Impression Evergreen

U.S. Grant Peak Colorado became the 38th state to join the Union on August 1, 1876. President Ulysses S. Grant issued the proclamation. Today, the massive U.S. Grant Peak forms a dramatic backdrop for glittering Ice Lake Basin. Mirrored in Island Lake, the rugged mountain reflects the personality of the man to whom it owes its name. From unexceptional beginnings, General Grant moved up through the ranks during the Civil War. He eventually commanded all Union armies and accepted Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Virginia. Championed as a popular war hero, Grant easily won the presidency in 1868. His administration proved disappointing though, as his two terms were marred by scandals and substantial charges of corruption. Late in life, Grant contracted throat cancer. Racing against time, he completed a two volume, tour de force of Personal Memoirs. Written in pencil on lined pads of writing paper, the work is considered one of the most resolute accounts of war in Amer

It's been frightfully cold in Evergreen The wind won't stop howling, the forest is cloaked in a mysterious light. Somber foothills are set against, majestic mountains of a ghostly white. The weather in Evergeen can be scary, that's what makes the seasons such a treat. Especially the summers, they're oh-so-sweet. This December, it's been frightfully cold. Just look at the thermometer, it says eighteen below. The gusts blowing down through the meadow, will make your bones ache. Under gray clouds drifting, old boots blaze a trail to the frozen lake. Up here, you learn to live with extreme weather. The summers are short, persistent winters seem to last forever. Don't be afraid, artistic storms paint with a thick impasto. It's Christmas time in the Rockies, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Painted with a thick impasto Winters seem to last forever Weather in Evergreen is unique

The human heart is a mystery "When we understand every single secret of the universe, there will still be left the eternal mystery of the human heart." ~ Stephen Fry Ancient Greek philosophers identified the human heart as the primary spiritual feature and most important organ of the human body. It was the source of intelligence, motion and sensation. From the heart alone, emotions like anger, passion, fear, terror, sadness, shame, delight and joy were derived. Because the heart functions at the center of the blood delivery system, it's also central to life. The heart speeds up and slows down automatically in response to nerve signals from the brain. Each heartbeat fills the four chambers inside with a fresh round of blood. The upper chamber on each side is called the atrium while the larger, more powerful lower chamber is the ventricle. They keep the body freshly supplied with oxygen and nutrients, as well as clearing away harmful waste. More than just a mec

Common Sense Horsemanship "A horse is a thing of beauty... none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor." ~ Xenophon circa 360 BC Clinicians Bern and Kay Miller are traversing the panhandle of Nebraska sharing a common sense approach to horse care with all who will listen. Their well-received demonstrations about Warrior Horsemanship are a fascinating blend of art, history and natural horsemanship. A reconnection with nature is the most important aspect of their philosophy and the principles discussed apply not only to the equine but also humanity. "The natural horse clinicians, they're all into working with horses in a natural kind of way: bitless riding, bridleless riding, a lot of ground work, liberty work - where you put the horse at liberty without a rope on him. They believe we need to get back into natural principles." ~ Bern Miller A central theme running through the movement is the assertion that teaching th

"Yellow-eyed Hawk" Colored Pencil Finding your place in the world today can be a challenge but this bird of prey is more than well-equipped to thrive in the wild. An eastern red-tailed hawk stares confidently out of a blazing, autumn background. After two years of age, the extraordinary yellow eyes of this juvenile will transform into a dark brown. Raptor vision has evolved to become the sharpest in the Animal Kingdom. The visual acuity of the hawk is legendary. Using its excellent eyesight to find and capture its prey, a red-tail can spot a rabbit from two miles away. Large eyes allow for maximum levels of light so the retinal picture is composed from a greater number of optical cells resulting in a higher resolution image. The hawk has front facing eyes that give it binocular vision which is assisted by a double fovea. With binocular vision, the fields of view of the left and right eye overlap. This binocularity allows for stereoscopic vision, which in turn provide

A snowy morning surrounded by sculptures "Sculpture is the art of the intelligence" ~ Pablo Picasso Spent a snowy, Sunday morning surrounded by stunning sculptures. Just down the street is a natural amphitheater containing fertile soil. Here, art-in-the-round is grown from the seeds of creativity. The Evergreen Fine Art's Sculpture Garden displays some incredible works by talented artists. Most of the pieces are Western-themed and express the spirit of the wild but some have a more modern feel. A larger-than-life mountain lion overlooks the open-air gallery where a charming, gravel path leads the viewer between three-dimensional forms. The circuitous route ends in a hypnotic forest of kinetic sculptures. On the plot you'll see wolves howl, river otters at play and a mischievous black bear. Canada geese glide through cattails below a golden bronze that sparkles in the sunlight. The dramatic conclusion is a pair of majestic eagles engaged mid-flight. Situ

Silvery aspen in a golden meadow Most scientists believe Bigfoot doesn't exist, the universe wasn't made in seven days and there aren't really pots of gold at the end of rainbows but those legendary myths are unique metaphors that express a certain truthfulness not found in literal interpretations. North out of Evergreen, we went up over Rainbow Hill where our Saturday morning search for gold came true. We discovered a land where bluebirds fly, red foxes hide and the goldeneye dive. It's a place where the Great Divide is forever white and skies are blue. We followed the yellow rock road into a meadow of silvery aspen. Warm light filtered softly through the dark spruce and fir. An autumn breeze broke the silence and made waves for orange mallards dabbling in the cold, green lake. People will tell you don't waste your time going after something impractical and foolish, but don't listen, just continue on your journey. Keep chasing rainbows and maybe the