Hiking Cinnamon Mountain in Crested Butte, Colorado. ©Victoria Lise 2018.

Cinnamon Mountain Summit, Colorado

Late last week we made the trek to the summit of Cinnamon Mountain once again. After four trips to the peak I’ve still not grown weary of it. It sits nestled within Paradise Divide, enveloped by striking Rocky Mountains, blanketed in rich foliage and fragrant native wildflowers.  Despite the drought or perhaps because of it the flowers were in full bloom. There were no shortage of lupines, purple aster, columbines, osha, and a vast variety of paintbrushes. You may recognize Cinnamon Mountain from  Hiking Mountains at 55+ when we took my mom on her very first peak hike. What a memorable…

Summer Solstice from Paradise Divide, Colorado. ©Victoria Lise 2018.

Paradise Divide Sunset, Colorado

On the first day of Summer and the day that graces us with the longest daylights hours we left work just before dusk to chase the solstice light. There was no guarantee I would capture anything but a memory which would have been more than enough. We were exhausted, burned out from too much labor and not enough play or even sleep. We didn’t even have a location in mind so we just drove. Drove down a dirt road with no destination. We’re beyond lucky in that way, to be able to have dirt roads within reach, mountains one can…

A Wall of Televised Truths. East Jesus Art. © Victoria Lise 2018.

Slab City and East Jesus

Some end up there because of hard times, some choose to park it there during the tolerable winter months, others prefer the outskirts of society. Veterans, snowbirds, runaways, artists, a kaleidoscope of colorful characters occupy the barren desert acreage that many would describe as post apocalyptic.

Welcome to Salvation Mountain. ©Victoria Lise 2018.

Salvation Mountain, California

Happy Monday friends! It is with much excitement I share with you my long-awaited pilgrimage to Salvation Mountain. You may recognize it from the film Into The Wild when Chris McCandless’ journey led him through Slab City just outside of Niland, California. The artist, Leonard Knight, appeared in the film as well, sharing his life’s message; God is love, Love is Universal, and keep it all simple. You don’t have to be the least bit religious to be overcome by the palpable love present and enamored by Leonard’s nearly 30 years of faithful dedication. It was Leonard’s belief that no…