We went with our daughter, Kimberly and her husband, Cliff, to this lush wilderness close to Paonia, Colorado. I was really excited to get to go and to see this delightful opportunity!
The landscape was outstanding
Fields of wonders
With exuberant Quaking Aspen to shield them
As we rode deeper and higher into the mountains — masses and masses of other plants started showing up — in full bloom
Then we came upon forests of ferns some stood as high as my head…the sight was stunning!
Walking the last little while, we made it! To the top of the mountain and the dwelling
Over these rocks into that dark space below is the dwelling.
See that ledge, Cliff is looking at that tiny, itty-bitty, teeny little ledge that requires a person the crawl on hands and knees, then to slink around on your belly and toes to get around in the cave!
The drop is straight down and a very, very, very, long way down…not only do you have to crawl and slink into the cave with your head going over the ledge at different points, you are at least heading INTO another cave…coming back OUT is worse as your head is always OVER the ledge until you can get back into this side.
I couldn’t do it!
So I didn’t get to get a photo for you, my readers.
I am sorry!
I just don’t do height very well.
With feet firmly planted on the ground,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
I know where this is! My brother-in-law rode pool and ditch up there for 19 years!
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I know where you were.. it is so pretty there.. Glad you got to enjoy the day!!
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What stunning scenery! Is that “yellow road” a field of daffodils?
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Someone has to do the dangerous job of photography, so I appreciate your willingness to stay behind and capture the start of the trek along the ledge. I’m pretty sure I would be right there beside you!
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WOW! How COOL! What a view. No wonder they “built” their home there. I just love the caves. There are a few here and indian burials here that the geologists have traced back thousands of years. We never go in them though. Ya know rattle snakes, skunks etc. 🙂 Its so cool the history of places years ago. Thanks for the pics!
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You are totally forgiven, sister. This flatlander was getting queasy just reading your description of how it’s done.
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What a beautiful setting. I fell in love with aspen trees when we were in Colorado, but have never seen them around here.
I don’t do heights either…
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LOL, I couldn’t have done it either! What an awesome trip though!!
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I would have stayed right there with you! Looks like a great place to explore but way too close to the edge for me. The aspens look gorgeous. I think they are my most favorite tree of all.
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You are wise! Just looking at the photos made me a bit uneasy. Such a wonderful place to go visit….green and lush and blooming!
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I am with you all the way here Linda – no way would I have done that crawling however beautiful the view – heights and me just don’t mix/ But what a magnificent set of photographs.
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I hope thia doesn’t appear twice Linda, but my first comment seemed to disappear.
I am with you all the way as regards crawling on to that ledge Linda. Heights and me don’t mix either. But what a magnificent set of photographs you have.
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i doubt i could have done it either. love the views of lush and green and color you did share!
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I wouldn’t do it either! And, as I’ve gotten older, I can’t stand watching people do things like that! Yikes!
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I don’t blame you…what a great place to visit though. I’m going to send this post link to my Colorado kids, they’d probably love it.
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Wow—I would love that gorgeous place. What a view… Incredible… That’s our kind of place for sure. Not sure I’d crawl on my hands and knees either. My poor ole knees don’t like it anymore…. Thanks for sharing –and I’m so glad you made that trip. The flowers and ferns and EVERYTHING was gorgeous.
Hugs,
Betsy
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Oh, wow! That’s so great!
(I’m with you, though…I’d have been game 10 years ago, but probably not anymore…)
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What a beautiful road to travel!! All the pretty flowers and the aspen….love it! I think it would be crowded next to you!!…I would be there, too. I don’t do heights anymore, tho I used to when I was young. Ahhhh, the good ole days! Thanks for taking us along on your trip.
Blessings!
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I am so glad you played it safe and are still here to tell us about it 🙂
I am glad you had an amazing drive and those flowers and trees amazing!
I keep my feet on the ground most days as well 🙂
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It’s a beautiful place, but I’m not sure I would have wanted to see that view over the edge, either!
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This is a spectacular area. It’s always interesting to see the changes in types of plants and trees as you gain altitude. I have had my experience with exposure. It doesn’t bother me. I wouldn’t do it anymore.
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That’s a beautiful area. Years & years ago my dad and I rode into the wilderness out of Paonia to do some fishing, Fantastic trip even though some of those trails the horses took were awfully narrow! As my (5’2″) sister says, ‘there’s a reason God built her close to the ground’.
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I wouldn’t have made it that far!
Thanks for all the great pictures you got for us! ♥
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What an amazing post Linda, and an amazing trip… wonderful photos… the rocks gave me the shivers… no way could I have crawled round there!
glad you stayed in charge of the photography !!!
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I couldn’t have done it either..you still took great photos! 🙂
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These pictures are riveting…first there’s the magic of that road…the landscape is so immense it’s hard to have a sense of scale…and those forests that just seem primeval and sort of magical…like dinosaurs should still be there, or something…and then that LEDGE! Oh my…there is NO way you could have gotten me out there…I even get scared looking at other people. Can you believe how silly? My knees actually get that weak, jelly feeling looking at photos on a computer!
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