“Boulder Kirtan” provides live ambient music during the class

Vital Yoga Highlands, after 10 years in a cramped rented studio, has come into its own. Their community of yoga practitioners and business, whom they refer to on their website as “family”, have moved to a new studio, the former home of the Colorado Ballet Company. Vital instructor Casey Kowal reflects, “they simply outgrew it [the old studio]. So when they saw the old Colorado Ballet Company building was for sale, they jumped on it.’

Yoga practitioners holding a pose.

Vital Yoga instructor Kitty Kreisburg helps fellow instructor Jennifer Lux

Cobra pose

Red Rocks amphitheater from row 23.

According to an article in NorthJersey.com, the moon was at its closest point to the earth, an event known as Perigee-syzygy, on March 19, 2011. It won’t be this close again, and estimated distance of 221,556 miles, until November 14, 2016. Though the difference in size of the moon to the naked eye appeared the same, it’s effect could be seen on the beautiful wash of light upon the silent stones of Red Rocks, CO.

West face on Red Rocks.

North face of Red Rocks with moon.

Far north face.

Northern face close.

Visitor Center.

Bring a jacket. And a thermal. And wind gear. In fact, bring survival gear because it is cold and you may just blow away. On a recent day trip to the Rocky Mountain National Forest near Estes Park we envisioned a nice picnic, a little family oriented hike and some fresh air. What we got were gale force winds and the kind of angry ripping cold that one would expect in the far north.

However, we still enjoyed the trip and came back with some decent shots. More than anything it’s inspiring another trip, perhaps one that includes several days. Oh, the wonderful outdoors.

Snow blowing across treeline.

No vacancy

Like some mythical journey, my return to the family farm after 17 years felt to me a hero’s welcome. Much has changed through the caring and focused hands of my grandparents. Additions to the old farm house. New berms and gardens. Updated architecture and structure.

Much has stayed exactly the same. Long walks in fresh cut grass. Rows and rows of corn. Raspberries so fresh and ripe one has only to place your hand under them, and with a gentle nudge they fall into your palm juicy and sweet.

Hay baler on hungry patrol

My heart gladdened by the site of warm sun on the faces of my sweet girls. The land seems happy to receive us. So different from city streets. In the concrete jungle, a world made of man’s intention to dominate and control, one feels connected with self only. Here, awareness expands to envelop the whole of the land. One can feel the lakes on either side, the rich fertility of the soil and the trees with their mighty crowns. And in return the land seems to reach to us and caress with soft yet powerful graces.

Early evening at the farm

Neighbors to the South

Stephy on a walk, twinkle in her eye.

Magic Wand

Seed Plugger

Grandma making jokes at dinner.

In the shade

When asked where I was headed for my first vacation in ten years people were always shocked that I said Michigan. “Why not Mexico? Or the Caribbean?” Great destinations to be sure. But I think what people don’t understand is that Michigan (outside of Detroit) is truly God’s country. Driving from the airport in Manistee, more a strip than anything, I was struck by the intensity of color blasting through the windows. Inspired to play, stretch and bend photographic rules. Behold.

Farm…this ain’t Kansas

Push, Pull, Pan

Forest Weave