I am feeling quite accomplished, it is only four days since I have returned home, and the luggage is back in the attic (laundry still awaits) the garden is about half reclaimed from the weeds, mowed and the mid summer resurrection process has begun, and I have organized my pictures.  As I got them all together yesterday, I realized that there were some pretty inspiring shots for all kinds — glamping, construction, natural beauty, desert style, wildflowers, and even a little garden design.   I picked some of my favorites for you…..enjoy. (make sure you click through to the gallery because each image has a description to tell you more about it)

Here was our route —

Day 1 – Denver (actually Castle Rock)  – Great Sand Dunes N.P. – Mesa Verde  N.P. (fourth of July in Mancos. CO)

Day 2 – Mesa Verde

Day 3 Mesa Verde – Four Corners, Canyon de Chelly National Park, Hubble Trading Post National Monument,  Holbrook, AZ.

Day 4 Holbrook, AZ – Petrified Forest, Flagstaff, AZ,  Grand Canyon.

Day 5 – Grand Canyon N.P.

Day 6- Grand Canyon

Day 7 – Grand Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, Glen Canyon Dam, Kanab UT (Hollywood for Westerns), Zion N.P.

Day 8 – Zion N.P. – Bryce Canyon N.P.

Day 9 – Zion N.P.

Day 10- Zion N.P. – Capital Reef National Park – Arches National Park (Moab, UT)

Day 11 – Arches N.P.  and Canyonlands N.P.

Day 12 – Arches N.P. – Taylor Canyon (Near Crested Butte, CO)

Day 13 Taylor Canyon

Day 14 – Taylor Canyon – Castle Rock, CO (via tow truck)

If you are headed out to any of these places — drop a note — I feel like I am now a minor expert and may be able to make some recommendations or pass along some been there advice.

Do you have any summer adventures planned?  What will be inspiring you this summer holiday season.