Someone a long time ago called the return to work after vacation a “re-entry”.  So very true.  By the end of the day yesterday, I was yearning for the peace and quiet of the woods again.

So, Colorado is a pretty awesome state.  Well, except for the natural disasters that keep striking – the flooding was pretty bad in some of the small mountain towns.  One town had over 80% of its roads damaged or washed away.  But I digress.

Thursday was mainly a travel day. First was the four-hour flight to Denver, followed by a record long wait for a rental car (cheap = slow), followed by a three-hour drive over the mountains and into Glenwood Springs.  Most beautiful drive I have ever done on an interstate.  Checked into the hotel and headed to Target for munchies and I was done for the day.

I planned to do the hike up to Hanging Lake on Friday morning to avoid the crowds.  This is one of the most popular tourist spots with limited parking.  It was only in the mid 50’s around 9 AM  but it warmed up fast.  The sun is much hotter – or more intense – when you are at higher elevations (the town is situated at an elevation of just over 5000 feet).  There was a short walk on a paved bike/walking path which runs along the Colorado River to get to the trail.

 A very nice CO Department of Transportation man pulled up in a pickup truck and asked if I wanted a ride to the trail.  LOL  Where was he when I came back down?

So I started up the mountain thinking it was a 1.2 mile round trip hike.  Um, no.  It was 1.2 miles UP with a 1000 foot change in elevation.  Hiking or any form of exercise at higher elevations kills a person who lives year round at sea level.  It took me 90 minutes to drag my sorry ass to the top, but I made it!

The “lake” is fed by melting snow from up above or springs or something.  Up above the lake (which is crystal clear) is “spouting rock” where the water literally spouts from the rocks.  Very cool.  After spending about 45 minutes recovering, I made the trek back down, passing many tourists on their way up.

From there, I headed back to town with a stop at Grizzly Creek for another short hike.  By then I was hot, sweaty and exhausted.  I headed back to the hotel and soaked in the hot tub for a bit before collapsing.  It felt good to feel physically exhausted instead of mentally exhausted for a change.

Saturday morning I headed into Aspen which is an easy 45 minute drive from Glenwood Springs. I drove straight through town and continued on to the scenic drive over Independence Pass.  This is a winding mountain road with bicycle riders for hazards.  Yes, people actually make it to the top – an elevation of just over 12,000 feet – on a bicycle.  The aspens were just turning a beautiful gold color for fall making it one of the most beautiful drives I have ever done.

I headed back through Aspen to go to Maroon Lake.  This is reportedly one of the most photographed spots in Colorado.  It was nice, but it was sort of a hassle.  During the summer months, access to the area is by tour bus only and it is quite busy.  It was, however, the only place where I saw any sort of wildlife.  There was a momma moose with a calf in the lake, next to a beaver dam.

There was some sort of mountain rescue going on so one of the trails (the easy one!) was closed.  The nice park ranger lady suggested a hike to see some waterfalls.  It’s EASY she said.  She would be a liar.  I never saw the waterfall, don’t even know if I was close, before my feet said “no more”.  I rested on a rock with this view and decided my day was complete.

This brings us to Sunday.  There were all sorts of dire predictions for rain and storms on Sunday which made me unhappy.  The morning started out all sunny with blue skies so I hurried out to a trail just around the corner from the hotel.  As I headed up Red Mountain, the high clouds started arriving and I realized I’d be in a world of hurt trying to get back DOWN because the trail was packed clay dirt.  Rain would make it slick and I had no desired to slide down the side of a mountain on my butt.

It started to rain about 45 minutes after I returned to my hotel room.  I put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and hibernated.   It was an odd day – like I was playing hookey or something and my legs / knees / feet were quite happy to he resting.  Football was on TV, I had snacks, and I worked on some writing.  Total veg out and do nothing day, a very guilty pleasure.

So it rained and stormed in the canyon and snowed – yes snowed – on the mountain tops.  As you cross over the mountains on the interstate, there are all sorts of warnings for truck drivers to travel with chains.  There were “chain restrictions” in place for two of the mountain passes Monday morning. Figured that just couldn’t be good.

There was snow on the ski slopes of Vail and even more snow near Loveland.  Yes, even a snowplow.  Have to say, though, it was exquisitely beautiful.  The wet snow clung to the pine trees so it looked like a giant Christmas card.  The aspen were gold and the sky was sometimes blue.  Just absolutely stunning.  I managed to find a “scenic area” pullout spot along the highway where I stopped and snapped the final pic.

I’d go back in a heartbeat and would love to combine it with a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park to the north.  Oh yes, I will go back.