Meet Rita, the Troll

The last time I checked, Colorado was not considered a Nordic country. Yet rumor has it that our state has become home to a pair of trolls, those mythic beings of Norse mythology. Though many of the fabled trolls are considered mischievous or even maleficent, some have been known to be benign and beneficent, and … Continue reading Meet Rita, the Troll

Bedewed is Bejeweled

As I’m leaving Woodland Park behind me and driving north on Colorado State Highway 67 early on this August 18 morning, layers of mist hover over the damp meadows that border the road through this high and wide mountain valley. This summer’s monsoon season has been even more generous to neighboring Teller County than to … Continue reading Bedewed is Bejeweled

Soul Time

One of my favorite destinations in neighboring Teller County had been beckoning for several months until I could wait no longer. Arriving at Manitou Lake at 7 AM on a weekday in early June, I shared the parking lot with only a few other early risers, most of them here to fish. My goal was … Continue reading Soul Time

Serenity Lake

Certain locations exert strong powers over our imagination. One such charmed destination for me is Manitou Lake in neighboring Teller County. I think of it as “Serenity Lake” which captures its character perfectly, as I was reminded during an excursion in late July/early August. The lake is nestled in an idyllic broad mountain valley which … Continue reading Serenity Lake