Pawnee National Grasslands Colorado

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.”

― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

Dispersed Camping is allowed.  I camped there for two nights and it was truly beautiful.  There are hiking trails that takes you to the buttes.  At night the wind turbines light up and for a moment I thought it was an alien landing field.  

The Pawnee National Grassland is 35 miles east of Fort Collins and 25 miles northeast of Greeley in Weld County. Contained within the 30-by-60 mile area are 193,060 acres managed by the Pawnee National Grassland. The rest of the land is a checkerboard of private land, State of Colorado ownership and the Central Plains Experimental Range.

While developed facilities are limited on the grassland, recreation opportunities are not. The Pawnee is an internationally known birding area. It supports many bird species, especially during migration. The Colorado State Bird, the lark bunting, is very common on the grassland in spring and summer. The grassland also has many unique high plains bird species such as the mountain plover, burrowing owl and many birds of prey. Hiking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding and stargazing are also popular activities. Pronghorn, mule deer, coyote, swift fox, snakes and prairie dogs are just a few of the species that make the Pawnee Buttes National Grassland their home.

Loveland Cemetery Loveland Colorado Part Two

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

The 47-acre site consists of two facilities: Loveland Burial Park and Lakeside Cemetery. The two facilities are physically divided by Colorado State Highway 287. As a result of its central location, the cemetery and burial park are easily accessible to the community.

Woodmen of the World Headstones Woodmen of the World was a fraternal benefit society founded in the late 1800's. One of the benefits for members was a distinctive headstone, usually in the form of a tree stump.  The arms of the tree shows the age of the person.  Longer arms means longevity.

  

Clasped Hands," "Hands Together," and "Shaking Hands" are phrases used to describe the image.  This symbol has a few accepted meanings. A heavenly welcome, an earthly farewell, simple unity, or friendship.

If you look a little more closely, you will notice the sleeve attached to one hand is feminine, and the sleeve attached to the other hand is masculine. These hands, carved in this way, symbolize holy matrimony.

Loveland Cemetery, Loveland Colorado

Fold her, O Father, in thine arms,

And let her henceforth be

A messenger of love between

Our human hearts and Thee

Cemetery date back to the 1800s and are rich in early Larimer County pioneering family history.

The 47-acre site consists of two facilities: Loveland Burial Park and Lakeside Cemetery. The two facilities are physically divided by Colorado State Highway 287. As a result of its central location, the cemetery and burial park are easily accessible to the community.

Books on a headstone - Faith, learning to read and write, a scholar.  It may represent the Book of Life and is often shown as a Bible.

Fern - Because it conceals its beauty in the depths of the forest, the fern represents humility in solitude.

The sleeves of the shirt/coat will tell you the sex.  In this case it is a male holding a bible that is surrounded by a calla lily which represent marriage and fidelity.

Woodmen of the World Headstones Woodmen of the World was a fraternal benefit society founded in the late 1800's. One of the benefits for members was a distinctive headstone, usually in the form of a tree stump.  The arms of the tree shows the age of the person.  Longer arms means longevity.  

This stone shows the gates of heaven and a bible.

Another example of the gates of heaven and a bible.

From the song "Rugged Cross," 

I will cling to the old rugged Cross And exchange it some day for a crown

Another example of the gates of heaven and a bible.

Another example of the gates of heaven and a bible.