Warring Peaks, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Mountains are bittersweet. © 2004 Ariel Vanderhorst

Ephemeral, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Ever see something painfully beautiful in nature - you want to enter it, or somehow hold onto it, but can't?

Aspen Vista, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Do aspens actually glow?

Worldtop, National Sand Dune Monument, CO

You could see for miles.

Further Up, Further In, National Sand Dune Monument, CO

"If we could just climb that next one..." © 2004 Ariel Vanderhorst

Color Vortex, National Sand Dune Monument, CO

Must be climbed to be believed.

Encounter, National Sand Dune Monument, CO

God and I stood right there.

Vortex, National Sand Dune Monument, CO

Sand and sky converge, an aesthetically dizzying ascent. © 2004 Ariel Vanderhorst

Lazy Ridge, National Sand Dune Monument, CO

Sand, sun, blue sky, heat, it doesn't get any more bittersweet.

Escaping Sun, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

All photos taken by blogger or his wife unless otherwise indicated, © 2004 Ariel Vanderhorst (Arielinds Photography).

Humming Sunset, Cripple Creek, CO

Did I mention I like photography? © 2004 Ariel Vanderhorst