A few weeks ago we went to Colorado to visit friends and family. My husband and I both went to college there; I actually grew up there as well. Our college roommates still live there and two of my husband’s sisters do as well. I’m going to break our trip down in parts because it’s really too much to cover in one post! We spent the first part of the trip in Aspen. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave. The mountain views are like scenes from a postcard! The drive from the Denver airport was pretty long, but it was well worth the trip!
We stopped at Independence Pass on the way up. The kids needed a break from the drive, and we took a little walk out to the scenic overlook. Here’s a rare picture of my husband and I.
We stayed at the Inn at Aspen,which is a Wyndham property. If you click on the link, it shows you a view of the property in the winter…we of course didn’t have any snow being that it was July! I loved our rooms. They had such a relaxing feel to them. And I liked that we were able to get adjoined rooms so all the cousins could be together!
The lodge was right at the base of the mountain, so we were also able to hike up the ski trails at Buttermilk Ski Resort. That first day I didn’t make it that far, because I started to have problems with the altitude. Connecticut is a lot lower than Aspen!
The second hike we did was Maroon Bells, which was absolutely breathtaking! Both peaks, the Maroon Peak and the North Maroon Peak, are over 14,000 feet! We had to take a bus to get to the hike. I could have just sat there all day and looked at the scenery…it was so calming! Along the hike, we enjoyed beautiful wildflowers, beaver dams, a small waterfall, and picturesque views of the mountains, Aspen trees, and Maroon Lake. We learned some interesting facts about beavers, most notably that a colony of beavers can take down hundreds of trees over a period of a year! I took a ton of pictures, but here are some of my favorites!
We also got to see a few of our college friends when we were there. We went to dinner with my husband’s college roommate and his wife a couple times, and we also took a nice stroll around the downtown. One of the most interesting attractions was a fountain with twelve streams of water that shoot up at different heights and at random intervals. According to our friends, the pattern is not supposed to repeat for a thousand years! Almost everyone tried to run through without getting wet, but one of our friends got soaked! No pictures of that! I did take a picture of the monkey bench, which was a fun sculpture we saw as we were walking down one of the streets.
I always find the mountain air and scenery relaxing. I wish we could have spent more than just a few days there!
Did you take a vacation this summer? Where did you go? What was your favorite thing about it?
Michelle Brennan
Wednesday 28th of August 2013
We would love to visit Colorado. Like the photo collages.
Scott - Quirky Travel Guy
Saturday 24th of August 2013
Nice pics! Colorado is one of my favorite places, especially the ski towns and those high elevations.
Michelle Nahom
Sunday 25th of August 2013
I love the ski towns too! So laid back and the scenery is amazing!
Bonnie
Friday 23rd of August 2013
Colorado is on the bucket list! Your pictures are beautiful and it looks like you had a grand time!
Michelle Nahom
Sunday 25th of August 2013
It was truly wonderful! Such a beautiful place...definitely a must see spot!
Roberta (RJ)
Wednesday 21st of August 2013
Great pictures! We love the Maroon Bells. We try to make an annual trip over Independence Pass every fall to see the beautiful Aspen gold. We never tire of the beauty of the mountains. :)
Michelle Nahom
Sunday 25th of August 2013
I definitely wouldn't mind going back to the Maroon Bells! I would have loved to have spent more time there! It was so beautiful!
Amy
Wednesday 21st of August 2013
Great pictures! I've only been to Colorado on business, never for pleasure. You've whet my appetite, though! We did a bunch of road trips this summer…mountains, lakes, waterfalls, ocean beaches. Travelling is my passion…I even enjoy looking at other people's travel photos, so I'm eager to see Part 2 of your vacation!
Michelle Nahom
Sunday 25th of August 2013
I love to see new places too! I'll have to check out your post as well! Aspen really was a treasure! The mountains were so majestic...I think I could have sat on a park bench and stared at them all day!