At Home in the Mountains

Just a Colorado girl finding her way through life. :)

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I'm so fortunate to live in such a beautiful state! #colorado #fallcolors #bluesky #aspens

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Dinosaur National Monument! #wscugeology #dinosaurnationalmonument #morningstorm

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Fall is coming and I am ready! #creede #colorado #autumncolors #aspens

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Have you ever slept inside a volcano before? #westerncoloradogeology #creede #colorado #creedecaldera #nerdstatus

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Crystal Mill! #colorado #hiking #crystalmill #mountains

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Love this Colorado life! #colorado #crestedbutte #mountainlife

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Although I'm a geologist I can't help but frolic through the wildflowers. #crestedbutte #nerd #colorado #wildflowers # mountains

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Great way to start the morning! #nofilter #colorado #bluemesa #bluesky #fishing

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The newest additions to our backyard wildlife family! Horned Lark chicks! #falconcolorado #hornedlark #colorado

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Tincup, Colorado! @yllwlzrd #ghosttown #colorado #tincup #hiking #bluesky

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Lee's Ferry, Arizona

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Eliot Porter

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THE Best Friend

Watching your best friend pass away right before your eyes is the most heartbreaking thing you can watch. Missy has been my best friend for almost 15 years. Since I was a little kid we played together and she has always had my back. As we've both gotten older she's watched me get through college and I've watched her get closer to the end. A couple days ago she stopped eating, and the last few days have been rough. She seems to understand that the end is near and every time I lay on the floor with her she rests her head on my hand as if to comfort me. I love this girl so much and I can't imagine my life without her. 

[mothernaturenetwork]

Climate change may increase volcanic eruptions

Findings were based only on natural changes in climate, so it’s not clear whether human-caused climate change would have the same impact.

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Moon may outshine Quadrantid meteor shower tonight

NASA will provide a live webcast of the 2013 Quadrantid meteor shower each night this week through Jan. 4.

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America’s national parks are full of beauty and natural wonders, but they’re also home to many things that can strike fear in the hearts of hesitant hikers: dark caverns, wild animals and complete isolation. For the most part, there’s nothing to fear, but if you’re looking to add a little spooky spice to your next outdoor adventure, check out these eight parks. 8 creepiest places in national parks

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I will visit all of them! :)

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A New Ashlee For 2013

As 2012 draws to a close and I have time to reflect on the last year, I've realized so many things about myself. 2012 was an eventful year of my life and through the hundreds of mistakes I made, I learned so much about the person I am, compared to the person I want to be.

This year I realized how big of a pushover I am. I pride myself on telling other people how strong of a person I am, but when I fall for someone, I'm no stronger than a twig in a tornado. 2012 provided me with my biggest lesson about relationships ever: Never live with someone until you are married to them! I don't regret the things I've done this past year but while living with him meant a lot to me, it meant nothing to him. I relied on him so heavily that when everything crashed and burned, I didn't even know how to stand on my own. And I never want to feel that way again. This relationship also showed me how afraid I am now of love. Its hard to believe in love when you are the type of person who gives everything, but receives nothing. I don't want to be that person anymore.

I also dealt with the death of my grandmother this year. It was so incredibly difficult to cope with her sickness and death when I wasn't with my family. I knew that my parents would be needing me more than ever as a support system but it was hard to stay strong being so far away. Her funeral was beautiful with the golden aspens and the mountains. It would have been everything she would have wanted and that helped me cope. Considering how quickly she got sick and passed away, I realized that I have so much I want to do and see in my life. 

2012 was rough but there were also so many good things that happened for me. Over the summer I worked for a conservation corps rebuilding trails and building fences in the Black Canyon National Park. It was one of the toughest jobs I've ever had but it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Camping for four nights a week and hiking in some of the most beautiful places in Colorado really inspired me. The geology of the state is so incredible and I want to travel around before actually settling in one place. I'm so blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the country and I want to see it all. :) 

All of my mistakes are in my past, and that's where they need to stay. The lessons, however, will stay with me. Here's to a great 2013, the year I graduate college and start the rest of my life, and to the year where I will truly find myself. Ash