Oct. 01, 2003 - 20:01 MDT

THE WONDERING JEW

Prospecting

Here in our Rocky Mountain country, winter starts early on our peaks, gradually descending until snow falls on our city.

At night the fingers of coolth slither down into the valleys and begin to put on the grand exhibition of fall. Bushes and trees begin to show their traditional colors, some early some late, some leaves have fallen when the last of the growing timber has begun to fly fall's colors.

In Heather's and my family there is a tradition common to many Front Range families which is deep rooted. Being in the hills when the Aspen trees are in their most wonderful stage is almost a religious experience for many and is to us for sure. So, the papers and TV let us know the most propitious time to make the pilgrimage to see the glory of Mother Nature's prime artistry.

The pure gold of Aspen Leaves illuminated by the sunlight shining through is unbelievable until personally seen. A stroll through a grove of Aspens, their golden leaves luminescent, is a trip into an enchanted world.

They call them Quaking Aspens here as the leaves seem to have movement of their own. The least movement of air seems to make the leaves all flutter in different directions and times. There seems to be movement all the time too.

Heather and I saw stands of Aspen on some hillsides that seemed to have established themselves and taken over a wide breadth of land. There were also small groves here and there. The leaves all that wonderful golden color, but showing a bit differently depending on how they presented themselves to the light.

We started up Golden Gate Canyon Park, where the bushes and small trees were already turning their individual shades of reds and browns, gradually climbing and began to see Aspens here and there that were in the middle of changing into their celebratory colors. Further on they were ready for their grand performance, leaves translucently golden, shimmering as if alive. By the time we got to highway 119 we decided we had time to turn south to I-70 and head to Georgetown, thence up on Guanella Pass where the Aspens are already in their prime.

However, all the turns which would enable us to pick up I-70 were blocked off due to highway work. Back down out of the hills on highway 6 and on into Golden, Colorado we stopped to have a bite, and while eating decided to visit our youngest son as he is only working part time while recovering from radiation and surgery. After a good visit Heather and I did a few first of the month errands and came home.

Saturday, weather permitting we will once again go to the Golden Groves of luminous Aspens. We then will have time to maybe also track them down in another place or two. We did get a few pictures today, but we think they will not hit our album - hoping we get better pics on Saturday. Just in case the weather turns bad, there will be a few pictures we took today to put in the album. Today wasn't spoiled by the highway department, just diverted another way and the visit was treasured too. Saturday we will again go Aspen Gold Prospecting . . . . . . . .

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