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Our friend Deb from Schalla Jewelers snapped these photos yesterday….

We are so lucky to live in such a place were getting “out” is only a block or two away.   

On Thursday, Mary and I hiked up to where Silvershield Trail, Twin Peaks Trail and Oak Creek Trail meet, about 2.5 miles up the west side of the valley.  it was a bit on the cool side and there was fresh snow on the peaks.  On Friday I met up with the girls and did a quick loop around the Ice Park Trail.  The mosquitoes are quite bad along the trail so bug spray is highly recommended.  It was a beautiful morning that included a bit of sun….we were very happy to see it!!

View from Sutton Trail

We were able to head up the Sutton Trail just before Memorial Day.  The weather was perfect and the sun warm!!

View from Sutton Trail

My friend Jeff and I headed out for a quick hike in the Amphitheatre this weekend. A few flowers are coming up and the weather has been fantastic!!!

May in Ouray

Lora & Jeff

Steve and I have returned from our adventures. 

Steve headed back east to NY.  He spent time with his family and was even able to organize a mini-reunion with old friends from his High School days.   I headed west into the wilds of Utah – what seems to be a favorite escape for us Colorad0-ians come Spring!  I explored Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks with two fellow photographers.  We are so blessed to live in such beautiful country.   After a week on the road, I came home to attend to some business such as our annual  Ice Park Meeting and meetings with our local Chamber and the like.    I was able to head back out and explore Hovenweep NP & Natural Bridges NM.    Both amazing places.  I’ve loaded a few pictures up on my Flickr site for those that wish to take a look at my adventures.

here are a few photos that I took while out with friends last week. 

Our friend Steve Traudt is offering several classes down in Grand Junction.

Photoshop Elements 6/7 Basics… Saturday, January 10, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. $109.

Hands-on training for Photoshop Elements v6/7 Use classroom computer (limited number) or bring your laptop with Elements 6.0 or 7.0 installed (bring an external mouse & AC adapter). Designed for beginners. We teach optimizing, printing and saving your images. Learn to enhance and correct your photos. You receive extensive class notes plus a CD. Mac users welcome too; bring your Mac laptop with 6.0 installed! 1 hour lunch.

Rebel With A Cause: Using Your Digital Rebel, 2 Wednesday nights: January 21 & 28, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. $99 Exciting class for Canon Digital Rebels, including XT; XTi; XSi & XS. You learn the various controls, settings and adjustments. We explain the Basic and Creative “zones”. We also cover flash, lenses and getting proper exposures. This class puts YOU in control of this wonderful camera! Class notes on CD. Bring camera and instruction book.

Photoshop Elements 6/7 Intermediate “Wow”
Saturday, January 31, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. $119 . Steve teaches more secrets of this amazing program including layers; retouching; layer masks; targeted adjustments; cool montage effects; restoring old photos and more. Use classroom computer (limited number) or ring your laptop (PC or Mac) with Elements 6/7installed (bring an external mouse & AC adapter). You receive class notes and a CD. You need a basic understanding of Elements or have taken Steve’s Basic class. One hour lunch. After taking this class, you will truly say, “Wow!”

Using Your Digital SLR Camera… Exploring The Basics.
2 Wednesday nights, Feb 4 & 11. 5:30 -9:00 pm. $99. A series of informative presentations which give you the tools needed to help your photography achieve the next level. Steve’s trademark energy and enthusiasm will truly have you rediscovering the joy of photography! Programs include: Composition; Depth of Field; Shutter Speeds; Histograms; RAW; Flash and more. Class is for users of digital SLR cameras. Same classes Steve presents at national seminars. Don’t miss this chance to learn from a pro! Bring your camera and instruction book.

Mastering HDR Workshop…
Saturday, Feb. 7 1:00 to 5:00 PM. $99. HDR or “high dynamic range” lets us photograph scenes formerly impossible to capture in a single image. As usual, Steve will demystify the process and have you producing jaw-dropping results! Hands-on class: bring your camera and tripod. Bring your laptop too; with Photomatix Pro loaded; free trial download at: www.hdrsoft.com or use a classroom computer (limited number). This is cool stuff. Sign up soon!

Photoshop Elements 6/7 Basics…Saturday, Feb 28, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. $109. See above for description.

Register Early

Classes often sell out

Arrive 10′ early

Classes start promptly

Call 243-7074 To Register

Cancellation Policy: Take your registration seriously. Classes are popular; space is limited. Cancel 7 or more days before class and full amount is transferred to another class. Cancel inside 7 days or no-show and 50% transferred to another class. No cash refunds.

Frameworks Gallery

309 Main Street, Grand Junction

970-243-7074

Classes ~ Fine Art ~ Custom Framing

Photographs by Rob Kurtzman

Custom Ultrachrome Giclees & Printing

Custom Printing & Classes Coming Soon

New Smaller Class Size

Classes limited to 12 or less. Most classes include assistant. Best value in the Valley!

Steve Traudt presents national photo programs, writes articles, exhibits fine art and is a pharmacist. His photographs have won many awards and been accepted in exhibitions worldwide. He is known for his energy and enthusiasm and ability to explain even difficult subjects. Visit Steve at: www.synvis.com

Dick Colby assists Steve to help keep the students on track. His computer and Photoshop background is invaluable and greatly enhances the learning.

Check out the great link below.  Our friends at San Juan Mountain Guides were featured on ABC’s Good Morning America.   

ABC News: Weekend Adventure: Ice Climbing

Posted using ShareThis

You can learn more about San Juan Mountain Guides as www.ourayclimbing.com and don’t forget to visit www.ourayicepark.com to learn more about the park and climbing in Ouray.

Our friend, Steve Traudt, is a wonderful teacher that is offering classes in Ouray via Weehawken Ceative Arts.  You can learn more about Steve at www.synvis.com.

Using Your Digital SLR Camera. Saturday, March 14, 2009. 9 am – 4:30 pm. Instruction & inspiration! Sign up by March 1 for $118 (Weehawken members) or $130. After March 1, $130/$145. Held at Ouray School, 5th ST & 7th Ave. One hour lunch, on your own. See  www.weehawkenarts.org for more details. A packed day, filled with information thru a series of presentations which give you the tools needed to help your photography achieve the next level. Steve’s trademark energy and enthusiasm will truly have you rediscovering the joy of photography! Programs include: Composition; Depth of Field; Shutter peeds; Histograms; RAW; Flash and more. Class is for users of digital SLR cameras. Same classes Steve presents at national seminars. Don’t miss this chance to learn from a pro! Bring your camera and instruction book.
Photoshop Elements 6/7 WOW. Saturday, April 25, 2009. 9 am – 4:30 pm. Sign up by April 11 for $126 for Weehawken members or $140. After April 11, $140/$154. An updated, hands-on training class for users of  photoshop Elements! We will be using Photoshop Elements 6.0/7.0, an incredible program for working with your digital photographs. Bring your laptop computer (PC or Mac) with either Elements 6.0 or 7.0 installed (be
sure to bring an external mouse, mouse pad and your AC adapter too). This class features the best exercises from my Elements classes. We take you thru the process of optimizing your images, learning how to enhance
and correct your photos. Many more topics including the power of layers; retouching and restoring old photos are covered. We’ll also learn many creative and exciting techniques. Class includes an assistant to keep you on track. Steve will draw on his years of teaching Photoshop and show you many great secrets.   You receive a notebook and CD with the class images for later reference. You NEED to have a basic working understanding of Elements. Steve’s easy going style will have you up and running in no time.
Don’t miss it! After taking this class, you will say, “Wow!” . See www.weehawkenarts.org for more details.  Held at Ouray School, 5th ST & 7th Ave. One hour lunch, on your own.

Our friend Heidi is an amazing girl. She is a native of Ouray and has a medical condition called fibular hemimelia, a congenital disorder that caused her to be born without a fibula, an ankle bone, and three toes on her right leg. As a result, the leg was amputated when she was eight months old.

She is a fiesty teenager that loves all things teenagers do! She’s always smiling and let’s nothing get in her way. We just love this girl!

Chris Folsom has been working with her and has created a prosthestic for her to get her out on the ice and into ice climbing!!


And a picture of Dad, Steve, checking on his girl.
Many thanks to Deb Folsom for sharing her photos!!!