Here is my take on your last image of this series. NIK Software is fun to work with.
http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-tWXjWtV-L.jpg
Color Efex Pro = Detail Extractor Filter
Viveza = decreased brightness, increased contrast, increased saturation and increased Structure
The above was done globally but, it might have been better to work with control points...