Capture the Color 2013 #CTC13

Two fox kits playing in Yellowstone National Park

My blogger friend Traveling Ted nominated me for Capture the Color 2013, a sort of chain blogging event. The deal is to post pictures with one of five colors – blue, green, red, white, and yellow – and write a little something about each. I decided to limit my photos and blurbs to travels I’ve done this year, but, for those who I am nominating to keep this rolling, it is possible to do it in any fine fashion you so choose. If you so choose.

And so, without further ado, here are my five colors and photos…

The incredible view from Lanai’s Kaunolu Village

The blue waters of Lanai, Hawaii

I loved the time I spent at the beginning of the year in Lanai, Hawaii. One of my favorite moments was when I stood at the cliff’s edge at the historic Kaunolu Village. The brilliant blue color of the Pacific Ocean wowed me unlike anything else in recent memory.

The amazing view across Ouzel Lake

The green-forested Rocky Mountains

The towering pine trees that cover much of Rocky Mountain National Park create the same inspiration within me as the blue waters of Hawaii. I recently hiked the trails to Ouzel Lake, a small mountain lake just below tree-line on the south side of the park. The views of peaks nearly 14,000 feet tall surrounding the lake are some of the best anywhere along the Continental Divide.

The red fox kits in Yellowstone National Park

I stumbled upon two fox kits playing on a hillside while driving through Yellowstone National Park. (Photo at top.) It was hard to miss them, really, considering the huge crowd of professional photographers who were gathered around them snapping away. The two kits were easily the most memorable wildlife encounter I had during my visit. It was a difficult decision to leave them in favor of looking for other animals.

The Lincoln Memorial

The white marble monuments of the National Mall

Each day while I was in Washington, D.C., I made it a point to walk amongst the monuments on the National Mall. Some days my time was brief, only a quick glimpse as I went into one of the Smithsonian Museums, and other days my time was wholly spent amongst the memorials of my country’s greatest triumphs and tragedies. No matter how much time I spent, though, it was memorable.

The golden brews of Pittsburgh’s Church Brew Works

The golden yellow beers of Pittsburgh and Milwaukee

Out of all of the places I’ve traveled this year, to pick a favorite place to drink beer is impossible. That’s why I mention my favorite two – Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. Both cities are great for beer drinking, considering their atmosphere, the number of fun bars and restaurants, and so many great-tasting local brews in each city. So, if you like to drink beer – I most certainly do – then do yourself a favorite and take a trip to Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

Now it’s my turn to nominate some of my favorite bloggers:

– Gray from Vegas Solo

– Erica and Shaun from Over Yonderlust

– Beth and Randy from Beers and Beans

– JD from earthXplorer

– Agness and Cez from eTramping