THE ROADS OF OUR LIVES 



235 



DREAMS THAT LEAD US ABOVE THE CLOUDS 



Through vast areas of ever changing scenery we follow the trail in the Uncompahgre National Forest 



to a snow-covered mountain peak 13,682 feet above the sea. 



group of aspens that has the appearance of a massive 

 green loaf or half sphere. The larger trees in the center 

 of the dome have sent out root 

 suckers that have formed trees 

 of varying heights to the edge 

 of the grove. Here is another 

 patch where the trees have 

 started in a dense stand, and 

 growing have extended their 

 stately white boles upward and 

 outward toward the edges of 

 the grove giving the trees the 

 effect of a cluster of bamboo. 

 When the shadows steal 

 forth, we seek a camp where 

 we can observe the closing day 

 in all its glory. While contem- 

 plating the exact location of 

 the camp, a shrill whistle is 

 heard from a group of sugar 

 loaf shaped rocks just upon the 

 edge of the meadow bordered 

 by still water of a large creek. 

 By looking closely we see a 

 large plump brown niarmet 

 seated motionless on one of the 

 higher rocks. His black muz- 

 zle is tilted into the air as he 

 sends forth his shrill whistle 

 of defiance to bid these intrud- 

 ers leave his special preserve. 



As the day life becomes quiet, 

 the stars come out, and the 

 mountains stand clear against 

 the glowing sky. One who has 

 watched intently a vast moun- 

 tain region through the chang- 

 ing lights of fading day and 

 growing night, can ever recall 

 rare beauty of the scenes and 

 is never tired of talking about 

 them, while never is lost the 

 desire to see them again and 

 again. 



Thus one fair dream road is 

 ended, but with it comes a 

 memory of strong trees and 

 mountains and open valleys, 

 charming in the light and shad- 

 ow of that day. Out of the 

 joys of what is past we seek 

 to image the happiness of the 

 future and look forward with 

 keen expectation to the dream 

 roads of the days that are to 

 come, dream roads which we 

 may, if we so desire, shape 

 into very real and tangible 

 things, for our National For- 

 ests and National Parks truly 

 our own possessions offer a field of exploration wide and 

 beautiful, in which we may make our dreams come true. 



AFTER THE STORM-NATURE IN HER KINDEST MOOD 



It would be hard to find a spot surpassing in tranquil beauty Upper Marvine Lake on the White River 



National Forest, in Colorado, after a sudden thunder storm. 



