Quote of the day

" I’ve been pointing out that the dictatorial powers Paulson has sought would accrue to the next Treasury secretary, who might well be Phil Gramm. I’ve been trying to come up with a liberal-leaning name who might seem equally horrifying to Republicans, and the only one I’ve come up with is … me."

Paul Krugman  Sept. 23, 2008

Update: 10/16/08

I posted this quote just three weeks before Dr. Krugman received his Nobel award for his work in economics, makes this comment seem a bit less tongue in cheek. He has said that he doesn't have the temperament  for government work, though he's done it before, could he refuse to serve if tapped by Obama? Time will tell.

The Deadly Mantis

This Praying Mantis flew into my yard today, it's manner of flying is striking to see and immediately caught my attention.                                                                                                                                                               

Yikes, lady! Don't bite my head off!

Aspen Gold

As promised about two weeks ago, I said the aspen would be turning, here's the evidence.                  

The picture above is from Fremont Pass, south of Leadville, CO.

This one's near Buena Vista.

As is this one.

 No aspen here, I couldn't resist this dramatic peak on Fremont Pass, I think this is Quandary Mountain.

Impressive needles on the ridge line of what I presume to be Quandary Mtn.

Republicans has got Dignitude

I'll just let this speak for itself. OK, I can't confirm it isn't photoshopped, but it would violate the spirit of this blog not to post this tasty find.

Flat Tops Wilderness

I took a short trip to northwestern Colorado last week to visit one of my favorite unspoiled areas of the state, I'm talking about the Flat Tops Wilderness, there isn't much there (in the way of civilization), and that's how I like it.

Frost has touched these ferns among the aspen here, in a couple of weeks the aspen will quake and exhibit their gold.

This photo was taken on a hike near Marvine Creek where I was camping.

Eight miles later, Big Marvine Lake, there's no road to this place, you get here on foot or horseback. Area outfitters have a nice business of bringing campers and fishermen up here on horses, dropping them off, then picking them up a week later.

I was struck by the image of these pines growing on the sides of this sheer cliff face, there can't be much room on those ledges. They appear to be good sized trees, 20 to 30 feet tall, I should think.

On the opposite side of the lake is another cliff at some distance, it's hard to judge the height of this feature, the scale of everything in the back country is a bit alien to a city dweller, but I have topographical maps that seem to indicate an elevation  gain of 1000+ feet. I was too tired to climb it anyway.