i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills...

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121

For this week's assignment in Beyond Layers, Kim Klassen asked us to share a photo of our surroundings, our part of the world, to "...breathe in the beauty around us." Since I do most of my art - and now blogging - in the early morning hours before work, I often draw upon my own archives. These photos are from July 2008.

This time of year, these few weeks especially, my heart is in this place: Herman Gulch. About an hour's drive due west of Denver, this is by far my favorite hike. It is a strenuous hike, to be sure, with a trailhead elevation of over 9,000 ft, climbing to well above timberline at over 12,000 ft. This is peak wildflower season at this elevation, and here you will find the most amazing display: hillsides and meadows simply overflowing with a variety of wildflowers, including my favorite - and Colorado's state flower - the blue columbine. I'll never forget years ago, on a hike with our little girls, Kelly exclaiming, "Mommy, who planted all these flowers?!"

How truly blessed I am to call this place home!