Colorado Cruising - Part 2

After waking in Snowmass Village we decided to go check out the Maroon Bells.  My beautiful sister, Gail, told me that we just need to see the Maroon Bells.  They don't allow private cars up there this time of year, but they have a shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes.  We hopped on board and rode the few miles up the canyon.  When the bus stopped and let everyone off, we hiked down to the lake.

Absolutely majestic!  Words can't describe.  You feel as though it's a preview of heaven. And to think that this valley used to be owned by a very wealthy man, who gave it away so that others can also stand in awe at the edge of this lake.  Thank you, kind sir.

After reluctantly leaving the Maroon Bells, we got back to our little Subaru and headed north.  We had no particular destination planned.  Les wanted to see the tunnels on I70.  So once we got to the Interstate, we turned east.

After driving a bit on the Interstate, we talked about where we wanted to go next.  It was only Saturday.  We didn't have to be home until Monday.  Les was a tiny bit anxious because he doesn't usually "just drive."  We talked about going to Vail.  I reluctantly agreed, but I really wasn't crazy about the idea.  But as we drove we saw a sign that said "Steamboat Springs."  Hey, let's go there!

We (thankfully) left I70 for the quaintness of a 2 lane country road.  Heading north again, we drove for a couple of hours on a nice, smooth, country road.  We reached Steamboat Springs toward the later part of the afternoon.  Checked into a Holiday Inn and then went out to explore the town.

It's a really cute little town.  Quite a ski town in the winter, but summer wasn't crowded.  There are many nice little shops downtown.  I didn't buy anything.  Les bought a red jacket.   We had fun with a new game, though.  Remember the "slug bug" game?  Whenever you see a VW you call out, "Slug Bug Red!"  (Or whatever color it happens to be.)  We played that, only with Subarus.  I'm telling you, every third car was a Subaru.  I've heard more than once that it's the Colorado State Car!

And I'm so happy with our Subaru, too.  33 miles per gallon average on this trip.  And that was on winding mountain roads.  Up to 11,000 feet and back down.  I'm amazed.

Night 3 to follow... we stayed at the Stanley!   Woooooooo.

Colorado Cruising




The river between Salida and Canon City


Several months ago Les and I were talking about how we had to get away... just the two of us.  We picked a date -- any date -- and that date was last weekend.

We don't get away very often.  I work so much.  I'm not complaining too badly because I wouldn't want it any other way, but being self-employed has its downside, too.  No vacation time.  No sick time.  And if you do happen to take a day or two off, your work doesn't get done while you're away.



Be that as it may, I took Friday and Monday off for a long weekend getaway.   We decided to just explore part of this beautiful state of Colorado.  And we had a magical time.

Friday morning we left our little home bright and early.  We drove up to Pueblo and then turned left -- heading west into the next valley.  We saw the lovely little town of Salida with its old buildings and quaint downtown.  It reminded me of Trinidad, but many of the buildings seemed better loved.  I really liked Salida.

Then we turned north to head to Aspen.  We've never been to Aspen, but I've always wanted to see it.  We took the Independence Pass which was awesome. 

Sometimes people pass the word, "Awesome," around with such a casual attitude.  In the case of Independence Pass, I was truly in awe.  Pictures just don't do it justice.  We climbed the twisting windy road up and above the timber-line.  The valley behind us was getting further and further away.  The rivers and the trees!  It was absolutely majestic! 





After going over the pass the road dropped us right into Aspen.  I'm sure it's a great place... if it weren't for all the people, stores and cars.  I couldn't wait to leave.  But we had driven for many hours already that day so we stopped in Snowmass Village -- a quieter neighbor of Aspen.  We stayed in a very nice hotel and Les and I took advantage of the Happy Hour going on in the restaurant.   He sipped a beer and I my wine.  We talked, enjoyed the sunshine, and listened to the little brook tripping down through the grass below.  The clean, cool, fresh Colorado air just felt so good. 

After a couple of drinks we enjoyed dinner at the restaurant, then retired to our room.  We fell asleep early and dreamed.  I just love to travel with my husband.  It's so fun just to talk to him and not worry about work, cleaning the house, or anything.  And this trip was going to be the kind of trip we've never taken before.  Just get in the car and drive.  Whatever road you want to turn onto... just make the turn.  Nowhere we have to be.  No one we have to see. 

I'll write more about the trip in another post.

The Abbey and Canon City



Toward the top of Independence Pass







Salida, CO

Salida, CO

Taking Turns

We often turn to Mindy and ask her how it feels to be the good dog once in a while.  She just looks at us and jiggles that little nub of a tail of hers.

Lucy has generally been really good in the month we've been her family.  As long as you don't let her get too far away from you she responds immediately if you call her.  She's learned to sit, heel, wait, "out of the kitchen" and is coming along with stay.  She still sometimes has accidents in the house.  And if she's one step further away from you her hearing gets very selective.  She loves car rides, though, so a couple of times I've tricked her by opening the hatch on the car and telling her she's going to miss the ride.  She comes running.

Today we took the girls out for a walk.  We walked to the bank, and then through downtown to the river.  They were on their retractable leashes and as we stood by the riverbank, Mindy somehow got her leash tangled in a thorn tree.  I unclipped the leash to untangle it and she went romping down the path and through the bushes.  We untangled the leash and called her.  She came immediately and was so proud of herself.

Now, Mindy... definitely a dog with personality.  I don't know why, but she'll find the grossest, most disgusting things and she wants that smell all over her.  One day, while out herding her back into our yard, she found a flat cat.  This cat had been dead quite a long while, but she was compelled to roll around on it.  I haven't a clue why.  When we're out on our hikes we often come across fox scat -- she'll roll in it.

Today... (sigh) she found a massive pile of fresh bear poop.  When we called her she came running up to us covered with a brown, clumpy goo.  And she stank.  No, she didn't just stink.  She reeked.  Les was speechless as he clipped the leash to her collar.  Lucy and I walked the 1/2 mile or so home with Les and Mindy about 30 yards or so in front of us.  I wasn't interested in coming any closer.  I love Les, but there are limits.

Les & Mindy took a detour on the way home by way of the car wash.  They have a dog wash room at the car wash.  She had an immediate bath.  I took Lucy home and drove over to the dog wash just as Les was doing the final rinse.  Oh, that smell.

The things we do for our pets, huh?