Million dollar views

Well, I've been in southern Illinois for almost three weeks now and I'm tired of the landscape. When I look out the window all I see is the flat horizon with corn fields, and some trees way off in the distance with a pale blue sky. I need contrast, damn it!

Where we live in Palisade, the views are spectacular on three sides of the property. In addition to what you see on the horizon, there's also that beautiful azure blue color of the Colorado sky that is hard to find anywhere else. Most everyone who lives in Colorado appreciates the deep blue, the color of a clear, endless sea. Your eyes are driven to find an end to the depth, but they finally just have to give up and relax. Timeless.

That Colorado blue sky complements perfectly the Bookcliff Mountains that we can see to the west and the north. If I look to the west, I look through the vineyards and see the view of Mt. Garfield. That mountain rises to an elevation just above the six thousand foot level. In respect to the local topography it is two thousand feet higher than the floor of the Grand Valley. It really gives quite a contrast. In addition to its height, the Bookcliffs are this redish sandstone color with streams of black from coal veins. The red of the range against the blue sky is what really makes it stand out. I was told the range was named by an exploring civil engineer that thought the mountains looked like a stack of books. I think it looks more like the lucious folds of a velvet tablecloth on a table. To each their own.

To the north, the Book Cliffs peek out of the canyon formed by the Colorado river. There is a slight smaller mountain called Mt. Anderson that pokes its head up. And the cliff contrast is still just as stunning. The morning and evening shadows are an artist's fantasy. The shadows with the sunset skies are dreamy. The stark contrast of barren cliffs towering over the green growth of Palisade makes everyone appreciate the view. Many a photographer tries to capture the essence of what they see here. You can't not be moved by the vision.

Then to the east is our view 0f the Grand Mesa. It is five thousand feet higher than Mt. Garfield, attaining a height of eleven thousand feet above sea level. The Grand Mesa deserves the title GRAND by virtue of its own merit. It is the largest flat topped mountain in the world, and lies to the south and the east of Mount Garfield. I love looking up the mountain and still seeing the top covered with snow in July. I look out the window at the top of the Mesa and can gage what to wear for the day by its snow melt, or not. The range has a nickname of amber ridge because during a sunset, the sun's light on the barren cliffs below the Mesa produces a red glow that cannot be captured by camera. And it is gone in a few moments.

Ok, now I think I'm more homesick for the views than before. Shoot. Well on Friday I'll be back and they'll be there.

Remember Imbibe and Enjoy!