Asides

Boulders, Books, and Rocks–Along the Rocky Mountain Way

Being in Denver, we felt compelled to visit Rocky Mountain National Park on an off day, so we set out early to do just that! Along the way, we visited the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder to explore the local shops. One store we stopped at was the Boulder Bookstore, where Olivia purchased a notebook, a copy of Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, and a set of beautiful notecards. It was an excellent bookstore, and I am sure we all wished we had more time to explore it.

Nearby, we saw the Boulder County Court House, a building designed in the art deco style.

Finally, to prepare for our trip, we went to a local market in Lyons called St. Vrain Market, Deli, and Bakery. At the deli, we picked up sandwiches to enjoy on the mountain.

Rocky Mountain National Park

by Olivia Discon

The trails were a patchwork of ice and untouched snow, the lakes frozen over into eerie stillness. A single blue Stellar’s jay flitted between bare branches, watching us with the kind of judgment only nature can provide. 

Rocky Mountain National Park in winter is a mix of beauty and betrayal.

The meadows stretched wide and open, peaceful and quiet under the weight of the season.

Trails wove through icy patches and steep layers of snow. Every step was a guessing game—solid ground or sudden sinkhole?

We crunched through the meadows, the wind howling low across the open expanse, until we reached the rocks. 

That’s when things escalated.

Professor Yawn and I decided, in our infinite wisdom, that we should climb them. Not just once. Not just some rocks. No, we scaled rock faces like mountain goats who had lost all sense of self-preservation.

One climb turned into another, and before we knew it, we were standing at a questionable height, looking out over the vastness of the park.

And that’s when we heard it.

A faint, disembodied voice from below.

It was Chrissy.

From where we stood, she was just a tiny figure, barely visible, shouting up at us as if we had ascended into some divine realm. The wind carried our voices down to her, but to her ears, it must have sounded like the echoes of gods speaking from the mountaintops. We, of course, did not correct this perception.

“Chrissy, we see all,” I replied, as if we had unlocked some kind of mountain-wisdom. “We are everywhere and nowhere.”

She was not impressed. But she did eventually find her way up.

And we were able to share in the beautiful views.

We eventually made our way back down, the snow still unpredictable beneath our feet, the air crisp and unforgiving.

But it was as beautiful as it was unforgiving.

And we explored that beauty by circling the perimeter of Sprague Lake (on the East side of the Park, where it was much snowier)….

Note: Chrissy and Olivia in Distance

…where we witnesses to a proposal!

The winds were brutal, but the scenery was just compensation.

And we ultimately enjoyed our time on the Lake–so much so that we decided to go to another!

The Brutality – Scenery tension was a bit more on the side of Brutality at Bear Lake. The snows were deeper, so much so that the trail was indiscernible, except for the occasional signs that were almost buried in the snow.

Note “Bierstadt Lake,” Named for Artist Albert Bierstadt

Few people were on the trails, for good reason.

But we ventured on, trudging through the snow, around rocks, and even on the frozen lake!

It was quite a different experience than we were accustomed to in Texas on spring break.

As we made additional forays into the park, we made additional discoveries, such as deer (we ended up seeing almost 50).

On one case, when returning to the van, Stephanie interjected, saying, “Moose. Don’t step any further.”

Little did we know, there were two of them—the first that Chrissy and I had ever seen.

They moved through the trees, pausing only to munch on whatever food they could find amidst the snow. Later, on our drive out, we saw even more moose, casually grazing along the roadside. Professor Yawn and Chrissy, feeling adventurous, hopped out to get closer for photos. Stephanie and I, however, stayed in the car, content with admiring from a safe (and smart) distance.

Despite the unpredictability of nature, we thoroughly enjoyed Rocky Mountain National Park.

It became, by a wide margin, our favorite National Park experience. It was immediately understood why painters and romantic poets expressed the sense of awe provided by America’s vast and inspiring landscape.

 

Mile-High Art

Following panels where we had a chance to see some SHSU professors and staff, we proceeded to explore the art scene in Denver. With four major art museums in the city, Denver is considered a high-profile art destination–a reputation we wanted to assess for ourselves.

Denver Museum of Art

After a quick lunch break, we decided to spend our afternoon stimulating our minds in a different fashion by visiting the Denver Museum of Art. Not knowing what to expect, besides a “scavenger hunt” list provided by Professor Yawn, we were eager to explore and curious to know what we would come across.

LEAP Ambassadors with a Claes Oldenburg Sculpture at the Denver Art Museum

To our great surprise, there were several incredible pieces from many of the great artists, especially in both contemporary and western art. The building, which is quite modern in and of itself, was filled with names such as Keith Haring, Louise Bourgeois, Victor Higgins, Donald Judd, and Birger Sandzén (more on Sandzen in upcoming blogs).

There were some important outliers to be noted in this collection. Chrissy especially enjoyed a wintery scene by Monet, which she fondly associated with the film, Citizen Kane.

She also enjoyed some modern pieces, and if you know Chrissy, that is a true surprise! Particularly, she preferred works by Roxie Paine in varying mediums.

It’s been a pleasure to see her immersion into becoming an art enthusiast, branching out into more types of art.

Sure, it did require a phase of Andy Warhol, but it was worth it!

It is too bad fellow LEAP Ambassador Michelle Cardenas was not with us; she is a big fan of the idealized paintings of Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Cole, and Thomas Moran, and there were many of these to be seen!

As for me, I enjoyed tying in themes in this trip, and seeing some newfound favorites reinforced their name and style further. Allan Tupper True…

…Alexander Phimster Proctor…

… and Victor Higgins.

I also saw some of my all-time favorites! Among Deborah Butterfield’s herd of bronze-casted horses, we came across three, including the best one I’ve seen in person, which was a horse lying down.

Butterfield’s work is interesting. Not only does she create horses from broad solid objects not typically associated with horses, but the material is often disguised. The above piece, for example, appears to be pieces of wood put together to resemble a horse, but in fact, this piece was made of metal. The metal was cast from wood and then assembled to create the horse.

In the past, we’ve seen Butterfield pieces in DC (the Kennedy Center), NOLA (Besthoff Sculpture Garden), Lubbock (Texas Tech University), and Fort Worth (Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art), but we’ve never seen three in the same place!

Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art

by Chrissy Biello

When people think of art, they might not immediately picture chairs, tables, clocks, or other everyday objects. However, these ordinary objects become extraordinary when designed with unique styles that allow individuals to showcase their personalities and express what truly makes them who they are. The Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art in Denver, Colorado, highlights this idea by showcasing a diverse collection, offering visitors a unique museum experience.

One of the museum’s most distinctive features is its chronological layout. Rather than grouping pieces by type or artist, the collection is arranged by time period, starting in 1870 and continuing to the present. This approach allows visitors to see how artistic styles and design trends evolved over the decades.

Among the many artists featured, the museum showcases the work of Vance Kirkland. His early paintings focused on realism, as seen in Moonlight in Central City. 

Later in life, his style shifted toward abstract expressionism, reflecting a dramatic change in his artistic approach.

For those curious about Kirkland’s creative process, his personal studio is preserved within the museum. It features a spacious area where he painted, and in front of this space stands a large bookshelf spanning the back wall. The books include artists such as Matisse, Cézanne, and Botero.

Beyond paintings, the museum features an impressive collection of furniture. One highlight is the Taliesin Dining Chair, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1955. The name comes from Wright’s home, which was destroyed in a fire in 1914 and rebuilt. The chair’s “Taliesin edges” are a signature element in his designs. 

Many other Wright pieces can be found throughout the museum…

The museum also displays work by Philip Johnson. Johnson is known for designing the PPG Building in Pittsburgh and the AT&T building in Houston. His Floor Lamp, created with lighting designer Richard Kelly, offers visitors a look at different approaches to lighting and design.

Another highlight is the collection of works by Charles and Ray Eames, a husband-and-wife duo known for their work in architecture, graphic design, and filmmaking, though they are best recognized for their innovative chair designs. Their chairs, displayed throughout the Kirkland Museum, differ from modern furniture yet remain highly functional.

In terms of trinkets, you can find a Noguchi bird compact, a ceramic pitcher designed by Pablo Picasso, and small tea cups designed by Alexander Calder. 

Additionally, visitors can view a piece by Dale Chihuly…

…and a set of Roy Lichtenstein dinner plates!

In all, the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art offers a unique experience for those accustomed to traditional art museums. With its diverse collection of paintings, furniture, glassware, and more, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Exploring the Great Outdoors and ‘The Singing Sands of Alamosa’

by Chrissy Biello

Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Zapata Falls is a scenic waterfall that many can see by completing a short hike. The trail, frequented by countless year-round, offers not only a glimpse of the Great Sand Dunes National Park, but also allows you to see the surrounding mountain landscape as you make your way to the enclosed cave.  

During the winter, when the trail becomes icier, it becomes evident that one would need crampons for the rest of the way. Unless, however, they wanted to trust their personal balance to not slip down while others stood camera ready nearby.

As you reach the cave, you can hear the stream flowing beneath your feet, moving from within the frozen waterfall. Where sunlight reaches inside, a large section of ice has melted, revealing frigid water. This is an inviting yet risky opportunity for anyone willing to test their tolerance for the cold.

Eager to explore further, I started climbing the icy edge to reach a higher vantage point, hoping to get a closer look at the formations. However, as I began, Professor Yawn cautioned me that if I slipped, I would likely take a plunge into the creek. What was once a cascading waterfall had become what appeared to be an icy waterslide.

Keeping that warning in mind, I proceeded with extra caution and, thankfully, made it to the top safely.

Strangely enough, it did not feel cold up there, though that might have been due to the nerves that had initially distracted me from noticing the temperature. After carefully making my way down with Olivia’s help, we set off toward the Great Sand Dunes National Park….

Given the title of a national park in 2004, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is an experience that will leave you both satisfied and extremely tired. With their striking optical illusion, sand dunes have inspired countless art pieces over the years. Seeing them in person, it is easy to understand why. While they showcase fascinating geological formations, they also flow together naturally, creating a stunning yet diverse landscape with plenty to take in.

As your feet sink deeper into the sand and your breathing grows heavier, the sounds of others enjoying the park begin to surround you. Families sled down the dunes, while others sit quietly, taking in the view of the mountains. Seeing it all firsthand, it is clear that national parks serve as a sanctuary for many.

And when having the chance to catch our breath, Olivia was able to try a few tricks on the sand….

While she was incredibly graceful, I am sure many still felt a tad uneasy. Walking across the dunes is challenging enough, but performing gymnastics there demands a level of confidence that can apparently outshine the fear of tumbling down.

When you finally decide you have had enough, you will soon realize you are not in the clear yet as you now have to make your way down. This, however, was less daunting because you could almost glide down each sand dune.

In all, the Great Sand Dunes National Park is an eventful opportunity to test your leg strength and connect with not only nature but those around you. It is a unique environment that will leave you with great memories and maybe a little too much sand in your shoes.