We set out today to find and photograph the famous Rocky Mountain Goats of Mt. Evans. It was a beautiful, warm sunny day down in Denver, so off we went to the high country in search of adventure of a pleasant Sunday.
Mt. Evans was our destination. Denver residents can easy point Mt. Evans out from the city. It's an easy mountain to spot, it's the biggest one. Typically it is the mountain with the snow on top, towering above all others.
Despite the fact Mt. Evans is the highest paved road in North America and it is an hour drive from Downtown Denver many Colorado residents have never taken to the time to drive to the top! I find this a very sad fact and one I'd like to encourage people to rectify!
Getting there is easy, just go west on I-70, exit at the 2nd Idaho Springs ramp and follow the signs 14 miles to the Entrance Gate. The is a park fee of $10 to enter, this fee is good for 3 days.
Driving the road is not for the weak of heart. Today we made the drive up just after a hail storm. The mountain was shrouded in clouds and lightening clapped around us from time to time. The weather was certainly not wonderful for all the cyclists scattering for shelter, but for us safe in the warm car, the scenery was as always, spectacular!
Visitors can expect to see wildlife, including Yellow Bellied Marmots (not beavers as some tourist call them), Peregrine, Pikas, Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goats. Today most of these wise animals were playing it cool and keeping out of the weather. We did see a marmot, but he was the only wildlife we viewed.
On a nice normal day it is not uncommon for the goats and sheep to come up to the summit and pose for photographers. All one has to do is wait quietly and the animals will approach. They love to feed off the dirt on the summit, apparently it contains minerals needed in their diet. Not today of course!
Today was the day of the clouds! At the summit the wind blew and temperature was cold enough not to be comfortable without winter clothing. Knowing this I came prepared, but the dark dreary clouds were not very inspiring for photos, so we packed back in the car and went down a few hundred feet in elevation.
The wildflowers are blooming. They make up the ground cover of this delicate alpine tundra. Yellow fields of tiny little flowers brave the cold changing weather, wind, snow, sleet and whatever else nature throws at them. Amazing, inspiring and beautiful they are.
Just above the tree line there is a tree I call "My Tree." It isn't really mine of course, but a few weeks ago I discovered it on another photo shoot. I had the driver of my car stop so I could capture an image of it. Well within minutes a dozen photographers stopped to do the same thing...photograph MY TREE!
Oh well, as they say, great minds think alike!
This particular tree stands alone against the elements, at least 50 feet above the "tree line." Now I don't know who determined how high the tree line should be, but most trees obey the rule. They all cluster close and stop at almost exactly the same spot, except for this tree.
This tree, defies the tree line law. It stands as an individual, unique & strong. Guess that's what attracted me to it initially. If you plan to drive to the summit, you will undoubtably see My Tree, please stop and say hello.
No, there were no goats for me today. Instead we were amazed at the beauty of inclimate weather and the power of nature. Next time I hope to get my goat!
Consumers seem to be tiring of the same old suburban type living. Developers are now focusing on building entire communities known as "transit villages." Such places offer homeowners maintenance free living in a convenient location that is safe and well planned.
To me the ultimate place to live would be a place where every convenience was available, without having to put a key in the ignition. I could shop, relax, work and eat all within a few steps of each other.
Now I am finding I am not alone in what I think is the ultimate place to live. Brand spanking new urban villages or transit villages are popping up all over the Denver metro area. Walkable living is coming back in to style.
Funny, it sounds to me very much like the small town I grew up in.
You don't know what you've got until it's gone...they've paved paradise and put up a parking lot. In this case the parking lot is cool, very cool.
I love this song as it relates to "you don't know what you've got till it's gone..."
Visit Denver Real Estate and Relocation for the story on Denver TOD's.
Give Me Room!  Over 3000 square feet of living space in this Story and 1/2 vintage home. Three bedrooms on one level, formal living room with fireplace, dining room, updated kitchen, sunny breakfast nook. Family room addition with wood stove, 2 car detached garage, carport, fenced in RV parking, recreation & hobby room in basement. All this plus a terrific location only one block from the main entrance to City Park Golf Course, ten minutes to downtown Denver or Cherry Creek. Enjoy the convenience of living near Denver's favorite playground: City Park, Denver Zoo, Museum of Natural History and the IMAX Theater. Information Contact Information    Kristal Kraft 303-589-2022 Pricing Asking Price: $394,900.00 Property Location 2622 Gaylord Street Denver, CO 80205 Features Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Parking: 2 car detached and carport, RV Year Built: 1915 Subdivision: City Park West Lot Size: 6690 Garage Size: 2 car School District: Denver Square Footage: 3108 Agent Name: Kristal Kraft Broker: The Berkshire Group MLS #: 633848 Yard: fenced Taxes: 1570 annually Available: TBD Attributes Appliances Range/Oven Full Refrigerator Dishwasher Sink Disposal Interior Amenities Fireplace Hardwood Floors Security System Vaulted Ceilings Basement Exterior Amenities Patio Fenced Yard Grass Lawn
Photo Gallery  Old fashioned front porch with swing  Living room w/French Doors to Breezeway  Living room with fireplace  view of dining room  Dining room w/built-in buffet  Backyard Deck  Updated Kitchen  Family room w/woodstove  Sunny Breakfast Nook  Master Bedroom  2nd Bedroom  Upstairs Hallway  Front Bedroom w/balcony  View from balcony  Updated bathroom  Office nook in Basement  Large Rec Room in Basement  RV Parking on fenced in pavement  View of southside
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Your Fans thank you Rockies! Amazing record, amazing defense, great team!
:)
Four more games until the Series. Hold on to your brooms fans...How SWEEP it is!
Tuesday in the news: The Washington Post says the Rockies are a Team of Destiny!
Denver is suffering from a Broomless crisis!
Specializing in relocation to the Denver metro area, including Littleton, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Castle Rock, Douglas County, Arapahoe County, Denver County and more.
Finding the right home is very much like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Initially you may think you have it all together, only to arrive in the Denver metro area to discover its nothing like you expected! Blame it on the internet, what's lacking is not information, but the ability to touch and smell... One thing is certain, those pictures of listings on the web don't always tell the whole story!
Think of your relocation as a puzzle, you possess all the pieces, but one. The missing piece is having a knowledgable person to talk to about your expectations, choices and needs. You can search the web all day long finding really nice looking places, but do you have any idea how far away from work, school, or play it really is? What is the area like. What can you expect from housing in Metro Denver? Is the home buying process different or the same as where you come from? How can you avoid making a serious and expensive mistake?
I am the missing piece to your puzzle. As a long time Colorado resident, professional, life-long Realtor, I make it my business to help you make the right decisions. No, I don't make your decisions...I help guide you, by giving you the necessary information to make an informed decision.
If you are a buyer or a seller and would like to see an example of my work, go to Denver Real Estate and Relocation, my personally built website. It's a creation built by me for you, the customer.
Some of the information you may be interested in:
Kristal Sells Denver ... and the 'burbs
The Mile High City of Denver is also a county, it is surrounded by 8 additional Counties: Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson, Adams, Broomfield, Weld and Boulder Counties.
Many people visiting Denver for the first time are surprised to learn that Denver, even though it has an altitude of 5280 feet is Not in the mountains! Denver is actually the lowest part of the metro region. The city is nestled up to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, which offer outstanding views for miles in any direction and protection from the elements.
Contrary to popular belief, Denverites do NOT wade hip deep in snow all winter long. In fact, we play golf, ride bikes, run, walk and play outdoors all year long. If it's snow we crave, we head for the hills, because that where we keep it!
If you are considering relocating to the Denver metro area, let's talk. Born in New Jersey, I am a Colorado transplant. I can identify with the stresses and confusion of moving from one place to another and can offer you assurance and assistance.
Don't worry about me twisting your arm, I'm very low key, I'll give you the unbaised facts, perhaps show you around my town and let you decide for yourself. High pressure sales is not my style.
If this appeals to you, pick up the telephone and call me. I welcome your call!
Kristal Kraft
800-319-7738 (toll free for your convenience)
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kristalkraft's Denver Metro photoset
My specialty is selling residential real estate. Licensed since 1984, I have taken a serious view of my business, by continually updating my education and skills. Over the years I have participated in leadership of the Women's Council of REALTORS serving as President of the Pikes Peak Chapter. Additionally, I have served as the Colorado State Chapter President for CRS Chapter #1, (Certified Residential Specialists).
My Designations include:
The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council (REBAC) of The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.
The Certified International Property Specialist Network (CIPS Network) is the specialty membership group for international practitioners of the National Association of REALTORS, the world's largest trade association.
CRS stands for Certified Residential Specialist. The CRS is a nationally recognized designation. REALTORS with the CRS are acknowledged for advanced study in listing, selling, investment, taxes and a proven record of experience in applied residential marketing.
GRI stands for Graduate REALTORS Institute. The GRI designation acknowledges REALTORS who have completed a comprehensive education program that provides practical real estate training. This program is above and beyond the education required to earn a real estate license.
A real estate agent is a REALTOR when he or she becomes a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS, The Voice for Real Estate, the world's largest professional association. The term REALTOR is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
PMN - The Performance Management Network designation from the Women's Council of Realtors is earned by study of business related courses for negotiation, planning, systems, sales networking, referrals and cultural differences in the world of real estate.
Currently I am a Vice President of The Berkshire Group Realtors, a Denver Real Estate Company. We are a group of REALTORS with a mission to practice good old fashion real estate with intregrity and high values.
kristalkraft's Denver Metro photoset
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Since I've been on Active Rain I've taken the time to blog about different things a newcomer might wonder about and need to know. I've created these links to help out. If you have a question, drop me a line. If I don't know the answer, I will find it out for you. Have fun bloggin'!
Kristal Kraft, Realtor
Unofficial Tech Support ~ Adding My Blog Log to Your Active Rain Profile
Unofficial Tech Support ~ Adding photos and wrapping the text
Unofficial Tech Support ~ Adding side by side photos
The Active Rain Dummies Guide for Boosting your Points
The Official Unofficial Guide to Creating a Blog
How to Add Pictures to Your Blog
Blogging for fun or profit? How about both?
Getting started on the active Rain Community
Think About the Future...ADD VALUE
Hello Seattle someone has me confused with Tech Support (or how to add clip art)
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