, that she wrote a poem that later became the song “America the Beautiful”.  Pikes Peak has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Today you can take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway or drive nineteen miles on the Pikes Peak Highway to ascend to the summit.  The views along the highway are breathtaking especially in the fall when the Aspens are “in color”. Pikes Peak is located ten miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

 

Kay

 

Pikes Peak, rising 14,110 feet in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, is the most visited mountain in North America and the second most visited in the world behind Japans Mount Fuji.

Pikes Peak was originally named “El Capitan” by Spanish settlers but re-named for Zebulon Pike Jr.

Pike, a captain in the United States Army, was commanded by President Jefferson to lead an expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory in order to find the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red Rivers.  Pike and his men left on July 1806 and in November they attempted to climb to the summit but they were not prepared for the harsh weather and a blizzard forced them to turn back.  During the Gold Rush of the 1850’s, Pikes Peak became the symbol to the prospectors—their motto was “Pikes Peak or Bust.”  In 1885 Mrs. Julia Archibald Holms was the first women to climb to the summit with the Lawrence Party who camped on the peak for two days before descending.  In 1893 Katherine Lee Bates, a professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, was teaching summer classes at Colorado College.  While there she joined a group on a rough wagon ride and hike to the top of Pikes Peak.  Katherine was so taken with the awe inspiring beauty at the summit, that she wrote a poem that later became the song “America the Beautiful”.  Pikes Peak has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Today you can take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway or drive nineteen miles on the Pikes Peak Highway to ascend to the summit.  The views along the highway are breathtaking especially in the fall when the Aspens are “in color”. Pikes Peak is located ten miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

 

Kay

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley captured this image in the San Luis Valley on Highway 150 in Alamosa County Colorado     as we were leaving the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

 

Kay