Friday, May 13, 2011

Mesa Verde Skies


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I had posted some of these shots previously on a now-defunct sky meme, but thought to share more of them for this week’s Skywatch Friday.

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On a road trip through Utah last year, my husband and I crossed briefly into southern Colorado to visit the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde. The day began sunny and dry, affording us relative ease with which to climb tall ladders and maneuver our way through the compact ruins.
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It was not to last…as the afternoon progressed, dark clouds gathered overhead and before long a raging storm had engulfed us.

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Undeterred, we spent a soggy two hours exploring the rest of this amazing park. How clever the ancient Anasazi were to build under overhanging cliffs that sheltered them from the weather and offered protection from enemy attacks. 

As evening came on and we began to make out way out of the park, the dark sky at last showed signs of lightening up.

 Driving the high, twisting road was amazing with the endless plain stretching out below us and the sun moving ever lower into the cloudbanks that rimmed the horizon.
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I have never seen such magnificent clouds, and am not sure that I ever will again. My heart still beats wildly when remembering that spectacular evening. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do…..
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To view more skies from around the world, do check out Skywatch Friday…

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http://skyley.blogspot.com/
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19 comments:

Debby said...

Wow those clouds are beautiful. THe one looks like a tornado. Beautify skies.

joo said...

Your photos are breathtaking! I can't decide which I like th most!

Kay L. Davies said...

That last cloud is wonderful, Lynette. Hard to choose a favorite out of this group of photos, however.
Amazing that you got to go up into the ruins. We saw an area called "Montezuma's Castle" on our way from Scottsdale to Sedona, Arizona, but no one was allowed to go into it, or even very near it.
Absolutely gorgeous photos here, my friend!
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Absolutely spectacular vistas......the kind you'd expect to see in Heaven! Wonderful to have seen such beauty! And so clever, to have recorded it:)

Katy Cameron said...

Wow, bet that day you got a wee bit damp! I really hope to get out there, but looks like it'll be another couple of years. Oh well, the build up of anticipation will entertain me in the meantime :oD

Bonnie said...

You must enter these photos in a photography contest!! Awesome shots.

Do you read the Pioneer Woman blog? She has contests and I know you would win. http://thepioneerwoman.com

rapunzel said...

Amazingly beautiful!! Thank you for sharing.

Pat said...

These are spectacular sky shots, Lynette! I especially like the capture of the lightning strike and also the ninth picture with the glorious gold of the setting sun and the rows of silhouetted hills in the foreground with grey-blue over all of it.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos, Lynette. I especially like the last one with the sunlight on the hills. Beautiful. :-)

Fjällripan said...

WOW! So beautiful photos! Love the rocks and the dramatic sky :)

Ella said...

These photos are amazing; you captured the essence of the allure of this magical place! How wonderful; I am so happy you experienced it and shared it with us~ Breathtaking!!! Thank you~

Madeleine Begun Kane said...

Amazing photos! Great job!
Mad Kane

Hilary said...

That sky and the ancient structure are just incredible. What a beautiful area and fine photography. I love your perfect lightning shot.

Tina´s PicStory said...

This sky and also the places in the mountains are sooo fantastic. :)

Lois Evensen said...

Wow, what gorgeous images! Fantastic series!

adrielleroyale said...

So beautiful!!! I just wish I could get my camera to cooperate long enough to get those kinds of shots! Fantastic, majestic and awe inspiring, truly!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, Lynette - these shots are amazing. They capture the feeling and history of this beautiful country. I visited Mesa Verde as a child, and would love to return some day. :)
Wishing you a lovely week,
Zuzu

Penelope Notes said...

These captures truly are spectacular, Lynette! Interesting that the skies are ever changing above the ancient hills, sand and stone beneath. I love how the sunrays pierce through the clouds.

Dimple said...

I just read your three posts about Mesa Verde NP, and now I want to go there! Amazing!
Your cloud & storm shots are magnificent!