"On the Brink of the Storm" photographed at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado by Lorrie McAllister

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Sen. John McCain just gave his acceptance speech in St. Paul, focusing his address on change -- taking back Washington and telling his fellow Republicans that the party had "lost the trust of the American people."

One of his more powerful quotes:
“Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first-country-second Washington crowd: Change is coming.”

The theme of McCain's speech, as was the theme of the entire convention, was that of dedication and selfless work for the country and he punctuated that sentiment by telling the story of his capture and time spent imprisoned in Vietnam.

As to Western issues, the Arizona Senator touched on energy, calling for immediate off-shore drilling, but also saying, "... we'll build more nuclear power plants. We'll develop clean-coal technology. We'll increase the use of wind, tide, solar, and natural gas. We'll encourage the development and use of flex-fuel, hybrid and electric automobiles.We must use all resources and develop all technologies necessary to rescue our economy from the damage caused by rising oil prices and restore the health of our planet."

Atticus and I discovered Sypes Canyon about a month ago. So far, we haven’t made it much beyond the first lookout, where a sign helpfully informs me with one word, “Trail” - in case I forget, I suppose.