The Score: PB&J=0  McDonald’s Iced Tea = 6

Today was a big day.  The Colorado Springs Balloon Classic kicked off with a massive balloon ascent. Breaking down my camp took longer then expected so I got there about 15 minutes late.  I got a few shots but not the ones I had pre-envisioned.  They are having a ballon glow tonight but I will be long gone by the time that gets started. I went back to the campground I was at and even though I packed up my camp already I decided to take advantage of their all you can eat pancake breakfast, it comes with a piece of sausage or ham and milk, orange juice, or coffee all for just $4.50.  After munching on some grindage, as Paula Shore would say (I am an eighties child after all), I headed on to Garden of the Gods Park.  It is a wonderful place to photograph, had I not been on a time schedule to get to all these places I want to see I would have waited until a weekday.  It was packed there, likely due to it being both Labor Day Weekend as well as the Balloon Classic.  I took several shots around there.  

The west is truly beautiful, I even enjoyed the plains.  I think mostly this is due to it being different and therefore interesting.  Had I grown up here or anywhere else I would think it was dull there and interesting somewhere else like Tennessee.  I often hear people say that Tennessee is one of the prettiest states.  I do love Tennessee but it’s hard comparing it to what I am seeing now.

Right now I am at Great Sand Dunes National Park.  The camp sites are mostly full so I will likely sleep in my car tonight.  I am amazed by the beauty of the dunes I got here right at sunset and was able to take a few photos but not what I would have liked.  I have decided to stick around until morning so I can get some sunrise shots.  I was going to attempt to climb up to high dune but I had forgot my water and you get really dry quickly here.  I think I may attempt to scale it tonight.  The park is open 24 hours and I have seen several people going up there to look at it at night.  I wanted to do so astro photography and it is really dark here which would give me that but this time I will pack a little lighter and remember my water.  WEll it is already 9:30 so I guess there is no time like the present to get underway.