Aspens Archives - Tena Stetler

Dec 29th 2021 My Favorite Photos – Part Two

Take a peek at the second installment of 2021 My Favorite Photos. Though 2021 was a very rough year, we still managed to get in camping and enjoying the beauty nature offers. Which resulted in some of 2021 my favorite photos. Do you have favorite photos taken in 2021? Share in the comments, please.

Fireworks from Fort Carson as seen from our campsite at Cheyenne Mountain State Park . A great concert accompanied the fireworks!

Wow! After the pounding rain and thunder storm a bright rainbow emerges just over our fifth wheel in Cheyenne Mountain State Park

So quiet and beautiful view from our riverside campsite in Pleasant Valley RV Park in Howard, Colorado. Lots of wildlife, ducks, geese and various others to watch. Our visit there was September 0f 2021. Perfect weather too. LOL

Leaf Peeping in the Rocky Mountains near Cripple Creek, Colorado, end of September 2021. Such gorgeous colors. A really cute little path through the aspens it was wide enough for at ATV but not a one ton truck.

Halloween my favorite time of year. Pumpkins we craved and the little one we grew ourselves. No idea why it was so small. LOL

Time to put your feet up and relax with an audiobook A WITCH’S QUANDARY. Be whisked away from your ordinary world in to a fantasy, romance, mystery adventure. you may never want to leave.

A Broken Engagement leads to the discovery of stolen magic and malice with a little blackmail mixed in. Can they weather the storm?

Gale’s engagement is off because she refuses to leave her thriving business in Ireland to follow Dillon to Scotland. Her family and friends are on the emerald isle. Yet, when Dillon returns with the whole story and asks for her help, she must follow her heart.

Becoming a Solicitor, then partner in the family law firm was never Dillon’s dream. Now it’s his nightmare. Called to Scotland, his father demands he take his rightful place in the firm or be disowned and disinherited. Something is terribly amiss in the firm and family.

During Gale and Dillon’s investigation, they discover the enforcer for the Demon Overlord is also delving into rumors the firm is acting illegally. Magic has been stolen, someone is being blackmailed, and a member of the Witch’s council is corrupt. If Gale and Dillon want a life together in Ireland, they have to unearth secrets threatening to destroy the firm and family in Scotland.

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Witch's Quandary, Aspens, Audiobook, camping, Favorite photos 2021, FIreworks, jack-o-lantern, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, pumpkins, rainbow, RV Park, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 1 comment.

Sep 23rd #L&SR’s Weekly Blogging Challenge – Autumn

Welcome to #L&SR’s Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge September 23, 2020, Favorite things to do in the autumn. Oh this is easy peezy! Please have a seat, grab an iced tea or lemonade out of the cooler. Be sure and try a chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie.

Wow so many to choose from, but I’ll list a few things at the top of my list.

Leaf Peeping. In Colorado the Aspen leaves turn from green to golden, red, orange and several shades in between. Absolutely breathtaking! This picture was taken above Cripple Creek, Colorado.

Hiking Mountain Trails. The foliage is so beautiful, the morning air is crisp and clean. I love the rustle of leaves as you walk through them. Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park above Estes Park, Colorado is a favorite hike, as are several trails in RMNP and Mueller State Park above Divide, Colorado.

Autumn Camping is the best! You get up to crisp even frosty mornings fabulous for hiking. The air smells so fresh. There are lots of wildlife to be seen. They don’t like the hot weather much better than I do. Sitting in a camp chair with a mug of hot chocolate with little marshmallows watching the sunrise or set is one of life’s best little pleasures. The serenity is unsurpassed.

Celebrating Halloween! My favorite holiday. We share pumpkin carving duties with our Eclectus parrot. Taco loves carving, chewing, eating and mucking around in the pumpkin. Afterwards a bath is always required. LOL

Well, there are a few of my favorite things to do in the autumn. How about you? What are your favorite things do do in autumn? Please list them in the comments!

Alas, I must return to my writing cave where deadlines loom preparing promo on my upcoming release HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC September 28, 2020 . Stay tuned! Chocolate Raspberry Magic release date been extended until April 2021. And I’m working on a new WIP sixth book in A Demon’s Witch Series(very exciting and coming along nicely) AND a new project is simmering Wylder West Assignment. Keep an eye out for more information. Now let’s see what other authors list as their favorite things to do in the autumn. L&SR

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.

Looking for an exciting read to whisk you away from your ordinary world into a magical, fantasy adventure ? Drum roll please. Available for preorder HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC. Share the magic, adventure and mystery Pre-Order your digital copy from Amazon at a special discounted price for only $3.99, limited time! Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Gypsy-Magic-Witchs-Journey-ebook/dp/B08FXBNLW5

A sneak peek at Hidden Gypsy Magic:

Discover the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic!

The Salem Wildlife Sanctuary is Gwen Taylor’s life work. Her Irish Gypsy heritage provides a hidden talent she uses to help the creatures under her care. But even her magical skills can’t help new rescues in dire need of veterinary care.

The opportunity of signing on as the vet for Gwen’s sanctuary dropped into Brock Scutter’s lap after he expanded his practice to include wildlife. The personal attraction he and Gwen experience is undeniable the more their professional and personal lives collide.

Touring the only “non-haunted” house in Salem they both feel a spark of magic. A trip to his family’s cabin uncovers a heritage he didn’t know existed. If they want a future together, it means facing the consequences of awakening hidden Gypsy magic and a race against the clock to correct past wrongs.

Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Next week, September 23, 2020, can you believe it? Autumn is nearly here. Anyway next week’s blogging challenge topic is favorite things to do in the autumn. That will be easy. Autumn is my favorite time of year! Love Halloween! Until then have fun, stay safe, and never let the world get you down!

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, Aspens, Autumn, Autumn Camping, Halloween, Hidden Gypsy Magic, hiking, Leaf Peeping, Tena Stetler, Time travel by Tena Stetler with 10 comments.

Sep 21st Rocky Mountain National Park – An Adventure!

Our visit to Rocky Mountain National Park was wonderful and awe inspiring as usual. But… This year we waited until September to pack up our fifth wheel and head to our favorite site in the park.

Upon entering the town of Estes Park, we discovered that it was the last days of Scotfest. Now ordinarily the goings on in Estes Park doesn’t affect RMNP. This year however there were several sites with kilted men and women dressed in full scottish regalia. I have to think camping in such attire especially around the campfire is burdensome, not to mention breezy.

Once set up, we started a campfire. The milky way spread across the night sky and the moon cast silvery shadows that swayed in the meadow below us. Mystic our dog, sniffed, then barked at something we couldn’t see. Shortly after her alert, an eight point elk ambled out into the clearing. Too dark to take a picture. Darn it.

The next day we were up early and headed to Bear Lake Trail. Signs along the way informed us that the parking lot was full. It had been a couple years since we’d hiked around the lake. We considered turning back and decided to take our chances, hoping someone would leave as we arrived. As luck would have it, that’s exactly what happened. The breath-taking view around the lake was enhanced by the aspen leaves turning in shades of green, gold, orange and yellow.

As we made our way back towards the campground, a herd of elk had traffic snarled for a good fifteen minutes as a 50-100 elks ranging in size from huge bucks with large racks to the cutest calves you’ve ever seen single file hoofing it across the street to the other side where they joined another 75 elk grazing in the meadow. The male’s bugle split the air morning and evening. It was rutting season.

For the first time since we’ve been camping in Rocky Mountain National Park (over 15 plus years) we heard coyote’s song late one night while enjoying s’mores around our cozy campfire.

On the last day, we packed a lunch, put the dog and parrot in the truck and drove up Trail Ridge Road. At the top we stopped snapped a few pictures, found a scenic spot to enjoy our lunch, and people watch. A favorite pass time of writers you know.

Too soon it was time to pack up and return home. We were thankful for the cool, dry and wonderful evenings allowing us to enjoy a campfire each night. In the wee hours of the morning a solitary thunderstorm rumbled through, lightning streaked across the sky, and rain poured on the parched land. That was okay too.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a place I highly recommend you visit! If you don’t camp, a day trip will introduce you to the magic of this spectacular national treasure. While you’re there, make sure and stop by the famous Stanley Hotel(The Shining). Thrills and chills.

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Aspens, Autumn, Bear Lake, Elk, Fall colors, Rocky Mountain National Park, Scots, September by Tena Stetler with 6 comments.