There's just something magical about the Colorado sky when viewed from the San Juan Mountains. It's more than just the result of elevation lifting you towards the heavens. It's the lack of light pollution, the crispness of the air, the subtle gurgle of a nearby stream and the smell of vanilla wafting from the bark of the Ponderosa pines with their vanilla-butterscotch scent. The crispness of the air washes away your stress, your worries, and thoughts of the rest of the world as darkness settles over the still-untamed wilds of some of America's greatest national parks. As the moon fades the Milky Way is slowly revealed, pivoting at a brisk pace across the night sky.  These shots were taken on one such night while I was camping in the San Juan National Forest about 40 miles outside of the town of Dolores.

The Perseid Meteor Shower Over Colorado:

The Wild Moon:

The Summer Moonrise:

See more photos from my Colorado trip this summer:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/virtualwayfarer/sets/72157657260161265

Alex Berger is the publisher of VirtualWayfarer.com

All photos courtesy and copyright Alex Berger