Mayflower Gulch Family Portraits

Mayflower Gulch is a favorite location for portraits located in between Copper Mountain and Leadville. Last Friday I headed up there with the beautiful Morano Family from Dillon. They are neighbors and friends and we had been planning this for several weeks - postponed it once for Mom to deliver a baby, as she's a physician! But this afternoon could not have been more beautiful - and even 8 year old Alex got into the mood after awhile and got rid of that cheesy fake smile!

Dave made me smile on several occasions with his "typical male attitude" towards photos. I could tell Alex was just warming up and Adele was enjoying it, but Dave's smile was getting a little tired. About halfway through I asked Dave, "are you about done with me yet, Dave?" He smiled slyly and asked, "is that a choice you're giving me?"

Family slideshow online here...















I am still in shock and trying to comprehend that the father, Dave Morano, passed away less than 24 hours after we took these photos. He was climbing a mountain outside Aspen on Saturday and fell to his death. This Summit Daily News article has more details and there will be a service on Sunday September 18th in Dillon.

Dave was a neighbor, a friend, a great husband and father and an amazing mountaineer. This is a shock and a great loss to all in our neighborhood and community. But I am so thankful that the family took time to get family portraits done - the photos will be cherished.

And we will watch over Adele and 8 year old Alex... as neighbors and as a community - and help them continue to enjoy life and the great outdoors as you did Dave. You were an inspiration to us all....

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