A Colorado State of Mind: I'm Talking About a Little Place Called Aspen

So where are you headin?

Aspen.

Hmmm... California! Beautiful!

Late last 4th of July night, we decided to ditch our back breaking plans to xeriscape our yard over the next 3 days and instead take a trip- to a place where the beer flows like wine, where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I'm talking about a little place called Aspen.

I found an awesome deal on a ski condo in Snowmass Village and so we packed up food from our fridge, loaded up the car, and we were off!

Reaching Aspen from Colorado Springs is relatively easy in the summer when Independence Pass is open, crossing the continental divide at 12,095 feet. The view from this high altitude road (not to mention the lack of oxygen) is breathtaking, and quickly after descending you are driving through deep canyons and thick aspen groves- it's no wonder how this place got its name.

While Aspen sounds like an pricey trip, it certainly doesn't have to be, especially in the summer when the same luxury condos rent for a third of the ski season rates. Once we arrived we parked our car and didn't drive again as there are free buses to take you anywhere- into town, around ski village, and to the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness.

Maroon Bells is a must for anyone's bucket list. Living in Colorado it is easy to become a bit jaded when it comes to mountain scenery, but the Maroon Bells quickly reinstituted my sense of enchantment. As our bus pulled up the driver let us know that this is one of the most photographed spots in the country. And then I heard families and kids sigh in disgust- we had just driven into a thick cloud covering the Maroon Bells producing a heavy downpour. There was no there, there. It was a somber mood as all 36 passengers trudged off the bus in the rain, some joking that they should just stay on and take the same bus back to town. We quickly shuttled into one shelter that could barely cover us all and waited. Already I was regretting my clothing choice- no rain gear and a cotton (cotton?!) long sleeve shirt over a more practical nylon running shirt. Already I was feeling cold and damp. We waited with the others, every one tourists no doubt, mostly determined to have a good time despite the rain.

Then it happened- the sun came out (although it was still raining). As we all huddled together, this breaking news event was announced by many, meant as an act of encouragement to others who had become disheartened. We watched in amazement as a pocket of clearing mist opened up and grew in size right over the Maroon Bells. The sight was breathtaking. The rain stopped, and one by one we all left the shelter and ventured out to begin our exploration. The next few hours were spent frolicking around Maroon Lake and then after a 2 mile hike Crater Lake, enjoying our picnic lunch, taking in the views, and dreaming of continuing on the trail to Maroon Pass, further into the wilderness and loveliness.

We boarded the packed 4 pm bus along with many of the same people who we had rode out with. Everyone had clearly had a good time. As the bus pulled out another downpour began and the Maroon Bells disappeared once again... I suppose sometimes timing is everything.