Anatomy of a Composition - The West Did Change Me

In 35 years a lot can change.  It can be the raising of a family, the pursuit of a career, the loss of siblings and grandparents, the making and letting go of dear friendships, the logging of hundreds of thousands of miles crossing the country and venturing into the high country and the sweating of gallons pursuing sublime views in surreal locations. 

There have been 12,775 sunrises, that much I am certain of.  Each one of those sunrises has offered its own unique opportunity.  Parenthood and a career in service have been the highlights without a doubt.  Both endeavors by far lead me on my greatest adventures and my best learning. When I arrived in Colorado it was my intent to keep moving. The Northwest, Portland and Seattle have always had incredible appeal to me.  The combination of ocean and mountains, the rocky coasts and deep green forests, the great rivers that drain the interior are unparalleled in their beauty and mystique.  But I didn’t go.

This West, the Colorado West, this is the place that has changed me.  While Colorado might have derailed me from my original journey, it has given me my greatest adventures. Parenthood stands above all others; sharing time on mountain slopes, catching and releasing countless trout and more recently motorcycle trips and beer adventures, all made possible because of the time I have spent here. 

Now moving into the 35th year in my adopted state it seems that more changes are in store.  The part of the Continental Divide closest to the Front Range has been a part of the state that I have ignored much of the last ten years.  Partly because I wanted to explore other parts of the state, and partly because it tends to be so congested given the proximity to the metro area. But it does hold some of the state’s truly iconic vistas as well as some incredible human history.  

This particular place, the little town of Westcliffe is another one of those places that deserves more of my attention, too.  A slew of 14’ers and high alpine lakes, along with pristine dark skies create an atmosphere of intrigue that is hard to resist. The past few winters making trips down south have only piqued my interest in this big, quiet valley, and I know there are some magical rain storms and night skies waiting to unfold.  

The West Did Change Me - Sony a7iv w/ Sony FE 70-200GM - ISO 320 | F/8 | 1/1250 sec ~ 135mm