Weddings at Gold Lake Resort

This is my absolutely favorite resort on earth and if I was to get married all over again I would hold it at this beautiful mountain retreat, Gold Lake Resort. (I would marry the same guy all over again, just in this location!) It is nestled in the mountains just outside of Ward, Colorado, 45 minutes from Boulder.

I used to describe the Resort's location as being 20 miles down a dirt road in the most beautiful secluded area....but since I have learned the dirt road is just 3 miles, it just is so relaxing to leave civilization and arrive at this resort! No cell phone service and no television which I love! It is located on about 100 acres with it's own private lake AND a wonderful full service spa! There are 19 beautiful and rustic cabins, and they have renovated them so beautifully keeping the mountain and rustic theme.




From the Gold Lake Website (www.goldlake.com) their mission is described as:

Our dream is to bridge heaven and earth by uplifting this beautiful and sacred place and allowing the great healing powers of the land to benefit many. We see Gold Lake as a shining light to all those who seek comfort, inspiration, relaxation and healing. We see Gold Lake contributing to a more prosperous earth by being a portal for wisdom, connection, learning and exploration for individuals and groups.

There is no greater gift than connecting with another human being. There is no greater forum for connecting with another human being than in natural splendor. We need time and places to reflect, learn, and to get to know each other and ourselves. Gold Lake is ready to offer the world a sacred and magical opportunity.


Gold Lake received an award some years ago as being the "Most Romantic Resort in Colorado." But I also find it a great place to take a personal spiritual journey - when I'm extremely overworked and really need a day or two off, I LOVE going here all by myself and having some hours of silence. The restaurant is absolutely amazing....great organic, sustainable food, in the most amazing environment.

And one of the interesting things that Gold Lake offers, is the ability to rent out the entire resort for weddings. It's called the "All Exclusive Gold Lake Package" and you can rent out the entire facility, 19 cabins, restaurant, and all the facilities for a night or two! Someday I am going to do the EXCLUSIVE Gold Lake Package....I just don't know when yet!

Gold Lake is not for everyone....you have to really like the outdoors, quiet, rustic cabins, and some time nestled in nature....but Gold Lake is definitely for me! If you want to stay connected with the rat race, you may want to stay in the city....but when I get away, I want to REALLY get away and this is my favorite place to do that!

Does anyone want to join me?

New Years Thoughts about Photography.

As the New Year approaches, I think about what worked well and what didn't work so well in the last calendar year. Since I've read The Secret in 2008, I won't concentrate on what didn't work but will spend lots of positive energy on what I want to attract in 2009! Below I have some thoughts and photos of what I would like to do more of in the coming year....

More Yoga!
I have finally found yoga and love what it does for me, mind, body & spirit. Last year I decided to be more mindful in 2008 and I was! I've learned a lot about the yoga sutras and realize how great yoga is for me!

More Yoga Photos!
I had the opportunity to photograph some beautiful fall images of two local yoga instructors and absolutely loved the process! I am amazed by their talent & the way these images make me feel!


More Newborn Photos!
I LOVE photographing newborns! They are so precious! I am taking a workshop from Sandy Puc of Expressions Photography in February and look forward to more and more of these sessions that ALWAYS make me cry!


Getting Published More Often
In 2008 I had a first, getting wedding images published in a local resort magazine, Winter Park Magazine. I also had several images in the Capture My Colorado book & DVD that came out in November. I will have more of my photos published in 2009!

Photograph Weddings at my favorite Colorado wedding venues
I have a couple favorite places that I like to go myself to relax and unwind and I think they are BEAUTIFUL locations to hold weddings. My number one choice is Gold Lake Resort outside Ward, Colorado. I WILL photograph a wedding there in 2009.



The next on my list is Mt Princeton Hot Springs outside Buena Vista. I don't have a photo of my own from there - but that will change in 2009!

Giving my talents to worthy non-profit causes.....
I already do quite a lot of non-profit work, but there are a couple of worthy causes that really capture my heartstrings and use my talent in a way that really means the world to me.

Flashes of Hope - this is an amazing non-profit that works in 27 or 28 cities around the country, coordinating volunteer photographers to capture beautiful little faces of kiddos with life-threatening illnesses. At least once a year I head to Children's Hospital in Denver to do these shoots & it really is an amazing inspiring and absolutely beautiful experience! I would recommend it to all photographers!



Domus Pacis - Domus Pacis (latin for House of Peace) is a new non-profit in Summit County Colorado which offers free vacation rentals to families suffering with illnesses like cancer. During 2008 I had the opportunity to photograph 6 or 7 families that were visiting with this organization, and each are beautiful and inspiring and really help me to stay focused and stay in the moment!




Less stuff
This year I will make a smaller footprint on the earth! And that starts with one very small thing is that I bought quite a lot of new camera equipment in 2008 - some were gifts to me and some I pursued myself. I don't plan to buy any new equipment in 2009! Yippee! And I will follow the lead of other green photographers that I love.

Have a very Happy New Year and take lots of photos!
namaste!
- Kay

Rocky Mountain National Park in the Fall Sunshine!

I've just returned from 3 days in Estes Park for a yoga conference and got to spend some beautiful time in Rocky Mountain National Park. My return route was through the Park, and I had enough time to take the Old Fall River Road - an absolutely beautiful scenic route if you have time.

These first few images and the elk photo were taken along Old Fall River Road....but it is a single lane one way road windy mountain road with switchbacks. The speeds are usually 5 or 10 miles an hour so you need time to enjoy the scenery.













Another highlight of my trip was a stop in at my favorite mountain resort and spa, Gold Lake Mountain Resort. It is 5 miles down a dirt road outside of Ward, Colorado. There are rustic cabins, and an amazing restaurant. A private lake and spa services. This place is heaven on earth!