Fine Art Images from the American Southwest

Tag: Jaroso

Locations In The Valley. 05-07-2025

Greetings from San Cristobal, NM. This past week brought a mix of wild weather, scenic locations, and rewarding moments during a photo tour through the San Luis Valley.

On May 1st, I led a photo tour with my client Randy. The wind created dust plumes and walls of sand moving across the landscape, adding a dramatic edge to our image-making. Despite the challenging conditions, Randy captured some striking photographs. With just a bit of light editing, he’s heading home with a collection of print-worthy keepers.

Just yesterday, May 6, we were treated to a surprise of nearly three inches of snow layered over a bed of hail. Overnight, our deck turned into a sheet of ice, much to the delight of the dogs, who raced and skidded across it like athletes.

Back in the San Luis Valley, one of our first stops was the historic Anderson Grain Elevator in Jaroso, Colorado. It’s a compelling subject with its weathered textures and quiet presence, with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop.

Locations in the San Luis Valley Anderson's Grain Elevator
Anderson’s Grain Elevator, Jaroso, CO.

A familiar landmark that I visit often, the iconic red barn, continues to bear the brunt of time and wind. Sadly, it’s beginning to lean and twist under pressure. The siding has started to give way, and I suspect the resulting gaps are funneling the gusts through, paradoxically easing the strain while hastening the barn’s decline. Its days are numbered.

Red Barn in the San Luis Valley

From there, we moved on to another of my favorite locations, the Lobatos Bridge, a steel span across the Rio Grande dating back to the 1890s.

Lobatos Bridge, Colorado
Lobatos Bridge, Colorado.

The view from the bridge is a photographer’s dream, with the river winding away toward the towering Blanca Peak Massif in the distance. It’s a scene that never fails to inspire.

The Rio Grande from the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado, with Blanca Peak.
Rio Grande from the Lobatos Bridge, Colorado, with Blanca Peak.

Join me at one of the many locations by signing up for a photo tour/workshop in this area.

As always, thanks for looking. Have a great week. G

Jaroso, Eastdale, Colorado. 04-19-2023

Greetings from San Cristobal. Jaroso, Eastdale, and the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado.

Yesterday, my friend Tom picked me up at home and we headed north for the afternoon in southern Colorado. It was my first trip out for any length of time since my surgery. It was nice to get out in the fresh air, get windswept, and in some spots nearly swept off our feet. The Rio Grande was in full flow with the illusion that it was running upstream in the wind.

The main street of Jaroso is divided by a row of tall pines. Anderson’s occupy the south side of the street, with the Jaroso Hotel and a number of artists’ studios on the north side. It’s a step back in time and I always enjoy a trip here.

Main street Jaroso, Colorado
Main Street Jaroso, Colorado.

Harold Anderson is a friendly gentleman with a pleasant disposition. We didn’t bump into him yesterday, though it is spring and a busy time on the farm.

Minneapolis Moline tractors, Jaroso, Colorado
Anderson’s Farm tractors Jaroso, Colorado.

Harold has a collection of Minneapolis Moline-made farm vehicles.

Andersons Farm Minneapolis Moline tractor Jaroso, Colorado
Anderson’s Farm, Minneapolis Moline.
Hotel Jaroso
Hotel.

A country block away from Jaroso is the extinct town of Eastdale, Colorado. The monument in the pictures below is inscribed with words that denote the brief history of its existence.

Eastdale township historic monument marker, San Luis Valley, Colorado
Eastdale Township, historical marker, San Luis Valley, Colorado

The obelisk reads:
“Mormon pioneers settled here 1890. They built reservoirs, homes, school, and a church.
By 1900 there were 120 pop, and post office. A water dispute led to the demise of town and sale of lands to Costilla Estate Development Co. in 1909.”

Eastdale township, San Luis Valley, Colorado
Eastdale Township, historical marker, San Luis Valley, Colorado.

If you would like to see more of this area please visit my San Luis Valley tour page to sign up for a photo workshop. Don’t let the wind deter you

As always, thank you for looking. G

Aluminum, Tin, Steel

Aluminum, tin, steel on the farm in Jaroso, Colorado. Not a lot to say about this except it popped out of the archives from 2010, I liked the way it looked and the strength of the components. Thanks for looking. G

Aluminum, Tin, Steel

Monolithic Hay Bales, Jaroso, Colorado

Monolithic hay bale structures, scattered across the landscape in the San Luis Valley, like medieval fortifications and moat-less castles standing defiant, besieged by an onslaught of snow. This was the first stop on our photo trip in and around Jaroso, Colorado. I’ll be heading back up there again tomorrow, on another photo tour, in search of more landscape images. We may encounter eagles, hawks, wild mustangs and who knows what other wonders we’ll find. Thanks for looking. G

Monolithic Hay Bales, Jaroso, Colorado

Grain Elevator With Hay Bales

Grain elevator with hay bales, Jaroso, Colorado. We took a twilight drive on the snow melt and muddy back roads in the San Luis Valley. We traveled north to the Colorado state line with the setting sun in our rear view mirror. Shortly after crossing the state line in we came across this scene of hay bales with the grain elevator at Anderson’s farm. The blue hues of twilight and the warm tones of the hay bales made this abstract scene glow. Beyond, the snow packed peaks of the Rocky Mountains faded into the evening haze. Thanks for looking. G

Grain elevator and hay bales

Harold’s House, Jaroso, Colorado

Harold’s House, Jaroso, in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. The first time I saw this house there was a matching tree to the right of the building where the stump is now. There was a large Great Horned Owl flew out of it and through the scene. I didn’t spot it until I reviewed the images later. It was sitting in the tree the whole time that I was making images. Goes to show, you never know who, pardon the pun, maybe watching. Thanks for watching. G

Harold's house Jaroso Colorado

“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?” ~Unknown

 

Harold Anderson, Jaroso, Colorado

Harold Anderson. The inimitable, gracious… and, as gentlemanly as they come, Harold Anderson of Jaroso, Colorado. Thank you Harold for your generosity in allowing us access to your farm for photography. For regaling us with innumerable stories, the folklore of the San Luis Valley and for continuing, willingly, to pose for us. Cheers Harold. Geraint

Harold Anderson, Jaroso, Colorado