Darcie Peet

On a spur-of-the-moment, May, cycling trip to California wine country we explored the quieter Dry Creek Road of Sonoma. In the morning, sea fog from the ocean rolling in mutes the sky and background vineyards in mist and atmosphere. To attract and invite visitors in for wine tasting, many vineyard entrances and up-front vineyard roads are lined with roses, and in May there is color everywhere, all at peak bloom. A great time to cycle wine country and collect painting inspiration! For Sale. $4200. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

On a spur-of-the moment cycling trip to California wine country we explored not only Sonoma, but Napa Valley. Sight-seeing and scanning both sides of the road as we road north in Napa, I happened to glance to the left and this was the setting that suddenly stopped me. Broad, puzzle-like patterns of undulating, spring-green vineyards were punctuated by this simple, bold, flag pole with the American Flag rising high and fluttering in the slight breeze. It was such a surprise centered in the swaths of vineyards, and the entry road lined with red roses to invite one in. My guess is an American Patriot owns these vineyards. For Sale. $5300. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

Not a soul around. All is absolutely still on an early morning walk along the shores of Lake Dillon just outside Frisco, Colorado. Just above the muted, pastel peaks of the “Front Range,” the sun barely begins to break through the peachy, dawn haze warming the sky, and bold, dazzling wind-lines angle across the water. With barely a whisper of a breeze there is just a hint of the sun’s glowing reflection. A few shorebirds are up early looking for treats amongst the shore grasses. Tips of shoreline wildflowers… Fireweed, Asters and Daisies catch the early sun and get ready to brighten the summer day in the Colorado Rockies. For Sale. $ 5500. Available at The Broadmoor Galleries, 1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. 719-577-5744, www.broadmoorgalleries.com/darcie-peet/ www.darciepeet.com

Hiking above Logan Pass, Glacier National Park, to Hidden Lake Pass, the near-timberline meadows are scattered with cheery, yellow Avalanche or Glacier Lilies and occasional mountain goats. The wildflowers spill to the edge of the cliffs overlooking Hidden Lake, so alluring in its deep blue, scattered islands and far-side trails, that the lakeshore below was our next destination, despite grizzly bear warnings. A longer hike down than it looks, but oh so worth it, as the views are spectacular in every direction. For Sale. $5500. Available at A. Banks Gallery, 25 S. Tracy, Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-577-8440 https://www.abanksgallery.com/artist/darcie-peet www.darciepeet.com

Our hiking goal this day was Virginia Falls, Glacier National Park. Our journey had taken us by St. Mary’s Falls on the east side of the park winding through cool, shadowed, evergreen forest. Abruptly the dense forest opened up to this small, sunlit meadow with a view to a slim, soaring peak up ahead, as if it “almost touched the sky.” For Sale. $1800. Available at Banks Gallery, 25 S. Tracy, Bozeman, MT 59715, 406-577-8440 https://www.abanksgallery.com/artist/darcie-peet www.darciepeet.com